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Please help, mATX SLI board recommendation

I

imported_Shakespeare

Member
Hi all,
I'd like to build a AMD 939 based SFF SLI computer. I'm looking for a MB and case. I looked at Shuttles but their bare bones are too rich. Hoping to stay below $1500 for the box without display or external speakers. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

Base spec-
SFF, AMD 939, SLI, 2GB RAM, 250 GB HD, DVD+/-RW, 100 NIC, 5.1 Audio

TIA,
Shakespeare
 
First off, SFF and mATX are not the same thing. SFF is generally thought of to be more Shuttle-sized (2 slots), whereas mATX is actually a standard (4 slots). I assume you mean "SFF or mATX is fine".

You can get an Opteron 165 and eVGA SLI mATX mobo from here for $360:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...duct_Code=1203701&Category_Code=AMD939

That's a pretty good deal. It has a gigabit NIC and 5.1 sound, so you'd be set for those two features already. Just add RAM, HDD, and DVD+-RW, and you've got the internals, sans graphics card, for under $700. In terms of graphics cards, I think full-blown SLI is a mistake, but you can get a pair of 7900GTs in the $550-$600 range. Don't even bother with 7600GTs in SLI - a single 7900GT will be faster.

As for the case, it's up to you, but remember to spec out the PSU appropriately, and keep an eye on those thermals. Not counting sales tax or shipping, you should be under $1500.

-Erwos
 
Originally posted by: erwos
First off, SFF and mATX are not the same thing. SFF is generally thought of to be more Shuttle-sized (2 slots), whereas mATX is actually a standard (4 slots). I assume you mean "SFF or mATX is fine".
Click to expand...

Thanks for the education, I didn't realize there was that much of a difference between SFF and mATX.

I'm trying to build a LAN party rig. A computer more portable than a standard desktop, with enough horsepower for current titles at ridiculous resolution and frame rates 😉.

Right now, I'm leaning to a X-Qpack or MicroFly case.

I'd like a mATX nforce 4 MB as I've got two 6800GT cards taking up shelf space so that is why I'm looking at SLI.

To review, I need a case, PS (500W+), MB, RAM (2GB), HD(SATA 250 +), and DVD. Keeping the above under $1k US is my goal now.

Any other help is appreciated.

TIA,
Shakespeare

Base Specs:
AMD, 939, SLI, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, DVD +/-RW, 100/1000 NIC, 5.1 Audio, USB 2.0

 
Originally posted by: Shakespeare
Thanks for the education, I didn't realize there was that much of a difference between SFF and mATX.
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's definitely non-trivial. There's stuff you can do in an mATX that you just can't do in an SFF (or do well, anyways).

I'm trying to build a LAN party rig. A computer more portable than a standard desktop, with enough horsepower for current titles at ridiculous resolution and frame rates 😉.
Click to expand...
A Shuttle would work fine for this, too - look at the SN26P. Expensive, but you get a few goodies, including a very high quality PSU, and you don't have to install everything yourself - a real pain in the neck, seeing as how mATX cases are generally not friendly to work with.

-Erwos
 
Sorry dont quite agree with you regarding SFF and Matx as the definition of small form Factor pc's is a very wide definition. Dell for example use matx boards in their SFF series of pc's

Wikipedia link - not definitive but you get the idea

I have a Enlight media centre which is defined as a HTPC. I also have the evga matx mobo and 2 7600gs card (xfx extreme 500/900) which is just fantastic. I am really happy with the setup but it needs a fan controller and I am using a thermaltake in the 3.5" bay.

My specs are;

Evga MATX board
4gb ddr400 (windows shows only 3gb)
x2 4200+
2 x xfx 7600 gs
200gb hard drive
dual layer dvd writer
 
Originally posted by: Mingon
Sorry dont quite agree with you regarding SFF and Matx as the definition of small form Factor pc's is a very wide definition. Dell for example use matx boards in their SFF series of pc's

Wikipedia link - not definitive but you get the idea
Click to expand...
The wikipedia article has absolutely no sources or references. It's, at best, someone's opinion. I could change it right now if I wanted to, and it wouldn't be any more or less accurate 🙂. In any event, using SFF to mean "2 slots" and mATX to mean "4 slots" disambiguates the two types of form factors, so it's a use I personally encourage, too. Historically, I believe Shuttle also coined the term, although I could be wrong about that - I can't find any hard evidence of it.

The biggest problem with SFFs (2 slots) is that they're not good for media center machines. You can only fit a single dedicated tuner card in there, so you're stuck adding additional tuners through USB, which is not quite optimal. With a mATX machine, you can add two (dual) tuner cards and a good sound card - perfect for a stand-alone HTPC box.

-Erwos
 
Originally posted by: erwosA Shuttle would work fine for this, too - look at the SN26P. Expensive, but you get a few goodies, including a very high quality PSU, and you don't have to install everything yourself - a real pain in the neck, seeing as how mATX cases are generally not friendly to work with.

-Erwos
Click to expand...
Two things about the SN26P:

1st the price! $550 for a barebones. The SN25P with a single PCI-e x16 slot is a more reasonable $350. $200 more for SLI?!? Ouch!

2nd, the PSU is only a 350W. Does that really muster on a SLI rig destined for gaming? I know initially its only going to run dual 6800GTs, but I'll upgrade to higher, hungrier cards in the future.

I'm looking to build a solid rig, with room for upgrading. That's why I'm looking at a 939 solution. I don't need Dual Core at the moment, I don't overclock. I figure get a 939 based system, stick an AMD 3500 or 3700 in it for the moment, use my two 6800GTs. Get good memory, HD, DVD to start and uprade CPU and video cards as time and funds allow.

Check Six,
Shakespeare

 
an SFF case is really any computer case that can hold a mATX mobo at max. The shoebox type cases are a breed of these while mini-towers are kind of the other child.

EVGA Sli mATX board to answer the question
 
Thanks all. After a few posts in the video forum I think I'm going to scrap the SLI idea and go with a 7900GT based single card SFF system.

Thanks all ,again!

Check Six,
Shakespeare
 
i wonder if you can use 2 aftermakert coolers on 7900gts, othwersie it's gonna be real loud, i am very tmepted to sell my x2 and board and grab this and another 7900gt, also be able to use slots for future x-fi board and maybe wireless g card
 
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