Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
without compromising higher-priority considerations, we'll do so. But we
consider expandability as tied with video performance for dead last in
priority.
Processor performance
Processor performance is relatively unimportant for our appliance system.
Minimizing noise in a small case just about requires a passively cooled
processor, like some of the Intel Atom models. We'd like a dual-core pro-
cessor with a CPU Mark score of 500 or higher, but we wouldn't rule out a
single-core unit if it meets our needs better than the available dual-core
models.
Video performance
Video performance is tied with expandability for the lowest priority. We
want integrated video good enough to drive the display we choose at its
optimum resolution. Other than that, we'll make no demands of the video
subsystem.
Disk capacity/performance
Disk capacity and performance are relatively unimportant, in the same
category as processor performance. Size and noise constraints mean we'll
have to use a 2.5” notebook hard drive rather than a 3.5” desktop unit.
We'd like a 1 TB 7,200 RPM drive, but that's not an option in this size range.
We'll choose a higher-capacity 5,400 RPM drive rather than a small-capacity
7,200 RPM unit. The extra speed would be nice, but the higher capacity is
a bigger priority for us.
Brian Bilbrey Comments
If this system has a home server to
pull files from, a smaller, faster drive
might be much better, or even a
small, inexpensive SSD just for the
OS, with all data stored on the server.
Component Considerations
If you've ever built a standard PC, you'll probably be surprised when you first
see just how small all the components for an appliance system are. Mini-ITX
motherboards are much smaller than what you'll be used to. Drives look like
they've shrunk in the dryer. The largest Mini-ITX cases are small, and the small-
est are tiny.
All of this may have a major impact on your system design and build. You'll
have to verify, for example, that your optical drive fits your case. You'll proba-
bly use a slim (quarter-height) optical drive, but you may find that not just any
slim drive will do. The depth of a particular slim optical drive may be greater
than the case will accommodate.
Similarly, the motherboard layout may assume much more significance
than it has in an ATX or even μATX system. For example, the main ATX power
cable from your power supply may be too short to reach the connector on
the motherboard, or parts of the case frame may block access to motherboard
connectors. The standard CPU cooler you planned to use may be too tall to fit
the case, and so on.
Sometimes, there'll be an easy solution. You may, for example, be able to con-
nect a front-panel USB cable to a different set of motherboard USB header pins
than you planned to use, or you may be able to bend something just slightly,
 
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