My media center build, about to order, can someone help?

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 10:14 PM

I just want a few extra opinions to make sure it'll work for my compact, powerful media center/gaming rig.

I want it to be able to handle Diablo 3, World of Warcraft, Counter Strike, Spore and Starcraft 2

I also want it to work in general.

Will this be compatible?

Will the 250w power supply be able to handle it all?

ASUS EN8600GTS/HTDP/256M GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid Volar Max MTVHBVMXR USB 2.0 Interface
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor Model ADH4850DOBOX - Retail
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Shuttle SN68SG2 AMD Socket AM2 AMD Athlon 64 / Athlon 64 X2 / Sempron NVIDIA GeForce 7025 Barebone - Retail

I REALLY like the shuttle case and it has the features for what I want.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:17 PM

Why are you trying to get it to run games?

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 10:20 PM

Because I like playing games, but don't want to spend 5000$ on a massive overclocking rig.

I don't mind lower graphics settings and whatnot, but my last custom PC, which was a full tower 3.0ghz beast, heated my tiny 7x8 room to 95 degrees in the winter after being left on for 2 hours.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:23 PM

ouch - too hot then. well in answer to your PSU question - i wouldnt risk it, go for a corsair HX520 like i have - modular, cheap and super reliable.

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 10:24 PM

But it's the Shuttle form factor.

This computer is about half the size of your average printer.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1gg3stN00b

But it's the Shuttle form factor.

This computer is about half the size of your average printer.

its tiny then huh? haha. Well if you think the little PSU has the guts to power that rig, then go for it - i just dont want to see you having problems during gaming a month down the line.

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 10:26 PM

What kind of problems?

It's not like I'm trying to run Crysis or anything, I just wanna know if that little PSU can handle those components.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1gg3stN00b

What kind of problems?

It's not like I'm trying to run Crysis or anything, I just wanna know if that little PSU can handle those components.

exactly - have you used a wattage calculator on the net? Running an 8600 wil probably use around 100W+ as it is, before you even factor in the rest of your components!

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 10:30 PM

Ouch! 331 watts!

Hmm, I guess I could build a different build, but where will I ever find a case that small? Or even near it?

Pinchy · Aug 10, 2008, 10:33 PM

That PSU will be fine depending on the make / model.

Tell us the amps on the 12V rail(s) and we can come up with a better answer. But at peak, that PC shouldnt be using more than 120W of power (providing the PSU outputs ~150W, it should be fine).

Also, you dont really need 4GB of RAM for a media rig, lol.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1gg3stN00b

Ouch! 331 watts!

Hmm, I guess I could build a different build, but where will I ever find a case that small? Or even near it?

hmm, where do you live? me and a friend discovered a gorgeous little media center box on ebuyer. (this isnt it but this is nice too, might be too big though) http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135581

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinchy

That PSU will be fine depending on the make / model.

Tell us the amps on the 12V rail(s) and we can come up with a better answer. But at peak, that PC shouldnt be using more than 120W of power (providing the PSU outputs ~150W, it should be fine).

Also, you dont really need 4GB of RAM for a media rig, lol.

I multitask like a mofo and run games too.

I don't know where to find the specifications for Shuttle PSUs, they're not on their site I don't believe.

Pinchy · Aug 10, 2008, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1gg3stN00b

I multitask like a mofo and run games too.

Yeah thats why I said at peak (meaning all your parts running 100%) it shouldnt run more than 120W

.

B1gg3stN00b · Aug 10, 2008, 11:25 PM

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SkuSearch...iteria=BA25176

If I have to I could take out the power supply and hide my extra 650w one behind my shelf, but there's the specs I could find on it.

I'd prefer to have this PC as clean looking as possible.

ktr · Aug 10, 2008, 11:51 PM

I wouldn't go for the shuttle...

You have a great cpu choice, it is a powerful and low on heat and power consumption. Get a 8200 chipset motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d&Order=RATING

And a HTPC case: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...a-Center-Cases

As for the video card, the 8600gts requires a minimum 350w (at low a 300w, it takes around 70-75w on idle).

The 9500gt seem to be a good card, lower on power, but better than the 8600gts.

Pinchy · Aug 11, 2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktr

As for the video card, the 8600gts requires a minimum 350w (at low a 300w, it takes around 70-75w on idle).

The 9500gt seem to be a good card, lower on power, but better than the 8600gts.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...s_7.html#sect0

21W idle, 47W load.

Coupled with a 45W CPU and that HTPC isnt using much more than 120W load...

Have I missed something

? lol

ktr · Aug 11, 2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinchy

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...s_7.html#sect0

21W idle, 47W load.

Coupled with a 45W CPU and that HTPC isnt using much more than 120W load...

I guess different reviews have different numbers.

ShiBDiB · Aug 11, 2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktr

I wouldn't go for the shuttle...

You have a great cpu choice, it is a powerful and low on heat and power consumption. Get a 8200 chipset motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d&Order=RATING

And a HTPC case: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...a-Center-Cases

As for the video card, the 8600gts requires a minimum 350w (at low a 300w, it takes around 70-75w on idle).

The 9500gt seem to be a good card, lower on power, but better than the 8600gts.

350w

that cant b right

ktr · Aug 11, 2008, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShiBDiB

350w

that cant b right

Well the manufacture tends to over state by 50-75w, because every rig is different. And the 8600gts requires external power, so it does draw more 12v juice.

Katanai · Aug 11, 2008, 02:03 AM

Only one suggestion. If it is at all possible couldn't you swap that VC with something like a 9600GSO? I've seen the 768MB model going for really cheap. It would give you an almost 100% percent boost in video performance for maybe 30$ or 40$ more. I for one wish I could get that too.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:14 PM	#1
B1gg3stN00b Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 672 (0.32/day) Thanks: 87 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	My media center build, about to order, can someone help? I just want a few extra opinions to make sure it'll work for my compact, powerful media center/gaming rig. I want it to be able to handle Diablo 3, World of Warcraft, Counter Strike, Spore and Starcraft 2 I also want it to work in general. Will this be compatible? Will the 250w power supply be able to handle it all? ASUS EN8600GTS/HTDP/256M GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid Volar Max MTVHBVMXR USB 2.0 Interface AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor Model ADH4850DOBOX - Retail G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Shuttle SN68SG2 AMD Socket AM2 AMD Athlon 64 / Athlon 64 X2 / Sempron NVIDIA GeForce 7025 Barebone - Retail I REALLY like the shuttle case and it has the features for what I want.

System Name:	Free Rig/Compaq Laptop
Processor:	E6750/Turion X2 1.9ghz
Motherboard:	EVGA 680i SLI/Quanta EA30
Cooling:	Random big fans!
Memory:	8GB Geil Black Dragon/2GB G-Skill 4-4-4-12
Video Card:	Nvidia 8800GTS/Nvidia 7000M - Hauppage PCIX TV Tuner
Hard Disk:	250gb SATA WD/120gb internal Samsung SATA
Optical Drive:	2 ASUS lightscribe dvd SATA burners/Stock
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS 21.5" 1080P monitor
Case:	Raidmax Smilodon/Regular
Sound Card:	Stock into 2.1 Altec Lansing Rig
PSU:	Cooler Master 650W/12 cell HP battery
Software:	Vista Ult. 64 Bit, Ubuntu 64 Bit 8.10/Vista Ult. 32 Bit, Ubuntu 8.04 32

System Name:	Free Rig/Compaq Laptop
Processor:	E6750/Turion X2 1.9ghz
Motherboard:	EVGA 680i SLI/Quanta EA30
Cooling:	Random big fans!
Memory:	8GB Geil Black Dragon/2GB G-Skill 4-4-4-12
Video Card:	Nvidia 8800GTS/Nvidia 7000M - Hauppage PCIX TV Tuner
Hard Disk:	250gb SATA WD/120gb internal Samsung SATA
Optical Drive:	2 ASUS lightscribe dvd SATA burners/Stock
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS 21.5" 1080P monitor
Case:	Raidmax Smilodon/Regular
Sound Card:	Stock into 2.1 Altec Lansing Rig
PSU:	Cooler Master 650W/12 cell HP battery
Software:	Vista Ult. 64 Bit, Ubuntu 64 Bit 8.10/Vista Ult. 32 Bit, Ubuntu 8.04 32

System Name:	Free Rig/Compaq Laptop
Processor:	E6750/Turion X2 1.9ghz
Motherboard:	EVGA 680i SLI/Quanta EA30
Cooling:	Random big fans!
Memory:	8GB Geil Black Dragon/2GB G-Skill 4-4-4-12
Video Card:	Nvidia 8800GTS/Nvidia 7000M - Hauppage PCIX TV Tuner
Hard Disk:	250gb SATA WD/120gb internal Samsung SATA
Optical Drive:	2 ASUS lightscribe dvd SATA burners/Stock
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS 21.5" 1080P monitor
Case:	Raidmax Smilodon/Regular
Sound Card:	Stock into 2.1 Altec Lansing Rig
PSU:	Cooler Master 650W/12 cell HP battery
Software:	Vista Ult. 64 Bit, Ubuntu 64 Bit 8.10/Vista Ult. 32 Bit, Ubuntu 8.04 32

System Name:	Free Rig/Compaq Laptop
Processor:	E6750/Turion X2 1.9ghz
Motherboard:	EVGA 680i SLI/Quanta EA30
Cooling:	Random big fans!
Memory:	8GB Geil Black Dragon/2GB G-Skill 4-4-4-12
Video Card:	Nvidia 8800GTS/Nvidia 7000M - Hauppage PCIX TV Tuner
Hard Disk:	250gb SATA WD/120gb internal Samsung SATA
Optical Drive:	2 ASUS lightscribe dvd SATA burners/Stock
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS 21.5" 1080P monitor
Case:	Raidmax Smilodon/Regular
Sound Card:	Stock into 2.1 Altec Lansing Rig
PSU:	Cooler Master 650W/12 cell HP battery
Software:	Vista Ult. 64 Bit, Ubuntu 64 Bit 8.10/Vista Ult. 32 Bit, Ubuntu 8.04 32

Aug 10, 2008, 10:17 PM	#2
kyle2020 Guest Posts: n/a (0/day)	Why are you trying to get it to run games?

Aug 10, 2008, 10:20 PM	#3
B1gg3stN00b Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 672 (0.32/day) Thanks: 87 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	Because I like playing games, but don't want to spend 5000$ on a massive overclocking rig. I don't mind lower graphics settings and whatnot, but my last custom PC, which was a full tower 3.0ghz beast, heated my tiny 7x8 room to 95 degrees in the winter after being left on for 2 hours.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:23 PM	#4
kyle2020 Guest Posts: n/a (0/day)	ouch - too hot then. well in answer to your PSU question - i wouldnt risk it, go for a corsair HX520 like i have - modular, cheap and super reliable.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:24 PM	#5
B1gg3stN00b Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 672 (0.32/day) Thanks: 87 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	But it's the Shuttle form factor. This computer is about half the size of your average printer.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:26 PM	#7
B1gg3stN00b Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 672 (0.32/day) Thanks: 87 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	What kind of problems? It's not like I'm trying to run Crysis or anything, I just wanna know if that little PSU can handle those components.

Aug 10, 2008, 10:30 PM	#9
B1gg3stN00b Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 672 (0.32/day) Thanks: 87 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	Ouch! 331 watts! Hmm, I guess I could build a different build, but where will I ever find a case that small? Or even near it?

Aug 10, 2008, 10:33 PM	#10
Pinchy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 4,650 (1.78/day) Thanks: 302 Thanked 360 Times in 344 Posts System Specs	That PSU will be fine depending on the make / model. Tell us the amps on the 12V rail(s) and we can come up with a better answer. But at peak, that PC shouldnt be using more than 120W of power (providing the PSU outputs ~150W, it should be fine). Also, you dont really need 4GB of RAM for a media rig, lol. __________________ mATX rig: TT Lanbox Lite, GA-G33M-DS2R, q9300, 4GB G.Skill Pi PC8000, 2x640GB Samsung F1's in RAID 0, LG 20x DVD+/RW, HIS IceQ HD4670 512MB, Gigabyte G-Power PRO, TT 450W TR2 RX Modular PSU HTPC: i-Cute iBox, GA-MA780GM-S2H, 4850e, 2GB G.Skill PC6400, 1x640GB WD SE16, Onboard HD3200, D-link XtremeN PCIe, Leadtek WinFast DVR3100 H Tuner, 450W Vantec PSU Server: Custom made case, EPIA Mini-ITX mobo, 1GHz VIA, 1GB PC2700 SO-DIMM, 1TB WD, Gigabit PCI LAN card, 60W 12V AC adapter

System Name:	UltraPC
Processor:	E8500 Core 2 Duo, 1333Mhz FSB, 3.16Ghz @ 4.5GHz (got into Windows @ 4.75GHz)
Motherboard:	ASUS P5Q-e
Cooling:	CPU Cooler - TT V14 Pro, 2x120mm CM Blue LED fans, 1x90mm CM Blue LED fan
Memory:	G.Skill Pi 4GB (2x2GB) Dual Channel DDR2 PC8000 (1000MHz), 5-5-5-15
Video Card:	Sapphire HD4850 512mb with ASUS EAH4850 BIOS
Hard Disk:	2x 500GB Seagate 7200.12 Raid 0
Optical Drive:	Dual layer 22x SATA II Samsung DVD burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Acer AL1912, 19" LCD screen
Case:	Thermaltake Soprano Black ATX case
Sound Card:	Onboard 7.1, Speakers - 5 + Sub + Monitor speakers
PSU:	Thermaltake 850W Toughpower Cable Management - Quad (2x18A and 2x30A) 12V rails
Software:	Win 7 Pro x64, MSN, CS:Source, etc etc

Aug 10, 2008, 11:25 PM	#14
B1gg3stN00b Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 672 (0.32/day) Thanks: 87 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts System Specs	http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SkuSearch...iteria=BA25176 If I have to I could take out the power supply and hide my extra 650w one behind my shelf, but there's the specs I could find on it. I'd prefer to have this PC as clean looking as possible.

Aug 10, 2008, 11:51 PM	#15
ktr Eligible for custom title Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bay Area, California, USA, Earth Posts: 6,158 (2.34/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 708 Times in 595 Posts System Specs	I wouldn't go for the shuttle... You have a great cpu choice, it is a powerful and low on heat and power consumption. Get a 8200 chipset motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d&Order=RATING And a HTPC case: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...a-Center-Cases As for the video card, the 8600gts requires a minimum 350w (at low a 300w, it takes around 70-75w on idle). The 9500gt seem to be a good card, lower on power, but better than the 8600gts.

System Name:	Gateway P7811FX (laptop)
Processor:	Intel Centrino2 C2D T9600 sktP 2.8Ghz 6mb Cache
Motherboard:	Foxconn made systemboard w/ Intel PM45 "Montevina" Chipset
Cooling:	Two Laptop Fans (one for GPU, other for CPU)
Memory:	SuperTalent Micron 8GB (2x4GB) PC3-8500 DDR3
Video Card:	Nvidia 9800M GTS 512MB discrete (1750mb shared) PCI-E
Hard Disk:	WD Scorpio Black 500GB Sata2 16MB 7200 & Samsung 830 series 128GB SSD
Optical Drive:	Optiarc 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRAM
CRT/LCD Model:	17.0" AUO WUXGA Ultrabright 1920x1200 Wide Screen Glossy
Case:	Laptop Chassis Orange and Black w/ Brushed Metal
Sound Card:	Creative X-FI Notebook ExpressCard
PSU:	120watt AC Adapter & 9cell Battery 86WHr
Software:	Windows 7 Professional 64Bit

System Name:	[Uber Noober Setup]
Processor:	[i7 3770K - CM H60 Cooling]
Motherboard:	[MSI P67A-G45(B3)]
Memory:	[G.Skill Ares 1x4GB + Wintec 3x4GB = 16GB Total]
Video Card:	[EVGA GTX 680 FTW Edition]
Hard Disk:	[128GB OCZ VTX4 SSD, 2TB Internal HDD]
CRT/LCD Model:	[24" Asus]
Case:	[Coolermaster CM 690]
Sound Card:	[X-Fi XtremeGamer]
PSU:	[CORSAIR 850W]
Software:	[Windows 7 64-Bit]

Aug 11, 2008, 02:03 AM	#20
Katanai Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 392 (0.20/day) Thanks: 3 Thanked 108 Times in 82 Posts	Only one suggestion. If it is at all possible couldn't you swap that VC with something like a 9600GSO? I've seen the 768MB model going for really cheap. It would give you an almost 100% percent boost in video performance for maybe 30$ or 40$ more. I for one wish I could get that too.

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