Haswell i3 Mini-ITX Build (Part One)

[@KuntalGhosh]

It is always fun to watch old explaining computer video! In 2017 this video is no 3year old and i came here to spend some time and watch some old videos!

[@KuntalGhosh]

Dang this comment is 5yr old now !

[@VulcanOnWheels]

I couldn't help but notice that you were not speaking in the short bursts we hear in the other videos. I'm glad that whatever caused you to do this has been resolved.

[@ZadakLeader]

Your videos are awesome man! Keep it up! Unlike the other youtubers who do tech stuff, you are very different in doing your thing. That's great!

[@KingEurope1]

Looks like a fantastic build, great balance of energy saving and computing power. Eagerly waiting for the 2nd part.

[@Kevin-wo3kp]

I truly wished I'd seen your pc builds even just a month ago - I would definitely gone for a small form factor. Well done on your clear video.

[@BuffalowGirl]

Your tutorials are the only ones I trust. No fuss or Americanisms 'what's up guys' straightforward explanation. superb

[@honestycounts9352]

I remember the days when I also had a similar 'Atom' mini-desktop as my main computer. I thought it was the 'ultimate' thing for me, but then I went to my current laptop that runs Windows 7, and still works 6 years later! I went from using desktops to using laptops, and haven't looked back since then.

[@1697djh]

I have used this case in my build for a couple of years for my Roon/CD-Ripper, it is lovely ;)

[@OnceIWasBooker]

This is very interesting i wish he would build more things.

[@JMNTLRDRX]

ikr

[@kulgan96]

i think it's great that mini-ITX board have gotten more popular smaller, more power efficient but still alot of power

[@lorderectus1849]

All hail the mini pc!

[@N0616JCProductions]

Finally, thanks to you now I know the meaning of OEM.

[@neilbalch]

-1. Don't remove the cover before opening the socket. When you close the socket with the CPU in, the cover will pop off very nicely. This prevents accidental breakage of the delicate pins on the motherboard. Also, the screws on the Heatsink will spread the Thermal Paste around when you apply pressure, so no need to put stress on the heat spreader of the CPU.

[@themrenerd7384]

+Neil Balch There is no "right" way to do it. Some people do it like he did and some people do it like you said.

[@ProWilson999]

i have a Haswell i5 4670k! it's a beast

[@viggolrkesen8362]

xXDahChubChubXx l

[@RNA0ROGER]

I love the looks of that i3t.

[@prateeksaraswat1]

oohh yes! I was waiting for this guy to do a build like this!!

[@StakeCake]

this guy I mean THIS GUY he is the best guy

[@seberous]

Chris, When installing the CPU a good rule of thumb is to lift the socket retention bracket that surrounds the CPU, then place the CPU onto its pins before losing the retention bracket. When you put the bracket onto the CPU, the cover will pop off by itself for you to store for warranty reasons. Hope this helps!

[@ExplainingComputers]

+Baz_Man_03 An interesting idea, but I would rather have full sight of what is going on, and not have things popping atpund by themselves! :)

[@seberous]

+ExplainingComputers The only reason I do this is because of the possible damage that could be cause to the pins while lifting the retention arm. Thank you for you reply! :)

[@ExplainingComputers]

Baz_Man_03 I do see your point. :) If I have learnt anything over the years it is that there is never one day to do anything in computing.

[@seberous]

ExplainingComputers Too right!

[@seberous]

ExplainingComputers​ Love the channel by the way!!!

[@cebudave]

Great video as always, I would be inclined to use some static protection when working with the boards, CPU and memory.

[@ExplainingComputers]

I did! It was just not shown on camera. I get too many abusive comments when I show a wrist strap (sadly).

[@ElectroSwingable]

Nice one for early 2014

[@michaelnager6059]

In case you haven't already explained this elsewhere, the reason why you use TIM (Thermal Interface Material) is because no matter how shiny the surfaces look, there are imperfections and if you didn't use the TIM then there would be air insulating the CPU from the cooler. The best conductivity is of course achieved from metal to metal, the TIM, to repeat is only there to eliminate insulating air pockets. You used on the top end of what I would have put on the CPU with regard to TIM. In this case less is certainly more, because if you use too much then you will have a negative effect. When you have put the cooler on then twist it around a little on top of the CPU to make sure the TIM has been spread around a bit.

[@forevercomputing]

Some people believe the TIM must create a barrier. Which is not true. Another reason I detest the spread method. Retail TIM is sold with a card to spread it. I just discard it and use my original method.

[@TRC98]

I like the retro looking fan

[@medoozful]

You are the best man Greeting from Egypt

[@NoorquackerInd]

Hey Chris, if you're gonna monitor the mostly *everything* going on with the processor, try the Intel Power Gadget. It reports wattage, core clock, graphics clock, and temperature. It's all I need for monitoring since my build is similar so I'm calling it APU-§.

[@GarrySkipPerkins]

Great choice of board and CPU cooler, but I would have dropped a discrete graphics card in there (perhaps a Radeon 7750), unless you are waiting for the new 750. .

[@Wesensteen]

Great instructive video and very clear language. Maybe "finish them off" wasn't the best of expression, when speaking of mounting the cooler. As you just had set the mind around 007... ;-) That said, I also think I would hav fastened the screws in an X-pattern to be more secure on perfect fit for the coolerplate. Wouldn't you say so?

[@TonderayiKanoz]

Cool stuff. I might sound irrelevant but what's the estimate cost of the total build. i want a rough idea. thanks

[@shaggyboombastic1058]

In modern terms an athlon 200ge mini itx build is 300ish without a hard drive. A ryzen 3 mini itx build is 350ish without a hard drive.

[@Mutumaniac]

An excellent youtube channel, subscribed!

[@freesaxon6835]

James Bond cooler based emergencies lol nice build

[@CouchPotato343]

Very nicely done video, but I don't understand why you paid extra for a Z87 chipset motherboard when you need a low-power CPU.

[@CouchPotato343]

Thanks for clarifying.

[@forevercomputing]

Features - basically.

[@Imnotimportant555]

What do you plan to do with the wifi card? It has been a while sense you have built the system and as far as i can see you have yet to use the card for another purpose.

[@layton7430]

Great video please can you do a more current version for today's tech? Thanks

[@ExplainingComputers]

There are several more recent builds/upgrades on this channel. :)

[@layton7430]

@@ExplainingComputers hi thank you for your reply, because I'm new and absolutely no knowledge I probably would only understand a full rebuild video as I could follow you through it. Upgrades would require some knowledge I'm guessing. I'm going to watch your videos and learn as much as I can. Thank you

[@luisramirez-or5vg]

Will you be building a Ryzen PC in the near future? Or when Ryzen Gen 2 rolls around?

[@ExplainingComputers]

Perhaps! Though I've no immediate plans for a build.

This build becomes much easier if you leave the psu unattached until the very end. Also, make sure to connect the front connectors before the power supply and (possibly) the ram. The psu cords are long enough to let you have it standing on the side while you plug everything up.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Robin Keskisärkkä Excellent advice. :)

[@r3nlot]

Linus's dad techtips

[@demonetizeddemonetisedinmy1890]

+r3nlot LinusDadTips

[@nettyvoyager6336]

linus is a tool :)

[@ga12f12o]

A very good build video, The ASUS R7240-2GD3-L is the perfect Video card for this case. Thx

[@BigNameJamesStuff]

I would have flipped the L9i if it were my build, you have the hot air coming directly onto the ram and if you turned the cooler 90 degrees it would have been better.

[@StopTheMorons]

I wonder, were you able to get by without the sound card? I understand your concerns about motherboard audio but I believe they have much improved in recent years, I'm talking specifically about Realtek. A Creative X-Fi I have does not even come close to the on-board Realtek HD sound of a new MSI motherboard, I have not ruled out that something may be wrong with the sound card but there's no excuse for Creative.

[@ExplainingComputers]

StopTheMorons Thanks for this. I initially built this PC without the sound card, and then installed Dragon Dictate, which simply would not work (even using a very good microphone). So I got the sound card and reshot the video to fit with that decision -- and then Dragon Dictate worked! :) So sadly here the card was critical. To be fair, Dragon Dictate's manufacturer (Nuance) do recommend using a USB sound device as their software is so sensitive to frequencies in the human voice, but I really wanted an internal solution. These days, most people inputting audio to a PC via a microphone are using a USB device (most commonly a webcam), so in practice very few people probably use the mic jack on a motherboard, so not a lot of attention is paid to it. I am sure that you are right about improvements in onboard sound, but in my experience these are in output (line level signals), not microphone levels -- and shielding these on a computer motherboard is never going to be easy. Other components just present too much competition. It is probably no a coincidence that I am not aware of an internal, let alone onboard, sound card offering balances audio. The XLR jacks are on a breakout box/board for a reason! I totally agree with you that there is no excuse for Creative . . . :)

[@nickclark6001]

Very inspiring build thanks, I am finding it hard to get the motherboard and the delock is no longer made could you up date the component details? How is it running 18 months after your build video?

[@ExplainingComputers]

Nick Clark I will try and compile an update. After 18 months, the machine is still running perfectly. I've been very pleased with this PC.

[@nickclark6001]

Thank you I want to do the same especially with the drive bay 2.5 HD bay/USB sockets,the z97mb may be OK to use😀

[@archechme]

Why are you using a Z87 motherboard with a 4330t?

[@droid7627]

You can get USB 3.0 headers on mini pcie but I don't know if they come in the half sized form

[@ranaalla9983]

How silent is that aftermarket Noctua cooler for you? I really hate anything that makes to much noise so I was looking at getting one of those for my HTPC.

[@ExplainingComputers]

ranaa lla Fairly quiet, but not silent.

[@1496-q3l]

how much did it cost ? more than $500 or less and one more thing is the motherboard mini itx or atx or mATX

[@droid7627]

If you have extra usb 2.0 headers you can get an adapter and run the other set of usb 3.0 at USB 2.0 speed.

[@ExplainingComputers]

Sadly there is only one USB 2.0 header, and I've already used it to run the two USB 2.0 sockets in the little door on the front of the PC. Though it may be easier to have these higher up -- so I may well get a header as you suggest to move the sockets "up" as it were. Thanks. :)

[@AhWing89]

Hi, is this the compact desktop you mentioned that is able to play MMORPG like SWTOR?

[@peterbrown6249]

Hi there, fantastic build. I would like to build a similar set up to run ubuntu and kodi. I have some spare bits: Intel dual core g2130 socket 1155 and kvr1333d3e9sk2/16 ecc memory. Can you please recommend a itx board that would be suitable or an equivalent set up. Regards. Peter.

[@janisvanniekerk]

Hi Chris! How is this PC holding up after all these years?

[@ExplainingComputers]

It is still going strong -- I am typing on it (running Linux Mint) right now. I had some problems with one of the Ethernet ports a few years back, but switched to using the other one, and all is still good. And it now has a much larger boot SSD. The PC will be 10 years old next year, but I'll keep running it until there is a reason to upgrade.

[@andrewboothe]

Hi Christopher, where can I buy tray processors online in the US?

[@beleaua100]

I wanted to see more attention to layout of the Thermal paste on the cpu.Must be spread over the entire surface of the CPU.

[@ExplainingComputers]

I used to think this, but have now seen clear evidence that dot is better than spread, not least to remove the risk of air bubbles.

[@beleaua100]

i never seen this metot before , thanks for feedback.

[@1496-q3l]

Can i fit a graphics card in the expansion slot or the pci slot and i have a question what is the socket used in the motherboard

[@thomaswilliams]

Wouldn't an AMD APU be better? (Graphics) -Refer to your AMD APU video detailing the performance advantages. P.S Massive fan of you're videos :-)

[@ExplainingComputers]

For 3D, perhaps. But for this kind of Mini-ITX build I would always favour Intel. :)

[@ExplainingComputers]

Also, I may on occasion do some 3D rendering on this machine, and if renders are split between machines with Intel and AMD processors, some textures in them may not match.

[@thomaswilliams]

ExplainingComputers Thanks For the reply,keep up with the great videos youre inspiring a new generation :-)

[@ptobler1]

ExplainingComputers Hold on a minute. I thought that problem only existed with hardware texture mapping (using a GPU), not with software mapping (on CPU/CPU side of APU)

[@JeanJacquesBoucheret]

GiGabytes got impressive Mini ITX motherboard !!! this Motherboard can take I5 & I7 & Xeons E3 Series as well !!!!

[@windows9834]

7:09 i had the same cooler now i have a coolermaster hyper 212 led

[@michaelnager6059]

You can get a USB3 to USB2 header adapter and then instead of having the ports useless you can use them as USB2 ports.

[@SOStudios67]

Ooo i have the same ram, except its a 8gb dual channel kit. Regardless it is great stuff!

[@Martin-ot7xj]

Hi there, what case and power supply we must to use?

[@ExplainingComputers]

Any ATX power supply, or ATX/ITX case -- see Part Two. :)

[@Martin-ot7xj]

@@ExplainingComputers tankyou for quick response.

[@mrjameshendry]

I would put a card reader in the 3.5" bay

[@mike_vahemoubayed8099]

Can you edit video with kdenlive and openshot rendering at 1080p and maybe 4k

[@ExplainingComputers]

Certainly at 1080p, probably 4K, but performance will not be good.

[@mike_vahemoubayed8099]

Thank you so much but sadly i cannot find the thermaltake element q case it is unavailable everywhere. Do you know if it is available anywhere.

[@cragbot1]

any particular reason why you used the i3 over the cheaper haswell pentium processor?

[@ExplainingComputers]

The i3 is a more powerful CPU -- eg it has hyperthreading (which I will use if I render on this machine). I also just liked the idea of an i3 system! :)

[@hemanfaridi6491]

what you think about Xeon Quad-Core E3-1220V2

[@MrMoonpie001]

Do you have a cost on this project? I am in USA. Thanks Moonpie

[@skylarjensen3249]

I own the exact same LG branded DVD-RW drive that you put in your pc

[@ExplainingComputers]

+skylar jensen It is a small world! :)

[@skylarjensen3249]

+ExplainingComputers yea. though my LG DVD-RW drive is in my storage server

[@MsJinkerson]

why do they use the terms Haswell or sandy bridge

[@ExplainingComputers]

They are the codenames for the respective Intel processor generations. They have to call them something! :)

[@nofate0007]

6:02 The socket says: *INSTALL PROCESSOR FIRST THEN REMOVE AND KEEP THE COVER* ?

[@ExplainingComputers]

I know, I know . . .

[@AbsurdJosh]

You are very knowledgeable.

[@MarkRUSSIA100]

CPU Coooler installed wrong, because air from radiator must go through system logic radiator, this stuff must be perpendicular.

[@MarkRUSSIA100]

NB overheating warranted

[@nettyvoyager6336]

why not put the fan on the table upside down then fit the board upside down to the fan and screw in from the bottom on the top :P ?

[@ExplainingComputers]

Not an ideal way to place a heat sink onto thermal compound! :)

[@nettyvoyager6336]

why ? do you need a mirror or something i dont think you understand me :)

[@imeakdo7]

is a gaming case

[@artyfly100]

Is this Sheldon Coopers dad?

[@ggesdsdsdsd]

Probably.

[@shaggyboombastic1058]

No this guys humor is far better.

[@eLJaybud]

And don't forget to remove the electrically conductive screw from the top of the motherboard and not just leave it there. 😉

[@MyAssassin36]

Linus? Is that you?

[@Robbinsffxi]

Linus 30 years later xD

[@arbituh]

That hair 0_0

[@Kennephone]

When I was a teenager I had this awful HP machine that had a 4130T, not only did the shitty optical drive die in less than a year, it also had a hard drive (I know that was standard on prebuilts in 2016) that took a long time to boot, and the cherry on top was HD4400. I remember playing GTA 5 on it, which is something it wasn't intended to do, at 800x600 lowest settings, and getting about 30fps.

[@curtiswong5496]

Similar to this build, I used the Haswell i7 4770K instead.

[@josephpsathas9607]

Please make an Intel Atom Pc

[@ExplainingComputers]

I did this as my first ever KZbin PC build, back in 2010! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6eWYWOMec6GaLc

[@josephpsathas9607]

Ok ifound it thx Chris!

[@LDMco]

With this could I fit an i7 quad core and 500gb solid state? I'm not a computer building mind so I don't know :P

[@LDMco]

As in a MSi Radeon r7?

[@ExplainingComputers]

Liam McKeever The motherboard will take an i7 no problem. In this case you would need a low power chip to cool it with a low profile cooler, but I have seen i7 systems for sale in this case.

[@LDMco]

ok thanks a lot :)

[@zacharyschwanke7080]

what is the point of two Ethernet ports?

[@ExplainingComputers]

It is in case you want to build a server -- where the two ports offer redundancy, or increased bandwidth.

[@KnowledgePerformance7]

Or a router

[@another3997]

NoAngel It might be a waste for you, but I can assure you that not everybody agrees with you. I find it useful to have two ethernet ports. And using desktop parts for a server isn't necessarily a bad thing... not all servers are highly stressed, mission critical monsters requiring big budgets. Sometimes you just want a simple media and file server. Something even a Raspberry Pi can do.

[@TiberiusWallace]

That wireless module will more likely than not be better than the one in any laptop....

[@Machariel00]

I don't know what kind of antennas laptops generally have but I think the external antennas alone on the module might make a difference compared to whatever laptops have integrated.

[@jameswallace8682]

Achenar12 The pcb is exactly the same. The gold connectors to it are the same but in a laptop they don't lead to an IO socket pair on the back but lead up the sides of the laptop screen to the top. You'd just need to remove the cables and put it in a laptop.

[@FlameSnipe]

Oh is that a noctua fan I see? ;)

[@ExplainingComputers]

It is indeed!

[@zia6345]

I cant see the difference between this and setting up a cheap laptop as a server.

[@ExplainingComputers]

+zia FreePizza This computer is not used as a server -- it is my main desktop PC (that I am typing on right now!). :)

[@zia6345]

Thanks 4 the reply. Your vids are certainly informative. I am just thinking though a small laptop cost a similar price and does the same job whilst being portable. Take care.

[@DarWr]

can u still but an gpu in ¿

[@directr4288]

+DarWr only a dual slots sadly , if you want to get a gaming gpu i suggest you get a mini itx case with 2 expansion slots. good ones are the node 202 , or the coolermaster elite 130/120 series. the node 202 can be bought with a power supply though so that's a really good one.

[@Ch0lera]

omfg you changed your very soon intonation, whyyy?

[@ExplainingComputers]

I was not aware of this! Sorry! I was very tired when shooting the intros/outros.

[@TiberiusWallace]

ExplainingComputers I miss it, it was very idiosyncratic.

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@jonathanburley6483]

my Pentium 4 runs at the same 3.0 GHZ and is an i5 take that intel

[@ggesdsdsdsd]

Is this Sheldon Bazinga's father!?!?!??

[@wiebkegatjen2003]

He's English, Sheldon is Texan.

[@ggesdsdsdsd]

I mean Sheldon Coopers father*

[@wiebkegatjen2003]

Yofatboy123 Daddy was obviously Texan as well.

[@droid7627]

I'm sitting here with my all AMD system. Awkwardly watching.

[@Admiral_Jezza]

That CPU cooler looks ugly af, did the manufacturer really have to choose them colours?

[@ExplainingComputers]

+That Panda Named Glenn Yes, they are slightly strange colours . . .

[@Admiral_Jezza]

ExplainingComputers A popular person replied to my comment :D

[@hed420]

+That Panda Named Glenn (Eso Panda Nombrado Glenn) That's the company's branding colors. When ever you see someone with a brown and beige fan you instantly know they have the best computer fan money can buy. Enough people complained about the colors that they now make black fans.

[@Admiral_Jezza]

hed420 Ok :)

[@DorkBr]

+That Panda Named Glenn (Eso Panda Nombrado Glenn) I agree they look like an old granny panties... but Noctua is by far the best CPU cooling brand out there.

[@GruntW0rk]

Dangit why is it so sexy !!! I wish I hadn't watched it now..... Amazon here I come.......

[@bobhoskins1260]

WTF USB 2.0?!?!?!? ARE YOU A DINOSAUR

[@QuickleBrick]

Your supposed to spread the thermal paste.

[@ExplainingComputers]

I used to spread, but the Noctua instructions are for one small bead, in part to prevent air bubbles.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

i have the new pi its crap really sorry that is my honest opinion late panda or a potato is far superior :)

[@clangerbasher]

Just too many options when it comes to building PCs. :(

[@demosteam]

That means that you can customize your PC to anything that you'd like :)

[@OnceIWasBooker]

***** can i make it into a pancake dispenser?

[@demosteam]

OblivionGaming If you're good with electronics, yes.

[@mkiceandfireyt791]

Apple is better.... and yea I'm a fanboy!

[@doubleT84]

NightBlade|DK I'm working on a Mac here, because obviously design studios need Apple products to look pro. This iMac is brand new, cost over 2500 €, 8 GB RAM, this stupid hybrid HDD ... Well, at home I have my 1 yo PC that cost me about 1750 € that has two really good 24" monitors, 16 GB RAM, 512 SSD, 1 TB HDD and of course, Windows. Processors are both 3.4 GHz i5. Guess which one is always crashing and which one is ca. 2x faster. Yeah, the cheaper PC. Tell me, how is the Mac supposed to be better with weaker hardware while costing much more?

[@doubleT84]

And don't get me started on the OS ... OS X is the crappiest system I've ever worked on.

[@doubleT84]

NightBlade|DK Na, only Beach Ball of Death. No problems with my Win. And I do graphic design. The mac is just a nightmare for working. Example? Explorer > Finder

[@ksagvold]

***** You pay the more expense the firs time but overall a mac is a cheaper way to go. With windows you have to pay 300 dollars for an OS. apple is free. If you do you research, most apple software, and software made for apple (with an exemption for MS Office) is cheaper. I use both and they both have there pros and cons.

[@reptilelvp]

FUCK NO AMD