Help! Shuttle SK41G vs. SV25 - buying today!

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
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Let me start right off saying *I know* we have a SFF forum, but GH gets more traffic and I need opinions FAST!
I'll be buying this machine today if I can decide on the platform/machine. I found some super deals (Canadian) that are just what I need!
I now have an offer for a used SV25 machine... a complete package including CDRW/DVD combo! (Exactly what I need!) But it doesn't have the expansion options of the SK41G... mind you, if I'm not 3D gaming, do I even need a video upgrade?? I'd put a SB Live in there if I need an audio upgrade!

SK41G: AMD/VIA KM266
[pro] faster AMD CPU for $100CDN, $19 cheaper base unit, all FW ports powered, stable power supply, TV out, AMD XP chips overclock well
[con] noticably slower chipset, VERY slow OB/video, no support for newest AMD CPU's.

SV25! Intel P3 (used)
[pro] $150 cheaper!, includes a ~$100 Combo drive which is just what I'd need for my purposes, 1.2GHz is probably fast enough, Parallel port, TV out
[con] end-of-life CPU choice, only one PCI slot for difficult choice of expansion, no USB 2.0 (not that big of a deal...) lacks cool ICE pipe tech.


Your insights are very much appreciated... so far the running is just to close for me to decide easily....
Thanks AT for being the great community that you are! (Yes, all of you!) ;)
 

SuperSix

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: bluemax
Let me start right off saying *I know* we have a SFF forum, but GH gets more traffic and I need opinions FAST!
I'll be buying this machine today if I can decide on the platform/machine. I found some super deals (Canadian) that are just what I need!
These two machines are within $20CDN of each other! $341 for the AMD SK41G, $360 for the Intel SS51G.

SK41G:
[pro] faster AMD CPU for $100CDN, $19 cheaper base unit, all FW ports powered, stable power supply, TV out, AMD XP chips overclock well
[con] noticably slower chipset, VERY slow OB/video, no support for newest AMD CPU's.

SS51G:
[pro] Intel CPU for compatibility with pro audio software (moot if AMD is perfectly compat.), 533FSB for future CPU's (no 800 though...), decent OB/video (for my purposes), Celeron 2.0 overclocks well too!
[con] Intel Celeron 2.0 not as fast in gaming (though other than Civ3 I don't DO much), no Hyperthreading, front FW port not powered(?)


Your insights are very much appreciated... so far the running is just to close for me to decide easily....
Thanks AT for being the great community that you are! (Yes, all of you!) ;)

I would go for the Intel platform if you plan to overclock.

Heat and SFF don't go together too well.

But then again, I am an Intel fanboy. :D
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
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Some have even mentioned SiS vs. VIA as reasoning.... I'm inclined to agree with them to some degree.... (in *slight* favour of SiS)
 

akiraxtc

Senior member
Feb 1, 2001
405
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Yeah i just bought the SS51G recently and it's very stable. I don't overclock though.
BTW, i believe FW port is never powered in any system, only USB is.
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
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I'm leaning towards the SK41G because the lower price of the unit and CPU results in just enough savings to make the purchase....
but...

Someone is offering a SV25 with 1.2 Celeron, 384MB PC-133, and (most importantly) a CDRW/DVD combo drive.
The used SV25 combo would cost me around $400 CDN, vs. $550 for SK41G with 1800+ and 256MB DDR.

Of course, I'm on the lookout for a cheap Duron CPU to offset the cost of the SK41G and just DO IT. I want to decide today so I can stop wasting time researching it to death and bouncing back and forth! :|
And cash is tight, otherwise I'd just go for "the best". ;)
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,449
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DVD/CD-RW drives aren't all that expensive anymore. You can get an LG 48x24x48x CD-RW 16x DVD combo drive for $80 US now.
 

unsped

Platinum Member
Mar 18, 2000
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i had a sk41g and it was flawless never had any problems.

as for sis being better than via ... thats ludicrus, every sis board ive had has been a pile of sh!t. also the sv24/25 have older power supply designs that are annoyingingly loud ... little dustbusters. the sk41g with fan guardian turned on is much much quieter.
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
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The seller did a voltage mod to slow down the fans, added some extra ventilation (looked nice, not just ripped holes! :) ) and it's a Tulatin Celeron that won't get nearly as hot....

All that said though... is a voltage mod (7v from 12v?) enough to make the system tolerable? [shrug] :moon:
 

bluemax

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2000
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The price difference is large enough to swing me... I'll soon be the proud owner of an SV25. :D

And with the money I saved, I can almost get a Radeon AIW VE to stick in the PCI slot! :p :D