small size computer besides shuttle?

Ces///M3 · 05-08-2002, 01:58 AM

Hi,
I was just wondering if there are any other options besides a shuttle sv24/ss40/ss50 I have here?

Something similar to the shuttle boards but with an agp slot would be nice? Any info you guys can give me would be nice (with our without an agp slot) .... Manny

cenwesi · 05-08-2002, 05:48 AM

get a SBC...i have a feeling u are going for size here. Read some of my SBC threads out there...that might convince you.

Ces///M3 · 05-08-2002, 11:17 AM

Charles,
What I'm going for is a mix between size and upgradeability (particularly in the graphics department). Im gonna check it out though to see if anything catches me eye - Thanks

mtmsol · 05-08-2002, 01:03 PM

I don't think I've ever seen a FlexATX motherboard with an AGP slot. I think the best you'll do is a MicroATX board, and even these usually have onboard graphics. Check out this one: Biostar M6VCF . It's not nearly as small as the Shuttle, but it's smaller than most boards, it has an AGP slot and best of all it's only $29. I use one in my spare PC (home not car), and I have no complaints.

Andrew Chappell · 05-08-2002, 03:05 PM

If you are going for graphics / expandability then an eden board would not be a good idea, but otherwise they are pretty superb and very cheap. However, they are slow! To be honest, if you are looking for a small ish board with atx then you could do worse than look at a microatx socket a board with an agp slot. If you want onboard graphics as well as the slot, then you can pick up an sis board. They aren't exactly great for performance, but shove an athlon xp in there and they are hardly going to be slow.

I plan on getting one of these for the car, so I'll let you know how it goes when I'm done (when I get paid after my exams).

Andrew

Ces///M3 · 05-08-2002, 04:29 PM

I ordered the 29 dollar motherboard mtmsol suggested - but can you suggest something else, if its better than what I just bought, I wont mind going for that instead...

Andrew Chappell · 05-08-2002, 04:40 PM

This board isn't Tulatin and can only take up to a celeron 800 (as it only has an 8x clock multiplier). But, there is little else I can fault it on. I don't think it has onboard sound so won't make the smallest mp3 player. I was looking at an ECS board based on the sis socket a chipset which allows onboard VGA, Sound and LAN as well as an AGP slot so you could put in something else later.

However, it really depends on what processor / speed you want. I wouldn't use an SBC myself as I don't have that much money, although one would be nice. One interesting thing would be how do you cool a processor on an sbc - most heat sink and fans are bigger than din layout - water cooling anyone??

The board I have chosen to use is the ECS K7SEM Micro ATX Socket A Mainboard WOB SND/VGA/LAN priced at £48.30 ex.vat (sorry all you us people, but I couldn't find a price in $'s for the board). This is more expensive, but allows faster processors and lower height if you choose not to upgrade the graphics. When I finall have enough money to get one I will let you know how quick they are.

Cheers
Andrew

mtmsol · 05-08-2002, 05:04 PM

Yes, the M6VCF does have onboard sound (actually, the sound quality is pretty good). 800Mhz is the max speed for a Celeron, but it will run a P3 up to 1Ghz (non-Tulatin only). I'm using mine with an 800Mhz Celeron and the performance is good. Since I have an ATI video card in it with hardware DVD assist, it's fine for DVD as well. Can't go wrong for the price!

Ces///M3 · 05-08-2002, 05:07 PM

One thing I didnt think to check - is the agp slot 4x mtmsol?

mtmsol · 05-08-2002, 05:08 PM

Yes, it's a 4X AGP slot.

Andrew Chappell · 05-08-2002, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtmsol
Yes, the M6VCF does have onboard sound (actually, the sound quality is pretty good). 800Mhz is the max speed for a Celeron, but it will run a P3 up to 1Ghz (non-Tulatin only). I'm using mine with an 800Mhz Celeron and the performance is good. Since I have an ATI video card in it with hardware DVD assist, it's fine for DVD as well. Can't go wrong for the price!

Sorry - I looked on the website for this board and it didn't mention sound. I wish we could get boards this cheap in the uk - the cheapest we get is about £45. A celeron 800 will be fine for pretty much everything, in fact it should play games pretty well even. I am going for an AMD processor as they are cheaper in the uk, but i get the feeling hardware is cheaper in the us in general...

Ahh well.

Andrew

Ces///M3 · 05-08-2002, 07:32 PM

damn 4x agp slot, small size - wow did i get a deal.... I cant wait to tinker with it

PaulzY · 05-09-2002, 03:16 AM

4x agp is no different to 2x agp, cheap board though.

Rob Withey · 05-09-2002, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulzY
4x agp is no different to 2x agp

I disagree. agp4x is capable of transferring data at twice the speed of agp2x. Take it from a guy who was working with agp before it was even publicly available.

You can read the full spec at:

http://www.intel.com/technology/agp/agp_index.htm

Regards

Rob

Andrew Chappell · 05-09-2002, 04:31 AM

So I guess the geforce 5 or 6 will be 8x agp

Well i guess its time to upgrade my ageing p3 750 with an original geforce then. Or perhaps I could move it to the car...