first SFF build...what do you think?

[ademole]

I'm a noob and want to build a SFF PC to make music on. I am not a gamer but use CPU/memory intensive digital audio processing (Cubase SX running tons of plugins). For this reason I am looking to get some good overclocked performance out of the sucker! Here is a system I am looking for some feedback on:

hd $109.98 Seagate 320GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA2 w/ NCQ 16MB

monitor $385.98 Acer AL2216Wbd 22" Widescreen LCD DVI 5ms (black)

cpu $378.99 Intel Core2 Duo Processor E6600 2.40GHz w/ 4MB Cache

heatsink $51.39 Scythe Ninja Plus REV.B Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2 LGA775 S478 S754 S939 W/ 120MM Fan Adjuster

ram $289.98 OCZ Platinum XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-5-4-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit

mobo $157.55 Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 ATX LGA775 Conroe P965 DDR2 PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 GBLAN Audio Motherboard

case $116.15 Antec NSK2400 New Solution mATX Desktop Case 2X5.25 2X3.5INT 380W ATX12V V2.0 Silver Black

Any feedback would be great, like comments/experiences about any of these components. If I have made some sort of goof up--like this stuff won't fit into the case, or if I have missed something--please let me know! I don't even know if form factor PCs get enough air flow to overclock. Will the 380W power supply be able to handle all this stuff once I start pushing the system over the 3Ghz range? I will be buying through http://www.ncix.com/ in case you couldn't tell! (prices in Canadian dollars)

 

[travisray2004]

Maybe an external audio card? and a solid 450watt power supply. Other then that, nice setup

 

[VooDooAddict]

I see some issues...

1) That motherboard won't fit into your selected case.
- For SFF you need to get a MicroATX (mATX) sized motherboards.
- mATX motherboards for Core 2 Duo are not ussualy the best overclockers. You are very limited on FSB changes due to intigrated graphics on the nothrbridge. Only way to really get high overclocks on the G965 chipset mATX motherboards is to use a Core 2 Extreme CPU with unlocked multipliers so the FSB can stay at stock.

2) You don't have any video card selected.
- You need a video output device it could be a motherboard based video solution but the selected motherboard doesn't have on-board video.

3) You also need to take alot of care when selecting an aftermarket CPU cooler.
- mATX cases don't have the room for large coolers like the one you selected.

You'll probably need to make a decission on your priorities ... Overclocking or SFF.

Frankly though ... since you are working with audio. I'd make silence, clean power, and a good sound board my primary concerns. Leave overclocking a possibility, but don't make it a primary issue.

Remove the above case and select the following case and Powersupply. Very quiet. Good cooling. Quality Products.
(Antec P180 and Seasonic S12 @ $120 each)
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15126&vpn=P180&manufacture=ANTEC
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...BLR&manufacture=Seasonic%20Electronics

Here's a modern passivly cooled Video card.
(nvidia 7600GS) - $150
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...19626&vpn=PV-T73P-UDJ3&manufacture=XFX

Here's a low cost audio card that will help avoid the horrible the signal to noise ratio caused by onboard sound.
(Audigy 4) - @$50
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...19626&vpn=PV-T73P-UDJ3&manufacture=XFX



If this is exceding your budget (Which you don't detail.) ... I'd recommend a drop down to the Core 2 Duo E6400 and using the stock HSF for now.


If you really want SFF there's also this that you should consider.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...&vpn=SD37-P2-BK-V1&manufacture=Shuttle

 

[ademole]

*moved this discussion to mobo*
link: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=29&threadid=1966773&enterthread=y
thanks!

 

[T9D]

That's a killer case. That's the one I got. You'd be happy with it.