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Advice needed - buying a new Computer for Roon and General Purpose.

beammeup

beammeup

pfm Member
I need a new computer which is suitable for Roon and also suitable for speedy general purpose computing (office, surfing, photo editing etc).

While I am buying new, I will slap as much power in as possible but within a budget friendly deign of around £500 or less if possible (it's not going to be a gaming machine).

Do I need a so called 'quiet' computer (fan-less) to improve audio quality (or is that nonsense)? I would just like some advice from audio geeks that know their computer audiophile requirements from a multi-purpose build without going overboard with the design.

For example - is a NUC the right choice - this one perhaps: https://www.quietpc.com/sys-ultranuc-pro-10

There was also a Dell deal which was tempting: https://www.dell.com/en-uk/work/sho...o-3671-desktop/s112vd3671btsukie01_r2005_22nm

The Dell desktop is a high spec machine for less money than the NUC of similar spec.

I already have a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

Thanks.
 
A "quiet" pc is only useful for sound quality if it's going to be in the same room as your system. But I like quiet machines anyway as even in an office, constant fan noise can be annoying.
 
Streaming services Spotify/Tidal/Qobuz and the like?

On site files like CD rips to FLAC or Hi Res downloads? If so using hard disk or NAS, hardware already in place?

As per CK an Intel NUC running ROON serving up music to an End Point in the HiFi rack sounds the likely solution. The i7 would be sensible although an i5 may suffice if not pushing ROON, they have recommended hardware specs on their site, 8GB Ram preferably 16GB, Solid State Disk 250GB minimum, for general purpose use we put 500GB SSD in these days. If you feel like it, building a NUC kit up is dead easy and may save a few quid, Crucial RAM and Samsung SSD M2 Disk are what I use, it’s a bit like Meccano.

If you’re going for a Dell checkout if there are any deals on their EU Outlet, don’t rule out the OptiPlex range, the business PC’s are generally of a nicer quality build wise.

Might be worth listing the HiFi kit.

Gus
 
I have a low powered fanless 11” Acer laptop, into which I put an SSD which I use exclusively for Roon. Totally silent which is nice as my previous laptop would whirr for no good reason. It happens to have a touch screen which can be handy at times, though I mostly use my iPad to control Roon, and often have the lid of the laptop shut. Roon doesn’t need much power if you don’t do DSP or DSD. Roon say they like the Roon database to be on an SSD. I can’t see any reason to change for a fancier set up, and I have a lot of flexibility which is not always true of NAS or server based solutions. Most of my music comes from Qobuz nowadays.
 
Amber Audio said:
Streaming services Spotify/Tidal/Qobuz and the like?

On site files like CD rips to FLAC or Hi Res downloads? If so using hard disk or NAS, hardware already in place?

As per CK an Intel NUC running ROON serving up music to an End Point in the HiFi rack sounds the likely solution. The i7 would be sensible although an i5 may suffice if not pushing ROON, they have recommended hardware specs on their site, 8GB Ram preferably 16GB, Solid State Disk 250GB minimum, for general purpose use we put 500GB SSD in these days. If you feel like it, building a NUC kit up is dead easy and may save a few quid, Crucial RAM and Samsung SSD M2 Disk are what I use, it’s a bit like Meccano.

If you’re going for a Dell checkout if there are any deals on their EU Outlet, don’t rule out the OptiPlex range, the business PC’s are generally of a nicer quality build wise.

Might be worth listing the HiFi kit.

Gus
Click to expand...

Thanks Gus - appreciate your advice ...

The i7 and i5 builds - are they much cheaper than the Quiet PC UltraNUC Pro 10 as linked above? I was thinking that I may as-well go for a 10th gen i series processor with Samsung 970 Evo Plus NVMe M.2 SSD and all that jazz for blindingly quick response and startup times - unless a full build on an i7 is significantly cheaper or in fact comes with another advantage I am unaware of!

Roon end point capable streamers would be one of many to experiment with - but in my case the main streamers is a SoTM sMS 200 Ultra (currently not acting as a Roon endpoint).
 
What spec are you looking at from Quiet PC? I don’t see anything near £500 when speccing it up to something decent, i5/16GB/250GBSSD is £600, i7 top spec pushes £1K.

I like the Hades Canyon (use one as my home office pc) but it’s older tech and over spec/budget, check it out though as it’s a nice bit of kit.

I reckon a Frost Canyon Tall Mini with 10th Gen i5 at £350 then add 16GB RAM £50-60 and 500GB SSD £75-95 should do the trick. Win 10 can be installed in limited mode for nowt, or there are places you can get a cheap activation key from, not my place to debate the legality of said avenues.

https://www.ebuyer.com/store/Compon...at/Barebones?brand=Intel&sort=price+ascending

Sure others will chip in later today with opinions and alternative specs/models.
 
I nearly went the quietpc route but specced the parts myself for half the price. They are incredibly easy to build even for an idiot like me. Here's the bits I used...

1. i3 NUC https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07K9C2VDP/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
2. 256gb SSD https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PM44G8B/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
3. 8gb Memory https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019FRD3SE/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
4. Windows £19 USB installer with geniune license off eBay

Total cost, £337

I chose the i3 over the i5 or i7 as they have less issues with heat and so they run a lot quieter than the faster ones, apparently. My NUC is pretty much silent under normal use.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
ROON recommend Frost Canyon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084HBMCF5/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

ROCK For Large Libraries or DSP Use
We recommend the NUC10i7FNH with 8GB RAM and 128GB (or more) M.2 SSD for large libraries (12k+ albums) or heavy DSP use.

COMPONENT AMAZON US AMAZON UK AMAZON DE
NUC10i7FNH View Price View Price View Price
8GB RAM View Price View Price View Price
256GB M.2 SSD* View Price View Price View Price

*If you are planning to add a non-M.2 SSD for internal storage, please note that the Intel NUC will only accept 2.5" drives with a maximum 9.5mm thickness
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
robs said:
I just bought a Dell 3681 as a general workhorse yesterday - 10th Gen i3 + 8GB + 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe (+DVD + wireless/BT card + 10 Pro), but in the small form factor - £201.45 +VAT if you don't need the mouse/keyboard. Seemed like a very good price but they are showing out of stock now...

https://www.dell.com/en-uk/work/sho...rationid=737f7c63-58ff-4426-9f90-b418cfc26811
Click to expand...

This is what spurred me to start this thread off in the first place - I saw that deal on hotukdeals and no doubt you did too! I'm well miffed that I missed it!! That's the best deal this side of the Universe!!
 
Amber Audio said:
ROON recommend Frost Canyon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084HBMCF5/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

ROCK For Large Libraries or DSP Use
We recommend the NUC10i7FNH with 8GB RAM and 128GB (or more) M.2 SSD for large libraries (12k+ albums) or heavy DSP use.

COMPONENT AMAZON US AMAZON UK AMAZON DE
NUC10i7FNH View Price View Price View Price
8GB RAM View Price View Price View Price
256GB M.2 SSD* View Price View Price View Price

*If you are planning to add a non-M.2 SSD for internal storage, please note that the Intel NUC will only accept 2.5" drives with a maximum 9.5mm thickness
Click to expand...

The barebones on this alone is £529! I think the Quiet PC example I referred to is better value.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Columbo said:
I nearly went the quietpc route but specced the parts myself for half the price. They are incredibly easy to build even for an idiot like me. Here's the bits I used...

1. i3 NUC https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07K9C2VDP/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
2. 256gb SSD https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PM44G8B/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
3. 8gb Memory https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019FRD3SE/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
4. Windows £19 USB installer with geniune license off eBay

Total cost, £337

I chose the i3 over the i5 or i7 as they have less issues with heat and so they run a lot quieter than the faster ones, apparently. My NUC is pretty much silent under normal use.
Click to expand...

I like this price- nice components too! This one could be the one for me - is this the gen 10 i3 ?
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
beammeup said:
The barebones on this alone is £529! I think the Quiet PC example I referred to is better value.
Click to expand...
It was just to point out 10th Gen CPUs are supported by ROON cos they link to one as a suggested device.

You’ll save a bunch if you go for i3 rather than i5/7/9. It all depends what you want to spend and where you want to compromise, the software packages you run should steer you to the type of hardware to buy, basically the biggest improvement to PC speed has been the Solid State Hard Disk, an i3/8GB/250GB SSD is a capable general purpose home PC and basic ROON device. Stuff like CAD/3D/Gaming is where you need to look to spend on video card upgrades etc.
 
Columbo said:
I nearly went the quietpc route but specced the parts myself for half the price. They are incredibly easy to build even for an idiot like me. Here's the bits I used...

1. i3 NUC https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07K9C2VDP/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
2. 256gb SSD https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PM44G8B/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
3. 8gb Memory https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B019FRD3SE/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
4. Windows £19 USB installer with geniune license off eBay

Total cost, £337

I chose the i3 over the i5 or i7 as they have less issues with heat and so they run a lot quieter than the faster ones, apparently. My NUC is pretty much silent under normal use.
Click to expand...

I've tweaked your configuration a little Columbo - choosing the 10th generation i3 NUC (Frost Canyon) there wasn't much difference in price to go 10th gen - and going for the faster Samsung 970 EVO Plus 250GB NCMe - plus Crucial memory (see links below) - the overall price if adding your £19 USB Windows 10 installation comes to £358.81 (just over £20 more for better components).

I welcome you opinion on my shopping list compared to yours.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B083YJQ2GJ/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BIWKP58/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MHXYL6T/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

Edit: actually the above new 10th Gen design does not come with a dedicated graphics like the old Bean Canyon - so back to your choice.

Also fan noise - this chap dropped from an i5 NUC to an i3 NUC due to the annoying fan noise and didn't notice a drop in performance for regular tasks in doing so:

Worst still - the Frost Canyon i7 is not worth the money either - best value seems to be the older Bean Canyon i3
 
Last edited:
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