SFF PCs

[Busyman™]

I have made up my mind that I want a small form factor PC.

I want a beast of a graphics card in it (so it needs to accomodate a big slot) but want it as small as possible and not vertical.

Any recommendations? Should I just build one?

It need it to have
multi card readers,
DVD burner,
HDMI or DVI out

I want to hook up wireless controllers to it and a nice remote controller.

I will hook it up to a jack that goes to my router. The computer will be part of an entertainment system and not typical computer setup.

[Skiz]

I've had 2 Shuttle PCs and I can't say a single bad thing about them. Recommended.

[clocker]

I have made up my mind that I want a small form factor PC.

I want a beast of a graphics card in it (so it needs to accomodate a big slot)
Don't overlook the fact that along with the physical space to mount the card you'll also need a power supply stout enough to run it...

[Snee]

I use a Shuttle (http://eu.shuttle.com/se/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-2/) now, and it's good (it was a barebone with components I picked myself otherwise, though). Have a look at the site, there are some interesting options.

The latest ones look pretty sweet.




However, for my next machine I'm going for something mATX, possibly using a SuGO (http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/07/20/silverstone_sugo_sg01_is_stylish_flexibility/) or something like the Antec Aria (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article146-page1.html). And I'll be selecting the components myself, since I prefer doing it that way.

Haven't decided on a motherboard yet, but I have a few ideas on that and other parts that will give me all the performance I want.

Shuttle parts are often proprietary, and while I don't know about the latest ones, in the past your chances of fitting a more recent mobo in an old model chassis have been nigh on non-existing.

Also keep in mind that high performance parts in a small chassis often produce a lot of noise, at least in my experience.

Last, if you can't balance the performance you want with what you have room for in an SFF-chassis, there's the option of building something in a regular chassis, as well as something using the mini itx-platform (http://www.mini-itx.com/) for your TV-needs.

In some cases putting two machines together instead of one comes out cheaper, depending on exactly what one has in mind, and the pricing of components, in your area.

[Busyman™]

Tbh, I don't a big chassis but in the old horizontal chassis format.

Now that I think about it, it doesn't have to really be SFF at all, just horizontal.

I am quite pressed for this.

I want to be able to run Vista Ultimate, play Crysis, play movies in HD, and possibly use as a DVR.

Thanks for the info guys.

[clocker]

Busy,
I've built three systems now into this Lian-li (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112082) and it's been pretty good.
The comments about the PSU/vid card fit are accurate but I know that the modular Corsair power supply and an 8800 card will work.

[Virtualbody1234]

Another desktop case to consider: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129014