Need a new project - spec me up scotty!!

rich99million

rich99million

rich99million

Soldato
Joined
26 Dec 2002
Posts
9,348
Location
Derbyshire
I've decided my crunchy rig just isn't going to be coming with me on my current move - it's too hulking big and thirsty and takes far too much watching.
I had thought I might transfer it to a smaller case (the CM stacker really isn't very stealthy) but decided it was still not really going to suit the purpose and I could do with a project anyway.

so....


I'm thinking I could do with being specced for a media server that will be small yet mighty. Can't be fiddled to be playing with CPU clients via VM's and all that so I'm thinking that going the multi-GPU route will be the answer for me. I figure if I can put together something fairly energy efficient (in terms of the PSU and CPU choice) that will be a bonus. It needs to fit into a micro ATX tower ideally as long as it's not going to hamper anything too much.

Any input is welcome, not really sure where to start looking as I've been out of the loop for a while. Just really need a PSU/Motherboard/CPU/GPU(s) combo that will fit the bill - not really got a budget at the moment but obviously good bang for buck is always a plus :)

This lack of output is killing me - must try harder :p
 
Last edited:
rich99million said:
I'm thinking that going the multi-GPU route will be the answer for me. It needs to fit into a micro ATX tower ideally as long as it's not going to hamper anything too much.
Click to expand...

multi-GPU does not really go well with micro ATX cases.
I still recommend the MSI K9A2 Platinum mobo for multi GPU coupled with a cheap dual core X2 + several GPU.

 
Agreed. It's doable, but you'll probably pay a premium, and you need somewhere for all that heat to go which - love 'em or hate 'em - CM stackers are good at and Micro ATX cases are generally not. Also, checking through the OcUK range, you'll have a choice of one, maybe two motherboards, both made by DFI (see 'premium', earlier).
 
Multi GPU and micro ATX just dont mix
if your looking for small and a micro atx the only way i can see of getting multi gpu is to drop in either a gtx 295 or a 9800 gx2
the other way of doing it i can see using a standard atx mobo would be to get either a HTPC case or that "ugly" antec skeleton case
that way you can drop in a full atx mobo that will take 2/3/or 4 graphics cards if you want.
 
Think I'm going to have to go the GTX xxx route then, this thing needs to be small not only to fit where I want it but also to limit the perceived impact on the electricity bill (:p) and so that I can swap out the GPU later and make a tidy little unit to sell on.

The Coolermaster Elite 340 looks like it wouldn't have problems supplying enough free flowing air with room for 120mm fans front and rear, if the CPU isn't pumping out much heat anyway I don't think that will be a problem.

Just got to bring myself to buy an insanely expensive GPU now :p
I'll hunt out some comparison charts later and break out the alcohol :D
 
Have a look at the silverstone cases - many will take full atx mobo's and use full height/long cards. Had the CW01 myself (far from tooless) put if you just want to set and forget it's a very attractive case.

Can also recomend my current cheapo tower (GMC R2 toast) nice and small with space for full size atx mobo and psu - would need a bit of mod'ing for 120mm fans but that's easy enough :)

The enermax modu 82+ is the psu of choice - efficent and very quiet
 
mATX - DFI Lanparty Jr P45-T2RS - £114 (2 Pcie X16 slots)
Gfx - MSI GeForce 9800GX2 1GB - £269 (x2)
 
shadowscotland said:
Have a look at the silverstone cases - many will take full atx mobo's and use full height/long cards. Had the CW01 myself (far from tooless) put if you just want to set and forget it's a very attractive case.
Click to expand...

I got the LC17 in silver, she's a beaut :D full size ATX mobo and PSU. Less stuff on the front but slightly better cooling than the CW01 I think. Noting toolless about it, if it doesnt need screwdrivers it's just not a computer :p

LC17S-Front-4-3.jpg


Not got much in the way of cooling though:

Front 2 x 92mm or 80mm fan slots
Rear 2 x 80mm exhaust fan, 2050rpm, 21dBA
Side 1 x 80mm fan slot & PSU vents
 
The silverstone SUGO cases can take full length GPU cards if you are a silverstone fan...
The 9800GT eco will be available for pre-order next week, but it is underclocked so maybe not the best for power crunching?
 
Subliminal Aura said:
Tasty, but they look like 8x/8x in crossfire
Click to expand...
Which, while not ideal for gaming, is fine as a folding rig.

As for cases, the Antec NSK 2480 is one of the better ones when it comes to mATX and cooling. You'll probably want to replace the PSU, and you should replace the two crappy Antec TriCool fans with some Noctua goodness. Also, watch out for clearances with the CPU heatsink (being a smaller case, it doesn't have the height to take a tower cooler). If you want to be pretty, you can go for one of the more expensive versions with VFD (Antec Fusion).
 
Rich, I've a load of bits I was going to put in the mm but will drop you a trust note with the details when I get back from the pub......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom