In a world of huge PC cases (always ready to accumulate dust!), Smaller and smaller personal computers are making their way, able to stand on the work or study desk as if they were small TV boxes. These devices will certainly not be ideal for playing, but they can perform all the other home tasks very well: surfing the Internet, using Office and other office programs, managing social networks, making video calls and enjoying a nice streaming movie every now and then. saved in internal memory. Instead of buying ready-made solutions we can personally build our new mini PC by choosing the components to buy and assembling everything at home like real experts! In this guide we will show you the best components to choose from to make a respectable mini PC .
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Components to choose from
In order to create a mini PC we will have to make sure that we have the following components:
- CPU : possibly already integrated in the motherboard complete with a passive heat sink
- Motherboard : with integrated CPU and all the ports needed to connect peripherals
- RAM : at least 8 GB to be able to do everything without fear that the memory is not enough
- Hard disk : we will choose it from 1 TB so that we can save all the files without problems.
- WiFi dongle : using this small adapter we can connect this mini PC via WiFi to the home network
- External optical drive : to read and burn DVDs as needed using a convenient removable external drive.
- Mouse and keyboard : you cannot use a PC without these basic components!
- Better to choose models with wire, wireless models are beautiful but sensitive to interference and battery autonomy.
- HD Webcam : with this we can make all the video calls in high definition on Skype or other compatible social networks.
- FullHD monitor : of adequate 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 necessary for assembly (most of the time two to three screwdrivers with various types of tips and diameters are enough).
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Components to make a Mini PC
In this part of the guide we will show you which components to buy on offer on the Internet, so as to save a little bit on the final expense.
1) iTek Case SPIRIT Mini ITX
We chose this case because it is very nice to look at, compact the right and with a comfortable integrated 130W 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). Excellent front card reader and the two USB ports on one side together with the headphone and microphone inputs.
We can buy this component from here -> iTek Case SPIRIT Mini ITX (48 €)
2) Asrock ITX motherboard
This motherboard is in a reduced format (miniITX), so it will fit into the chosen case without problems. In addition to this it offers 2 slots for DDR3 so-DIMM RAM, 4 SATA 3 ports, integrated graphics, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI port, a VGA port, a DVI port, 5.1 audio ports, Ethernet and PS / 2 mouse ports and old generation keyboards. The CPU (Quad Core) is integrated, so there is no need to buy one.
We can buy this component from here -> Asrock ITX motherboard (60 €)
3) Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3L
Considering that the motherboard supports notebook RAM, we decided to focus on this kit with 2 banks of 4 GB each, so as to be able to benefit from 8 GB for the operating system and programs.
We can buy this component from here -> Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3L (77 €)
4) Samsung Evo SSD
To be able to save any file without having too many space problems, just point to a Samsung Evo SSD disk that has the suitable size to fit into such a compact PC.
We can buy this component from here -> Samsung MZ-75E250B / EU SSD 850 EVO (80 €)
5) TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter N
We need to connect the PC via the home wireless network "> TP-Link Wireless N USB Adapter (10 €)
6) Sonoka DVD burner player
Optical media is less and less used, but this does not mean we don't have to have a reader / recorder ready in case of need!
With this external reader we can choose when to mount it, simply using a free USB port.
We can purchase this component from here -> Sonoka DVD burner player (24 €)
7) Logitech Desktop Keyboard MK120
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.
We can purchase this component from here -> Logitech Desktop Keyboard MK120 (18 €)
8) Aiglam Webcam
If we want to make video calls on Skype or any other compatible program or site we can focus on this Webcam equipped with HD sensor and built-in microphone, so that you don't have to buy a separate microphone to be heard.
We can buy this component from here -> Aiglam Webcam (22 €)
9) Asus VX238H Gaming Monitor, 23 ''
Finally we can add to this new mini PC just created a nice 23-inch monitor with support for FullHD resolution, HDMI and DVI port and integrated speakers (if we use HDMI we will immediately have the audio output directly into the monitor speakers).
The optimizations for multimedia content and for gaming are also excellent, even if the PC is not really suitable for gaming, these optimizations will help avoid bad wake effects.
We can purchase this component from here -> Asus VX238H Gaming Monitor, 23 '' (129 €)
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