SFF with X800 a viable step forward?

[jet.]

My current spec:

AMD 1700+ @ 2.4Ghz, NF7-S rev.2.0, Twinmos 768MB (DDR400), Radeon 9700 Non-Pro, Xaser III w/ Aeroflow, Antec 380W, WD80JB/WD120JB, XP Pro SP1

Was wonderin whether anyone would subject to my next build being an SFF? I definitely want to try a P4 this time and see the benefits of hyperthreading, but am a bit curious as to the best route to go. Would an SFF be able to be a better machine than my current one, inevitably being able to play games such as HL2 and Doom III?

1. Do i buy now or later? Probably want an X800 XT due to the resolution and AA, AAF available at 1600x1200!!!
2. Overclocking abilities of SFF?
3. Which P4 to get, heard 2.4B are nice?
4. Will a X800XT be a suitable card or is it too much?
5. SFF compared to ATX?
6. Wait for SFF with AMD FX as the FX is slightly better for gaming?

I was thinking of just adding an X800 into my AMD machine and doing it that way, but the possibility of a P4B OC'ed processor with an X800 is too good to miss?

[Eric Legge]

It would be nice if you translated that into non-tech speak so that the ordinary members or casual browsers know what you're talking about.

Eric,
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/

[BipolarBill]

Um - what is SFF?

[jet.]

Small Form Factor - http://www.sfftech.com/

Apologies, just thought only people with an understanding of SFF would be able to help. Again, sorry. :p

[BipolarBill]

There are plenty of small form factor P4 motherboards. Shuttle and FIC make barebones cases which include them.

Heat is always an issue in these shoeboxes. Stay away from the fastest P4s - they run hot. The Athlon 64 is a cool-running chip and perfect for barebones use.

I would stick with Shuttle. They invented this stuff.

[crusious31]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-146&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-459&depa=0

[Midknyte]

1. i would wait for the x800s to come down in price.
2. If you get a SFF, get a shuttle. they are pretty decent OCers.
3. you want a 2.4C not B. C denotes a Northwood core with 800mhz fsb. the 2.4B does NOT come with hyperthreading.
4. X800 Pros are decent, but if you're gonna spend the money you might as well get a X800XT.
5. it would be harder to find a replacement board. power supplies are easier to find for a shuttle. if you're gonna do a lot of LAN parties, then shuttles are da bomb.
6. I don't think it's worth it to get an FX. The chip is expensive and you need Registered DDR (expensive). The Athlon 64 should be enough.

[jet.]

dope midknyte, appreciate the thorough reply!

i'll stick with my AMD/ATX setup for a little more then, once the X800 XT is shipped though i'm gonna have to fork out my student loan, i wasn't expecting its specs till early '05. man, roll on the good times. :p

Thanks everyone else for the hasty replies, too kind. :)

[Yoshi]

Get the Antec ARIA as it will cost less, it is roomier, and cools better the the shuttles. Also you can use your own Motherboard.

And the 2.4C DOES run Hyperthreading

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&depa=1

:t

[Midknyte]

oops that was a typo. I meant that the 2.4B doesn't come with HT.