Alienware X51 or Shuttle SZ77R5

LTScunner

LTScunner

LTScunner

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Joined
20 Jun 2012
Posts
12
Hi,

Sorry for the face : palm / head : wall post, but I need some advice.

I'm looking into getting a SFF gaming rig and have an EVGA GTX670 waiting for a home - I want to be able to easily move it from my desk to the lounge (there's a 52" TV just yearning to be used).

I saw some reviews on You Tube saying that the X51 can take the GTX670 and had decided that I was going to get that; then I saw that the SZ77R5 had been released.

Never had anything from either company, but I have had a laptop from Dell and can't say I'm over-awed by their commitment to supporting products (i.e. no new drivers from Vista to W7).

In terms of gaming, I like things like BF3; SWTOR and plan to play Planetside 2 when it comes out.

Just looking for some pros and cons about the two systems.
I'm looking to use the following components:
i5 3570K
8GB/16GB DDR3
1 x 1TB HDD

I've an external DVD player that I can use if required

I'm not looking to overclock anything, but might like to be able to upgrade the CPU / GPU at some point.

The X51 seems the best from a portable/play it in the lounge point if view; but is really restricted for possible upgrades and PSU ability. The SZ77R5 seems the best for long term expansion; but, to me, looks more ungainly than the X51


After getting the system, I don't plan to upgrade anything for the next couple of years.

Thanks for any advice.

Thanks
 
Thanks very much for your two penneth - really appreciate you taking the time. It definitely seems the best bet for future expansion.

I've never gone down the SFF route; what are the noise levels like - quiet enough to sit under the TV?
 
T345 said:
Coulden't you build a SFF in a Bitfenix prodigy?
Click to expand...

I honestly have no idea.

I'm new to the whole SFF arena. It was really the X51 that piqued my interest. I then came across the SZ77R5.

I'm happy to consider all options. The thing I liked with the SZ77R5 was the mb, psu & cooling all come fitted - just plug in your other components and off you go.

Interesting thought with your suggestion though, although I've no clue about what other components to get, especially regarding CPU cooling. Any recommendations?
 
Hi CAT-THE-FIFTH,

If possible, I'd like to keep the cost to under £500, although I'd like not to have to spend anything else on it for at least a couple of years.

I've no plans to OC either the CPU or GPU - I know what a wimp :) .

The GTX670 is, I believe, a reference design (I already have this and would like it to be my biggest single purchase).

I've seen that the ivy bridge processors run hotter than sandy bridge, but felt that it might extend the time period before I have to upgrade and there's no price advantage going with SB over IB.

I would the case to as compact as possible, but not to the extent where I can't upgrade the CPU/GPU in future due to space/cooling retrsictions.

Any other suggestions about cases, mb and coolers would be greatly appreciated

Thanks for replying.
 
At the moment, chances are EVERYBODY and ANYBODY on this forum knows more about this area than I do. So I suspect no matter where I post - I'll learn something :)

With regards to my budget, the £500 would be for the whole system (excluding the GPU, HDD and 8GB DDR3 RAM which I already have).

I would prefer, if possible, to replace the RAM & HDD with new, as I'm not totally convinced that they are both 100% fault free.

I also like the idea of being able to bring it into the living room and hooking it up to the TV, so smaller is better, but then again so is quieter. :?
 
Last edited:
Budget is topped out at £500

I had thought that having already bought the GPU, I'd be able to build my own SFF and save some money over the X51. However, I then saw the price of the SZ77R5 and thought I'd better some ideas from those in the know -which is why I'm here.

In many ways, the Shuttle is an ideal choice: it comes more or less complete and I have most of the components required to get it working (as listed previously).
(If using existing HDD, then OS comes already installed)

I do however, suffer from a knowledge, that as soon as I buy something like the Shuttle, I'll come across the perfect system for less money and which is "better" in some way.

As you can tell, I'm very much undecided about what I really want/need. Maybe I'll have a moment of clarity after a good night's sleep.

Thanks for your help.
PS
You're on-the-nose about the resolution.
 
After a refreshing night's sleep and a not so refreshing day's work, I've decided to go for the Shuttle.

Overall, I think it's the best option to give me a smallish gaming PC, that's within my capabilities to build and which should keep me going for the next few years.

SimonMaltby - What's the sound like from the on-board setup? I've had a bad experience with HDD noise coming through on my old mb through the built-in sound system.

Thanks very much

I'll just have to continue to live with the knowledge that I will narrowly miss out on the next best thing in SFF rigs.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
 
Thanks to all.

I think it will be the Shuttle SZ77R5 for me - I'll let you know how I get on DAZZLER

Thanks to Silverstone_Rep for the comparative sizes.

Be back when I buy something :)
 
I'm having to indefinitely shelf this idea, since my long term employment prospects Have taken a nose dive.

I didn't however want to appear uncommunicative or ungrateful to everyone who contributed.

Thanks for your help and suggestions and bye for now.
 
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