Components to have a compact mini PC
Do we want to create a mini PC by personally choosing the components? Find out how to do this in this guide.
In a world made up of huge PC houses (always ready to accumulate dust!) Smaller and smaller personal computers are making their way, being able to stay on the desk or work as if they were small TV Boxes.
These devices will not be ideal for playing, but they can do all the other homework: surfing the Internet, using Office and other office programs, managing social networks, making video calls and enjoying a good movie in streaming or from time to time.
Saved in the internal memory.
Instead of buying ready-made solutions we can personally build our new mini-PC by choosing the components to be purchased and assembling everything in the house as real experts!
In this guide we will show youthe best components to choose from to make a respectable mini PC
You can create a mini PC we should make sure to have the following components:
CPU : Possibly already integrated into the motherboard complete with a passive heatsink
Card mother : With integrated CPU and all the necessary ports to connect peripherals
RAM : At least 8 GB to do everything without fearing that the memory is not enough
Hard disk : We will choose it from 1 TB so you can save all the files without problems.
WiFi Dongle: Using this small adapter we will be able to connect this mini PC via WiFi to the home network
External optical drive : To read and burn DVDs when needed using a handy removable external unit.
Mouse and keyboard : You can not use a PC without these basic components!
Better to choose models with the wire, the wireless models are beautiful but sensitive to interference and battery autonomy.
Webcam HD : With this we can make all the video calls in high definition on Skype or other social media.
FullHD monitor: Of the appropriate size to enjoy movies and streaming content at the highest quality.
These are the important components not to be overlooked.
We have omitted the software part (we will have to install Windows 10 and all the programs) and also the accessories needed for the assembly (most often we need two or three screwdrivers with different types of points and diameters).
Components to make a Mini PC
In this part of the guide we will show you which components to buy on the Internet, so as to save a little bit on final spending.
Components to make a Mini PC
1) iTek Case SPIRIT Mini ITX: We chose this case because it is very nice to look at, compact with the right and with a comfortable 130W integrated power supply, more than enough for the components that we will choose later (the PC will consume very little from the electrical point of view).
The front card reader and the two USB ports on one side together with the headphone and microphone inputs are excellent.
2) Asrock ITX motherboard: This motherboard is in a small size (miniITX), so it will go into the chosen case without any problems.
Integrates the CPU inside with a fanless cooling system, for maximum silence.
In addition to this, it offers 2 so-DIMM DDR3 RAM slots, 4 SATA 3 ports, integrated graphics, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, a VGA port, a DVI port, 5.1 audio ports, Ethernet and ports PS / 2 for mouse and old generation keyboards.
3) Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3L:Considering that the motherboard supports RAM for notebooks, we decided to focus on this kit with 2 banks of 4 GB RAM each, so you can benefit from as many as 8 GB for the operating system and programs.
4) WD Caviar Blu 1 TB: To be able to save any file without having space problems just point to this disk of Western Digital, with 1 TB of space exploitable for the operating system, programs and personal files.
The WD Blue series is excellent for desktop PCs, thanks to the rotation speed of the plates equal to 7200 rpm.
5) TP-Link USB Wireless Adapter N Do we: need to connect the PC via the wireless network at home? We just have to use this small USB adapter, so as to immediately transform our mini PC into a wireless computer!
Supports all 2.4GHz networks and through the N protocol reaches the maximum connection speed of 150 Mbps.
6) Sonoka DVD burner player: Optical media are increasingly used, but we do not have to have a reader / writer ready when needed!
With this external reader we can choose us when to mount it, simply using a free USB port.
7) Logitech Desktop Keyboard MK120: In order to use the PC you need a mouse and keyboard; For our mini PC I chose the Logitech kit with an ergonomic 3-button mouse with wheel and a simple keyboard with uppercase indication lights and numeric keypad.
8) Webcam PC EIVOTOR: If we want to make video calls on Skype or any other compatible program or site we can bet on this Webcam equipped with HD sensor and built-in microphone, so you do not have to buy a separate microphone to be heard.
9) Asus VX238H Gaming Monitor, 23 '': Finally we can support this new mini PC just created a nice 23-inch monitor with Full HD resolution support, HDMI port and DVI and integrated speakers (if we use HDMI we will immediately have the audio output directly in the monitor speakers).
Also excellent are the optimizations for multimedia content and for gaming, even if the PC is not really suitable for the game these optimizations will help to avoid bad effects.
