SFF case and mobo recommendation

[badger]

After my adventures with Shuttle proved to be a complete and utter failure (er, anyone want to buy a couple of Shuttle barebones?) I'm still looking for a SFF PC to go under my telly.

I've got a Core 2 Duo CPU, graphics card, RAM, disc drive etc, so all I need is a case and motherboard.

Only requirement for the motherboard is that it supports my components and fits in an SFF case. Needs to be as cheap as possible.

For the case, I need something that'll fit a double-slot graphics card, but actually looks pretty decent. It's going to be sat under a Samsung LCD next to an Xbox 360, so it can't look out of place. 120mm fans would be preferably, as I don't want it to make a racket. Any recommendations?

[staffsMike]

It's not exactly pretty but not terrible either
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130945

Comes with a decent PSU which you didn't mention.

For the motherboard is it AMD or Intel you need?

[badger]

Oh yeah, forgot about the PSU. I need a PSU, too.

Intel mobo, got a Core 2 Duo already.

[Webby]

Which Core 2 Duo? Only ask as some boards will potentially require a BIOS update to support newer chips and if you don't have a spare CPU they do support then you will have a hard time flashing the BIOS.

As to cases do you have a preference for cube, desktop or tower? And how much can we spend? No point in me suggesting pretty £100 cases if your only willing to spend £50 on the case!

Oh and what duel slot card are we talking about (So I can get an idea of power requirements, again no point suggesting a case with 200W PSU if you are trying to run a 4870X2 on it!).

[yid0]

I've just got hold of a Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H and i cant rate it highly enough. Onboard hdmi which carries sound, superb overclocker and at £50 not too dear either.

[staffsMike]

Whoops should have seen the Core 2 Duo bit

Well the antec case is very good for you then as you won't get much better than that and it's a great case too. You just might want to spray the front (which is plastic no aluminum) a different colour. If it is a cube you want (which might be more difficult to fit under a TV then looks wise you probably want something from silverstone, SUGO SG01 or SG02 perhaps.

Motherboards will range from G31 (£35) to G45 (£90ish). If all you want is it to be really basic with little or no overclocking G31 is fine but I would porbably go for a G33.

[Webby]

If you fancy something really different then this might be right up your street, XFX Pype Case you would need to/could sell the motherboard that comes in it but comes with a decent PSU and will fit a standard uATX board and plenty of cooling potential, to see how much these normally cost look at the Isotope chassis on Scan

If you fancy something a bit more sedate perhaps the Silverstone TJ08, or maybe the Sugo SG03 or SG04.

The Silverstone cases are more expensive than the Antec Mike suggested (and don't include a PSU) but they are very well made and look fantastic with the brushed aluminium fronts, style over substance yes to a degree but very possibly worth it.

[staffsMike]

If you fancy something really different then thid might be right up your street,XFX Pype Case

that is.. pimpin' !!

Scan sell those as well don't they. In lots of different colours and styles.

If you want a uATX tower, as much as I love the TJ08B that I have, in your position you might want to check out the Antec NSK3480 which comes with the same 380W power supply as the other antec and is only £53, the same price if not less than the TJ08. I got mine for £40 though which I'm quite happy about now lol.

[Webby]

Yeah they sell then as Isotope cases, http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-6-480-0 but they start at £170 without PSU or a motherboard to sell

[TAKTAK]

IIRC them isotope cases are made by ABit

[Hawker1986]

Just to throw in my ideas, I would say that depending what style you want either the above mentioned antec, or an antec Fusion (which is a bit more but has some more bits going on) or as mentioned a Silverstone SUGO. I have a SUGO and its a great chassis, just make sure you get the SG02 or SG01-f as these allow longer length graphics cards. In terms of motherboard ive got a gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R and its an excellent all round board, great overclocker, been really happy with it.

Hawker

[DanceswithUnix]

I have the Fusion, it is a nice case but it is actually quite big. Best check the dimensions against the location you want to put it in.

Anandtech just did a review of them.

[yid0]

If you are looking for something which will look good in the lounge then have a look at the SilverStone GD02S Grandia. 360mm depth so should fit in nicely.

[badger]

Graphics card is an ICEQ 3870XT. I chose that specifically because it had HDMI with audio and was fairly quiet. CPU is an E8200.

Definitely looking for a case along the lines of the Antec Fusion or Silverstone Grandia. Though the latter is far too expensive and not really my taste. I think those screens on the front are silly . Would like something that resembles hi-fi equipment - clean lines, bare minimum of controls on the front. Does the Fusion include a PSU? Reading up on that one it seems as though it'd fit the bill. The Zalman HD160 seems really nice, but it only has 80mm fans.

Not keen on the Scan Isotape cases. Reviewed one a while back and they're huge and ugly!

[DavidM]

Really like the Isotope cases myself - but was thinking about getting a Sugo for a shuttle alternative

[staffsMike]

You can't get the fusion as it was anymore (same case as the NSk2480 just with a little LCD and volume control).

You have to buy it with a PSU so I would get the fusion case and corsair 450 VX probably.