SFF AM2 / Conroe?

Exergy · 7 Sep 2006 at 09:10

Hi, im intending to put together a budget SFF PC in the next few days to use primarily as a server, hence no real need for anything more than onboard video, f that.

Ive been looking at AM2 and a 3800+ combination, but after hitting these forums I see theres a massive buzz about conroe. Im intending for the system to be somewhat upgradeable. Heres my initial Plan:

Asus V2-AH2 AM2 MATX Barebone System (Seems to be the best value for money) £83.17

http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=1&l2=1&l3=0&model=1159&modelmenu=1

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ 2.00GHz (Socket AM2) - Retail (CP-166-AM) - £105.74

Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-5400C4 TwinX (2x1GB) (MY-095-CS) £140.99

Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 NCQ 250GB 6V250F0 SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-088-MD) £55.81

Total: £385.71

Im looking todo some mild overclocking on the system, but I have say this will be pretty much headless most of the time, unless I decide to add a GFX at a later stage and make it more than a server.

Does the specification look ok? Specifically would the included PSU suffice, or would u recommend a replacement?

Does conroe really offer such a massive boost in performance over the X2's? Alternatively if anyone can price a similaly priced conroes based system, or better specification AM2 for the same price, id be extremely grateful.

Many thanks, im new to both SFF and AM2 / conroe, so help is much appreciated.

Mulder · 8 Sep 2006 at 23:34

This would be very useful for me too. I can't decide between a conroe mATX board or an X2.

Exergy · 9 Sep 2006 at 00:37

So please help us

nolimit · 9 Sep 2006 at 01:11

I used to have X2 3800 (939) @ 4600 speeds and now I got the Core Duo 2 6300.

I havn't clocked my 6300 but it feels much more quicker then my old x2 3800 system.
I had ASRock MATX mobo and G.Skill 2gb PC3200 ram for the AMD system.
Now in this I have ASRock ConroeXFire and G.Skill 2gb DDR2 PC2-5400

So I'd suggest the Intel Core Duo 2 because windows feels little bit faster, cpu is running lot cooler @ 39 air cooled with Zalman CNPS8000 and fan set to silent.

This is my 1st Intel CPU since 1997 and I'm very satisfied.

Exergy · 9 Sep 2006 at 17:11

Whats the best case & psu for that configuration, which are you using?

Thanks for the reply btw!

Exergy · 9 Sep 2006 at 17:39

So heres what I have come up with thus far, anybody recommend any changes?

MB-003-AK Asrock ConroeXFire-eSATA2 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-003-AK)
£53.99 £53.99

MY-012-GS G.Skill 2GB DDR2 LA PC2-5400 (2x1GB) CAS4 Dual Channel Kit (F2-5400PHU2-2GBLA) (MY-012-GS)
£119.99 £119.99

E6300 Core 2 Duo *OEM* 1.86GHz 1066FSB 2MB Cache

Zalman (CNPS7000B-CU) Super Flower Cooler AMD and P4

Aspire X-QPACK Black/Silver Aluminium Micro ATX Case - With 420W PSU - No side Window

Western Digital WD2500KS Caviar SE 250GB 7200RPM SATA2/300 16MB Cache - OEM

Total: £469.70 inc VAT

Anyone notice any problems, would the Gigabyte Yonah 478, Intel 945GM/ICH7M-DH be a better option for a motherboard?

Anyone see anywhere I could get the cost down, its slightly out of my budget :/

nolimit · 9 Sep 2006 at 20:27

btw I'm using Antec Solo Midi Case.

The ASRock mobo won't fit inside the Aspire Case.

Also the Aspire PSU is loud and rubbish. So you need to change it to something like Antec, Nexus, Seasonic.

Personally I recommend Midi Tower Case but if you have to buy SFF go with Lian-Li PC-V300 or Silverstone Sugo.

But if you do go with SFF u need to buy Core Duo 2 supported MATX mobo.