What SFF to invest in...looking at Athlon64 rig

[Bad Goat]

I am looking into a SFF PC but gettin' lost in all of the specs out there....just looking for a nice recommendation....got around $1100 to spend...would like to use what I got in my rig now..or as much as possible(see sig). Would like to go with an Athlon 64 rig. Wait for 939? or 754 ok? Any suggestions would be helpful

Thanks alot

[r3negade]

If you're going to wait for the 939's to come out, you'll be waiting a while. They were 'announced' to be released around september, so that basically means to expect them around December or Q1 of next year.

If you're going the 754 route, you only have 1 option right now: the SN85G4v2 (I think the v3 is coming out in a couple of months). The 'budget' A64 shuttle xpc, the SK83G was supposed to be released in April (official announcement was in Jan or Feb), and it still hasnt seen the light of day at any store (it actually just made its first appearance on the US shuttle page yesterday).

My only gripe with the G4 case is:
- looks somewhat cheap and tacky
- I hate those card reader slots (the 'L' variant that doesnt have those slots, arent available in the new V2 variant of the xpc).

[Treyshadow]

Not so fast my friend

I would go with the Soltek 3801A or M for my A64 SFF.

Since it can use a more standard heatsink and is slightly cooler than the Shuttle, not to mention better looking (IMHO).

Very nice SFF, and since it is slightly larger than a shuttle, it stays cooler and is quieter.

Newegg sells both of these for under 300

[Bad Goat]

I guess I just don't understand why AMD would release their new 939 64's if the motherboards weren't right around the corner? Or are you only referring to SFF mobo's taking until December or Q1 of next year?

[Bad Goat]

Not so fast my friend

I would go with the Soltek 3801A or M for my A64 SFF.

Since it can use a more standard heatsink and is slightly cooler than the Shuttle, not to mention better looking (IMHO).

Very nice SFF, and since it is slightly larger than a shuttle, it stays cooler and is quieter.

Newegg sells both of these for under 300

This Soltek 3801A comes with a 250W PSU...how would I be if I dropped an X800Pro in it? Say along with a DVD Burner, 74GB Raptor, 80GB WD, TV Tuner card and prolly a 3400+?? Think it could handle all of that without me worrying?

[eviltommy]

This Soltek 3801A comes with a 250W PSU...how would I be if I dropped an X800Pro in it? Say along with a DVD Burner, 74GB Raptor, 80GB WD, TV Tuner card and prolly a 3400+?? Think it could handle all of that without me worrying?

should work like a charm. however, im my opinion raptors are overrated i had 2 36gigs in a raid0 and it was very nice and fast, but for less money you can get drives with more space.
i found battlefield loading was alot faster with raid, other games werent that noticeable.

btw- when you get everything and put it together follow up with some pics, i wanna see what the soltek backpack is like

[Kingofl337]

I was also looking at the Soltek. 3081A. Looks like a nice unit.

Link: http://www.soltek.com.tw/soltek/product/qbic.php?isbn_st=SL-B9A-FGR&qisbn_st=EQ3801

[ALYNCH75]

I have an Antec Aria case and purchased all my parts. If you send me a private mesage I can give you my model numbers and configuartion (ie motherboard and the such.) you can build one for less than what you are trying to spend. You will just have to purchase a monitor if you dont' already have one... Let me know and I can help... Just so you know I have build several of these and have been working on computers for the past 11 years I know what I am doing. I can send you part numbers and specs and you can build it yourself.. Best thing is I won't charge you for the advice....... ;) Can someone say this is a FREE Consultation. I can even tell you where I purchased the items :D :)




Listen I know how you guys feel I have an old shuttle sn45G and I had the AMD 64 one you are discussing. Its horrible, I even cut 3 blowholes and installed 3 80mm fans it slowed down the fan due to the fact that the temps were okay but now with the 3 extra fans althouh more silent than the cpu fan the system is noisy. Well needless to say I gave that machine to my wife for her home office as she's not really into computers so I don't think she noticess a quiet pc. But I got an Antec Aria setup with the AMD 64 and it runs like a dream. I do alot of gaming so I had to cut one blowhole and then I cut another just to added an LED fan and it still runs quiet even under full load. I ran Far Cry for about 2 hours then I went online with my Star Wars game and it was great checked temps after and they were stable. You can try to take temps with a third party cpu themomert and digital ready works great my temps never went over 67 celcius. If you want my complete configuration let me know send me a private message and I will get it to you. I say everyone needs to ditch that shuttle and get an Antec Aria case build your own. More flexable more upgradeable and you can really put 3 hard drives this baby is grand. SOme people say they get high temps so If you send a private message I will send you the model numbers of all my specs. The noise level of my Antec Aria is only 22dBA I can get it down to about 19Dba