Hi there, 1st post so please be kind! And sorry for the long post too!
I've been after a silent, powerful and asthetically pleasing PC for ages now. This PC is to do a few things:
- Games with all the trimmings (AA & AF)
- Music storage (quality recording and playback)
- Internet browsing
- DVD playing & recording
- more games!
The Hush ITX was released ages ago but it's as powerful as an Alba cd player (at playing UT2003 anyway) so it was a no-go.
I knew Hush were designing an ATX version and was waiting for that. Well, now it's released and after email tennis with Hush I'm a little put off. It's really expensive for a lump of (really nice) engineered metal and the same amount of cash can get you something a lot more powerful, although noisier.
There are no reviews of the Hush ATX yet as it's only just been released.
Here's some info if you're interested:
- The maximum graphics card you (read Hush) can fit is a Radeon 9800SE AIW.
- They are oblivious to the 'softmod' on the 9800SE as when I asked if the system could cope with the extra heat it may produce, they thought it meant 'downgrade'!
- Since the height of the ATX is quite low, the AGP and PCI cards are on a riser card. This means 8x AGP is not possible, 4x is the maximum.
- Feck around with anything inside (heatpipes, processor) and your warranty is null & void.
-The maximum CPU is a P4 2.8Ghz 800Mhz, not too shabby, but don't even think about overclocking it!
- The motherboard is a FIC P4M-800T, not the best, but not the worst.
- The memory is PC400 from Memory Solutions. I would have prefered to see Corsair for the price tag.
- The [optional] soundcard is a Creative Audigy 2 ZS, not the more desirable Platinum eX version (better 24/96 recording)
I don't mean to sound negative about this rare breed of PC, it just wasn't the be-all-&-end-all I was hoping for, especially for the £1,500* price tag!
Hush ATX configuration and price
For that kind of cash I could build monster of a pc, stick it away so I can't hear it and use it wirelessly.
But the Hush is the dogs nads.
I'm holding out until I read a review on it, see how it performs, copes with a Radeon 9800Pro, etc then make a decision.
What would you guys think?
*excludes VAT and possible import duties!