New Rig: Shuttle SG31G2

I am hoping to build a media centre around the Shuttle SG31G2. It can be changed but it's got to be a shuttle.

Got the optical and hard drive sorted, LG & Samsung 500 sata II

Advice needed re:
(1) what kind/brand of memory
(2) Graphic card, pref Nvidia. Was looking at the 8800GTS i don't know if it will fit.
(3) Cpu quad or dual core
(4) Is it better to stick with Win XP media centre (OEM) or vista premium (OEM)
(5) Stick with the onboard sound or get a creative gamer series card.

Money is an issue don't want to go OTT.

Thanks for looking and commenting.

Hi - if this is just a media system, why such the high spec?

Looks like you want to do gaming too, what with the 8800GTS. The dual core will no doubt help with re-encoding video (was it DivX that has recently released a version of their software that is specifically designed to work faster with multi-core CPUs?). The quad core would be wasted, imo.

In terms of OS, you've stated the option of XP MCE or Vista. I personally have a dual boot set up, with 32bit MCE and 64bit Vista Ultimate, running on a quad core. The XP partition was easy. All software works, it's mature, and my Xfi Elite soundcard is great. Then I installed Vista Ultimate.

...

Some software fails to work, it wants Nero8 and not v7, a few videos have failed to playback, despite all codecs being installed (you heard the sound, but no video), and Creative are still to release Xfi drivers that make the Elite work as intended.

So, if you want an OS that is mature and reliable, and you want an easy ride, go for XP MCE. It has its drawbacks though, as with ~300 albums the music part of MCE can be slow showing all album covers. The Media Centre in Vista is much smoother, and more responsive, but just ensure you have done all your homework first in terms of components. I'm hoping SP1 for Vista will fix a spate of issues, and hopefully bring its speed up in line with XP.

To recap, XP MCE for easy life, Vista for eye candy but more issues. I got both, with each seeing a dedicated partition with all my photos and videos etc on it. I prefer Vista Media Centre for entertaining.

Hope that helps. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stud

I'm hoping SP1 for Vista will fix a spate of issues, and hopefully bring its speed up in line with XP.

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The reports I have seen say that the XP service pack is a bigger speed boost than the Vista service pack, so Vista is being left further behind.

8800GTS won't fit, you'll need a card with a single slot cooler. The Sapphire 3870 Atomic looks like a good bet, or an 8800GT.

Thanks guy s for all your input.

It's primarilly an entertaiment centre (Listening to music and watching videos). Gaming will be an afterthought.

For the graphic card, it looks like either the Sapphire 3870 Atomic, (2) XFX 384MB 8800GS Alpha Dog XXX, PCI-E2.0, 1600MHz or (3) XFX 256MB 8800GT Alpha Dog XXX, PCI-E 2.0 (x16), 1600 MHz. Noise is an issue and a deciding factor.

Still confused over which OS to go for.

Many thanks for all your comments much appriciated. Will post a list of final specs for your approval.

If gaming is an afterthought, pick up a 3850 Pro.

Thanks for the advice, do you have a link to a shop that sells one? having probs locating one. Now decided on Vista.

Current spec below. If i can find the 3850, will replace the xfx what do you think?

LN6240 Mitsumi FA402M 1.44 Ivory FDD+Int Combo 7 in 1 Card Reader (SM/MMC/SD/CF/MD/MS) Fits in 3.5" FDD Bay

LN16546
500 GB Samsung HD501LJ Spinpoint T166, SATA II, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ £53.89 £63.32

LN19488
Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 G0 SLACR, 95W, S775, 2.40 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB Cache, Retail £144.95 £170.32

LN17166
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64Bit 1Pk OEM (DVD) £56.49 £66.38

LN19302
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-18 £57.64 £67.73

LN20793
256MB XFX 8800GT Alpha Dog XXX, PCI-E 2.0 (x16), 1600 MHz, GDDR3, GPU 650 MHz, 2 x DVI-I, HDCP, Fan £113.88 £133.81

LN8447
Microsoft Windows Media Center Hardware Kit V2 (Remote/Receiver) OEM £15.55 £18.27

All from Scan

OcUK ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Then if its only a media type machine, with games on the side, go for a new Wolfdale CPU.

Thanks for the link, will have a look at the Wolfdale Cpus.

Am i right in thinking that the Shuttle comes with its own HSF, and all i need is the cpu?

Yes that is correct, they come with Heatsink/PSU/Case and Motherboard.

Many thanks for the info, been a while since i built one of these.