Building a SFF system for kiddie: Need advice

FSH42NA

Senior member
Dec 26, 2002
587
0
71
I'm planning to build a SFF system for my daughter. Her desk is small and I don't want something that will take too much real estate. I'd like to use the Antec Minuet:

http://www.ajump.com/ajump/product.asp?...3&sku=99%2D99%2D99%2D99%2D99%2D3430033

along with this MSI mobo:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241193

I plan to use an Opteron 146, 1gb (2x 512mb) Corsair VS memory, 1 pata or sata drive, onboard sound and video (if onboard vid sucks then a half height card) and the 300w ps provided with the case.

Do you think the ps will be sufficient for this system?

Thanks for your input.
 

imported_OrSin

Senior member
Jul 15, 2004
533
0
0
The PSU will be good enough. Even if you get a video card it doesn't sound like you will get a beast of one so you should be ok. I have the old minute case and a ATI 9800 in it and the power is fine.

Why an Opteron? If seems just about any AMD64 will do. I know the OPt prices are low but if you want to save a few bucks get a regular 64.

I have the same MB and I love it but they don't OC high so an OPt with will not get you any higer than a normal 64. They do OC very stable and very easy its jsut the limit is currently 250 in the bios.

I know I might sound crazy for this suggesting but go for a PATA drive for your system drive unless you know for sure you will not have problems booting from a SATA drive.
Yes PATA are leaving in 3 years if you still want o use the drive move it to extenal drive case and use it there. But really I will use PATA drive for my system drives until all 5 of mine die. The next drive I buy will be SATA, but I have 5 PATA and only 3 systems so I set :) If someone says booting fof SATA is no longer an issue ignore this. :)



 

FSH42NA

Senior member
Dec 26, 2002
587
0
71
Thanks for the reply. The opteron is a "spare" from my opteron buying binge. I don't want to sell it, but I don't want to just let it sit around. Since it's for my daughter, I'll probably just run it slightly above stock with the stock hs. I've got several PATA drives lying around so I'll probably use one of them. Regarding the mobo, I ended up ordering the Biostar http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=249004.

I'm wavering between the Antec Minuet, the Aria and one the "Q pack" cases. The Aria and Q pack would be better space-wise, but I hear they run very hot due to the close packing of the components and subsequent lack of airflow. Decisions, decisions:confused:

Thanks again for your input
 

imported_OrSin

Senior member
Jul 15, 2004
533
0
0
My Q-pack does run slightly hotter then my minuet. But my munet is also bigger then the new ones out. My guess is the new minuet still has better cooler then Q-pack. BUt all in all they bot work fine. The only time I had probelm is when I had my CPU and Video card fully OC on 85 degree day and I dind't have the AC on (no idead why, I was sweetly like a dog). One machince started to have problem when I in game. I took off the case on the Q pack and it was fine.