To go SFF or not to go SFF, that is the question.

[coolred]

I really like the looks and portability, as well as endless uses of these small form factors PC's. I currently have a modest system consisting of: ECS K7S5A MB, AMD 2100+, 512MB Crucial 2100, ATI 8500DV, Herculese GTXP, cheap modem, Liteon CDRW and DVD drives, 3-4 hard drives of varying size. They all get used a lot, but I don't really need all of them, as I am using no where near their total combined space. This is all housed in an Antec SX1030B, which I really like a lot, but these SFF PC's are just sweet looking. Really right now the rig does what i need. But I have the itch to go SFF. I figure my next big upgrade will be Nforce 3 with an Athlon 64 sometime after the price comes down(I know this is a ways away as they are not even on the market yet, but I think my current rig can make it that far). I am just wondering if it is worth it to spend 250.00 plus just to get the smaller unit? What is everyones opinion?

I know 250.00-275.00 isn't bad, but I already have the itch to upgrade my video card to like a 9800 AIW, plus it would be nice to get one of those 2500+ Bartons that seem to be good price/performance, and combining my drives down to one SATA drive would be nice. SO I am just wondering if I will be able to be happy just moving my current parts over to the new case, or if I will want to do an overhaul. I don't think my budget will alllow all of that though.

If I do upgrade, I am leaning towards the Biostar 200N. It seems really good all around, except maybe for some bad words about the company itself, that i have heard over at sudhian. I most likely won't be doing much overclocking, so i don't really need the Shuttle SN45G, plus I don't like the look of that case. The SN41G2 is better looking, but basically the same as the biostar and it just seems that people are raving more about the biostar then what they do about the shuttle.

So basically I am looking for your opinion of if you think it was worth it to go SFF, and what exactly you use your computer for.

 

[nan0bug]

If you factor in the cost of a good case, a good motherboard, and a good heatsink/fan combo you will find that SFF is only marginally more expensive. I would need a damn good reason to go back to a big case after switching.

If you do go the SFF route, do yourself a favor and pick up a large hard drive. You wont regret it down the road when 100gb is as insignifigant as 10gb is today.

 

[nan0bug]

If you factor in the cost of a good case, a good motherboard, and a good heatsink/fan combo you will find that SFF is only marginally more expensive. I would need a damn good reason to go back to a big case after switching.

If you do go the SFF route, do yourself a favor and pick up a large hard drive. You wont regret it down the road when 100gb is as insignifigant as 10gb is today.

WHEE DOUBLE POST!

 

[dejacky]

I agree with nan0bug,
also if you factor in the facts that you get SoundStorm, Spidif, usb 2.0, and FireWire ports (all powered), AND a high quality heatsink, And power supply, and case, AND fast motherboard witht the Shuttle SN45G, you realize, you actually save money. I upgraded from an ECS K7S5A system and it's a noticeable improvement in speed. . Both are stable systems though.

-dejacky

 

[coolred]

Thanks for the info guys, I know with all the stuff you get its not too expensive. But I am just wondering if it is worth it to just get the smaller form factor. I already have everything those units come with, except the small size. I really want one though, and will prolly end up getting one.

I just wish I knew when the Athlon 64 versions would be soming out. If we could expect them within 6-8 months, then I will wait.

 

[dejacky]

In my opinion, get the small form factor. It's much more comfortable in it's surroundings and to me sicne it's so UNobtrusive, small, and stylish!

 

[Rigomortis]

I just moved out of 2 Antec / Chieftec tower cases into 2 Shuttles. I have a SN41G2 and SK41G. I like the SK41G's looks vs. the more industrial appearance of the Nforce SN41G2. I can't complain as they both are very quiet compared to the massive airflow machines the Tower cases were but also open up so much room in my office. I have a quick pic of my setup in my sig. At this point I don't miss the towers at all.