SFF Specification, advice needed

[xane]

I was musing that my existing Athlon 3200+ and Asus A7N8X system was unupgradeable and now nearing its end of life and I need to move to a more powerful system and kick start the upgrade process again.

Having owned a Shuttle SN41G2 (nForce2) before in another system, I am tempted to make a more modern Shuttle my main machine, despite worrying about expansion and that my Globalwin 802 case was the bestest ever.

This is a first draft:

Shuttle XPC SN25P (nForce4)
Athlon 64 "Venice" 3800+
Radeon X800 256MB PCI-Express (preferably with an ICE cooler)
2x 250Gb Serial ATA150 (to be RAIDed)

I am assuming my existing 2x PC3200 512MB RAM is going to fit in this thing.

I am looking at about £850 including VAT for the above.

Two priorities:
(a) upgradeable (CPU, RAM and Video)
(b) quiet

Any suggestions ? TIA

 

[Jonty]

Hi Xane

I've been in touch with Shuttle of late and in terms of AMD machines, as far as I know, only an nForce4 SLI-based machine is on the horizon and the SN95G5 v3, so there shouldn't be too much reason to worry about being superceded any time soon.

As for your setup, all of that should be compatible with the SN25P. Note that if you choose the SN95G5, you must wait for v3 version, as people are having trouble with Venice cores.

As for upgradability, the SN95P has a BIOS update to support AMD's X2 dual-core processor range, so between that, the regular Athlon 64s, and the FX editions, you should be fine. RAM wise, AMD won't be switching to DDR2 until next year, apparently, so your existing DDR RAM should be fine (up to 2GB). Graphics wise, with a PCI-Express slot you're pretty much sorted, although be careful the cooling isn't too large with whichever card you choose. Also note nVidia are due to launch their next generation cards this month and ATI next month.

With regards quietness, I believe the SN25P isn't particularly quiet due to it's larger than usual design and cooling system, but it depends to some extent how you control the internal fans, the type of graphics card cooling you get etc. (there's an x800 XL with silent cooling, but it is rather large and would run hot, especially in a Shuttle). SFF Tech have a review of the SN25P which goes into more detailabout everything.

Kind Regards

Jonty

P.S. If you went with Intel, there are more machines planned so I'd probably wait, including a very quiet Pentium M machine, a dual-core supporting machine and more.

 

[xane]

Jonty,

Ta for the confirmation.

Wont the SN95G5 v3 be nForce3 as well ? Otherwise the nForce4 spec looks much better, especially the audio and the 16x PCI-E slot. What other reason would I take a SN95G5v3 over the SN25P ?

The specifications do state it supports "dual-slot" video cards, I'm not sure this means the "big" cards with extra cooling (I have a 9800 Pro with IceQ already, and it's massive) or the SLI cards, the review you gave seems to give points for allowing "big" cards.

My only concern is the departure from the normal case design, I think my brushed black metal SN41G2 is really sexy, this thing looks a bit "plastic bucket".

Not really interested in Pentiums, I still don't trust the upgrade paths and I've been burned in the past, whereas AMD are more defined, as you said, a Socket 939 is going right up to FX and dual-core already.

 

[Jonty]

Hi xane

I only mentioned the SN95G5 because you're planning on the Venice core, it's not particularly a better system (and yes, the v3 would be very similar to the v1 and v2). If you did want a G5 system (the G5 is smaller than the P chasis due to the fewer 5.25" drive bays) the ST20G5 is proving popular.

As for dual-slot, that does indeed refer to the cards whose cooling impinges on the surrounding space. Whilst they offer better cooling, you do lose your PCI slot, and G5 chasises don't support dual-slot cards.

With regards the design, I must admit I don't much care for the P chasis. Internally it's rather cool in its design, but the external front of the system is a bit ugly. I haven't actually seen one up close so I can't comment, but I agree there are prettier systems out there (e.g. ST20G5).

As for Intel, they'll be sticking with the Socket 775 design for a while, but as you say some of their new processors require new chipsets (e.g. dual-core Pentium 8xx require the new Intel 945 chipset), whereas AMD's new chips only require new BIOS (but as the SN95G5 problems illustrate, that isn't always a panacea).

Good luck with the build

 

[Ch3tan]

What about the 3700+ san francisco core. Its got a bigger cache than the venice cores.

Your setup sounds like exactly what I will be getting after the summer holidays.

 

[xane]

Review of SN25P on The Register

 

[xane]

After reading the articles and a bit more research I found that Shuttle do a Wireless module for the SN25P, so I wont need to buy a PCI-E Wireless NIC, in fact I might buy one for my existing SN41G2.

 

[Ch3tan]

Infact, I told you the wrong city. Its the San Diego core. About £200 inc vat.

Your a git btw xane. I was all ready to wait for the new intel ones, but now your buying one I am all tempted again.

 

[Jonty]

The wireless card rocks, xane I have one in my Shuttle and it's that small it simply attaches to the side of the chasis (I believe the wireless module fit most Shuttles because of this).

I'm personally thinking of investing in a new Shuttle, but Intel-based instead

Kind Regards