SFF thoughts

[Dorkenstein]

I am looking for a way to make a nice gaming SFF. Are the conroe chips available yet and will they work for an SFF solution? Also, for something as small and delicate as an SFF system, should I build it myself? Thanks.

 

[noluckjim]

Components for most SFF systems are pretty much the same as those used in regular ATX mobos. They're not any smaller or fragile, just possibly closely packed - so if you can build your own ATX/BTX system then you should have no trouble putting together a SFF.

Conroe-capable motherboards are starting to be released for SFF, Asus I believe have a couple matx and Shuttle should be releasing theirs in about a months time. Your choice might be limited but they do exist.

 

[Dorkenstein]

What's a good site to keep tuned to for conroe-based sff barebones? And will they be powerful enough to play next gen games?

 

[Dorkenstein]

Here's another idea. Does anyone on this site who is reputable build SFF systems? I am wondering if the Silverstone SuGO case will work with a Seasonic PSU. How high for wattage can you go on a PSU if dealing with an SFF system? Is it the same as a regular desktop? (ex. 500 watts...) Thanks.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Here's another idea. Does anyone on this site who is reputable build SFF systems? I am wondering if the Silverstone SuGO case will work with a Seasonic PSU. How high for wattage can you go on a PSU if dealing with an SFF system? Is it the same as a regular desktop? (ex. 500 watts...) Thanks.

There is no difference in the allowable wattage (though most SFF systems trend toward low power use because it means less heat to deal with). You do need to be mindful of the physical dimensions of the supply; very high wattage supplies can be unusually large (PC Power & Cooling's killawatt supply, for instance). And many of the smaller SFF setups will not accept a regular ATX power supply (anything made by Shuttle), and instead need a smaller proprietary supply.

 

[Steeeeve]

My site www.sffclub.com is ok but I am still working on making it better....also you have www.sfftech.com which is a good site.

SFF uses the same parts as your regular old computer but just in a more compact format. If you want to just by a system I can suggest a few. www.gamingunited.com make a sff system and so does www.elementmicro.com. Both of those use the Qmicra case.

If you want to use the SG01, Qpack, or Shuttle you can just bulid your own which is fairly easy.

Hope this helps

 

[GreenGhost]

Great info, Steeeeve. For each question, there are many interested lurkers.

 

[renethx]

Core 2 Duo (Conroe & Merom) Motherboard List - With a Short Guide to Chipsets