On Mon, Sep 6, 2010 at 7:01 AM, rosea grammostola <rosea.grammostola@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Hi, > > Processor: > So it looks like I go for a intel i3 processor, with integrated gpu. > >> Anyway, I'm a fan of Asus MBs, either Intel or AMD processors. I used >> to work for AMD but frankly right now it's pretty hard to beat Intel's >> Core i5 & i7 offerings. I've got an i5-661, i7-920 and an i7-980x. >> They are all quite nice at different price points and the i5 is very >> energy efficient. > > MB: > Does it make sense to go for an Intel motherboard when I have also a Intel > processor? Then it should fit right ;) Like the Intel Desktop Board DH55HC > for example? The Intel DH55HC is in fact the motherboard I am responding from. It's been quite good so far with the i5-661. In fact I believe the integrated graphics for the i5-661 ONLY work with an Intel motherboard, or did so 6 months ago when I built this machine. I'd need to know the exact i3 model you're thinking about here. > Asus is also mentioned pretty often indeed, MSI too. Which is the best, > that's all I have to know ;) > > Power: > When it comes to a power supply I was thinking about Enermax PRO82+ 385W. I > heard that brand is good... I am energy conscious also. I chose the 500W Antec EarthWatts supply. However in testing the machine I ended up thinking the 500W was a vast overkill. I've got 3 hard drives and two LCD monitors attached, along with the DSL router, and I still draw less than 175 Watts. I suspect your 385W is more than enough. Just buy the most efficient one your budget will allow, especially if you're going to run this 24/7. The costs add up over a year and I figure you pay for the more expensive supply in under a year in electricity savings. (Depends on what you pay per KWH. Here in California it's pretty expensive.) > > Cases: > There are pretty some option these days. Towers, mini-itx, htpc. I like the > style of the Antec ones ( antec Solo-EU Quiet Mini Tower Case, NoPSU, for > example). > Smaller is more mobile and looks nicer, but what is better and more silent? > Really good, quiet cases are not very compatible with your budget. I like CoolerMaster but they are expensive. My view is I reuse them. I own 3. The first one has been with me over 11 years and had 4 different machines in it over the years. Cost me $250 way back when but has been completely worth the money. Problem is it's a standard mini tower and it will never get smaller. My most recent is a full tower CoolerMaster Cosmos with a 5 disks - a 2 disk RAID 0 and a 3 disk RAID1. It's not silent but it's manageable in the house for what I use it for. Cost me something like $250 and weighs so much I can hardly lift it fully loaded. You can always add sound proofing to any case as long as you are careful about the air flow. > Memory: > Any recommended brands, type and speed? > I use only Crucial, either directly through them or through Amazon. Lifetime guarantee, no questions asked. They've replaced 3 sets for me in the last decade and never asked why. Hope this helps, Mark > > Regards, > > \r > > _______________________________________________ Linux-audio-user mailing list Linux-audio-user@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://lists.linuxaudio.org/listinfo/linux-audio-user
