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Need suggestions for parts for a CUBE COMPUTER

B

bX510

Golden Member
I want to build a shuttle sized computer. I need some suggestions for some cases. I didn't like most the shuttles due to low watts for psu.

I was looking at this case;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144162

but the reviews about the PSU seem kind of scary. I am aiming for a build that is ALMOST equivalent but not as good to my computer. Which mother board should i get? and I am looking for a cheap video card but can give outstanding graphics for games like CS and WC3 (crisp and clear). BTW, i won't be using parts from my current computer.

My comp specs;
ASUS A8R-MVP ATX AMD CrossFire Motherboard
AMD athlon 64 3000+ venice
X800XL AIW
1.5 GB RAM
 
You are misinformed on Shuttles and other small form factor pcs. Your number one misconception is believing that watts on a power supply mean something. The wattage of a power supply means absolutely nothing in terms of anything important. What you need to look at are the amps on the various rails of the power supply. For example, a Shuttle with a "240W" Shuttle power supply could handle something along the lines of an Athlon 64 4000+, 2GB of memory, two hard drives, a disc drive, and a Radeon X800 level video card with no problem.

Look into Shuttles and other small form factor pcs. You will get a smaller and more efficient PC by purchasing one of their barebones than if you were to try and build one yourself.
 
I don't really understand the power supply stuff. Well from what i understand the X800 requirement is 350W PSU, how can the 240W support that? Maybe if you can elaborate on the PSU thing and try to explain it better, so i can understand it.
 
basically the amperage on the psu are what matters, so if it has enough amps on the +12v rails and is stable it can run an x800
 
How is this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856101002

I want to try out a nVidia video card with this build. What is equivalent to X800XL?

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice - $109
eVGA 256-P2-N553-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB - $169
Shuttle XPC SN21G5 AMD Socket 939 - $246.99
SONY 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black - $34.99
shipping - $19.60
tax - $40.67
Total: $621.24

Is that a good build? Seems rather expensive. TAX IS KILLER!!
 
That seems like a moderately good deal. I would recommend swapping the Athlon 64 3500+ for an Athlon 64 3000+. You would not notice the difference between the two, it will run a good bit cooler, use a good bit less power, and save you a good bit of money.

A Geforce 7600GT is faster than an X800XL. It is a good choice.
 
I am actually using the 3000 + for more other computer. Hearing someone suggest that CPU over a newer one makes me feel good about the choice i made.
 
i bought a red X-QPack. with a Seasonic S12-430 power supply, based partially on
the recommendations of the people here. space is a little tight, the wire bundle
on the Seasonic comes out in a location where it doesn't interfere with the optical drive.
 
I read a lot of reviews on newegg about this, People say the metal is flimsy, PSU wasn't that great, and many mentions about overheat. Correct me if i am wrong though.
 
Originally posted by: bX510
I want to build a shuttle sized computer. I need some suggestions for some cases. I didn't like most the shuttles due to low watts for psu.

I was looking at this case;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144162

but the reviews about the PSU seem kind of scary.
Click to expand...

I have this case and one of the reviews dogging the PSU is mine. I like the case but for the price I expected a better PS. I fired it up, shut it down and tossed the PS in the trash. It worked, if you classify the "work" as powering the PC, but there was no way I would trust hundreds of dollars in parts to such a cheaply made power supply.
 
Was it really that bad? What case should i get? I mean, i don't want to buy a barebone system and throw away the PSU.
 
I really like the case even though it isn't perfect. The air flow is good and it fits what and where I needed. Some of the reviews claim the PS works fine but I'm a bit picky so I swapped it out. A standard ATX unit will fit but you would need to use a short optical drive such as a LiteOn or it will butt up against the PS when you put it together.

The Antec Aria may be a better built case, but I looked at it up close and wouldn't trade it for the Q-Pack. I suppose that's a matter of taste though.
 
I have used the QPACK case for about a year now and have mixed feelings about it. I thought it was one of the best small footprint cases available when I bought it and it got a pretty good review on Anandtech's site when it came out.

I thought it was a little flimsy when I put it together and just looking at the power supply I thought it was cheap compared to the Antec's I used in the past. I literally had to replace the power supply tonight as it slowly started to fail over the last month or so. First it started making a horrible noise at start-up then I got a few strange crashes. I had an old Antec 480 lying around and I managed to cram it in there.

The original PSU is still under warranty and I'm sending it back tomorrow. I'll keep it as an emergency PSU but it will never go in to a computer I plan to use on a daily basis.

It's ironic that I found your post today with the recent troubles I've had. Would I buy the case again? Probably, I think it?s a good looking case but I would not rely on the included PSU. After reading the reviews and the problems others have had, I now know I'm not crazy and replacing the PSU was something I should have done a long time ago.

--Dave
 
Originally posted by: KayKay
There is an ULTRA rip-off of the xqpack called the microfly that will take a standard atx power supply

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...m-details.asp?EdpNo=1800612&CatId=1508

maybe it will give you some options
Click to expand...

If you ask me, that thing is huge!! I wonder if should wait for next generations. I mean I want a barebone kit and save as much money as i can. I don't want to replace the PSU now. Also not very interested in a FULL size PSU system. Kind of too big. I'll take a look at the aria again.
 
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