Shuttle XPC questions

[Dudd]

I'm thinking about picking up a Shuttle XPC SN45G for use in my dorm room next year, and I have a couple of questions before I pick one up.

1) How is the onboard audio on these things? Is it the same as on a regular NForce 2, or is it something different to fit on the smaller motherboard? I'm going to use some Logitech Z540s with it, and I want to make sure that the speakers won't be held back by the onboard audio. I'm not an audiophile at all, but I don't want my movies and games sounding weak.

2) How easy is it to put together a Shuttle? I'm a relative newb when it comes to building computers (The last desktop I bought is 5 years old, well before I got into hardware, and I've only bought a laptop since then). I've done the simple things like adding ram and video cards, but have little experience with the rest. Are the cramped interiors hard to learn on, or is fairly simple?

Thanks.

 

[terthen]

i just got an sk41g

shuttle xpc is pretty nice; it was very easy to put together; the instructions are very thorough with step by step pictures and instructions on how and where to put stuff. all the parts are made how they need to be so that they fit into nice little nooks and they even give you tape to hold down certain wires. the form is great and the sound of the computer itself on mine isn't too bad (altho i read all these online reviews about how quiet they were, i really should have checked on this forum where experienced people could give me the honest opinion). my cpu isn't too hot inside the case, but the inside temp of the case itself is higher than i'd like.

the onboard audio i think is pretty good. i'm no audiophile eitehr but to me the audio sounds great.

 

[Psychosylph]

Yeah, the instructions are easy to follow. It's not much harder than adding RAM or a video card, to be quite honest. The heatpipe assembly is easier than a normal heatsink, too.

BTW, as for sound I have Z-640s hooked to my SN41G2 - you WON'T be disappointed!

 

[Dudd]

Thanks guys. 41G, 2500+ Barton, and a Radeon 9700 should be fun.

 

[Psychosylph]

SN41G2, 1800+ (@ 11.5 X 175, default voltage, so far...), and 9700 Pro - loving every minute of it!!!