My new SFF PC ... just put together

[Cov(enant)]

CPU ... Intel Core 2 Duo E8400

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0424vrr.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0354vhm.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0356m56.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0357713.jpg


Memory ... GeIL Black Dragon / PC-6400 / 800 MHz / 2x 2GB

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_1842evw.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_1844ar0.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_1845sb6.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_1848k1i.jpg


Motherboard ... Asus P5E-VM HDMI

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0452s9g.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04534ls.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0403g0c.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0352glq.jpg


CPU Cooler ... Zerotherm CF900

http://www.abload.de/img/25-03-08_0216xhd.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04049x8.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0405l98.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0406jdu.jpg


Hard Drive ... Western Digital WD10EACS 1TB

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0455bi9.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0456j81.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0457ieh.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0458lkw.jpg


Power Supply ... Silverstone ST50EF-Plus-SC

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0431j0k.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04385kz.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04394af.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04422sm.jpg


Graphics Card ... eVGA GeForce 8800 GT / 512MB

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0448k75.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0449jlu.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_045008e.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04515bl.jpg


Monitor ... Samsung SM2493 HM

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_13090f7.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_13105vj.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_1311mot.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_13126of.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_1313w32.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_1316gi6.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_13141gx.jpg


PC Case ... Silverstone SG01-S Evolution

http://www.abload.de/img/25-03-08_0222xtj.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0500s1c.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0501sc4.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0504fpf.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0511nyv.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_1900qm1.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0506ayu.jpg


Keyboard ... Saitek Eclipse

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_0414nv9.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_04163z8.jpg

[Junimrox]

Very beautiful and good parts too, nicely built!

[Asgard_thor]

you have a very nice camera!!

also nice build

[Cov(enant)]

Asgard ... thank you very much, haha ... oh man that is only from my mobile phone (Motorola V3x) - nothing special though, but thanks for the compliment.

I should have put at least some comments next to the pictures, here we go:


1) The CPU ... was hard to get. It was everywhere out of stock and when I called the store where I got it from, they confirmed to reserve it for me but it was the last one in stock.

2) The memory modules are not easy to get either, not because they're in short supply like the CPU, but it seems that they're just not popular enough.
Well, I found a store who have them in their product range and ordered just these modules from them ... nothing else.

3) The motherboard ... well it had to be mATX, and this one seems to be the best mATX there is at the moment. Many performance fans still don't believe that this mATX can compete with high class full ATX boards - but it's true.

4) The CPU cooler ... hasn't got the best performance in cooling, but I needed a very low profile CPU cooler. So the choice was very limited.
Was thinking of a Zalman one, but didn't like the way it was fixed onto the socket ... with a lever. This one looked much more stable. Anyway ...

5) The hard drive ... first I thought about 500GB, but as the prices are constantly falling I just went with the 1TB version. By the way, the Samsung F series is very attractive too because they use only 3 platters instead of 4 for this size but the WD runs with a lower rpm, so is quiter ... I think.

6) The power supply ... I was thinking of Corsair HX520W modular, but then changed my mind in the last minute with this one because it is specially made for SFF cases, with short cables = less clutter.
Besides this, the performance / quality is very good too.

7) The graphics card ... I was thinking for a long time between the 8800 GT and the 9600 GT. This one does run very hot, but the performance doesn't leave any space for complaints - so far.
I was playing a few games on my old low spec PC and boy, the difference now is massive. I didn't even know what graphics quality there was sleeping in the games I had, until this card showed features which my old PC was not able to show.

For example the layers of floor, rocks, tanks, cars, water, sky, clouds ... everything looks 100 x better now ... of course while running smooth like silk.

8) The monitor Samsung SM2493 HM really is special.
I couldn't make my mind up before, was thinking between four different brands ... thanks god I went with this one. The Samsung is awesome.
Should have bought it earlier.

9) The black optical drive looks funny in the silver case, but you know what ? ... I don't mind anymore.

10) The keyboard was a surprise ! ... no, not a present. I bought it by the looks of the picture, more or less just out of fun. And good I bought it, this one not only looks awesome, it is the best keyboard I have ever typed on too !!

[Bobsama]

Interesting stuff. What was the old rig?

Also--the best keyboard I ever typed on is an IBM Model M. Not quite your type of keyboard, though.

[Cov(enant)]

Hello Bobsama ... you can see my old rig here:

NEC Powermate VL4 (http://www.overclock.net/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/58322/perpage/12/sort/4)

Pentium 4 / 2.8 GHz / Northwood

[Cov(enant)]

http://www.abload.de/img/05-04-08_1301llb.jpg


For some reason this picture does look different then the reality.

http://www.abload.de/img/31-03-08_1902p3n.jpg

[Junimrox]

wow thats tight, you don't have muc space in there, i'm amazed this 8800gt fitted in....
can you take a picture showing both sides of the case, it looks really interesting... the fans on top are stock on the case or modded in there?

[Exal]

very nice build :up:

[Cov(enant)]

Junimrox ... if you're interested in this case, I can recommend it, without a doubt.

It's extremely light, but still rock stable.
You can "feel" the high quality when you touch the case.
And no reason to worry about the heat. This case has only 80mm fans, but these will do the trick, believe me.

The fans on the top are stock, the case only comes with two fans:

1) one case fan on the top
2) one dedicated fan for the HDD cage.

I now have 6 fans in this little case

o) two fans on the top (one high speed fan and one temperature regulated
o) the HDD fan (normal speed)
o) the PSU fan (temperature regulated)
o) the CPU fan (temperature regulated)
o) the VGA fan (temperature regulated)

Silverstone SG01-S Evolution (http://forums.hexus.net/small-form-factor-portables/132953-silverstone-sst-sg01.html)

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

Do you plan on OCing the e8400? PLZ SAY YES!

Noise levels? (just if its generally loud or what, i don't need DBs)

I was considering getting an x38 mobo for it an e8400, but the idea of the microatx case and mATX mobo Ocing intrigues me. I want something air cooled, my current rig is loud w/ my rad. I don't have any cash for it now, but once I do, this will be my next type of rig.

Its a beautiful build. Normally, silver isn't my cup of tea, but I really do think it looks nice. It does look well built as you point out.

Excellent build! :up:

[Cov(enant)]

Thanks for your comment Synthetic ... well, the games I'm playing at the moment do run fine but I guess Crysis & FS X will require me to raise the frequency of both, CPU & GPU.

Regarding noise level, I can only say that this little chicken is quiter than my old PC. I figured out that the old fan of the PSU was the loudest part - what a surprise.
And the WD 100GB HDD has a louder operation noise than the new WD 1TB one - another surprise.

Wether you decide for a E8400 or a Q9450 ... you just can't go wrong :)

And the color of the case ... I like black too, but experience has shown that black is most sensitive for dust and finger prints.
I believe you'd get used to the silver case very quick ... and you not only feel the good material quality everytime you touch it, but it is much more dust & dirt resistant too.

One last word about the Samsung monitor ... I know that this one is not cheap, but I can really recommend it with all honesty. It has to be the sharpest picture quality I have ever seen ... and there are ZERO dead pixels on my model !! :up:

[Cov(enant)]

http://www.abload.de/img/06-04-08_221547h.jpg

The Keyboard has three modes: bright / half-bright / off

this is bright

http://www.abload.de/img/06-04-08_2217by7.jpg

and this is half bright

http://www.abload.de/img/06-04-08_2218ox2.jpg

Please note that the digital camera from my mobile phone is not able to capture the pictures properly. It does look better in reality than on those pictures.

[[XC] Synthetickiller]

If I could paint the face of the CD drive, I'd go silver. :up:

I have a samsung 240t and I know how having a good monitor is worth it. Nice pick!

Thanks for the info, keep us informed.

[myth8892]

I been debating on building a Matx myself.
I wanted to go with the mini p180 case
e-8400 chip
g.skill 2x2 pc8500 1066mhz ram
wd3200aaks drives, have 2, one still in package
keyboard i have the same (most excellent keyboard)
board is where i am having my problem with, would like to find a board that supports ram to 1066 and can clock my chip to 3.6, not worried about it being higher than that.
Also was wondering for a good cooler for the chip, i really dont think a tuniq tower or True would fit ( i have both) wanted a cooler that is as quiet as possible though. (any recommendations??)
Ah, almost forgot, I have 8800gts g92 graphic card.
The matx actually is better for me i think, because i really do not need a huge case and i only have 2 cards installed on any motherboard, that being the gpu and xfi-xtreme gamer card for sound.
I would pull the stock exhaust fan on the mini p180 and put a noctua fan on it and also there are 2 slots in the front of the case i could drop 2 noctua fans in there as well, it has 3 5.25 slots, 1 i would use for my dvd/cd player and i thought about mounting my 1 or both hard drives in the other slots.
removing the 3 1/2 inch bays exposing the 2 fans in front for cooling.
That way when i overclock the gpu, i could still just go stock cooling and allow the 2 front fans to keep the gpu cool.

[clayton]

HTPC is sick with a big LCD TV. I have a Xeon E3110 @ 4.0GHZ (small cooler can even cool this baby with no problem) and am planning to get real next-gen video cards SLI'ed for 1900x1200 performances.