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  • Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket 939 AMD Athlon 64/FX CPU, Model SN25P
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=56-101-468&depa=0
• 
  
  • AMD Athlon 64 3800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor, Socket 939 – Retail
  • $371.99
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-465&depa=0
• 
  
  • ASUS nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/Dual DVI, PCI-E, Model "EN6800GT/2DT/256MB " –RETAIL
  • $458.00
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-121-192&depa=0
• 
  
  • CORSAIR XMS, Xtra-Low Latency 2-2-2-5, 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model TWINX1024-3200XLPRO – Retail
  • $273.00
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-524&depa=0
• 
  
  • Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only
  • $180.00
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=22-144-160&DEPA=1
• 
  
  • Samsung 16X DVD±RW, 5X Dual Layer, Model TS-H552U/BEBN Black, OEM Bulk W/ SW
  • $53.99
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-151-066&DEPA=1
• 
  
  • NETGEAR 108Mbps Wireless PCI Adapter, Model WG311T - Retail
  • $39.99
  • http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-122-134&depa=1

Grand total: $1735.97



Budget: is ~ $1700 (but if I can spend less with out sacrificing much to any performance all the better)




This is my possible planed system. I have never actually built a BRAND NEW computer. I have always been either repairing/upgrading computers or helping my friends build there own custom rigs. So with that being said I would like to have others input. I have a semi limited budget that can stretch in either direction of $1700. Right now itÂ’s is just about right cost wise.



I would like to keep in the Shuttle platform (size at least) and the AMD 64bit unless someone can come up with a really good reason to convince me other wise of power to cost ratio with IntelÂ’s line up. I personally like NVIDIA cards, because I feel a bit better using them with Linux (I have run it in the past and might do it again). IÂ’m not too far above doing a soft mod on a video card to save some money if the mod is in general known to work stable and not notorious for frying cards. Everything else is very fluid and can be subject to change if given enough reason to do so.



IÂ’m a college student that is looking to save up money but still spend money on good parts since I donÂ’t believe in skimping for the heck of being cheap. Please comment on this and give me input on parts that can give me better performance with out going out of my $1700ish budget.



This computer will be used for some gaming [FarCry, DOOM III, Counter Strike, HL (and the like) and w/e else that I end up picking up in that graphic usage league]. I also do some video editing and occasional DVD ripping and authoring. Along with different Photo Shop type work. And you canÂ’t forget the ever important Skool work. (For all this space intensive stuff like video editing I have a 250gig external drive and I can also throw in a 160gig HD that I have chillinÂ’ around my comp if need be.)



My friend suggested I post something like this up here to get other options on my parts but thought it was already a nice system. IÂ’m looking forward to the input I get from my fellow computer people. I would like to thank everyone for there time and suggestions in advance and IÂ’m sorry for my long windedness :-/ . thanks again l8er.

I dont think there is a huge preformance gain myself by using just one Raptor , you could save money there by going with a 7200 RPM drive, also my C-Connect PSU could not handle my 6800 GT I kept getting an Nvidia error saying I was underpowered and will underclock my card so that it doesnt die. Therefore I doubt that shuttle PSU will be able to handle that card.
I have a Shuttle now with a 2800 Barty , I love it , it keeps cool with a 120mm fan and it's near silent.

EDIT: with all that top notch gear that you want to get you are going to have to keep that sucker real cool, Raptor included, I went from 50C to 35-35 C idle with just swapping 1 fan , but my other parts do not have to keep nearly as cool as the ones you want.

Hmm thank you for your input and past experiences. I do think I might drop the Raptor, less heat the better because it could very well be a problematic issue. Also that issue with the 6800gt is interesting.

I have a few questions for you and so I hope you check back in. (Other wise I hope somebody else can comment.) I donÂ’t know what model Shuttle PC you have but IÂ’m wondering that the power supply is rated at. This one is rated at 350watts as I recall older ones arenÂ’t much over 200w maybe 250w tops. So till I find out IÂ’m crossing my fingers that a 350w PSU will do the trick and fix the problem with gfx card issues. Other wise it seems I could under clock it. (Out of curiosity what do you have it clocked to so if I do end up having issues I know how to band aid it.) Also if you would check the link I have posted and below. ItÂ’s the link to the Shuttle XPC site with all the info on this model. It shows the fan setup they have which looks nice and seems to be an improvement over the older designs. Again IÂ’m not totally sure what model you have so I raise this question again for the heat issues.



http://global.shuttle.com/Product/Barebone/SN25P.asp



Thank you again for your opinions and suggestions! Anyone else that has input or past experiences feel free to post I have a few week or maybe two before I think about buying the parts.

THIS is the on I have with a 250 watt PSU.
However the issues with the 6800 were on anotehr computer with 2 opticals, 4 hdd's, barty 2500, a gig of ramand a SCSI card. Ya would think 500watts would of been enogh but no, I did however swap it with a 500 watt PC and P PSU and I run it no problems.
Don't get me wrong I love shuttles and would love a AMD 64 version , but I would probably be running it with another PSU and have better cooling for the inside of the case itself..
HERE IS MY SHUTTLE

I have an older SB62G2, 2.4C P4, 1GB Corsair XMS PC3500 2x 512MB, Saphire 9800 Pro 256MB DDRII, SB Audigy X-Gamer, 37GB Raptor, and Sony DVD/CDRW. The PSU for this one was the 200W model and I was fine.

For awhile I had it on water, 3/8" with a D4 pump, MCW6000 water block from Swiftech and the Maze4 Vid card water block from DD. It was nice that way, the radiator was a little 3/8" job they used to sell with Innovatek kits.

Pump, DD reservoir and radiator were all externally mounted, Only the blocks went inside the case.

Oh, ok thanks for the clarification and advice so far NoSlack. Also VERY nice mods nice taste and well done. Once out of college if I can continue to fix/mod computers along with work on cars and eventually keep a decent house. I will be a happy man. Thanks as always