Small Form Factor PC *First Build* Help and Advice please

J_D

J_D

New Member
Hi

My uncle was looking to buy a computer to fit in his lounge under the TV, however it was very difficult to find any that met his requirements. So we are now looking at building one our selves.

This will be a first build so, gunna need help from you experienced guys/girls out there.

Ok the main spec requirements we are after is:

  • Small Form Factor Case (Not a shuttle, more like an oversized DVD Player case)
  • A mid-range graphics card (going to be used by my cousins for gaming)
  • min of 1 GB RAM
  • would be nice to have a Duel Core CPU but will be looking at the low end
  • small budget (£300-£450) or USD ($570-$855)

Ok just so you know here is a PC that fits some of the requirements

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_L100_Ultra_Small_Desktop_97.KUB7Z.UFM/version.asp

However it comes with a "free" 19inch monitor that we don’t need so the price of that is buried inside it, and also the graphical power of the system is weak. It’s an integrated chip, when really it would be nice to have a PCI-E slot.

Anyway here are some components I found: (Please comment on compatibility and stuff)

  • Case: uATX with 250WPSU Link
  • MoBo: uATX MSI Link
  • CPU: AMD AM2 Athlon 64 3800+ Link
  • RAM: 2GB (2x1GB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 Link
  • HDD: 200 GB Western Digital WD2000JS Caviar SE, SATA Link
~Total = £218 (which is with out OS and possible other stuff)

We will be nicking a DVD Burner IDE from another computer that is not needed anymore.

I can sort out the graphics later, (got an oldish one that would do) but can someone tell me if a PCI-E graphics card will fit in that case (i.e. is it deep enough. AND also what about the Fan for the CPU? Will that have airflow in this case?

Any help will be much welcome. Thank in Advance.

J_D
 
I would personally go with a Larger Harddrive.

Harddrives are filled so quickly these days of age.

I just did a quick calculation

The Case is:

100mm Deep

Take off 20mm for Motherboard height from case

You have 80mm to work with for a GPU

Ok,

I have a spare WinFast PX6200 PCI-E,

It is 110mm Deep. But this is a BIG Card. (Width Wise)

I would say your going to have a Tight Squeeze. . .
 
K3rupt said:
I would personally go with a Larger Harddrive.

Harddrives are filled so quickly these days of age.

I just did a quick calculation

The Case is:

100mm Deep

Take off 20mm for Motherboard height from case

You have 80mm to work with for a GPU

Ok,

I have a spare WinFast PX6200 PCI-E,

It is 110mm Deep. But this is a BIG Card. (Width Wise)

I would say your going to have a Tight Squeeze. . .
Click to expand...

ok thanks i will looking in to bigger HDD, but about the GPU, when i measured my spare one the Metal end of it (i.e the bit that has the connections it is about 10cm long, but surely if there making a case for uATX then there must be depth to have PCI or PCI-E or even AGP depending on the motherboard.
 
K3rupt said:
Measure the Card itself, the actual card, NOT THE GOLD CONNECTORS.
Click to expand...

Woops sorry i didn't explain myself properly, what i ment to say was, well look at the picture.

X600measure-up.jpg


So basicaly can this case have a card in it? Regarding the backing plate?

the dimension of the case seem to say no (10cm), so my question now is what type of card's (whether they be say normally pci expanions card or graphics cards, do you have to buy to fit in this type of case.

Product details state:
"Provide four Low Profile PCI slots or Optional PCI or AGP Riser Card + three Low Profile slots."

What is that on about?
 
Last edited:
It should, The case will support PCI Cards.

The Card itself does not actually extend past the metal bit (where you screw in the screw lol)

So Yes, I it will fit.
 
K3rupt said:
It should, The case will support PCI Cards.

The Card itself does not actually extend past the metal bit (where you screw in the screw lol)

So Yes, I it will fit.
Click to expand...

So the metal backing plate even thou its longer than the case will be able to slot in to place?
 
I would assume it would.

As the metal backing is Generic for not only PCI cards, but AGP and PCI-E cards also
 
Well i have done some research and it looks like Low Profile cards will need to be used in slim case's such as this. I've been having trouble finding any on the normal sites i use. can anyone show me places that sell them
 
Not possible!
IMO, if you need a mid-range GPU, you can't fit in these small case. And your 250W PSU probably not enough to push the GPU.
Also your CPU should choose a AMD 64 x 2 instead.
If your cousin want to play games, buy a PS3!
 
Well i have now found a different case that fits the bill better and comes with a 380W PSU

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article591-page1.html
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ant-nsk240&P=1

but on the grounds of the processor, i know the Intel family quite well but i dont know much about AMD, so whats the benifit of having a X2 over just the normall dual core. Is this like a comparison to the Core Duo and the Core2 Duo?

This computer will become the family's only computer,(replacing a dinosoar upstairs), so a PS3 is no good in that area lol

EDIT: clicking the link to the CPU i picked out, the actaull pic on the BOX says X2 So i think it is a X2 as its say so in the product description
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=494952
 
Last edited:
daisymtc said:
Not possible!
IMO, if you need a mid-range GPU, you can't fit in these small case. And your 250W PSU probably not enough to push the GPU.
Also your CPU should choose a AMD 64 x 2 instead.
If your cousin want to have an overpriced paperweight, buy a PS3!
Click to expand...


there i fixed what you said, for a second i thought you suggested you buy a ps3 for gaming lol that was funny...
 
thanks for your help, and yes lol, i agree a ps3 is overpriced, and would not buy one even if i had unlimited money(well maybe i would then)
 
Jet said:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/.\specpage.html?ANT-NSK240 Antec Case
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/.\specpage.html?MBB-M2422+ AMD X2 4200+/2GB DDR2 667/Motherboard
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/.\specpage.html?WD-5AAKS++ 500GB Hard drive
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/.\specpage.html?HIS-26XTT5 ATI 2600XT graphics card

Total: 388.70
Click to expand...

Not possible to put a ATX broad in a m-ATX Case!!!!!!
May get a cheap one like this http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/122774
Also I don't think the extra 256MB at the GPU will make any great different. I suggest get the cheaper X2600XT 256MB one http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?HIS-26PT
With a media center PC, you forget the most important TV card
And will need the Vista Premium OEM as well
 
Last edited:
daisymtc said:
Not possible to put a ATX broad in a m-ATX Case!!!!!!
May get a cheap one like this http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/122774
Also I don't think the extra 256MB at the GPU will make any great different. I suggest get the cheaper X2600XT 256MB one http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?HIS-26PT
With a media center PC, you forget the most important TV card
And will need the Vista Premium OEM as well
Click to expand...

Thanks, dont worry i did spot the atx/m-atx mistake. I been speaking to my uncle about this, and looks like we might be making some changes to plan, But i much appreciate people helping me out about the things i was unsure about.
 
Acht, I looked at another one and it had been mATX, but I guess I changed my mind and didn't think about that it might not have been mATX!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top