SFF/mATX Guidance

[wmopnc]

I am in the market for a new PC but am struggling with all of my options. I am hoping that through this post I can get some guidance.

Usage: Most of the use of this pc would be software development, non-gaming. I would also like the ability to use this box as a PVR and do some video capturing from my video camera. I would like the hardware to be Vista compatible.

Price: ~ $1,200 - $1,500

Form Factor: I do not want a tower, in general. I have a mid tower now and while it served its purpose its just too big. I'm really looking for something smaller. I really like the Shuttle pc's and mATX options with slim or small cases. Where I struggle is on performance. I have skimmed some reviews and they show all these totally nerdy graphs, benchmarks, etc. I am usually up for that but looked a bit exhausting to get up to speed on terms etc. I just want to box to scream for a reasonable price but am nervous that I am limited going to a small form factor pc.

Noise: Want something quiet. I will pay extra for a better fan and power supply.

Audio: I think I would be fine with any onboard audio options. I could upgrade later if need be.

Processor: Either Intel or AMD is fine. I do think I want dual core. Not looking for the fastest cpu, just the best bang for the buck.

Hard Drive: Nothing special here, 250GB. I have been a fan of IBM/Hitachi in the past.

Video: I am lost here as well. I would like to have, some day, an enormous wide screen LCD. Not sure I want to go that route as of now because I have a 21" CRT now and it is nice. LCD's keep dropping in price so I could pick one up some other time. Where I struggle is do I just deal with the onboard video, like some of the Shuttle's have, or just buy a card that supports both analog and digital. I have been leery of on board video because of how the tend to "share" memory and do not have dedicated memory. I am not concerned with dual monitor option but would be nice.

TV Tuner: I have absolutely no clue here. I would want a dual tuner if I purchased one. Getting one now is not a deal breaker. Just want some guidance.

All in all I think I am a sucker for the Shuttle so I would need some convincing to go another direction but will definitely but open to other options. I am aware that my price range will be limiting but have to put a steak in the ground somewhere.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brainonska511]

Form factor/Noise: You should check out this article on mATX cases:
http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2901

Audio: You can use onboard, but if you want to upgrade, you could get an X-Fi card for $65 (link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102007)

Processor: Best bang for your buck is the Intel C2D E6300 (1.86GHz).

HDD: Seagate are the best, especially with their 5 year warranties

Video: If you stick with onboard video, you will most likely only have analog out. If you don't plan on gaming and want a digital out (for a future LCD), just pick up a cheap, low end PCI-E card such as an ATI X1300 (so you can use the AVIVO encoding/decoding) or a Nvidia GeForce 7300.

TV Tuner: I have no idea on this front.

Personally, I feel cube mATX cases are a little better than the Shuttle cases because you at least have the ability to choose your own motherboard, you get an extra expansion slot, and you can use your own PSU if you so choose and not be stuck with the default Shuttle one.

 

[IlllI]

if you plan on using more than one pci card now or in the future, then you can rule out sff. all the ones i've seen will only have 1 pci slot.

 

[imported_thefonz]

cube matx cases are the best, for what your looking for , check out anandtech's article here : http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2901
3 decent cases but there not really what i would consider quiet pc's, you could always throw in a fan controller or some yate loons that are quiet

As for processors, i would say get a dual core now as they really are in the mainstream now, and would probably be good for the software development u mentioned. intel 6300 or x2 4200, probably the best bang for the buck, even more so if your into overclocking. The only problem with the intel is that i haven't seen many Matx motherboards for them yet as the 6x00 are newer. if your getting aftermarket cooling for the processor, so its quiet and all, make sure to check it will be compatible in the case.

for the video card i'd say a 1950pro from HIS, its got a good dual slot cooler and quiet, or a 7950gt from any nvidia manufacturer. If u really wanna go all out u could get a 8800gts for vista, more future proof with direct x 10 and all.

ur gunna need memory too, so some 667or 800 DDR2 memory

For the tv tuner, i have no clue, hopefully someone else can help u out on that.

Onboard audio is good and if your getting a tv tuner u might not have an extra PCI slot for a sound card.

A good quiet power supply would be a Seasonic s12, 500 or 600 watt versions are available

For what i recommended it would probably be under or around your budget
Hope that helps u out , enjoy your new build


edit: just looked that u wont be doing any gaming so forget any of those video cards and just go for a x1300 or 7300. or a AIW x1900 from ati also has a tv tuner built in to the graphics card.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: thefonz
As for processors, i would say get a dual core now as they really are in the mainstream now, and would probably be good for the software development u mentioned. intel 6300 or x2 4200, probably the best bang for the buck, even more so if your into overclocking. The only problem with the intel is that i haven't seen many Matx motherboards for them yet as the 6x00 are newer. if your getting aftermarket cooling for the processor, so its quiet and all, make sure to check it will be compatible in the case.

edit: just looked that u wont be doing any gaming so forget any of those video cards and just go for a x1300 or 7300. or a AIW x1900 from ati also has a tv tuner built in to the graphics card.

You can find 96x boards for the E6300, along with 945 series boards that are compatible with C2D (not nearly as many mATX boards as there are for AM2 processors, but they exist). For $20 more than a 4200+, the E6300 is much faster. But in the end, either are probably fine choices.

There are also a few AIW cards that have built in graphics/tv tuners. The X1300 has an AIW version (IIRC) known as the TV Wonder 2006 (or something like that).

 

[Foghorn]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811163050

A really nice mATX case, probably the best out there, comes in silver too, and one with acrylic sides. Throw in a full size PS, two HD's, two optical drives. I'm buying one for my new SFF setup.

 

[imported_OrSin]

Any system you get go with on board video. Vista runs fine with NV 6150 and ATI onbaord video. YOu can also was upgrade later if you think you need it. But realy if you dont play video games you done need a video card. Yes some cards help in encoding video files but for the cost of the cards out now, it jsut better to get more ram or a better processor.

M-atx is good standard and i like the Sugo case, but Shuttle is pretty good too. Most Small cases are not as quiet as the big towers that are made for silence. My usggest is to get the case you liek the most visiually and get quiet componenets. A good HSF and power supply is where you should start.

As much as I hate to say this. Dell has a Small case AMD system for very cheap now. you can X2 3800 with all your specs for under $500. This comes with a free Vista Preminum upgrade. I have build dozens of system but I'm even considering it. The hardware price is very good and the free vista upgrade makes the deal great. If you do get it make sure you choose the free upgrade more MCE. You have to choose it or they will not give it to you.

Personally I would get the dell and upgrade the video card or ram later if you need to.
It will save you alot time and money. Man I fell bad for suggesting Dell.

PS
Get a daul core something. You will really regret not getting it in just a few months if you don't.

 

[MajorMullet]

Originally posted by: Foghorn
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811163050

Case: A really nice mATX case, probably the best out there, comes in silver too, and one with acrylic sides. Throw in a full size PS, two HD's, two optical drives. I'm buying one for my new SFF setup.

I was going to link this - I'm not sure why the Anandtech mATX roundup left out this awesome case.

I have my main desktop PC running in one of these. It's super quiet and cool and has room for expansion. You can use regular ATX power supplies on it so you don't have to worry about finding a replacement for the proprietary PSU that comes in a Shuttle, should it fail.

I traded in my Lian-Li mid tower for this case and I haven't looked back. It's nice not having that huge thing on my desk. It was also very easy to assemble (I liked being able to just put it in my lap and work on it).

I got mine from Outpost.com (link) for $112 shipped. It's $99 there now, not sure how much shipping is to your area though.

Processor: I would definitely get a dual core processor especially since you want to do video capturing. You'll be able to do that and more without noticing a slowdown.

Video Card: I recently purchased a Gigabyte 7300GT for my HTPC (link). This may be a good option since you want something silent.

RAM: 2GB of RAM will be good, especially if you plan on using Vista anytime soon.

Hard Drive: Like Brainonska511 said, I would recommend a Seagate hard drive as well with their 5 year warranty.

TV Tuner: I have a Hauppauge PVr-150MCE which works fine for me, but I bought a while back and I think there are better options available now. This is as good a deal as any to get started. I would only recommend this if you're going to use Windows Media Center. I'm not familiar with Linux options.

Audio: Onboard audio is fine for me, but I'm not much of an audiophile. Like you said you could always cut costs now and upgrade later if you desire.

 

[imported_OrSin]

They basicly said they didn't review the sugo becuase they was not sent a sample.
Its nice case but you you can get it cheaper then at newegg. New egg has the best pictures of everything and decnt review, but not always the best price.

Start a newegg find what you want then see if you can get a bette deal at zip, mwave monarchy or any of the other sites.