shuttle pc's

[XtremeMaC]

Hi there

does anyone currently own a shuttle pc?

if so

• how are the temperatures compared to normal atx towers?
  
• does it have any disadvantages?
  
• is it worth giving $400+ to a mobo and box?
  
• can most current graphics cards fit in it?
  

here is a link to latest shuttle with intel 915g chipset

Thanks

[CoffeeFiend]

The only reason why I see someone would want to spend that much on a barebones, is because they want the small cubic-like case. The motherboards are usualyl limited in amounts of slots, I find the motherboards in them tend not to follow new technologies as fast, heat is more of an issue and all...

For cheaper, you can pick a very very good motherboard and a decent ATX case. Last time I needed a cheap case, I found a enermax case with a nice 350w psu (enough amps on the 12v bus but only 1 fan), lots of drive bays and space for fans and all, for about 40$ usd... Never had any issues with it (and there's 5 HDs in it and a CD/DVD combo drive!!)

If you got 400$ for the looks, only you can tell. For 400$ I'd picup the same case again, a Athlon 64 and a nice motherboard with GB Lan, SATA RAID, firewire, usb2 and 8 channel digital audio onboard...

[XtremeMaC]

well I wouldn't have any problems with the slots since I'm not using any pci cards. everything's on-board.

2nd I know its expensive but i'm looking for a smaller case. after all I don't understand why these days we need the big cases

back in 5-10 years ago yes we needed big cases bc we'd put lots of isa pci cards but, ethernet is onboard, audio is onboard, some graphic chipsets are onboard. so I really think its time to shring the mb size

[CoffeeFiend]

True enough we don't use as many PCI cards as before, but for me that still is a huge limitation. I guess it's coming down to preferences... Personally, I'd rather pay more to have a bigger case...

[sleepnmojo]

I have one. I think mine runs a little hot compared to what I have seen others posted online.

The space is tight. You have a limit to one pci, one agp, or some older ones have two pci. You have space for one 5.25 drive, and two hd, or one hd and one 3.5 drive. I had a little trouble fitting my AIW 8500 in the agp, but was able to fit it without modding the case. My SB Audigy2 sits right next to the hd.

If I get some free time, I would mod it, and add some extra fans, but I'm to lazy so I prob won't. It has most of the stuff you already need. The newer models come with wireless built in, etc. They are nice computers, but you will be limited in what you can do. Before I got my laptop, I would take it from my apt to my mom's house, or brother's apt.

[XtremeMaC]

thanks

[Subcodec]

I don't own one of the Shuttle barebones, but I would personally look at a microATX form factor. I've seen some cool looking cases in that size and you'll have a tad more room for drives and expansion slots.