Contemplating building a SFF (shuttle) computer

[Thoth093]

I've been toying with the idea of building a SFF computer for a few years now. I like the idea of the compactness of the system, though I realize that I'm limited somewhat by the space component-wise.

Here's something that I've kitted together that's within my present budget:

https://secure.newegg.com/Wish...Detail.aspx?ID=5175869

If I play games on it (and I probably will), it'll be Warhammer, Spore and not much else currently. Should it serve for 18 months or so? Any limitations or caveats? Suggested upgrades? Downgrades? I'd be willing to dial it up $100 or so, but any more than that I may as well just build a full-sized desktop a couple of months down the road with more bells and whistles.

Brian

 

[WannaFly]

I don't have much ton contribute - I'm marking this thread because I'm thinking about building a SFF for an HTPC, and don't know much about them.

 

[Gillbot]

Can't see the wish list but I will say Shuttles are nice rigs as long as you can live with their drawbacks.

 

[Thoth093]

BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOCE GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$169.99 -$20.00 Instant $149.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail
$189.99 $189.99

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
$84.00 $84.00

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $84.99 $84.99

Update SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM
$24.99 $24.99

Update Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
$5.99 $5.99

Shuttle SG31G2 Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Dual-Core / Celeron 400 serial support Intel G31 Barebone - Retail
244.99 -$20.00 Instant $224.99

Subtotal: $764.94

 

[wbynum]

If the small size is most important to you then the Shuttles are a good, albeit expensive choice. If you want to go a little bigger though you can get something like an Aspire X-QPACK "cube" case and pick and choose the motherboard you want. Standard size ATX power supplies also fit with a few mods. Another option is the Ultra MicroFly case off ebay. The MicroFly takes a standard length ATX powersupply without issue.