Recipe Computer and Compatibility

Jim · Jan 7, 2008

Paul · Jan 7, 2008

Jim said:
Hello,

I'm undertaking a home project for my wife. My idea is to put together
a small, barebones type of computer and couple it with a touch screen
monitor for use in the kitchen. I want to put the actual computer in a
cabinet and just have the monitor on the counter, so she can store all
of her recipes and maybe do some basic web surfing.

I did a little Tiger Direct research and came up with the following
set of parts:

Case - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1800612&sku=ULT33117
Motherboard - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2749264&sku=S458-1260
CPU - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3391332&sku=CP1-AM2-3200A
CPU Fan - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2541425&sku=C283-2026
RAM - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1071038&sku=ULT31690
Power - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2222639&sku=GEN-2001
Monitor - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2668390&sku=P610-1581
Wireless - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3350605&sku=D145-1004

Would all of these parts be compatible with each other and am I
missing anything? My only concern was the size of the CPU fan and the
size of the case might be an issue.

What do you think?

This processor is a dual core, and actually has a power rating
slightly less than your intended purchase. It comes with a cooler
in the box. (I'm not sure you can buy any 35W processors at retail.)
An alternative would be a Conroe-L at 35W, but that means a
different motherboard. Knowing the BIOS release provided with
the motherboard, makes the purchase decision easier (no point in
buying a BE-2350, if the BIOS shipped with the motherboard is an
older one).

AMD Athlon X2 BE-2350 Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103231
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Su...x?detailid=685&CategoryID=1&MenuID=69&LanID=0

For the chipset choice, when your build is done, you might want to
check the 6100 Northbridge temperature. Some of those single chip
devices run a bit on the warm side. While a 40mm fan might be the right
size for the job, it is also possible a larger fan run at
a lower speed, would be a bit quieter. The following is meant
to illustrate the concept, rather than be something you'd buy
right away. The thing I like about this, is the bracket connects
to the PCI slot covers, and then you could fit your choice of fans
to it. (I made my own bracket, out of aluminum angle iron.) The
problem with a 40mm fan, is they run at high RPMs, and that might
be a more perceptible noise (whiny).

ZALMAN FB123 92mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118204
http://www.zalman.co.kr/upload/product/fb123_f_p.jpg

If you want to improve the thermals on the Northbridge without a
fan, you can also use one of these. Basically, you need to check
the pushpin spacing, before buying, to make sure the attachment
bracket has enough adjustment range for the center to center spacing
of the pins. Since this is tall, it might not fit in your intended
computer case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16835109018

The best way to do the build, is to test everything while it is
sitting loose on a table. That gives an opportunity to see how
hot things run and so on. Then, if some cooling mod is needed,
everything is easy to get at. Once you're happy with the way
things are going, then transfer into the new computer case.

Other than that, would be the installation in the kitchen. There is
seldom enough room in a kitchen at the best of times. Even if the
computer case was tiny, where would you put it so it got good
cooling ? I might be tempted to put the computer in another room,
and run a VGA and RS-232 cable (for the touch screen) to the monitor.
You could also do the USB thing for the touch screen, only there is a
limit to the length of USB cable per hop. You can chain extenders
like this together, if the distance is moderate.

16 foot active extender for USB - the blob on the end is a "one port hub"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006V5LB6?smid=AN8LN2YPKS7DF&tag=yahoo-ce-20&linkCode=asn

Paul

vlmarcor · Jan 10, 2008

Jim said:
Hello,

I'm undertaking a home project for my wife. My idea is to put together
a small, barebones type of computer and couple it with a touch screen
monitor for use in the kitchen. I want to put the actual computer in a
cabinet and just have the monitor on the counter, so she can store all
of her recipes and maybe do some basic web surfing.

I did a little Tiger Direct research and came up with the following
set of parts:

Case -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1800612&sku=ULT33117
Motherboard -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2749264&sku=S458-1260
CPU -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3391332&sku=CP1-AM2-3200A
CPU Fan -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2541425&sku=C283-2026
RAM -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1071038&sku=ULT31690
Power -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2222639&sku=GEN-2001
Monitor -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2668390&sku=P610-1581
Wireless -
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3350605&sku=D145-1004

Would all of these parts be compatible with each other and am I
missing anything? My only concern was the size of the CPU fan and the
size of the case might be an issue.

What do you think?

There's no hard drive listed in your parts list.
Do you plan to use this computer without a hard drive?
And why do you need a touchscreen?

Recipe Computer and Compatibility

Jim

Paul

vlmarcor