Conclusion

This system has been running without issues for over a month. Although its main use is to browse online, I do use it for email, word processing and play some MP3's. The kids plug their MP3 players to recharge them, instead of using a gaming rig that consumes much more electricity. I have not noticed any lag and it performs very well for its intended tasks.

I like using standard components even when building a special system such as this. If my needs change I can always put the motherboard in an ATX case and I have a standard system.

The improvements … I would like to get a power supply with no fan noise. I could use a laptop hard disk to save even more space and build a base to store the wiring. If I had to do it all again, I would choose an LCD with integrated speakers.

If you're interested in building a quiet, small footprint system and don't need the absolute best in processor performance, this solution might fit the bill. A system for those people who do not want to play games, but want a small system for everyday tasks, such as web browsing, office apps … it's up to you. This project has been in the back of my mind for months and I'm quite pleased with the way it has turned out.

The Finished Product