Shuttle or Antec Aria

[DarkAmeba]

I'm going to be building a SFF PC soon for use as a Media Center. Would you guys recommend building from scratch with the Antec Aria or going with a Shuttle barebones? I know I can make a real nice system with the Aria, so i'm leaning towards that. However I've heard a lot of good things about shuttle SFFs for Media Center use. I have no experience with shuttle products so I can't really compare. I wondered if anyone had any opinions.

 

[Dman877]

I have an older shuttle (built it for my dad) with a km266 chipset, using a tbred a 1800+ and I just built myself an P4 system in an aria. Personally, the aria was a no brainer for me. The aria + micro atx mobo is 50 - 100$ cheaper then equivalent shuttles and it has a beefier psu which I needed for my 6800GT. The case ran very hot until I cut a hole in the side for an 80mm fan though. Once I get my zalman, this will be a pretty nice, quiet setup too.

Nicest part of the shuttle-type systems is that cpu cooling is optimally designed and the cables are all pre-routed to maximize airflow and space. I like a challenge so messing around with the cables wasn't a big deal for me, but some may consider it a hassle they don't care for.

 

[RyanM]

Shuttle:
Smaller
Better design from a cooling standpoint

Aria:
Much less expensive overall
HIGHLY expandable

It's your choice. Size and overall ease of operation from Shuttle, and lower cost + greater expandability and speed down the line for Aria.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Ok I think I have decided on the Aria... I have one more question though: It is my understanding that positional audio via a computer is best done via the Nvidia SoundStorm APU. The only micro atx board I can seem to find with the MCP-T is the Shuttle MN31N This board is officially discontinued, but it is available. Is this the best/only solution for a micro atx board when I need to hook into a 5.1 sony home theatre system for positional audio?

 

[CRXican]

Read some reviews, don't waste your money on the Aria, the cooling is terrible. Damn thing is an oven. Shuttle > *

 

[effigy]

do you have one? What kind of temps are you running if so? I am currently building myself an aria based system, and know that they have the potential to run hot, but it seems that the problems are easily solveable. I intend on using the blower included with the case, and have a zalman 7000A-Cu. He plans on using the computer for a htpc, not a gaming box. The antec will be more affordable, allow for easier upgrading (sound card, video card, wireless if needed etc) If he is careful building it, he shouldnt have any problems, and will save a bit of money in the process, and be able to upgrade the system later

 

[Dman877]

Aria cooling is enhanced significantly with one simple mod. Cut a hole for an intake fan on one of the sides near the front. It cut my temps accross the board (cpu, case, and gpu) by 10 - 15C when I installed a Panaflo L1A 80mm in the side with the cpu on it and noise didn't increase at all. Before I did that mod, this case would get hot to the touch on the outside. I opened it up a few times after a prime95 or gaming session and everything in there was just burning up. After the mod, it's almost as cool as a normal mid-tower.

 

[Busithoth]

Wow, I've never had such a heat problem with my Aria, but have been wondering about putting a hole in the side panel to improve airflow.

As to the question of which is better, it's really mostly a matter of taste.
I've had a shuttle SB51G, an Abit DigiDice, and now have the Aria.

I think the Aria's the best, so far, though it's also the largest.
If you've seen the case and like it's size, then I would say go for it.
For whatever reason, the ASUS p4p800-vm mobo I put in mine is faster than either the shuttle or the digidice.

I use mine for gaming, and have to problems yet.
the loudest thing in it is the WD 8MB hard drive, which is about to get replaced with a quieter drive.

The fact that the Aria's cheaper was pretty much a bonus on top of all other things for me.

Have fun shopping,

 

[RyanM]

I built an Athlon 2600+/Radeon 9550 system for a person doing minor gaming and everyday duties on it. Low-profile Zalman 80mm fan mounted on an extruded aluminum/copper cored heatsink, with duct tape on the sides to keep airflow through to the bottom.

The sides of the case don't get even SLIGHTLY warm to the touch, and the exhaust fan never hits full speed.

I see no problem with the Aria from a basic PC standpoint. Add in 2 high-end hard drives, a better CPU, and a better vidcard, and yeah, cooling will be ass. But nothing a mod or two can't fix.

 

[DarkAmeba]

I really like your idea ising the heatpipe heatsink with ducttape to control airflow. I'm assuming you routed the exhaust from the cpu fan to the blower (on the bottom?) If possible could you tell me what heatsink you used and if you conected it directly to the blower so the blower "sucks" the air away, or if it just points in the general direction of the blower.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
I really like your idea ising the heatpipe heatsink with ducttape to control airflow. I'm assuming you routed the exhaust from the cpu fan to the blower (on the bottom?) If possible could you tell me what heatsink you used and if you conected it directly to the blower so the blower "sucks" the air away, or if it just points in the general direction of the blower.

It wasn't even a heatpipe heatsink. This was a bottom of the barrel (albeit GOOD bottom of the barrel) CPU heatsink.

Linky: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-150-023&depa=0

I removed the stock fan, and stuck a Zalman Slimline 80mm x 15mm fan on it. This was required to clear the Antec PSU. In order to screw the Zalman fan on, I used a dremel to cut the stock bolts down by about 5 mm. That did the job, and the Zalman fit on perfect.

Then I wrapped duct tape around the sides of the heatsink and fan, so that the air has to go to the VERY bottom of the heatsink to get out the sides. This ensured air actually hits the bottom and cools effectively. I had the fan set to blow onto the heatsink; sucking might have worked better, but I didn't get around to testing it out.

When I was done, the heatsink didn't get any warmer to the touch than it did when the system was sitting on my bench. I can't remember thermal readings off the top of my head, but they were perfectly acceptable at 100% load over 3 days time.

 

[DarkAmeba]

Excellent.. Thanks for the extra info I'll be trying something like that

 

[RyanM]

I'm going to be doing an Athlon 2500+ Antec Aria build this week. I'll run it through a battery of temperature tests and post the results here if I can get around to it.

 

[DarkAmeba]

yeah that'd be great I'd appreciate it

 

[effigy]

I am running a 2500+ in my aria at 3200+. Even under load, the cpu temps dont get much over 40 degrees celcius. I personally would like to see them under 40 at all times, but still, that isnt TOO bad.

Honestly, someone that says that this case is an easy bake oven wasnt very creative when putting it together. Of course its going to be hot, its tiny. Just think your computer though, and make plans. I am still considering putting a fan on the left side panel, but am not sure if I want to cut into that beautiful three layer panel yet!