SFF options for socket 754

[worthless085]

wanting to go SFF... but i want to keep my A64 2800+ and my BFG 6800+

i was looking at the aria case, i like it, and it'd be nice to have more than just the 1 pci slot that the shuttles offer

but whats a good mobo for the aria??

and anyone have anything they think would be a better option?

total things going into system:
DVD burner
1 SATA HD, maybe a 2nd down the line
6800
2 x 512 mb ram
tv tuner
and i have a zalman 7000cu cooler... but if i got a shuttle i guess id use their heatpipe thingy

any and all suggestions welcome

 

[BFG9000]

I own an Antec Aria case, which has an Antec 300W power supply. I'm still running Athlon XPs in it, sorry I don't have a good mobo idea for you. But with your components, I would consider the power supply to be very important to you in a SFF case decision.

I chose my mobo to fill all the front panel ports: had to have firewire and enough usb 2 headers, etc. There are cheap PCI firewire cards, but you have a pretty crowded SFF already 🙂

The 6800 and possibly 2 SATA drives increase your power requirements, IMO. I'll be interested in your results...

 

[wisdomtooth]

AOpen makes an NForce 3 microATX Socket 754 mobo: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-137-050&depa=1

You can throw that into an Antec Aria no problems.

I'm not a fan of cube-type cases because you are limited in your choices of PSUs. I'd much prefer either a microATX minitower that takes a standard ATX PSU or a horizontal HTPC case that also takes a standard ATX PSU.

HTPC builders have had good luck with the Coolermaster ATC-620 microATX HTPC case. Throw a Seasonic Super Tornado in there, and you got the beginnings of a very quiet and cool-running machine.. (Photos HERE.)

 

[imported_Kensai]

Aria's are pretty nice, though a Shuttle is smaller.