Build plan advice please..

[Kartajan]

Short form; I am planning to build an A64 SFF "do everything" box in the next couple of months (Would do it now, but I need to build up the funds first) I am wondering if anyone has this setup, or any good advice on it.

I am concerned that I may not have the clearance for my choice of video card; I prefer a 6600 based card due to the "top of the middle" placement of it.

Intended use is a a PVR/ Media center machine that can also do gaming without spazms.

Component list:
Soltek QBiC Barebone System for Socket 939 AMD Athlon64 CPU, Aluminum Plate, Model "EQ3901A-300P"
Plextor 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Burner with s/w and Black and Beige Bezels, Model PX-716A/SW, Retail
Remote Control with Receiver for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center - OEM
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM
Seagate 7200.8 400GB 7200RPM SATA NCQ Hard Drive, Model ST3400832AS, OEM
Logitech Cordless Desktop LX700 Keyboard and Mouse -RETAIL
Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM
SAMSUNG 193P-Silver 19" LCD Monitor -RETAIL
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1.8GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 939-Pin 64-bit Processor - OEM
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 - OEM
SYMANTEC Norton Internet Security 2005 -RETAIL
EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB DDR3, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, AGP 8X, Model "128-A8-N350" -RETAIL
Hauppauge PCI Video Recorder, TV/FM Tuner Card, Model "WinTV PVR 350" -REATIL


*Note, I already have the MCE 05, MCE Remote, and Norton IS05; just included for "visibility" on my build plan.

 

[Kartajan]

bump for comments??

Nobody has any input?

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: Kartajan
bump for comments??

Nobody has any input?

You planning to OC? If so, you might want to check the General Hardware section for OC'ing with value RAM.

Why get the raptor? I think thats a waste, get another seagate drive.

EDIT - My mistake, I meant the CPU/ OCing section.

 

[Kartajan]

not planning to o/c.

just want a small, quiet, powerful "do it all" kind of system.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: Kartajan
not planning to o/c.

just want a small, quiet, powerful "do it all" kind of system.

Then really dont get the Raptor, waste of money IMHO. Get another big Seagate HD for storage, you won't notice much of a difference if you are a casual user.

 

[gtg948g]

I am not sure if biostar offers a socket 784 IDEQ model, but if they do I would definitely check it out. I have used both a shuttle and biostar SFF socket A system. Neither was specifically better than the other IMO. However, the biostar was significantly cheaper than the shuttle.