Looking to build a Dual Core Low Powered PC on the Cheap

Alrighty, I'm all for the nice high powered rigs I do all that stuff all the time, but this time looking for something like a smaller PC think they are called HTPC's. More or less its a PC I'll have on alot of the time, low powered quiet type system with a Dual Core CPU (it can be slowish for all I care I think) and probably won't be OCed, but maybe I will want to in the future. What I mean by low powered as well it doesn't suck Electricity.

Goals for the system...
E-mail
Internet
My go gettem system for game patches and any major downloading
Backup system possibly in the future
Photo editing/Printer Server
Word/Excel/ETC

Might do some Visual Studio stuff on here.
I will be running Windows 2008 server (thank you MS )

Was thinking about doing a remote type connection to it, or maybe hooking the PC up to my little 15" TV that I have just to have something (1024x768).

So then the question comes up, what would be good for this? I'd probably have at least 1 HDD in there to start, with possiblity of adding a second inside the PC. A DVD drive of course, with maybe a possibility of adding a Hotswap bay.

I need idea's on a case, mobo, cpu, psu and a lower end deicated GPU I think (might not get it right away but definatly want an option for it). Ram suggestions for something cheap yet good for 2gigs.

Unless im forgeting anything else think thats a good start. Definatly trying to keep it "low" budget, as well a small footprint that I can hide it or it not being that noticable.

Edit: Plus if the CPU had Hardware Virtualization but don't think thats included with the lower lvl CPU's. 64-bit would be nice as well but no nessisary.

Well I'd look into SFF cases. They're good all in one solutions (for case/PSU/mobo/hsf) and are small in size. If size isn't important than you have a lot more options.

Next, will you buy used parts?

Will something older like a Pentium D or older X2 work? They're not like the latest C2D, but they can handle everything you listed with ease (encoding won't be great though).

The low power issue really isn't a factor because I doubt this is gonna be running full tilt (unless your folding or something).

For some reason I don't like getting used parts. I'm more of a new type guy call me picky but thats me

Only reason why I wasn't looking at a Pentium D or a X2 is because they are old and run hot (I've owned both), hence why was curious if any of the newer Dual Cores which I know the lower end ones using what maybe 40-65W out of the box maybe less depending full tilt.

SFF Cases, is that like the shuttle type case? Size is important, just want something small, smaller the better but still have options to upgrade things.

Bah forgot to add, that some day I'd probably like to turn this puppy into a home entertainment center piece of equipment.

you can get a Shuttle KPC barebones kit, a 2160 or 2180 CPU, RAM of you choice and a smallish hard drive (250gb or 320gb) all for about $300, netting you a fully functional, low power computer. i was actually considering building one of these my self for a super small/portable, well equipped linux box.

*EDIT-Added Links*
Barebones Kit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101064
CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145132

Total = about $300 after taxes

Sweet, but does that even have a 5 1/2" Bay?

Ah ok finally got a little chance to look at it but here we go.

CPU: E2180 2.0Ghz http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819116052
Ram: 2Gig G.Skill http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098
HDD: 320Gig Seagate (personal preference) http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148316
DVD: NEC Burner http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827118004

Now still in the air on this one:
Case: Shuttle SG33G5B http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148316

Reason why I looked into that one was to the fact that it does have HDMI, not as important to get an addin card so guess part of the added cost gets a plus there, as well more powerful internal GPU and wireless feautre which I forgot about. With all that it JUST comes in over $500 currently. Is there any other solutions maybe I missed that does have a wireless mostly, GPU I can always add at some point in time if needed? HDMI isn't I guess you could say nessisary at this point but if I do plan to have this system for a long haul which is where I can see the added benifit in having but less equipment in case means quieter, and cooler and I like my stuff running cool

I'd consider an AMD platform with a low voltage X2 (the 45W low votlage X2s use much less power and run cool) or maybe a low clocked tripple core phenom, only because the platform is much better for your needs. Top quality integrated graphics with full encode/decode support so no need to get a graphics card.

blazed said:

I'd consider an AMD platform with a low voltage X2 (the 45W low votlage X2s use much less power and run cool) or maybe a low clocked tripple core phenom, only because the platform is much better for your needs. Top quality integrated graphics with full encode/decode support so no need to get a graphics card.

Click to expand...

Aaah good point. Have to take a gander at that next. Still a little ways out from getting something but want to have the options so if theres a nice sale and that after I finish my moving I can jump on it.

If you are willing to wait a few days, I'll have a Pentium D930 (65nm, 3.0GHz) with an Asus P5WD2 (socket 775, P945 chipset) available. It will be less than any C2D/775 combo you can find. It clocks without much effort to 4.0GHz.

You didn't specify how cheap "on the Cheap" is.

Sub $500 that is basically a Shuttle Style case. Thats low powered, aka 65W or lower which fits basically all C2D's or LV X2's.

I think AMDs platform is a much better buy. The on-board GPU will handle any 1080p decoding, and the Brisbane's should under volt very nicely. Here are my recommendations:


Case: SILVERSTONE SUGO SG02W-F White Micro-ATX 67$
PSU: SILVERSTONE ST350 ATX12V 2.2 350W 35$
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+ 99$
CPU: AMD 4050e 45 watt Dual Core 69$
cooling: Scythe Shuriken 100mm Fan 32$


Better quality then the shuttle, cheap and plenty of power. Also there is no need for a dedicated card thus you have lower power consumption. Add some decent 80mm fans and you have a cheap silent HTPC.

The cheap c2d your looking at (the e2xx) are great, low power, high over clocks and cheap but like the last people have said the platform sucks and you'll have to get a new graphics card whereas with amd it won't overclock as well, its a bit slower but it still fast enough and the platform is kickass plus buying amd now is like contributing to the redcross