To SN95 or not to SN95...

darkgen

darkgen

darkgen

Soldato
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Hmm, so I decided upon an SN95 with an Athlon x2 4800+ (2gb of ram yada yada) when doubt started creeping back in regarding going with a shuttle setup.

I have to say I was introduced to SFF (via a Shuttle SK43) last year and was thoroughly impressed however my SFF experience is somewhat limited just to this one manufacturer.

Now with some bad press here and there, mainly regarding support for parts etc and also some comments regarding "overpriced blah blah", the horses have been firmly reigned in.

I'm still after an AGP/Socket 939 (to support the x2 4800+) solution but is it worth me broadening my horizons regarding an SFF manufacturer? Or is the SN95 best "fit for purpose"? (bear in mind, the box would have to support a bfg 7800GS (both in dimension and power)

This is an all purpose box which will be a stopgap for the remainder of this year prior to going PCIE in 2007.

Cheers, Paul.
 
Hmm ok, yeah, they look pretty zany, but it opens up the whole "what motherboard?" debate now, which considering the last time I built something was on a abit BH6, I'm somewhat rusty!

Although I'm not adverse to getting my hands dirty again, the question now is, what's the best (cost effective) board to suit this case, again bearing in mind it's going to be revolving around an AGP solution (must also include support for sata).

Overclocking not a paramount requirement, but a little playing never hurt :)

(Also if anyone else can recommend a SFF option, please do contribute)

Cheers, Paul.
 
Hmm, it would seem, going for a qpack would also mean the purchase of a seasonic s12 430watt PSU to replace the stock.

I'm still having a little difficulty finding an appropriate micro ATX mb to accommodate AGP and also a x2 4800+ straight outta the box (without a need to upgrade the bios etc).

But it looks like the case and psu comes in at around the 100 quid mark, so I guess this endeavour may very well be cheaper than an sn95.

Anyways, any help, much appreciated.

Regards, Paul.

--

[edit]
Hmm, finding a m-atx AGP mb really is proving problematic, perhaps I should resign myself to the sn95.

[edit 2]
Now, I'm proper "umming and arring". Looking at another thread, the ASRock (939A8X-M) board is available (and relatively cheap) but will it support the fulll 2000fsb?! (it states only 1000 unless thats multiplied?!)

Oh well, as always, someone must have a clue (clearly I don't :)

Cheers, Paul.
 
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heh, since you seem to have read my thread, I believe the ASRock Mobo will support the X2 out of the box, it actually says FSB 1000MHz (2.0 GT/s), which is where i think your 2000 number comes from (not sure where you got that from).
owning a x-qpack, i would say if you were going to buy that option, do the following:
1) PSU change
2) 120mm fan change (to a quieter one)
3) Check what cpu heatsink cooler you are using- particularly height. the asrock mobo with the agp solution seems to have it pretty central, so you won't hit the side probs that i was close to, but check the height.
4) Check the height of your graphic card + its cooling solution, there is a middle beam in the x-qpack that you might start hitting too.
 
Heh, yeah thanks for the response.

I was going to go with a seasonic s12 430watt for the PSU replacement and a Zalman CNPS7000b for a CPU Fan.

I've yet to check the dimensions regarding my GPU, but it's a BFG 7800GS OC (all stock) (rather hoping this does fit, otherwise the whole upgrade falls on it's face).

Recommendations for the 120mm fan replacement? (I'm assuming this is the vent fan which sits above where the CPU is (top right as it were looking from the front).

Cheers, Paul.

[edit] to clarify that gpu is stock cooled
 
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OK, I'm sold, shall get my order in, picking up the CPU stateside since i'll be over there in just undet 2 weeks.

Looks like a good start to my May (well second week in May).

Marvellous, Paul.
 
agp voltage?

Hmm, I've just been looking through the as-rock manual online.....(since i still haven't bought mine) and just noticed something:
(and my sincerest apologies if you have already bought yours and it turns out to be a deal breaker....)

on page 14, it says that the board only accepts 1.5V AGP cards, and that using a 3.3V AGP card could cause serious damage to the mobo.
http://www.asrock.com/Drivers/Manual/939A8X-M_UM.pdf
er real stupid question; i know it says i am supposed to look it up at manufacturer's site, but where to start looking?? didn't realise this was an important (?) facet of the agp slot.....

/edit: oh. use the search function idiot..... looks like someone said that all 8x AGP cards are 1.5V anyway, so its probably not a problem...
 
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