First time build advice needed pls!

[djexelta]

Hi,

I'm about to embark on my first venture into the world of custom SFF PCs.
I really like the thought of having a nice small/quiet system but at the same time want some decent fucntionallity, speed and longevity. I'm in the multimedia industry so multi-tasking with things like video editing, dvd writing and photoshop is a must. I'm not much of a gamer so graphics aren't all that important but I would like to run Vista Aero.

I've put together a list of possible components, any advice on what i've chsen or changes you would make to save money or improve at the same price would be a great help as i'm really stretching my budget to the limit, thanks! I've also considered the Lian Li V300 Micro ATX case (£80) but could I get all the required components for the same price as below?

Here's where i'm at:

Shuttle SD32G5 (£220)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (£193)
Samsung Spinpoint 250gb SATA (£47)
Seagate Barracuda 320gb IDE (already owned).
Samsung SH-W183 18x18 DVD±RW Serial ATA Dual Layer ReWriter (£23)
ATi Radeon X1300 256mb (£43) or will the on board intel Media Accelerator 950 support Aero?
Crucial CT2KIT12864AA667 2x1GB PC2-5300 NonECC CL5 (£140)

TOTAL: £666

[flanzig1]

Could drop the CPU down to a E6300 to save some money and shouldn't hurt editing work. Would stay with the video card, then not using system memory for on-board video.
For optical drives I would suggest Lite-On or LG/for HD would go for Seagate 7200.10

[djexelta]

Thanks for the advice.

If you don't think ill see much of a difference in speed between the E6300 and E6600 for editing etc, what would be the factors behind someone wanting to go for the E6600?

I'll take into account your advice about the DVD/HD drives aswell. Thanks.

What about if I were to go down the Lian-Li V300 route, do you think this would be better/save me money or should I stick with the shuttle?

Anymore advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

[glc]

The GMA 950 does support Aero, but a separate card would work better.

[flanzig1]

The Lian-Li would be more flexable in the parts you can use like using a standard ATX PSU. An Asus P5B-VM would be a good motherboard.

[glc]

The P5B-VM uses the GMA 3000, which has much better Vista support than a GMA 950. However, a separate card such as a X1300 will do a better job, especially with things like video editing. If budget is tight, you can use the onboard till you can do an upgrade.

[djexelta]

ok,

What about this Mobo which is a bit cheaper than the Asus in the UK....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-004-AK

Also,

Which PSU should I go for under £60 ($120).

Thanks again.

[flanzig1]

AsRock boards are OK. That board has some interesting features.
PSU:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-SK
That PSU should power the system with a video card. Can actually go to a 350w and save more.

[glc]

If a P5B-VM and a E6600 makes it too costly, I'd drop down to a E6300 if you have to. That Asrock is not anywhere near the quality of an Asus and it's a 945G board with a GMA 950.

This PSU will run anything you are going to throw at it:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-SK

So will this one, it's just not as nice:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-006-SK

[djexelta]

ok everyone, thanks for your help!

I think i'll opt for:

Case: Lian-Li V300 (£80)
Motherboard: Asus P5B-VM (£83)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (£193)
PSU: FSB Sparkle Blue Strom 400W (£45)
HD: Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200.10 (£46)
HD: Segate Barracuda 320GB 7200.10 (already owned)
DVD: Samsung SH-W183 18x18 DVD±RW Serial ATA Dual Layer ReWriter (£23)
ATi Radeon X1600 256mb (£52)
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC5300 667MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (£130)

TOTAL: £652

Is this a good combination or is there anyhting I should be changing?

Anymore comments greatly appreciated as i'm planning to order all of this today!

thanks!

[Freakitchen]

Looks good.

I would personally switch to the equivalent Corsair memory. It seems to work very well with C2D builds.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-097-CS

FK