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I want to build one of these nifty cube boxes

I

idea

Golden Member
I haven't built a new computer since my barton 2500+ that I'm typing on now. I've completely lost track of new technology. I see the 939 Athlon 64 is agreed upon to be the best of the best right now. I've become interested in this SFF method of keeping it simple. One hdd, One DVDRW, One fan, and one or two cards in a sleek looking little box that doesn't make a peep. Sounds awesome.

Now the hard part -- choosing components. I seem to build a new box for myself every once in a while so I always make sure I build a box to last. That means buying recent hardware with the option of upgrading in the future. I'm not the richest guy in the world so I still have to keep it cheap.

Case - NO idea. Must be clean looking. Well cooled AND *quiet*. USB+Firewire front ports are a must and should be covered for dust. Needs at least 1x5.25, 1x3.5, 2x expansion slots. A card reader would be awesome too.

CPU/Mobo - Probably a 939 mobo with the cheapest CPU for it.

Ram - 1GB of something

Video Card - I don't ever play any games, we can keep it simple on this one. PCIe with 64mb should be fine

I already have an 80GB SATA and a DVDRW. Thats all the box can fit!
 
I've become interested in these as well. In fact, that's what brought me into this subforum 🙂.

Actually, I've just ordered a whole new ATX-sized system. But I kept some money aside to build a smaller machine for the wife and kids (to replace their hideous Compaq P3 950 mhz dinosaur). That'll be ATX-sized, too (AMD 3000+ Venice), but now I'm also thinking of maybe building a little "cube" computer to use mainly for a HTPC.

I just ordered my new X2 4400+ system from Monarch. On their web page, you'll see pictures of their famed "Hornet" series, which are pretty darn cool (though a bit pricey, especially if you one want custom painted Ferrari red). Anyway, I just mention Monarch because you might want to take a look at the Hornet. They're very configurable, but I wouldn't call them a "value" and I'm not sure what you're wanting to spend.

-This case seems to be the highest-rated micro-ATX "cube" at Newegg, and comes with a 420W PSU. It seems to meet your specs, and is $85 plus $12.99 shipping (at Newegg, anyway; you might find it cheaper thru Pricewatch or something). Available in several colors, it appears.

-As far as mobo/CPU, there is virtually no question of getting anything but an Athlon 3000+ Venice (bang for buck). I don't really know much about micro-ATX boards, but there's only like 5 or so at Newegg for socket 939, so read the reviews and take your pick.

-I gig of your favorite RAM. I might mention that since these smaller boards often only have 2 DIMM slots, if you do your 1 gig of RAM as 2x512 (which you should for socket 939), you'll be unable to upgrade later and still use the RAM you have.

-The video card issue is so wide open for those of us who don't play many games. You could probably get by quite well with a $60 vid card, but I tend to buy something "middle of the road," or whatever is at the sweetest price point, because every once in a while I do find a game I really like to play (the last one was Warcraft III). For instance, I've ordered an X800XL for my new system ($268).

-abs
 
shuttle not bad, if you go the M-ATX route and I would if it was me I would look at the ATI boards over the N-force. For someone that don't play games the on board video is more then enough. It actually works very well for HTCP stuff and can play new games at low details. Also the ATI boards have 3-4 dim slot on them adding more memory is possible later.

Also look into the chemming cases they are very similar to the one from newegg, but not as flashy.
 
My little sister is graduating from college and i'm been preparing for this for about a year.

Case : Aspire Q-pack $85 w/ PSU (get a better PSU)
MOBO : MSI microatx socket 939
chip : venice 939 amd64
ram: either 512 or 1Gb sticks from PDP patriot memory (not their value line)
floppy: mitsumi digital card & floppy drive all in one
dvd+rw: All ways go with plexter, 712sa or 716sa (712 cheaper and very fast anyway)
psu: Antec or thermaltake or OCZ or you could stay with the one the case comes with
HSF: zalman 7000 with blue led light (the case will let you show it all off
HDD: because prices have drop🙂 go with maxtor 300Gb with 16mb cache sata

you can squeeze all this in for ABOUT $650 at newegg, i will need to actually look up all the prices, but there it is. for now you can get away with the onboard graphics but a 6600gt from evga would do very nice when you are ready.
 
Ok I say definately M-ATX now that NV has it new boards coming.
I was just about to order an ATI X200 when I say the articles.
I might have to switch out my current NForce 2 baord in my HTPC for one of those.
On board HD without have to play with powerstrip and HD audio sounds great.

Now if AMD can just put out a really cheap daul core my life would be great. I would take a 2800 dually so I can watch TV and burn DVDs at the same time
 
Shuttles are cool, but here are two other options:

HTPC:
SST Lascala LC11 300W
2GHz A64 Venice
2x 512MB PC3200
Asus 6150/430 mATX motherboard
120GB Samsung HD
DVD-R
Hauppinage PVR250

Gamer:
SST Sugo SG01
430W Seasonic S12 PSU
2GHz A64 Dual-core CPU
4x 512MB PC3200
Asus 6150/430 mATX motherboard
250GB Samsung HD
DVD-R
nVidia 7800GT
 
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