Building a SFF Pc

[BlindSeaman]

Basically I have a full tower and used to be into o/c'ing and the latest video games and such but, sadly it has pretty much fallen out of my interest. I currently have a durn 600 o/c'd to 1000mhz (you can tell its been a while) with 756mb of pc133 ram, geforce ti4200, 80gig hd, 20gig hd, and that is about all for the major stuff.

I really just want a computer that is more up to date and can handle a few games, I have about a $500 budget right now so a video card will have to wait. Here is what I have planned:

This will all be from Newegg.com:
NU Technology 8X DVD+RW/-RW Drive, Model DDW-082, Retail
Link
Kingmax 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM
Link
Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket A at 333/400MHz FSB AMD CPU, Model SN45G
Link
AMD Athlon XP 2700+, 333MHz FSB, 256K Cache Processor - OEM
Link



The total came to about $503, what do you all think? And am I forgetting anything? Any help appreciate, thanks.

 

[Dman877]

Ti4200 is still an adequate card imo so that's not a real big deal (trying to play doom3 or hl2 on it will be frustrating though).

Go with a 2400+ mobile cpu (if you want to oc, they oc VERY well), or 2500+ desktop proc (if you don't want to oc). IF you aren't going to oc, don't bother with pc3200 either, ram is expensive atm and pc2700 is all you need for the midrange xp's.

 

[Ionizer86]

Here's some suggestions:

If you're looking at an AMD based SFF, the SN45G ($235 on Newegg) is probably your best bet. You'll probably love this choice since the soundstorm is good enough to save the PCI slot.

On the ram, I heard that Mushkin is a really good brand, so it may be a better bet on a 512MB PC3200 stick.

Since 8x DVD media still isn't very available, it may be worth saving some money to get a 4x DVD±RW burner like the Liteon instead. Or you may save more by buying a DVD burner locally. See Hot Deals

 

[ericgl]

Early this year I built a Shuttle P-4 system and found it a little too limiting.

Consider build in a system using the Antec Aria case;

Swapping the XPC amd Barton for and Aria, Gigabyte GA-K8VT800M, and A-64 2800 will cost you ~$50, hold off on the burner for a while, prices are coming down.

 

[OCedHrt]

Hmm a bit late now but if you see this, newegg has Optorite 8x for 69.99 today only

 

[NokiaDude]

If I were you I'd use an AMD XP Mobile chip, they run cooler and are "neater" than their desktop counterparts. I'm using an XP Barton 2500+ and I'd like to use an AMD XP Mobile Barton 2500+ if I had the money! If you can, go with a 400FSB, you'll notice a difference from the slow 333FSB. I can tell a noticable difference between my friend's 3200+ Barton w/400FSB and my 2500+ Barton w/333FSB.

 

[stultus]

Be very cautious about overclocking with the SN45G. And don't touch the Vdimm. Read Sudhian forums for more info.

 

[RaNDoMMAI]

Get the Nec 2500a or the new Nec2510

They are both awesome burners and they are QUIET! even when burning.

kind of off topic
What is the difference between the SN41G2 and the SN45G2 other then the word ultra in the SN45G2

~RaNDoM

 

[Ionizer86]

SN41G2 has an nForce 2 SPP northbridge while hte SN45G has an nForce 2 Ultra 400 northbridge. I don't think the SN41G2's first version officially supports 200 bus/ddr400 without a bios flash because of its northbridge, which has an integrated GF4 MX. The SN45G officially supports 200 bus/DDR400 but has no integrated graphics. Then the second version of the SN41G2 (V2) has some small new fixes and the slightly quieter and more powerful 250W SilentX power supply.

 

[bluemax]

The SilentX power supply is a BIG improvement in quietness. There's a SN45G v2 coming up.

I think DDR-400 (400FSB) is overrated unless you're an overclocking nut.

Many people prefer the look/style of the SN41G2.

 

[thorin]

Suggestions/opinions.....that's easy post in the right forum :roll:

Thorin

 

[konakona]

people around seem to dig pioneer DVDRWs a LOT (and incidentally i happen to have a a07)
for one thing, they have the best media compatiblity from what i hear; often you could burn el cheapo 1x media at 4x speeds