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
 
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
 
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
 
Last edited:
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
 
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
 
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
 
Last edited:
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
 
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.
 
Hi All

Just about to drop the hammer on the above shopping list. I just want to confirm that the Leadtek GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) will physically fit into the Shuttle XPC SD39P2 Aluminium Barebones System - Intel Core 2 Duo (LGA775) and there are no other issues. Many thanks.
 
JDMAN

Thanks for the heads up. I think it was the Shuttle XPC SD37P2 I meant. I went for the 37P2 after seeing the 39P2 was also dropped from MD. I wonder why that is. Is there much difference between the two.

Tony
 
I was told by OCUK yesterday that the Leadtek GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) wont physically fit into the Shuttle XPC SD37P2, and it's power supply is not up to it. If that's the case I'm really limited to something like the 8400 as advised by OCUK:confused: HELP!!
 
No probs FrankJH. I bought a bog standard 8400 in the end to tie me over. Surprisingly, it runs MS flightsim very well. Other than that I have stuck to the final list I posted. I put in 4gb memory but was thinking that perhaps 8gb might be better in the long run as it's so cheap at present or is there a point where it wont run any faster with what I got.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom