Hi all. Just a disclaimer: I know next to nothing about building computers. But I built my own in 2012 and despite it taking me several hours to get it right, I ended up really enjoying the process of building it, getting to replace parts myself, etc.

I have come into a couple hundred dollars recently and have been toying around with the idea of building a mini-PC (not sure if that's what they're called?). I see Newegg has an entire section devoted to these things, but I am fond of the idea of making it into a project that I build myself.

I like the idea of using a case like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LA70SKO/?tag=georiot-pcg-20&ascsubtag=hawk-1057687947-20 But probably one a bit cheaper.

My question is: what do I need to know before I build one of these? I have a lot of specific questions too. Are there basically mini versions of all PC parts? Like I can go to Newegg or something and find a mini motherboard, a mini PSU, a mini this, a mini that? Or are these parts going to be hard to find?

I am very open to someone, if possible, picking out an entire build for me for around $200 (if that's even possible...). I will throw fg your way if it's something I end up buying. I really don't need it to be able to do anything fancy because I have a decent desktop that I use for gaming and stuff. This would just be for really basic stuff like surfing the web, Skype, etc.

Any information is hugely appreciated. I also apologize in advance if any of these questions are incredibly stupid. I don't know anything about PC hardware so forgive me.

This is really cool dude. Thanks a bunch. I'm going to tinker around with this a bit tomorrow to see if I can get it closer to $200. I really appreciate that. I'm a bit tired right now so I'm going to take a better look at this tomorrow.

Nothing you said was stupid.

A mini PC is the same as a big PC, it just uses a smaller motherboard. In this case, a miniITX motherboard.

Here's a build for you...it'll do what you want plus a bit.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CcLNdC

It's good parts, it won't break on you anytime soon.

Leave it to Ghot to post something nearly triple budget!

I think there's something wrong with this guy as of lately.
He's been acting super weird and making weird posts like the one you just quoted.

If you wish to dive in the world of "mini-pc's", I suggest looking for stuff with the keyword SFF - small form factor - and ITX. It will help you when you know what to google with. There are interesting things like for example the DAN A4-SFX case coming up. If things like that take your interest, you could one day replace your computer with such item - if you wish to throw money in such a hobby, that is.

And nice build DeXa, didn't think an ITX build could be made with only 200~ bucks.

I don't usually bothrr with very low budget builds but this one seemed an interesting challenge, here's my go slightly above the 200 but we'll worth it.


http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wr2D99

^ Ops had the wrong motherboard on the post above, scratch that ^

Here's the correct build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FD4WFT

I've said it a million times. I refuse to make builds that I don't think will hold up.
Also, I thought he wanted that Corsair case.