Cheap SFFs?

[canfraggle]

Needs to be small and somewhat cute. It's meant for my girlfriend's mom

Shuttle SS51G + Cel 1.8 or SS41G + AthlonXP 1500+

+ 512 RAM
+ 80 gb WD Drive
+ DVD/CDRW Combo drive

Comes to just under 450 USD. Anyone have any comments?

 

[ultimatebob]

First off, you should NEVER build a home computer for family, unless you're willing to be the sole tech support contact for it.

That said, I would build a system with the SS51G. The integrated S3 video on the SS41G is really bad, and I'm not a fan of the stability on VIA chipset motherboards in general.

 

[Psychosylph]

Either the SK41G or the SS51G are a good, inexpensive choice. From what I have heard, though, people swear by the SS51G as the most stable of the XPCs.

 

[natenut]

First off, you should NEVER build a home computer for family, unless you're willing to be the sole tech support contact for it.

AMEN!!!

beware, its fun to build machines when its not your money, just cross your fingers that they work for a long enough time for the people to forget who made it for them.

 

[billandopus]

I'm looking at the Soltek lineup of SFFs specifically the EQ-3710m nforce2 IGP and MCP-T unit. Very cool looking and has had some very good reviews.

Soltek EQ-3701m

Newegg has it for 230 ..

I'm looking for more AT'er reviews of this unit before I take the plunge myself.

 

[tennisflip]

I'd recommend a Shuttle SN41G2. I think it's going for ~250 @ Newegg right now. It's the best looking SFF out there IMO... and it has the nForce 2 chipset w/decent onboard graphics.

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: tennisflip
I'd recommend a Shuttle SN41G2. I think it's going for ~250 @ Newegg right now. It's the best looking SFF out there IMO... and it has the nForce 2 chipset w/decent onboard graphics.

Just doing some research I found out that the sn41g2 has a MIR of 30 bucks which makes it pretty attractive. You have to buy it from an auth dealer but of course.

http://www.us.shuttle.com/promotion.asp

 

[Foghorn]

The SS51G is a very stable computer, despite the VIA chipset. Throw in a real video card and you're all set.

 

[Busithoth]

I was going to agree with the SS51G. While I dallied about building mine, they came out the the FB51G, and I got that. But that just made the SS, which was fine, cheaper. (to the point where now I have a P3 that I'm no longer planning on sticking in a SV25 box anymore...)

 

[RacerX]

This will impress your gf's Mom --->

:wine: :lips: Ladies Only SFF :lips: :wine:

 

[Wooster]

I also agreed SS51G is a stable XPC system. It's my full time file / FTP server for about three months. It's been online ever since and never run into any problem. 90 days and still running.

I remember I got the barebone through Newegg.com for about $115 (refurb) but missing CPU cooling heatsink. I got the heatsink off eBay for about $25.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: RacerX
This will impress your gf's Mom --->

:wine: :lips: Ladies Only SFF :lips: :wine:

I own this version of this bare bones system, without the stupid looking pink case of course. It's stable AND fast!

 

[xizor]

http://forums.sudhian.com/messageview.cfm?catid=46&threadid=42460

This one has a little more personality

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Dude, get her a Dell ... 4600C.

- M4H

 

[DurocShark]

Any cheap mATX mobo adn the Burbie case at Directron.