Recommendations on a good SFF setup

[machstem]

Hey all,

I've been looking into getting a good SFF system, that would mainly be used for gaming, or bringing downstairs to plug into my DTS 5.1 receiver.

Can anyone recommend me a motherboard, preferably 64bit, with all the appropriate hardware? I really liked this SFF look http://www.aspireusa.net/category.php?cid=41 and was hoping I could get some insight from other people.

I want a x800 series videocard, how will this affect the overall performance on a smaller motherboard? These are the things I want:

- Casing
- Motherboard(939)
- CPU
- VPU/GPU - x800 series
- dobly digital already on
- 80gb SATA(if possible)
- 1 DVDrw drive

I don't know anything about SFF. I don't know its power requirements/recommendations, compatibility with other parts, etc.

Thanks

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Casing: The Aspire X-QPack that oyu picked out looks fine.

Motherboard: I would personally go with this: Foxconn mATX Nforce 4 Board or MSI mATX Radeon Xpress 200 Board (the MSI comes with integrated graphics, but you can easily add your own)

CPU: 3000+ or 3200+ Venice, although you may want a more expensive CPU as a large OC may not work in a SFF case

GPU: If you really want a x800 series card, I have to recommend you a X800XL. Best card in its price bracket (esp. for PCI-E). This card is simply Built By ATI, and sold as a Connect3D.

Dolby Digital- Now this I dont know about. I have no idea whether the listed motherboards will do Dolby Digital. Can anyone else help?

80 GB SATA- Get a Seagate, good warranty, and an all-around good drive. Or Double your storage for only $28 more.

1 DVD-RW drive: NEC 3540-A

RAM: Corsair Value RAM 2x512

Heatsink: In Anand's recent review of the Aspire case, they used a Zalman 7000-Cu, I suggest that you use it also. It comes it Standard and LED versions.

Whats your budget?

 

[Megamixman]

Anyone have an idea on what kind of PSU comes in the QPack. I like how the Anandtech review basically disses Shuttle PSU's for being 240W or 350W, when they perform on the level of 500W ATX PSU's. I would jump on one of these in an instant if I knew what kind of PSU that was. If it is a good PSU like those that are in Shuttles and can handle a dual core system then damn is this a good deal.

The Foxconn board has an Internal SPDIF header so with a bracket you could output to a Dolby Digital Decoder. The only other way is to use software to decode and output through the 5.1 sound outputs. The Aspire should easily take all this. The power question comes to hand only if you want to be able to upgrade to dual core later on with this system.

 

[darkfire07]

I recommend exactly what ssvegeta1010 did...that will give you a solid system with decent overclocking potential, for a great price. I wouldn't worry about heat or power....Anandtech felt the Aspire case was fine as far as temperatures go, and Athlon64 chips run cool....and the power supply is more than adequate for the setup ssvegeta1010 described. The only thing you might want to add is a discrete video card, Turtle Beach/Creative Labs or similar, as I don't think the onboard audio does high end audio decoding. Compatability isn't an issue with a system like this....unlike a Shuttle or Soltec or ASUS SFF, you are buying the components seperately, just like you would if you were building an ATX-based machine.
DF7

 

[ssvegeta1010]

For the PSU, if you go here here you can see its specs.

3.3 V- 20A
5V- 25A
12V- 20A

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Machstem are you going to come back to this thread?

 

[NoToRiOuS1]

I sent him a PM telling him to check this thread so we can further help him if he needs more info. Hope he checks it.