bit of advice on SFF pcs

[dtnl]

:hello:

for starters, cheers for being the only site in the UK where i've managed to find decent information on SFF pc's. I've just been up and down tottenham court Rd in London and most retailers and component merchants didn't even know mini-ITX existed.

Here's the score - I'm about to build a full size, top of the line system to replace my old PIII500 which is straining these days. At the same time, my pc laptop has just died, leaving me with a problem - i play a lot of electronic music live, normally off a pc laptop and a powerbook. now my laptop is dead, i need to replace it, but can't afford to buy another *and* build the new system which i desparetly need. Someone just gave me a TFT screen to use and i therefore thought i could strip down the PIII and put some of the bits into a SFF system. I've been looking at the VIA Epia C3 system and a aluminium ITX case. I'm going to have a little over £200 max to spend (depending on how much the main system costs).

I've got the following questions though before i get my credit card out:

#1 - what elements from my old system can i use (e.g. DVD drive, Memory (PC100 SDRAM 2x256Mb) hard drive etc)?

#2 - can i disable the onboard sound and put in a pro, low latency soundcard (like the m-audio audiophile 24/96)?

#3 - How sturdy is the case and, presuming it's flightcased, will there be an issue lugging it around the country on tour?

#4 - are there any other small cases which anyone can recommend, preferably ones which will look good on stage? Also, does anyone do casemods to the aluminium ITX case, that would be willing to give us a hand?

#5 - Does anyone have one of these systems and use it with Cubase / Reason / Logic / Soundforge? if so, how does it perform?

Cheers guys.

[PJ Matthews]

The Epias a good choice but don't expect any games to be played. I'm about to purchase the itx cube case myself. Yes you can get it cheaper else where but remember KustomPCs include postage fees in the price.

You can easily disable onboard sound and make use of the PCI slot although I have found that the PCI slot would be better for a graphics card, as the on board sound isn't all that bad. If you want surroud or super quality consider the external audigy or internal. All are supported.

The case won't be an issue for lugging around, combine it with one of the kustom pc case handles it'll make an excellent portable LAN system or otherwise. Graeme could probably install a window to the case if you wish on teh side, this has been doen many times before to the same chassis (as used by the SV24/25). This case looks and feels the part and it is quiet (unlike the SV24/25 version).

You can use the memory, although PC133 is prefable. Harddrive can be reused as can the DVD drive although you can't beat a good LG combo drive or the likes.

[Graeme*Kustom*]

All sounds fine but you would find that using the C3 800 is going to be sluggish for audio work. The Via chips are just really geared towards multimedia use, and your old PIII would often be quicker.

Perhaps a better bet would be the Shuttle SV25 ? You could fit your hd, cd-rom, memory, cpu and sound card in there - although the unit is not silent running, this shouldn't be a problem for live performances :)

[PJ Matthews]

Very true on the CPU front, depends what demands you have for it. You could always get a C3 1 gig for an SV-25 or try your luck on ebay.

[Graeme*Kustom*]

Cubase is one app in particular which really works best on Intel CPUs. Regardless of the clock speed, I don't think the C3 is the best bet for dtnl.

[PJ Matthews]

Why doesn't our friend kill two birds with one stone and make his new main rig his portable rig as well with a SS51 or SN40??? This means small portability but shed loads of power.

Just a thought.

[dtnl]

cheers for the tips - i just got the freelance cheque i'd been waiting for today (for work i did back in May!!) so i'm going to sort this out on monday. i'd like to keep the desktop intact at home i think, as i've got an integrated studio set up. I won't need loads of power when playing live, cause i'll bounce down most of the mix to a few tracks, but i'd like to be able to tweak VSTi's etc. The shuttle looks like an interesting bet. I've heard that cubase is happiest with intel chips so this seems a wise mood. i'll have a further think about it, but expect an order next week. it'd be fantastic if you can do a bit of light modding to it. i'll even put your name on the posters if you like...

*first ep out monday the 9th on toytronic records (http://www.toytronic.com) for the curious* ;o)

cheers.:>

[dtnl]

oh, one more question:

the p3500 i have at the moment is in a cartridge format i believe - can i still put this in the SV25 or will i have to buy a new cpu? What about cooling? is there space for a heatsink and fan. Def want to place an order today guys - help is really appreciated, especially after all the trouble i've had with my powerbook this weekend - can't wait to get a pc setup on stage.

cheers,

andy::

[Kynoch]

The SV25 uses a Socket and not a Slot for the CPU so you are unable to use that CPU in the SV25.

[dtnl]

hmm...thought so.

So now the question is, do I go for the Epia c3 option, or stick with the Shuttle and shell out for a new processor.

Grahame, i'll take your advice on this - if you really think the c3 isn't up to running cubase, reason and reaktor stably, then i'll do the shuttle option. Any other opinions gratefully recieved.

And could you let me know what mods you guys can do and how much it'll cost. I'd basically like a carry handle and a window mod with some source of light in it. think something that will look cool up on stage.

Cheers,

::andy::
andy@digitonal.com

[Graeme*Kustom*]

It's not that the C3 is unstable for multimedia apps, it's just a bit sluggish for the task!!!!

At the moment we're not offering handle / window etc mods on the Shuttle series - it's a real pain, with normal cases it's fine but because the shuttles come as a complete unit with mobo if we modify them it's byebye warranty, and motherboards go wrong occasionally !

Sorry about that !

[dtnl]

cheers for the advice

ordered the shuttle system cause i've got a mate that can sort me out a piii 1ghz. pity about the mods, but i understand. am going to get a dremel and start practising... ;o)

[PJ Matthews]

Be careful, don't know of anywhere that sells replacement panels for the Shuttles.