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Thread: Looking into SFF

  1. #1
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    • The Codfather's system
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      • Dell 2007WFP

    Looking into SFF

    I've had a s754 Athlon 64 3000+ sitting around for a while now and never really been sure what to do with it, so I figured, why not try building an SFF machine as a kind of media centre/backup PC/browsing rig?

    I've been looking at the Biostar iDeq N1 as a chassis ( http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=427467 ) it seems to have a nice feaureset and I like the design. I'd be planning to run this via my HDTV so probably VGA or DVI>HDMI connection.

    What I need to know ideally is, would something like the 7300 be upto running widescreen HD resolution video no problem? also any suggestions for wireless keyboard/media remote would be great as I'm completely inexperienced with Media Centre edition XP (which is what I'd plan to run on it)

    Any other suggestions would be welcomed

  2. #2
    WEEEEEEEEEEEEE! MadduckUK's Avatar
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    Logitech for the KB+M, range from about £25 to £120 so something in there for everyone
    Quote Originally Posted by Ephesians
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  3. #3
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    • The Codfather's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Striker II Formula
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Duo e8400@3.6GHz 1.136v (1.2v Bios)
      • Memory:
      • 4GB 2x2GB G.Skill DDR2 PC2-8000 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2x500GB Samsung Spinpoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2x XFX 8800GT SLI
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX260W
      • Case:
      • Lian Li A71B
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2007WFP
    Cool, I'll take a look at Logitech. It's just got to be something that can be used comfortably from a couch (a wireless keyboard with a mousepad would be a dream!) and as I'm used to good old desktop gaming I've not ventured into wireless before because I've had no need to.

  4. #4
    G4Z
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    I'dlikesomebuuuurgazzzzzz G4Z's Avatar
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    I use my Sn41g2 for the exact sam purpose, its a 2100+ XP with 512mb of RAM using on board graphics and sound. Does the job no problem through my 32" HDTV, in fact it comfortably plays HD content over wireless.
    HEXUS FOLDING TEAM It's EASY

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    • The Codfather's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Striker II Formula
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core 2 Duo e8400@3.6GHz 1.136v (1.2v Bios)
      • Memory:
      • 4GB 2x2GB G.Skill DDR2 PC2-8000 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2x500GB Samsung Spinpoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2x XFX 8800GT SLI
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX260W
      • Case:
      • Lian Li A71B
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2007WFP
    Good stuff, nice to hear it's very possible then. Out of interest, what HD set do you have, how is it connected and did you have any problems setting the strange HD widescreen resolution (1366x768?) or did you go for a more standard 1280x960?

    Excuse the multitude of questions, but it's better to ask and know that stay in the dark, right?

  6. #6
    Wannabe Title Guru
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    Have you considered the Aspire X-Qpack case ? Takes regular mATX boards and will accept regular PSU if needed (they supply their own with it) ? Good little house for spangly bits......
    Main: i5 2500K, AsRock Extreme4 Z68, 8GB Vengeance, Enermax Infiniti, 5850 1GB
    Toys: Cowon J3 32GB, DIR-655, PS3 Slim, HTC Desire, HDC-SD1, Slingbox, Synology DS109j, Asus Transformer + dock

  7. #7
    WEEEEEEEEEEEEE! MadduckUK's Avatar
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    • MadduckUK's system
      • Motherboard:
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      • CPU:
      • AMD Ryzen 5 3600
      • Memory:
      • 32GB 3200 DDR4
      • Storage:
      • 1x480GB SSD, 1x 2TB Hybrid, 1x 3TB Rust Spinner
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon 5700XT
      • PSU:
      • Corsair TX750w
      • Case:
      • Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SJ55W, DELL S2409W
      • Internet:
      • Plusnet 80
    http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/101084
    Aspire X-QPACK
    420W PSU
    £68.73

    http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/108079
    Casebuy Black MATX Case
    450W PSU
    £49.99

    Id check out the second. apparently a better case allround
    Quote Originally Posted by Ephesians
    Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit
    Vodka

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    In terms of remote - you need one to fully realise XP MCE. I seriously recommend the MCE remote (one which lights up green when used) - which is under £20 from Scan. It seriously is a good investment, makes using the PC as a media centre a dream. I mean, you wouldn't buy a stereo without a remote, right?

    There's also the MCE keyboard, which only works if you have the remote (uses same receiver). I saw it in John Lewis ages ago, for a sweet £100 - which was strange, as MCE is OEM, and they didn't sell the remote. Scan also sell the keyboard, at only £33 - which is way less than elsewhere, afaik. The only reason why I haven't got this is that to use it you might as well be away from the screen. With a 17" TFT I need to be close, but if I had a widescreen tele, I'd have one for sure.

    So, get the remote, thank me later.

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    Quote Originally Posted by G4Z
    I use my Sn41g2 for the exact sam purpose, its a 2100+ XP with 512mb of RAM using on board graphics and sound. Does the job no problem through my 32" HDTV, in fact it comfortably plays HD content over wireless.
    So did I, until my SN41G2 died the other day

  10. #10
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    • Tosk's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
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      • AMD Athlon 64 X2 4850e
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    you could get a silverstone sugo its abit bigger insize to the new shuttles but u can fit alot more init. and from what ive bin told the cooling in its good

    Last edited by Tosk; 08-08-2006 at 08:03 PM.
    Motto - "Vis unita fortior"

  11. #11
    asphinctersayswhat dannyboy83's Avatar
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    I made myself a fairly budget Shuttle SFF to go with my LCD TV and it's been great. Perfect for watching DivX/XVid movies through the TV or for playing my MP3s in the lounge.

    I also got a NAS drive to share songs and movies between my main PC (upstairs) and SFF downstairs.

    take the plunge!

    My System: Coolermaster Centurion 5 (black) case, Intel E6750 Core2Duo, Tagan Easy-Con 530W, Asus P5B Deluxe WIFI, OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 CL 4-4-4-15 PLATINUM XTC, Samsung SpinPoint 200Gb SATA2 / 2 x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 200Gb SATA, 256Mb Sapphire ATI PCI-E X1950PRO, Creative X-Fi Xtreme 7.1, 19" Daewoo W9ZQ Black Widescreen TFT, 4Mb Virgin Cable Broadband (formerly Blueyonder) with Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G and DD-WRT firmware.

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