Was just putting out for some opinions, experiences...

 

Looking to get an upgrade for a desktop. Aint going laptop, cos i like the flexibility of getting my hands inside a box.

 

Was looking at the latest series of Shuttle barebone systems. compact, sturdy, portable when you need to move etc. plus all the specs are really good...and a fair price too. (http://au.shuttle.com/)

 

Just wondering whether anyone has had any noteworthy eperiences with shuttle. Ive a friend with an older generation one, and he seems to think it runs ok. one of my qualms would be potential heating issues...im not sure how the latest ones handle on this front...esp when your running it hot for gamin.

 

but they look schmick...and im a sucker for that...

Do you really need the portability and/or a small sized box?

 

If you don't I'd be hesitant to jump into compact/small form factor PCs, for the upgrade difficulties and heat generation.

 

If you do...as with an HTPC, I reckon it's a barrel of fun researching what will fit - but you may have to pay a premium to keep the little sucker cool and possibly take a hit in ultimate gaming power as it may not fit big gfx cards.

My computing shop told me that they don't use them due to reliability issues.

well i have a Shuttle SN27P2 with a AMD 6000+ oc'd, 4Gb RAM, 2 x WD 320Gb HDDs, Sapphire X1950XTX oc'd, plus the obligitory LG DVDawesomeBurner. No noticable heat issues in this thing, mine has a 400W PSU tho so 'can' handle the power draw. Keep the PSU size in mind when you look at one as the majority of the Shuttles only have a 300-350W PSU which imo isn't good enough for a system you want to game with.

 

I'm looking at upgrading mine as well with a Phenom and a 48xx series card from ATI (much prefer those to nVidia, feel they have much better eyecandy). Only thing is whether the Phenom will work with the 570Ultra chipset or not (prolly not me thinks and dont have another PC with a Phenom to test), think the 4870 will draw too much power (possibly not) and be a smidge too long.

 

Build qual wise, they are damn good units and would definately get another one (o:

 

Re reliability, never had an issue with mine. Think it all boils down to what you put in the box and the size of the PSU, put too much draw in there and it'll be unstable so you have to balance what you want. My 6000+ is the 125W version as well, not the 89W one just so you know.

Edited September 2, 200816 yr by Heat-seeker

I'm looking at building a HTPC, but has to be able to play PR at 1080p.

 

Needs to be able to do sata2 RAID. for my 4 750GB drives i Have.

No noticable heat issues in this thing, mine has a 400W PSU tho so 'can' handle the power draw. Keep the PSU size in mind when you look at one as the majority of the Shuttles only have a 300-350W PSU which imo isn't good enough for a system you want to game with.

 

...Build qual wise, they are damn good units and would definately get another one (o:

 

Re reliability, never had an issue with mine...put too much draw in there and it'll be unstable so you have to balance what you want. My 6000+ is the 125W version as well, not the 89W one just so you know.

 

 

Yeah, i think the latest gens have like 450w. So i think it should be ample, some reviews liked the latest sx series...and their gaming benchmarks are very good. Tho they said they thought it silly to support crossfire when the two videocards are millimeters apart breathing on one another...i think that was optimism on their behalf...

 

I find that desktops are just a pain to cart around. And laptops become redundant after a time...but not to suggest the custom motherboard wouldnt hit a wall at some stage, but at least youve got upgrade options...

 

If it plays PR well, then i think thats my benchmark...

 

But im still looking into mini-towers and stuff. Time will tell.

 

Thanks for the info...

Yeah, i think the latest gens have like 450w. So i think it should be ample, some reviews liked the latest sx series...and their gaming benchmarks are very good. Tho they said they thought it silly to support crossfire when the two videocards are millimeters apart breathing on one another...i think that was optimism on their behalf...

 

I find that desktops are just a pain to cart around. And laptops become redundant after a time...but not to suggest the custom motherboard wouldnt hit a wall at some stage, but at least youve got upgrade options...

 

If it plays PR well, then i think thats my benchmark...

 

But im still looking into mini-towers and stuff. Time will tell.

 

Thanks for the info...

 

np, i DID look at getting the SLI one way back when (was a ultra-megaman-cool dark purple!!!) but you could only use single slot cards WHICH 2yrs ago were a dogs breakfast if you wanted to play any decent games. I use to have a lot of lan parties with mates and the box the Shuttle comes in doubled as a great carry pack for the case, plus the various games we played (C&C Generals, BFV, BF2, Far Cry etc) and mouse/pad. LCD was easy as to cart and the other junk i just stuffed into my backpack.

 

They aren't the lightest things around but hell you could stand on it an not break the thing (think you could prolly use a couple to chock up a car if you wanted to nick the rims . . . but we dont do that here :not_i: ), prolly weighs about half the weight of a mini-tower but construction is top shelf (just try an buy a shot of it tho!).

 

The only drawback i find with the Shuttle is the mobo is proprietory, so doesn't fit a standard size (microATX etc) so once it gets to a certain age you cant easily upgrade it as the mobo will limit what you can do. Best bet is to try and get one that will give you a sure upgrade path which normally points you toward AMD (not 100% about Intel as all previous experience was release processor, buy a new mobo to go with it).

 

The latest AM2+ Shuttle case tho has the PCIx slot right up against the edge of the case so from the looks you'll only be able to fit a single slot card which will increase temp in the case and the card will get hot as its jammed up against something (not very well thought out imo).

just found this on Tom's you might find interesting . . . if the GX280 can fit in there, i'm pretty sure the 4870 will (o:

 

linkie

http://www.tomshardware.com/shuttle-xpc-x48,video-300.html

Edited September 9, 200816 yr by Heat-seeker