Shuttle SX38P2 build advice

[Neilio]

Hi everyone,

So it seems much has changed since the last time I built a PC, oh about 7 years ago now. My laptop (gets used as a desktop) is starting to die on me, so I'm looking to put together a SFF system to replace it. It will be used for AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Adobe Suite, SketchUp and hopefully some decent gaming if possible, don't really care to OC. I'm thinking around $1000 all in (Canadian $).

Surfing around on tigerdirect.ca and newegg.ca, this is what I've put together:

Shuttle SX38P2-Pro Barebone :$299.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale: $187.99

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 800 RAM Kit: $87.99

XFX Radeon HD 4770: $116.99

WD Caviar Blue 320GB 7200rpm HD: $59.99

Sony Optiarc 24x DVD/CD Burner: $32.49

20" Samsung Monitor: $139.99 + free shipping

Comes to $925, $1081 shipped.

Now having been out of the game for some time I'm not 100% sure if this is the best list.
Namely, I'm wondering if it's a better idea to go with a Q8400 CPU. Price is the same, clock is a bit lower, but it's a quad. How noticeable of a difference would there be between gaming vs multi-tasking with ArcGIS/AutoCAD/Adobe.

Also, I'm really not sure what the best option is for a GPU, I really don't know who's winning the nVidia vs ATI wars these days. Is there a better card that will fit the Shuttle in the $100-$150 range?

My heart is not set on the shuttle either, it was just seemed an easy way to get a case, mobo and PSU for a decent price. If anyone thinks theres a better microATX set up out there for a comparable price, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks guys

 

[Dangman]

Please answer the following questions so that we can help you better:

If you're gonna ask us to build/list a PC for you or seek advice about a build, please answer all of the following questions:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
3) Where do you live?
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
6) Will you be overclocking?
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

By answering these questions you help us help you build a PC that's of better quality, better performing, cheaper or all of the above.

 

[Neilio]

1) Used for ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Illustrator/Photoshop, Google SketchUp + Rendering, some gaming.
2) Including taxes+shipping around $1000
3) Halifax, Nova Scotia
4) Need Case, Mobo, CPU, RAM, HDD, Vid Card, DVD Burner, Monitor
5) Not reusing any internals. I have an external 250GB WD 5400rpm HDD for music/pics/movies, and a Retail Plus USB WLAN Adapter (model WL-6200C)
6) No overclocking planned
7) I have a 19" I-INC monitor, looking to get a second and run dual monitors
8) In the next couple weeks
9) Not really looking for anything specific with the mobo, just something that will accomodate #1
10) I don't have any OS at this moment, but planning on running Windows 7.

 

[Dangman]

Ok, then I recommend this setup:
$283 - AMD Phenom II 945 CPU + Gigabyte GA-M785GMT-UD2H AMD 786 Motherboard Combo
$84 - G.Skill Ripjaws 2 x 2GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$155 - XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$55 - Same hard drive you chose
$32 - Same DVD burner you chose
$140 - Same LCD monitor you chose
$90 - Antec Earthwatts 650W PSU
$80 - Silverstone SUGO SG02B-F Black mATX Case
------
Total: $919 plus tax and shipping.

Key notes:
- Significantly Faster video card
- Equally fast to if not faster than the E8400 and Q8400
- Better CPU upgrade path

 

[Neilio]

Thanks for the reply, seems like some very sound advice.

My only question is about the PSU. Is 650W more or less what that CPU+GPU would require? Or could I get away with something 550-600 and maybe save some cash or get a modular one?
Something like this OCZ.

 

[Dangman]

Thanks for the reply, seems like some very sound advice.

My only question is about the PSU. Is 650W more or less what that CPU+GPU would require? Or could I get away with something 550-600 and maybe save some cash or get a modular one?
Something like this OCZ.

You could go with a lower wattage PSU like a 500W to 550W. However I would not recommend going with any OCZ PSU due to their low quality.

 

[craz0]

Generally you go for a shuttle if your limeted for space or you have a fetish for them, i'm the latter.

The system Danny has listed sounds better and has a better upgrade bath, definately go for a modular PSU not a lot of room in a SG02, the only other thing to think about would be the heat and a decent cpu cooler.

 

[Neilio]

I think I'll go with a Kingwin Mach1 PSU. Cooling was another thing I was wondering about, but I dont know what kind of clearance there will be in the SFF system. I don't really have any tools to mod a heatsink, so it'd have to fit out of the box. It seems like the ZALMAN units are the best bet, with the fan nestled inside the fins. Would something like the CNPS8700 fit, or is it too wide for the smaller mobo?

 

[Dangman]

I think I'll go with a Kingwin Mach1 PSU. Cooling was another thing I was wondering about, but I dont know what kind of clearance there will be in the SFF system. I don't really have any tools to mod a heatsink, so it'd have to fit out of the box. It seems like the ZALMAN units are the best bet, with the fan nestled inside the fins. Would something like the CNPS8700 fit, or is it too wide for the smaller mobo?

Dude, that Kingwin is crap. It only has 30A on the +12V rail. That's ridiculously low for a 600W PSU considering that the Corsair 400CX 400W PSU has 30A as well. The Corsair 520HX 520W PSU I recommended earlier has 40A on the +12V rail. When a lower wattage PSU has the same amperage as a higher wattage PSU, that's usually a sign that the higher wattage PSU is of very low quality.

HSF wise, that Zalman HSF should fit fine.

 

[Neilio]

Lol frig, PSUs are a pain in the ass. That Corsair you mentioned looks great, not sure why I didn't notice it before, price is neg after a rebate.

Thanks for the help, Picking out hardware was much simpler last time I did this.