Urgent build help needed

freff

freff

freff

Associate
Joined
22 Aug 2007
Posts
15
Hi
After years of faithful service my SN41G2 Athlon XP2400 2.0ghz 1.5gb ram is in dire need of a replacement.
I had in mind something that would be reasonably future proof and powerful enough for my needs. I have my heart set on, and , at the top of my list the Shuttle XPC SG33G5B with the Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) . I am not an avid gamer although I do like to fly the flight sims from time to time and I also use the RC flight simulators. My main use will be image processing with Photoshop CS3 and some video editing with Premiere Pro 2.
I have on order already the Dell Ultrasharp 2407WFP-HC 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor but again unsure of the graphics card to power it. I have in my old machine the Gforce 6200 AGP 8X 128mb DDR2.
I am also unsure of what ram to get. I want a minimum of 4mb space to fill as needed. If required for my needs I will get it at build time. It’s the type I need that is confusing me not the amount.
Hard drives I’m ok with, but would need some advice on the latest and most reliable DVD rewriters.
I can’t see any other issues that arise at present, maybe cooling.
Sorry to thump all this at you in one hit and on my first post. Many thanks.
Tony
 
Flight sims are requiring more and more graphics power and with a large screen I would suggest you may need a double width graphics card (8800 if you can stretch) which means I would head for a 37 or 39p - I think a double width card possibly wont fit in the 33G series -and the psu might struggle also

Obviously if this doesnt concern you and you dont mind running at potentially a lower res then forget everything I just said
 
Thanks for the replies. I have a budget of £800-1000 on the computer. I already got the monitor. (it arrived today, and I'm blown away with it :) ) so no need to include that. If the 33G series won't handle it for the reasons above, what would be a reasonable alternative.

Tony
 
Pioneer DVR-112DBK 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter £16.99

2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 400GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £105.98

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS SuperClocked 640MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI £229.99

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 £154.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition" 2.40GHz £159.99

Shuttle XPC SD37P2 Aluminium Barebones System - Intel Core 2 Duo £255.99
Sub Total : £923.93
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £9.95
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £163.43
Total : £1,097.31

I know thats a little over your budget but looking more carefully at standard clocked graphics cards and possibly only 2Gb of ram (and less hdd space) you could get this under £1000 and would make a great machine imo

Obviously all you want to do baring the flight sims would require much mess fancy graphics card - depends how important these are for you
 
Thanks FrankJH

That's a good summary and something I can go away and look at on OCUK site. The flight sims is not a big issue at all, it's just nice to be able to use it comfortably. Did you opt for the SD37P2 because of the graphic card ie, is it a two slot GC.

Tony

UPDATE
I have just been on OCUK and had a look at the specs for the above list. WOW, I think they may be a tad overkill for my use. I bet that would make a fantastic gamer for sure. I like the idea of 8gb memory but I think 4gb will be ample. (correct me if I'm wrong) The SD37P2 is, I suppose, to accommodate the graphics card so perhaps I can go with my original idea the Shuttle XPC SG33G5B Aluminium Barebones System - Intel Core 2 Duo (LGA775)
and get a very good GC to go with that. I may be connecting two monitors at a later date, so I'll need to consider that. (recommendations please)

Ram sorted then, I'll go with your recommendation.

Getting there slowly :) Many thanks.

Tony
 
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No problems at all - just got back from work so appologies for not replying sooner.

Yes I chose My 37 because it would fit the 8800 series GC, however Im not a big follower of Flight sims so I cant tell you how good it may look on a lower res (if you go with a less powerful card)

Remember even 4Gb of Ram is only of use if you go with 64bit windows - yes you could go XP 64, but its more likely to be Vista now, and that has quite a bit of Ram overhead in my opinion over XP (ie 2gb MIN just for using Windows)

Im going with 4Gb simply because I am mainly using XP to start, but going to dual boot Vista 64 Ultimate also

Maybe post something in the Graphics section or PC Games section if you need better info regarding Sims

Let me know how you get on

Frank
 
personally i would go for this

Untitled.jpg


add a sugo sgo3 to that for £85 bearing in mind you will have to go else were for that though you shouldnt have to look far, its a cracking machine really small gives plenty of options for upgrade and within your budget, will look stylish really good performer and spot on i think.
you could allways stick a 640mb card on there for an extra say? £45? 50 maybe i you check ocuk!
 
Thanks FrankJH

No probs, I'm very grateful for any input whenever it comes.
I am using Vista Ultimate 32 at present and will probably continue on my new machine, so the 4mb will I suppose be useful then. The graphics card is really not a big issue, if it runs a flight sim then great, if not it's not a problem.

I have quite a bit of very helpful info to be going on with. I'm not ready to build until mid September when there's a lull in my photography. Perhaps I might go for your original specs and really give all those young dudes in my street a run for their money. :cool: :)

damian666

Thanks for your suggestions. Sounds like a great machine. I really wanted to stick with the Shuttle if possible. I have a keen sense of loyalty to things that serve me well in the past.

Thanks again.

Tony
 
freff said:
Thanks FrankJH

No probs, I'm very grateful for any input whenever it comes.
I am using Vista Ultimate 32 at present and will probably continue on my new machine, so the 4mb will I suppose be useful then. The graphics card is really not a big issue, if it runs a flight sim then great, if not it's not a problem.

I have quite a bit of very helpful info to be going on with. I'm not ready to build until mid September when there's a lull in my photography. Perhaps I might go for your original specs and really give all those young dudes in my street a run for their money. :cool: :)

damian666

Thanks for your suggestions. Sounds like a great machine. I really wanted to stick with the Shuttle if possible. I have a keen sense of loyalty to things that serve me well in the past.

Thanks again.

Tony
Click to expand...


Glad to help

Vista and the kind of things you are doing, definitely 4GB is worth it (you wont get far with 4 mb :D )
 
Hi FrankJH

In your specs you recommend the EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS SuperClocked 640MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI to put in the SD37P2. On OCUK the specs for that GC recommend 600w PSU with min 500w. Going by this am I likely to run into any heating problems or they just being over cautious.

Tony
 
I was a strong shuttle afficionado up untill about a year ago, they aren't as good as they used to be imho, I wouldn't trust one with a Q6600 and a high end graphics card anymore.

For cool and quiet look to the Sugo range of products, if you want one "shuttle like" go for a SG01 or if you want more flexibility go for a SG03.

By going mATX and building you own you sacrifice a little bit of size, but you gain in future flexibility, cooling, quietness and if you like it, performance by overclocking.

Just give it some thought. And have a look at these threads:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17762956

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17760770

And probably the most pertinent:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17763757
 
Biffa

Thanks for your thoughts, they are very valid and has given another dimension to my project..:confused: I'll read the threads you mentioned later and rethink things if necessary. I certainly won't be pushing the machine with top end games, just trying to future proof within reason whilst I've got the funds. I may not be in this (financial) situation for a few years so getting it right is important.

Why do you think the the Shuttle is not as good as the use to be?

Tony
 
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I hounestly dont think you will do a whole lot better on your budget than the machine i posted a few posts back and i hounestly dont think a shuttle rivel will perform aswell tbh, i think it would be intresting to see the two machines benched together.
 
Kezmo said:
Theres better alternatives with better upgradability, cooling and clocking options.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your comments, but I don't think that answers Biffa's statement that Shuttles "they aren't as good as they used to be". I know there are better alternatives but I really wanted to stay with Shuttle mainly because my existing one has performed faultlessly over the years.

damian666

I agree your specs are great, but as I mentioned above I want to stay with Shuttle. I will, I think use some of the components you suggested. I have put this together. What do you think.

Shuttle XPC SD39P2 Aluminium Barebones System - Intel Core 2 Duo (LGA775)

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail

Leadtek GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (OCZ2G8004GK)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB ST3500630AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
 
I carefully considered going the Shuttle route before plumping for the SG01e. Reason wasn't to do with whether Shuttles were good or bad but basically I wanted a bit more flexibility with a new set up I intedn to have for a while.

With a great deal of help from these forums I've now got a SFF pc that probably looks from the front not that much different to a Shuttle but because of its depth gives me far more flexibility.

The only thing I might have done (and might still do) is get one of those smaller sized PSUs (modular??) with removable cables and a slightly shorter optical drive. That apart, after some good advice about cable tidiness I think the SG01e really looks the part and has the flexibility of a full form factor ATX case.
 
freff said:
Thanks for your comments, but I don't think that answers Biffa's statement that Shuttles "they aren't as good as they used to be". I know there are better alternatives but I really wanted to stay with Shuttle mainly because my existing one has performed faultlessly over the years.
Click to expand...

I think you'll be fine. If you are a long time shuttle user you are probably aware of the pitfalls. Just watch the temperatures and give it a good clean out with compresssed air every 6 months or so and you should be ok :)
 
Biffa said:
I think you'll be fine. If you are a long time shuttle user you are probably aware of the pitfalls. Just watch the temperatures and give it a good clean out with compresssed air every 6 months or so and you should be ok :)
Click to expand...

Biffa

Thanks for that. I always try to kept on top of the housekeeping when It came to cleaning the Shuttle. I use to think in the early days that I was experiencing over heating problems, but it turned out to be conflicts with ATI All-in One drivers. Once it was ripped out and replaced with a Nvidia card I never had another problem. I pick up 4 large cans of Dustoff (£12) once a month at Costco. Yes I get through quite a bit with all my photography equipment etc.

So, with the specs I listed above you think my choice will be ok.


snash

Thanks for you input. I have never thought of an alternative to the Shuttle until now. For this build I will stay with it. I have already started to research other systems and find the idea very interesting. Perhaps I could experiment if I do a build for someone else.:)

By the way, can I upload an image here from my desktop if so how do I do it.
 
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