Easiest computer build I've ever done

[Beanbag]

I've had a need for a "portable" video capture and editing machine a few times this year. Laptops are okay, but getting one with sufficient horsepower and screen size tends to get into the four-figure-plus range quickly. My two "regular" editing machines are custom-built (by me) AMD 64x2 machines housed in large tower cases with lots of room for airflow and drives. Both are dual-monitor setups. Not exactly the easiest things to pack up and take on location.

Anyhow, I was going through Comp USA last week (a few still exist) and noticed they had Shuttle barebones systems on sale for $189. For that price, you got a case roughly 8" square by 14" long, complete with motherboard and power supply. The "hard" part is already done for you -- cables are routed, the motherboard's already installed, and everything mounts with thumbscrews.

I picked one up along with a 64x2 processor for an additional $50, and had the thing assembled and going through POST in a leisurely 45 minutes. All the other hardware came out of my leftover pile -- 2 gigs RAM, a 500 gig SATA drive, and a CD R/W drive. No swearing at the machine, no cut hands on sharp sheet metal edges, and this time I did a quick format instead of full format on the hard drive, so I was installing the operating system (XP Pro) in two minutes instead of another 45 minutes.

Right now, I'm running on the motherboard embedded video for burn-in. The plan is to get an OEM-packed dual-monitor PCI-E 16x card, along with a DVD R/W drive. There isn't much else I need to add. The MB has two Firewire ports, plus six USB and two external SATA ports. Just the perfect combination for video work.

Man, if all my builds were this easy! I figure I've built up at least 25 systems in my lifetime, starting with an XT clone back in the Bronze Age, and almost every one has been a royal pain in some fashion. My usual rule has been "large cases are a good thing," but the Shuttle is the exception to the rule. Completely assembled, I don't think there's room for two fingers between any of the components, yet everything fits with perfect clearance. It uses a single fan with heatpipe cooling, which I've never used before, but so far it's been chugging away for the hour and a half it has taken to download SP3 and all the other Windows updates.

Now all it needs is a luggage handle on top of the case, and I'm portable.

Beanbag

 

[Zax63]

How is the noise level? I've been considering building a Shuttle to attach to the big screen in the living room. It doesn't need to be silent but I also don't want something that is going to be noticeable when the TV is on.

 

[NoZed Avenger]

Now all it needs is a luggage handle on top of the case, and I'm portable.

Beanbag

I have an old "lanman" that has velcro straps with a handle for just such an occasion. They should still be out there.

 

[Beanbag]

How is the noise level? I've been considering building a Shuttle to attach to the big screen in the living room. It doesn't need to be silent but I also don't want something that is going to be noticeable when the TV is on.

Extremely quiet. I don't notice the fan at all (two, actually -- one for the cpu, and one for the power supply). When I first booted it up, I had to look to see the main fan turning.

The biggest catch is working within the power supply limitations. It doesn't take a full-sized power supply, but a long, skinny one that runs the length of the case. It's only rated for 250 watts. That sounds kind of limiting, but so far it hasn't been a problem. I've upgraded to a DVD-RW drive, plus a dual-monitor display card. The display card gave me a few headaches while shopping, as it says on the package the minimum suggested power supply is 300 watts for a system with that card. However, I reasoned that recommendation was for a full-sized desktop system, and not one with a low-power motherboard like the Shuttle has. I've been running it for the past few days, and the case doesn't even get warm.

The system now has a 500 gig hard drive, 2 gigs PC6400 ram, DVD-RW drive, and a dual-channel DVI PCI-E 16x display card. The only internal update will be to bring it up to 4 gigs ram. Everything else is on the motherboard -- sound, Firewire, USB, even ESATA ports. This one came with 7.1 sound, though I'm only running plain stereo right now.

There's a slot open for a second hard drive, but I think trying to run a second drive along with the display card would be pushing my luck. If all I was using was the onboard video, I think it would be fine.

Beanbag

 

[Beanbag]

I have an old "lanman" that has velcro straps with a handle for just such an occasion. They should still be out there.

Actually, I was thinking about putting a beveled 3/8" walnut panel on the top, with a recess milled out so the handle would be flush when not in use. There are a few other additions I'd like to add, like a lift-before-pressing cover for the Reset button.

The price for the AM2 socket model seems to be $189 universally here. Saw it at Fry's for the same price as Comp USA.

Beanbag