Help with Shuttle PCs
 

I've just finished building one (yay me for doing it without substantial help!), but want to ensure I don't have too much under the hood here...

I've got one of the new SS51Gs with 1 GB RAM, a P4 2.4 CPU, DVD +/- R/RW and a nVidia GeForce FX 9600 runing in here (my ATI 9800 AIW wouldn't function, dammit). In exploring the problems with the 9800, I went to my local computer shop to ensure I wasn't doing anything wrong. While there, the owner of the store mentioned I might have too powerful a CPU in the box and could be risking a burnout.

Shuttle's site and manuals, as well as the limited number of Shuttle owners I've spoken to, seem to contradict this, but it's enough to get me worried. Does anyone know enough about these machines to let me know if I'm going to have a burned out CPU in a few months?

Thanks!

I'm not an expert, but I think the local shopkeeper is ultimately being silly.

Processor burnout happens when a CPU cannot receive enough cooling air to avoid overheating. One of the nice things about the P4 is that it has speed-throttling technology that outright prevents burnouts.

Don't overclock it, and make sure you turn on the thermal warnings and throttling in the BIOS, and you'll be fine. If it overheats consistantly, then look into auxillary cooling solutions (more fans)

The only other thing you should be wary of is power usage, just check your voltage in the BIOS and make sure that you are pretty close to the stock voltages.

Re: Help with Shuttle PCs
 

The local computer shop is bullshitting you. And I think you have a GeForce FX 5600, not a 9600. :) Your PC should be fine.

-Lasereth

Thanks Lasereth. And yeah, you're right: It's a 5600.

I'm just still in mourning that the 9800 wouldn't work.

The likly problem with your AIW is that they require A LOT of power to run, and seeing that a Shuttle only has a 200w PS, adding all your components together I would imagen your capping out its limits. The DVD +- RW is a power hog and will get VERY hot (I have one) so be very careful with burning a lot of stuff in a row.

Bullshiat. I run my SS51G with a 2.4 P4 @ 2.53 with an AIW 8500DV with no problems. I also run F@H 24/7. I'm usually at 52C. About a year now.

I won't flinch one bit when I get an AIW 9600 Pro this Christmas. These Shuttle PSU's are very solid for their seemingly meager ratings.

Your CPU will long be obsolete before it is fried.

I got my SB61G2 with about the same set up except i got me a P4 2.8c in there and a 9800 in it and it runs like a dream. Dont listen to stupid people. That little psu can really push itself far.

Ok... so it sounds like this is going to take a little more investigation.

Alfred! Get me Shuttle tech support on the phone! (cue Batman transition theme music)

Technically, the GeForce FX series GPU's aren't supposed to work without at least a 350w PSU because of the voltage rails. I imagine the 9800 takes a lot of power as well. A 200w PSU might work for the time being, but I wouldn't rely on it too long. Is there an upgrade option for those Shuttles? Do they take standard Micro-ATX PSUs?

-Lasereth

mine says it will absoluetly not work with a power supply under 350W, but it does. this power supply is amazing. I know its hard to believe but i have never had one problem with shortage of power and i just got anothe 160 Gig harddrive. I didnt believe it at first either but it really is not a problem.

go to http://forums.sudhian.com/categories.cfm?catid=43&FTVAR_SUBCAT=68&subcatname=SFF%20TECH if you dont believe me. Its the small form factor official message board i believe. They are seriously getting tired of hearing people ask about the small powersupply though. There are some people there who have 3.0c Ghz processors, with FX5900 Ultras, 2 Gigs of Ram and 2 giant harddrives and the pci slot taken up and they have not had any problems. Believe me. nVidia has put together some gaming systems itself in the shuttles and they use the tiny PSU's. Its not a problem.

I have however had one problem, it gets hot in that tiny box. So i put a blowhole on the top of my case with an 80mm fan and everything runs perfect now.