recommend me a new SFF case + CPU

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DarkManX

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
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Im kinda clueless to computers with anything after the Athlon XP's. I have an original Athlon XP1800+ and have finally decided to upgrade, buti have not been keeping up with computers so i would like to get a new computer but in a SFF case. I basically just need the case, CPU, and RAM. I would like to keep it under 500$. Im not much of a gamer, so the video card is not extremely important, as long as i have a DVI port for my Dell 21inch LCD.
thanks in advance.
 
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Flipped Gazelle

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Sep 5, 2004
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I think the current darling is the Aspire X-Qpack case and an Nvidia 61x0-based motherboard, such as the Biostar T6100.
 
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erwos

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Apr 7, 2005
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Problem with the X-QPack is that you've gotta replace the PSU, and, unfortunately, the overpowered Rosewill one that's a direct fit is like $75. Additionally, it has a rather flimsy case, which is something of a turn-off. Of course, it's also not a SFF PC - it's microATX. Two different things.

Looks like the elegant solution at this point would be the Shuttle ST20G5, A64 3200+, and 1gb of RAM. Shouldn't break $575. I know that's a little more than you wanted to spend, but SFF PCs are expensive. But, as Gazelle mentioned, if you don't really need a SFF PC (and that applies to pretty much anyone who doesn't do LAN parties), the X-QPACK or Antec Aria with a 6150 would be an excellent choice.

-Erwos
 
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DarkManX

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Feb 1, 2000
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i dont care if its an SFF i just want something alot smaller than my antec 1030SX or whatever that case is. i want to keep my new bedroom neat and small.
 
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Flipped Gazelle

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Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: erwos
Problem with the X-QPack is that you've gotta replace the PSU, and, unfortunately, the overpowered Rosewill one that's a direct fit is like $75. Additionally, it has a rather flimsy case, which is something of a turn-off. Of course, it's also not a SFF PC - it's microATX. Two different things.

Looks like the elegant solution at this point would be the Shuttle ST20G5, A64 3200+, and 1gb of RAM. Shouldn't break $575. I know that's a little more than you wanted to spend, but SFF PCs are expensive. But, as Gazelle mentioned, if you don't really need a SFF PC (and that applies to pretty much anyone who doesn't do LAN parties), the X-QPACK or Antec Aria with a 6150 would be an excellent choice.

-Erwos
Click to expand...

I agree the Shuttle is more elegant - also expensive and limited.

Microatx-based systems can be called SFF's - it's been that way for years.

And yeah, the Aspire case is rather flimsy. I'm building a system with it and don't plan to swap out parts all that much. They are also coming with new PSU's that I'm hoping are improved over the old POS ones.
 
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DarkManX

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Feb 1, 2000
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the MSI board dosent have a DVI port.. i have an old radeon 7500 card im useing now and i dont even wanna use it in the new computer, i want a board with descent intergrated video, im not a gamer, so im not dieing for a great video card just somethin to look descent with my UltraSharp 2005FPW.
 
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erwos

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Apr 7, 2005
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Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Microatx-based systems can be called SFF's - it's been that way for years.
Click to expand...
I've never heard the term before Shuttle started bringing out their systems. Could you provide a source for SFF PC being used for microATX systems pre-Shuttle?

-Erwos
 
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Flipped Gazelle

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Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: erwos
Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Microatx-based systems can be called SFF's - it's been that way for years.
Click to expand...
I've never heard the term before Shuttle started bringing out their systems. Could you provide a source for SFF PC being used for microATX systems pre-Shuttle?

-Erwos
Click to expand...

*Sigh* Just because you hadn't heard of the term doesn't mean it wasn't used. Years ago we'd refer to this as "small form factor". Also look it up at Wikipedia.


 
crazylegs

crazylegs

Senior member
Sep 30, 2005
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At last i have found a supply of 5,000 Pentium III's :p


lol WTF is that website (Megasales Asia) Flipped Gazelle...!!!
 
robphelan

robphelan

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Aug 28, 2003
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a Qpack with a new PSU (which is not always needed) can be less expensive than a shuttle.

also, ANY normal ATX PSU will mount in the case... not just the rosewill. what you have to be careful on is the length.

i had an OCZ modstream in my qpack for 8 months or so.. worked great with a short lite-on DVD burner. I just switced to an Aspire 520W ATX PSU - it's ~10mm shorter than a fullsized PSU, but it's not a Matx PSU.

 
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Flipped Gazelle

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Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: crazylegs
At last i have found a supply of 5,000 Pentium III's :p


lol WTF is that website (Megasales Asia) Flipped Gazelle...!!!
Click to expand...


Yeah, well... :eek: I just Googled a Compaq EN desktop and that site came up :Q
 
Brainonska511

Brainonska511

Lifer
Dec 10, 2005
25,999
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Originally posted by: robphelan
a Qpack with a new PSU (which is not always needed) can be less expensive than a shuttle.

also, ANY normal ATX PSU will mount in the case... not just the rosewill. what you have to be careful on is the length.

i had an OCZ modstream in my qpack for 8 months or so.. worked great with a short lite-on DVD burner. I just switced to an Aspire 520W ATX PSU - it's ~10mm shorter than a fullsized PSU, but it's not a Matx PSU.
Click to expand...

You also have to be careful because if your PSU has a fan on the bottom of it (you could flip the PSU over, but then the fan would be almost touching the top of the case) since it may not sit well (or at all) on the rail that helps to hold the PSU up. I had this problem with an Antec TruePower 2.0, but it wasn't such a big deal since my XQPack had a 24-pin PSU in it and it hasn't been that bad.
 
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erwos

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Apr 7, 2005
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Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
*Sigh* Just because you hadn't heard of the term doesn't mean it wasn't used. Years ago we'd refer to this as "small form factor". Also look it up at Wikipedia.
Click to expand...
That particular Wikipedia article doesn't cite any sources whatsoever. And, years ago, we called those "desktops".

It is just far less confusing to use the term SFF when referring to Shuttles and similar 2 slot systems, because there is no other good generic term to refer to them. Similarly, I would _not_ call mini-ITX SFF. It's a different form factor entirely. Shuttles and mATX systems (such as the Antec Aria) are _not_ the same size - the difference is quite noticable. I use both, so I do know this from personal experience.

-Erwos
 
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DarkManX

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
3,796
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if i get a q-pack with the windows, is there going to be alot of light comming out of it? it will be about 10 feet away from my bed and i really hate light when i sleep.
 
Dadofamunky

Dadofamunky

Platinum Member
Jan 4, 2005
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Originally posted by: erwos
Problem with the X-QPack is that you've gotta replace the PSU, and, unfortunately, the overpowered Rosewill one that's a direct fit is like $75. Additionally, it has a rather flimsy case, which is something of a turn-off. Of course, it's also not a SFF PC - it's microATX. Two different things.

Looks like the elegant solution at this point would be the Shuttle ST20G5, A64 3200+, and 1gb of RAM. Shouldn't break $575. I know that's a little more than you wanted to spend, but SFF PCs are expensive. But, as Gazelle mentioned, if you don't really need a SFF PC (and that applies to pretty much anyone who doesn't do LAN parties), the X-QPACK or Antec Aria with a 6150 would be an excellent choice.

-Erwos
Click to expand...

I agree about the ST20G5. It also gives you two slots, which allows for reasonable flexibility. It is also one of the few systems I've seen where the on-board Ethernet controller and on-board sound
actuallt WORK. I recommend it or the NForce4-based Shuttle (I forget what the model number is) but make sure to upgrade the BIOS to the latest version.

I always worry about 3rd-party power supplies except for PC Power & Cooling. I don't trust anything else and never will. So far the Shuttle's worked great for me.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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81
DarkManX, you can get the Chenming version of the same case at Newegg without any side/top windows (or just side with no top window). Most people having problems with the PSU are probably running high powered video cards - the 420W "rating" on the X-Qpack is overly generous. This torture test of that PSU says it should be more like 250W. Not enough for an overclocked A64 with a 7800GTX, but a modest system with IGP... probably. BTW, that review/torture rated the Aspire PSU a 1/10, LOL.

If you do end up going the X-Qpack route (or the Chenming version) look for a Geforce6150 chipset board with DVI - they are available but not all have DVI. AFAIK no Geforce6100 version has DVI.
 
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DarkManX

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
3,796
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i dont run high end graphics cards, im useing an olddddddd atec 300watt PSU wand got 3 hardrives, and 2 optical drives in my computer and its been fine lol
 
aiya24

aiya24

Senior member
Aug 24, 2005
540
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76
Originally posted by: DarkManX
if i get a q-pack with the windows, is there going to be alot of light comming out of it? it will be about 10 feet away from my bed and i really hate light when i sleep.
Click to expand...

the Qpack has a 120mm blue led fan in the rear. its pretty loud but since your not going to have a power hungry system in it then you can just unplug and leave it. or get a fan controller or a low speed fan to replace it.

i just finished building my Qpack and i was in the same pickle like you. but to me the price in shuttles is too high and on top of that the limits of upgrading it. so i chose the Qpack and loving it.
 
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DarkManX

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2000
3,796
2
76
another question i have is what AMD cpu gives the best bang for the buck? i havent keep up with CPU's since the 64bit stuff came out. so im pretty clueless with all the new stuff out.
 
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