Computer Parts Quandary
Oct. 22nd, 2003 09:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
robotech_masterAs my computer budget's grown with my winnings, I've been discussing my computer needs with a friend of mine, and here's the proposed computer solution we've come up with.
Shuttle AN35N motherboard without video, $60
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+, $92
2x256 meg Crucial memory, $92
80GB Western Digital SE HDD, $73
FoxConn case, $40
GeForceFX 5600, $128
Shipping: Free on all items from NewEgg.com
Total: $485. Enough within my budget that I could probably go ahead and bump the CPU up a notch or two (the 2600+ is $104; the 2700 is $141). The problem is, it's a full-sized ATX form factor board and case, meaning it's "normal computer" size...not easy to truck around.
And here's the alternate solution: Replace the above-listed motherboard and case with a Shuttle SN45G XPC form-factor motherboard and case combo that costs $274—adding $174 to the price (total $659) in exchange for a computer the size of a shoebox with a handy carrying handle. I could easily take that everywhere with me. Like down to the parents' house to play DivX movies through their TV set, to the anime convention to play stuff through the bigscreen projector, to LAN parties (or brother's house) or other gaming events.
I'd very much like to be able to do that. The thing is, I don't know if I'd like it to the tune of an extra $174. I had been sort of hoping for a reasonably-priced mini- or micro-ATX compromise, but haven't been able to find one. $659 is about $145 out of my stated budget, which means that the extra money would have to come from my savings. If my winnings hadn't been about $300 more than I'd expected, this wouldn't even have been a possibility...but they were, and so it is, and it's torturing me with its near-feasibility.
At any rate, there's no pressing need to buy the new computer right now, so at least I'll have plenty of time to think about it before I buy. I just wish a more reasonably-priced solution would present itself...
Shuttle AN35N motherboard without video, $60
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+, $92
2x256 meg Crucial memory, $92
80GB Western Digital SE HDD, $73
FoxConn case, $40
GeForceFX 5600, $128
Shipping: Free on all items from NewEgg.com
Total: $485. Enough within my budget that I could probably go ahead and bump the CPU up a notch or two (the 2600+ is $104; the 2700 is $141). The problem is, it's a full-sized ATX form factor board and case, meaning it's "normal computer" size...not easy to truck around.
And here's the alternate solution: Replace the above-listed motherboard and case with a Shuttle SN45G XPC form-factor motherboard and case combo that costs $274—adding $174 to the price (total $659) in exchange for a computer the size of a shoebox with a handy carrying handle. I could easily take that everywhere with me. Like down to the parents' house to play DivX movies through their TV set, to the anime convention to play stuff through the bigscreen projector, to LAN parties (or brother's house) or other gaming events.
I'd very much like to be able to do that. The thing is, I don't know if I'd like it to the tune of an extra $174. I had been sort of hoping for a reasonably-priced mini- or micro-ATX compromise, but haven't been able to find one. $659 is about $145 out of my stated budget, which means that the extra money would have to come from my savings. If my winnings hadn't been about $300 more than I'd expected, this wouldn't even have been a possibility...but they were, and so it is, and it's torturing me with its near-feasibility.
At any rate, there's no pressing need to buy the new computer right now, so at least I'll have plenty of time to think about it before I buy. I just wish a more reasonably-priced solution would present itself...
(no subject)
Date: 2003-10-22 08:56 am (UTC)I actually have one of these shuttle computers. It's nicely compact and holds pretty much everything you need for normal operation (as long as normal operation doesn't require more than 1 cd-like drive. the one I have has a CD-RW/DVD-ROM in it. It holds two 3.5" appliances, one hidden. It has good audio, alright video, firewire and usb all on board. Mine has in integrated plexi-glass handle and plexi-glass sides. And a processor fan with blue LEDs all over it that glows quite nicely. I think if you plan for it to be portable, you should consider getting a shuttle bag for it, such as the one linked below:
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/pf9xpcbag.html
why don't you call me and we'll chat about it.
Regards,
Your Brother (the one in Chicago)