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Shuttle K45 Build

L

lathode

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Sep 23, 2007
Messages
1,441
I just finished purchasing all of the parts for my build. I couldn't pass up the K45 from Fry's for $45 AR. So here's thew rest of my parts, all are retail parts, not OEM. I like the pretty boxes:cool:

Shuttle K45...............................$55 (Fry's, after $50 MIR and taxes)
Intel Celeron e1200.....................$50 (Newegg)
Cooler Master XDream 4 HSF........$5 (Fry's)
2GB OCZ PC6400......................$20 (Newegg, after $30 MIR)
500GB WD Green Power............$60 (Staples, after IR)
_______________________________
...............................................$190

I've read bad things about the stock Intel cooler and may need to replace it, but i'll give it a shot. I was having a hard time deciding between the Celeon e1200 and Pentium e2180. The Pentium has double the cache and faster speed. Benchmarks showed an advantage in gaming, but other things such as encoding or photoshop showed no difference. Although the $20 difference is not much, for a system where the RAM cost $20 and the mobo/case/PS cost $55 it became a big difference. As far as the RAM, I've never tried OCZ and believe I've read bad things about them in the past, but after having Crucial RAM fail on me I shouldn't care too much about what I read. Also this RAM was on the approval list from Shuttle.

Anyway, the parts are ordered, now I need to find something to do with it. I may look into a hakintosh, Linux, FreeNAS, etc. Will post up some pics of the build process.

edit: Found a Cooler Master XDream 4 on Fry's for $5.99, In-Store pickup. Has to be better than the stock cooler. Shipping would have been $5, but I need to head out to the Renton area anyways so the gas I'll burn shouldn't make a difference. I rounded up some of the other numbers, so this puts the build at $190.
 
Nice cheap linux box you would have there. Heck, you could probably make it a OSx86 box out of it too.
 
With the Celeron you shouldn't have problems with the stock cooler.

The 640GB hard drive is only 20 more these days, if you don't mind spending the extra money. They're faster (although I understand speed is not an issue here).
 
Are they $45+Tax in store at Renton?

I'm building one as well, but I got mine from Frys.com. I was at Fry's Fri & Sat, but it didn't look like they were $45 yet.

My build looks like this:
Shuttle K45 ($55 AR)
E7200 ($99 w/ECS MB at Frys, going to sell the MB)
2GB Corsair Dominator PC8500 (Extra laying around)
1TB Hitachi 7K100 (Stripped from old PC)

I'll probably use the Intel stock heatsink, a ThermalRight XP90 if it fits, or maybe a shuttle ICE.

Mines going to be a domain controller/file server/CVS
 
JohnleMVP said:
Are they $45+Tax in store at Renton?

I'm building one as well, but I got mine from Frys.com. I was at Fry's Fri & Sat, but it didn't look like they were $45 yet.

My build looks like this:
Shuttle K45 ($55 AR)
E7200 ($99 w/ECS MB at Frys, going to sell the MB)
2GB Corsair Dominator PC8500 (Extra laying around)
1TB Hitachi 7K100 (Stripped from old PC)

I'll probably use the Intel stock heatsink, a ThermalRight XP90 if it fits, or maybe a shuttle ICE.

Mines going to be a domain controller/file server/CVS
Click to expand...

They were only on sale the 30th and 31st AFAIK. I had it shipped.
 
I love my K45 but I think I might have to trade up for something bigger because the PCI slot kinda limits my expansion options.
 
I've been running a k45 for a few months now. It has an e2200 OC'ed to 2.9GHz.
I just use it for web surfing and as a print server. Can't beat the price for the set up. The k45 cost me $100 and the e2200 was $80. I had 3GB ddr2 800MHz memory laying around and an 80GB SATA drive already. I want to upgrade the hard drive eventually, but that will be cheap.
 
ashmedai said:
Spec says 2GB max.
Click to expand...
This wouldn't be the 1st time Specs were wrong.

I'll post up a screenshot tonight if anyone wants proof.
But yes, it will see 3GB. Why wouldn't it? The 945 chipset will see what 4GB at least.

I think the 2GB limit was meant as each slot will only see 2GB.
 
Lebowski said:
This wouldn't be the 1st time Specs were wrong.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be, no. But Windows has been programmed to lie. So make sure your proof is good.


Lebowski said:
But yes, it will see 3GB. Why wouldn't it? The 945 chipset will see what 4GB at least.
Click to expand...

That's not the only factor involved. The width of the address bus on the motherboard, for example, can place a limit on the total memory that can be accessed. Or even something as simple as BIOS firmware.


Lebowski said:
I think the 2GB limit was meant as each slot will only see 2GB.
Click to expand...

That's possible, but again, make sure you have an authoritative demonstration that the specs are wrong. I hope you're right! :D
 
Well the POST screen counts 3GB, Windows and Linux report 3GB, CPU-Z reports 3GB.
I'm not an expert at writing programs that can see past the lies Windows weaves. But upon going from 2GB to 3GB I noticed a "seat of the pants" increase in performance.
 
You had me at POST, although a Memtest run wouldn't hurt. AFAIK it's just Windows that has been told to lie, and that just recently, and possibly just Vista.
 
ashmedai said:
You had me at POST, although a Memtest run wouldn't hurt. AFAIK it's just Windows that has been told to lie, and that just recently, and possibly just Vista.
Click to expand...

Vista 32bit "lies" by now showing how much RAM is installed, not just how much is accessible. I'm guessing they did that for OEM's so they could sell a system with 4GB RAM and not have customer's calling in asking why it's only showing 3.xx.
 
lathode said:
Vista 32bit "lies" by now showing how much RAM is installed, not just how much is accessible. I'm guessing they did that for OEM's so they could sell a system with 4GB RAM and not have customer's calling in asking why it's only showing 3.xx.
Click to expand...

So, what I said? Or are you saying that it doesn't affect XP? Because that would be interesting, but you didn't say it outright.
 
Good to know. Maybe I'll pick up some uber cheap 4GB kit in the future.

Anyone know of a good 92mm chassis fan for the KPC? I would like one with the 4 pin header (not molex) for speed control.

Edit: I guess they are called PWM fans.
 
32-bit Windows (Vista or XP, does not matter) will only use ~3.2GB of RAM. You need 64-bit Windows to see the extra RAM, although I wouldn't get 64-bit unless you have more than 4GB because 64-bit instructions take more memory so the extra space would need to be plentiful to see a benefit.
 
Also what temps are you guys seeing using the stock Intel heatsink? I'm using the stock Intel heatsink from the old 65nm parts as it looks almost twice as big as the 45nm version, has a copper base, and the fan is .60amp vs .14amp. In bios I'm seeing like 36C with a E7200. I haven't got an OS installed yet. I'm going to give Win Server 2008 64bit a try. I need to get my DVD drive setup first though.
 
I had a 45nm stock cooler for a while and it was pure shit.

Didn't cool for crap.

Granted I have a quad core, so that's probably why. You'd think they'd have a better cooler for the quad cores though....

For what it's worth, I was seeing temps of 60C idle, and god knows what under load, I turned the benchmark apps off when I saw it was 90C and called it "inadequate" and then looked for better heat sinks.
 
ashmedai said:
So, what I said? Or are you saying that it doesn't affect XP? Because that would be interesting, but you didn't say it outright.
Click to expand...

My post was to clarify how Windows may lie. As far as the 2GB max that the Shuttle can handle is a different question. I think these 2 questions were getting tied together. So from what people have posted online, the K45 can see more than 2GB that Shuttle stated was the max.

Anyway, I received my K45, which DHL left at the front door to my apartment:rolleyes: and went by Fry's and picked up my CM cooler. It's only a 3 pin cooler instead of the PWM connector, but advertised to be quite so it should be fine. The K45 is a sexy little machine. I also saw the 360 HD-DBD drive for $40, almost picked it up for an external drive, will look into that further. I'll post some pics later on.
 
Nice.

I ended up buying a coupe PWN fans to try out. A Arctic Cooling 92mm and a Scythe 92mm. I also got some 40x20mm Scythe fans to replace the power supply fan with. I'm going to do it on my SG33G5 Shuttle as well.
 
So what do y'all think about the video situation? Is it worth it to go with a PCI card over the "Intel GMA 950 256bit 400MHz, up to 224MB mysteriously borrowed from system RAM" that it has onboard?

I would think "maybe"...I don't expect it will really be a huge improvement for the (already very limited) gaming potential, but it could help if you want to push over 720p with it.
 
It depends on how you plan to use it. If you want to use it as a media center then I would get a PCI video card for TV out or a digital connection for an HDTV. There are a few decent options out there. For gaming then the KPC isn't for you.
 
I was mostly planning to slap Mandriva on it and use it for data reduction. But it doesn't want to boot. The E6600 I had sitting around is supported but only on a later BIOS...I don't suppose anyone knows what version the ones from the Fry's special on the 27th-28th would have had? Maybe that's why.

Although now that I've had one of these around (working or not), I'm starting to part out an SFF that can play games that aren't over 5 years old. :D
 
Well if you spend $100 on a PCI video card you can play some decent games. The KPC isn't the best route for this though. For gaming you'll get more bang for your buck with something that has a PCI-E slot.
 
Yeah. I'm looking for enclosures, and will probably drop in the E6600 + a spare 7800GTX (230mm like the 8800GTs). I'm stuck on the issue of "um, does a normal PSU fit in here?" right now.

Probably getting an E2200 so the Shuttle will actually boot. I assume that's what's wrong - it lights up but no one's home and there's no beep of "zomg why do I have no memory installed?!?" when I take the memory out (which could also itself just be a failure by Shuttle to implement beep codes...). That, or it's DOA in a slightly weird way.
 
For what this little machine is intended for, I would just get the e2200 or maybe a e4500 and drop it in, bump the FSB to 266 and have at it.
 
ashmedai said:
Yeah. I'm looking for enclosures, and will probably drop in the E6600 + a spare 7800GTX (230mm like the 8800GTs). I'm stuck on the issue of "um, does a normal PSU fit in here?" right now.

Probably getting an E2200 so the Shuttle will actually boot. I assume that's what's wrong - it lights up but no one's home and there's no beep of "zomg why do I have no memory installed?!?" when I take the memory out (which could also itself just be a failure by Shuttle to implement beep codes...). That, or it's DOA in a slightly weird way.
Click to expand...

Its odd that a E6600 doesn't work since its been around a lot longer then a E2200. You might consider getting a E5200 they are suppose to be around $80-90.

As for an enclosure, if you like Shuttles an SG33G5 is a good one with a PCI-E slot that will accomendate a single slot video card. I've seen them for $200 AR.
 
Damn this thing is noisy. Quite suprising. I'll try turning down the CPU fan in the BIOS but i'm thinking it's the PSU fan. I finally got FreeNAS installed, now just need to figure out how to use it.
 
lathode said:
Damn this thing is noisy. Quite suprising. I'll try turning down the CPU fan in the BIOS but i'm thinking it's the PSU fan. I finally got FreeNAS installed, now just need to figure out how to use it.
Click to expand...

It's the PSU fan, I don't have a fan on my CPU so it's pretty easy to tell where the noise is coming from. ;)
 
Well I've tried FreeNAS, got quite a few errors trying to get it to work with my PS3. Then I installed ubuntu, which went smoothly, but I don't really have a use for it really. I suppose I can try and learn Linux and what not, but no real point in that for me, not now anyway. I ordered some windows home server evals, going to give that a shot. I also put in another WD 500gb GP drive. Unfortunately I threw away my extra molex-sata adapters and sata cables thinking I would never need them. So I gotta go get some first, Will probably pick up a 92mm fan as well to make sure the system keeps cool.So hardware wise that brings me up to about $250-265. If I purchase WHS that's another $150. Here I thought I was building a sub $200 system lol. Atleast the evals will last me a yr, or maybe I will learn Linux so I don't spend another $150 on this machine.
 
Well I finally got around to trying out 4GB of ram and it seems it does not support it.

CPU-Z says its there, but Windows 2008 Server 64bit says I have 2GB and Task Manager also says I have 2GB.

Also as far as noise I replaced the PSU fan with a scythe mini kaze fan 20dba (SY124020L).

I was planning on under volting my cpu, but was surprised to find out there are no cpu voltage settings. I ended up overclocking. ;)
 
JohnleMVP said:
Well I finally got around to trying out 4GB of ram and it seems it does not support it.

CPU-Z says its there, but Windows 2008 Server 64bit says I have 2GB and Task Manager also says I have 2GB.

Also as far as noise I replaced the PSU fan with a scythe mini kaze fan 20dba (SY124020L).

I was planning on under volting my cpu, but was surprised to find out there are no cpu voltage settings. I ended up overclocking. ;)
Click to expand...

How's the Scythe working for you? I just ripped apart the PSU, this thing is driving me nuts, louder than my quad core system. The Yate Loon is 30db 6800rpm. The Scythe is 20db 3500rpm. Any weird whining/electrical noise?

edit: Well I ordered the Scythe, I also ordered a 12v to 9v adapter if I need to slow down my CPU fan. The 92mm fan I have in is a Antec 3 speed fan on low so that should be fine.
 
I just built a K45. Using a E8400 will only boot it to 2.4ghz and not 3.0ghz. How quiet does it get after you replaced the power supply fan? Anyone know how to have it boot to 3.0ghz?

Thanks!
 
ok, my little K45 just came in yesterday.
Few questions:

1- what kind of PSU fan do you guys have? Mine is Yate Loon D40SM-12C - is it silent or that more noisy one?
2- did you change PSU fan? to what? I haven’t looked into mine yet, what kind of plug does it have? 3pin? Is it easy to change that fan? Any warranty labels to be broken?
3- what kind of fan do you use for rear 92mm? Is it necessery?
4- Did anyone try Pico PSU? Which one would work?
 
chal2les said:
I just built a K45. Using a E8400 will only boot it to 2.4ghz and not 3.0ghz. How quiet does it get after you replaced the power supply fan? Anyone know how to have it boot to 3.0ghz?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

KPC supports FSB of 1066 MHz. E8xxx uses a FSB of 1333 MHz. So not happening, sorry...
 
But is Celeron 420 1.6GHz enough for all processes like for example playing dvd or blue ray movies?
 
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