Thread: Confused about shuttle PCs vs via processors

why do you need more power? just curious. Because if it can be determined that you really don't need more power, maybe you can go with something else....

there is a p4 mini-itx sized board.....bet it still requires a larger amount of power though.....

As you can see from my sig, I went with a mini-ITX board. If I had to do it all over again from scratch, I would go with a Shuttle XPC.

The Via EPIA boards have two major advantages: size and low power consumption. But they also have several disadvantages: slow processors (not a big deal, but annoying), crappy graphics, only 1 PCI expansion slot, and the onboard sound is not audio-phile quality.

The trouble with the Shuttle XPC's is that you can easily exceed the output of an Opus 150watt PS. So you want to try and stay with a model that will take a "mobile" processor, which is lower power consumption. Also, be very careful what graphics you put in it. Most modern AGP graphics cards consume more power than the rest of the system combined! I would recommend one of the motherboards that has the GeForce4MX built into the board - the power consumption isn't too bad and the GeForce chipset is easily adaptable to in-car screens, like the Xenarc. Remember to use a laptop or slimline optical drive and 2.5" hard drive - - those will help keep power consumption down too.

Keep in mind you're still not going to end up with a real high speed system. The power requirements for high speed systems are just too much for most auto applications. But the Shuttle XPC, when properly configured can give you better graphics, sound, and performance than an average Via EPIA. Of course, you can always add on a bunch of stuff to overcome the EPIA's limitations. To me, it just seems easier/cheaper to go the Shuttle route.

I use a normal system too .. but I use a m1-atx PSU ithink it's 90w ..

I run a 900mhz athlon, a MB with graphgics included and everything.. and I use not one but 2, 3.5 inch drives.. one 7200rpm .. so I dunno..

I'd say stick with a normal system,.. and if you have an opus you should be fine.. but those p4's are power hogs.. look for pentium m or sempron system maybe..

I guess we would also need to know what size hd you are going to require. I require something bigger than 100 gigs as I have almost 100 gigs of mp3s...I have yet to see a laptop drive that's big enough for my needs....

that has some bearing (all be it a small amount) on the power requirments....

i pickedup my shuttle style flex-atx mobo from chowbig.com....actually got it on ebay from them for cheaper.....its a jetway motherboard....works real nice (at first i was having issues.....mysteriously they went away). about $45 after shipping

I also purchased a $20 1.7ghz P4 Mobile...which mates with the board nicely.

So for $65 i've got much higher performance, low wattage (35 watts for the processor....not as low as the VIAs but nothing my opus cant handle). The performance will be nice when doing 3d rendering.....which will be used for example when god_of_cpu gets me a demo of his awesome upcomming frontend...which uses requires some power fort he rendering. Also it will be nice in ripping dvds.

I thought I had subscribed to this thread, but I guess I didn't. I have a 160gig hard drive. The mini-itx is just not enough. I have some things that require some power, adn when I am doing one thing while listening to a song, it will cut it out. I have been looking at the mini p4 boards, but didn't know if they had the same problems and limitations. Peoples gave me the info I needed, been trying to figure out which boards and processors won't kill an opus. I have looked at some of the shuttle PCs, and they have 120watt power supplies, not all of them though. Has anyone used the mini P4 boards that logicsupply.com sells? I have been looking at those, but it concerns me they are the same size. And having so many USB peripherals, I need somethig so I don't get interference between them. The M10000 has been problem since day one, especially when you stick a screwdriver in it to remove a jumper while the computer is running. Apparently that causes problems. I want to hear that the mini P4 systems are good because I like the size of the cases they fit. There are a few sites. This one http://www.logisysus.com/ has some nice setups to go off of, along with smallpc.com built for industrial use. they just don't give me a trial period to use the motherboards, so if anyone has used the miniP4 boards, let me know if they are as good or as fast and reliable as your desktop. Provided your desktop isn't crap.

I use the Shuttle system and would recommend this anyday over the Via Processors. I like Intel also, just from being in the computer industry for years and using all the different types, it seems Intel is the best for Audio, hands down.

Here is a link to a price that I found for the Shuttle that I am using, which includes wireless 802.11b, which is supported by Netstumbler.

Good Price on Shuttle SN65G2 case with Wireless built in

Originally Posted by bry21317

I use the Shuttle system and would recommend this anyday over the Via Processors. I like Intel also, just from being in the computer industry for years and using all the different types, it seems Intel is the best for Audio, hands down.

Here is a link to a price that I found for the Shuttle that I am using, which includes wireless 802.11b, which is supported by Netstumbler.

Good Price on Shuttle SN65G2 case with Wireless built in

I liked that one too, but I didn't think I could manage an opus with it.