|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 29, 2006 15:43:30 GMT -5
I'm looking into converting my commuter into a micro and was wondering if there was a Micro MOBO that supports SLI or just one that supports the 7900GTX GPU because it would be nice to have just as good of performance out of a smaller computer. If this isn't possible then forget it because i just cant live without my breath taking graphics and supersonic speed. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Loker on Mar 29, 2006 16:47:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Loker on Mar 29, 2006 16:49:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Kämpfer on Mar 29, 2006 17:33:49 GMT -5
$$$$ When you go micro there are more restrictions than just the size and it can get very expensive.... Nonetheless I still love my little MSI.  |
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 29, 2006 21:07:59 GMT -5
so how much would it cost me and how hard would it be to convert?
abd is it worth it?
|
|
|
|
Post by Loker on Mar 29, 2006 23:39:04 GMT -5
well those 2 things I posted plus a case would be all you need so I would say $200 to $250 to switch to a microatx based system.....the thing I would worry about is cooling with 2 7800 GTX's in a little micro atx case....
|
|
|
|
Post by euclidean© on Mar 30, 2006 0:17:03 GMT -5
lol no kidding!
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 0:39:20 GMT -5
yea any advice there?? maybe a water cooling system or just a couple of large fans mounted to the case walls?? i dunno im open to suggestions because it would really be nice to have a micro..
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 0:40:37 GMT -5
also which would be better for that setup a 7900GTX or my pair of 7800GT's?
|
|
|
|
Post by euclidean© on Mar 30, 2006 1:17:08 GMT -5
Id suggest running 1 7900GTX, mainly for heating.....but u got to remember...the whole point of micro is to save space...not more power  as far as cooling goes....I wouldnt suggest a micro case that you want to have power in....cause thats just heat, but i dont know....cable's would be a big deal, then again, i dont think you could fit enough fans in there to keep it cool with what you have. Watercooling on a micro case....weird lol! |
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 7:41:14 GMT -5
ok i don't know but ill figure it out because i would like to convert to a micro but if I can't then oh well its no big deal
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 7:43:15 GMT -5
are we all at a consensus though that the Mobo and PSU that the Fuhrer suggested is the ones i should use or is there a better combo out there?
|
|
|
|
Post by Hammer on Mar 30, 2006 7:54:56 GMT -5
there are many other choices out there these are two options. but just go to newegg and look them up. i suggest any of the antec Neo series Power supples. but thats just me.
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 7:59:37 GMT -5
OK but i still have cooling issues and im stumped as what to do looks like my best bet now is to just stick some freezerpacks in there every time i start it up. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by Hammer on Mar 30, 2006 8:07:08 GMT -5
ok so you already have the micro or you are getting it.
if you have it already just take the sides off no big deal there.
If you dont have it and are having cooling issues with a mid or a full tower atx then you may need to go up to bigger fans.
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 8:10:44 GMT -5
I don't already have it im still just speculating but as far as cooling issues with my mid tower i don't have any. the coling issues are just speculated problems that would need to be solved prior to me switching over.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hammer on Mar 30, 2006 8:23:23 GMT -5
the only benifit for micro is the portabilty. there are to many down sides to a micro to switch. thats my side. but as for cooling just take the case off when ya get it and drill lots and lots of holes all over it.
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 8:32:54 GMT -5
LOL ill think about that last one it sounds like a good idea for a strainer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kämpfer on Mar 30, 2006 8:34:40 GMT -5
Technology has come a long way in the past couple years, but the main problems with micro aATX remain power and cooling. The MSI couldn't handle a 9800XT, it could hardly handle a 5900XT and I suspect the new versions would have trouble with any 7 series cards. I think it's best to stick with the dual 7800GT's, but power is an issue. There is always the option of mounting an extrenal power supply and water cooling system, but once you do it's no longer micro ATX. I would wait for the next generation to come out before I thought about switching. If you feel you need to switch now I think the Frag Box offers like a 500W power supply, but Falcon Northwest usually requires you to buy more than just the box...
Taking the cover off is not a solution... Even if you force feed air in there with a fan you will likely be overheating in the summer (Have experience with this). The best option is locating the computer right next to the air conditioner and buying lots of copper heatsinks. The case does more than just hold hot air in, it guides cool air to critical components.
|
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 8:39:12 GMT -5
ok it looks like i should hold off on converting it looks to me like there is too much hassell and it wouldnt be worth it in the end. i just thought it might be nice to be able to take my own computer back and forth to CAD class but its no big deal. thanks for all the advice everyone.
|
|
|
|
Post by euclidean© on Mar 30, 2006 9:38:35 GMT -5
get a laptop if you want portability like that.....but ya, I dont think Id ever go micro, unless it was a secondary computer....
|
|
|
|
Post by Loker on Mar 30, 2006 9:45:24 GMT -5
there are many other choices out there these are two options. but just go to newegg and look them up. i suggest any of the antec Neo series Power supples. but thats just me. there are NOT many choices when it comes to doing SLI in MicroATX....that evga motherboard is the only one that does SLI and that PSU is the only MicroATX PSU that is not only powerful enough to handle 2 GPU's it is SLI certified to do it..... |
|
|
|
Post by euclidean© on Mar 30, 2006 10:35:22 GMT -5
loker, hammer didnt read the whole post.....thats why he said that.....i mean, look at this post he had even after all that we talked about it: ok so you already have the micro or you are getting it. if you have it already just take the sides off no big deal there. If you dont have it and are having cooling issues with a mid or a full tower atx then you may need to go up to bigger fans. U have to remember....he reads the last post and posts about it....instead of reading it all  lol |
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 10:44:49 GMT -5
the problem with a laptop is now you are compromising storage space and if you know anything about cad programs for a decent laptop to run them and have enough space for more than one program i wold be shelling out thousands of dollars VS hundreds for going micro but like i said if i cant do this effectivly and use most of the parts i already have then its no big deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by euclidean© on Mar 30, 2006 13:06:05 GMT -5
hmm.....$800 laptop, $130 external 250GB harddrive......
|
|
|
|
Post by Loker on Mar 30, 2006 13:12:09 GMT -5
the problem with a laptop is now you are compromising storage space and if you know anything about cad programs for a decent laptop to run them and have enough space for more than one program i wold be shelling out thousands of dollars VS hundreds for going micro but like i said if i cant do this effectivly and use most of the parts i already have then its no big deal. this can be done with keeping all your parts except PSU,mobo, and case.....I think it would be possible if you find a case with good cooling... |
|
|
|
Post by Loker on Mar 30, 2006 13:17:19 GMT -5
these are my favorite MicroATX cases....they have a handle in the front and they are small but offer plenty of room to work and for things to cool.....PSU inside them sucks but thats the case with most bundled PSU's.... www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144111just figured I would add you could keep your current PSU with that case as long as your optical drives are not extremely long! |
|
|
|
Post by AronMsmith1987 on Mar 30, 2006 13:59:20 GMT -5
the aspire was one of my personal favorites also but i doubt i could keep my current psu considiring its a silverstone quadrail that weighs like 8 pounds. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by Kämpfer on Mar 30, 2006 15:20:41 GMT -5
You should look at the Coolermaster Centurion 541 if you are serious... It's not as small, but it's smaller and a good case that doesn't skimp on features. Another good choice albeit more expensive is the Silverstone SG01 All of these would allow you to switch over to Micro ATX and keep the Silverstone PSU... There are also plenty of lateral cases made for media center pcs that would work well and some of them allow ATX motherboards too. |
|
|
|
Post by BARK BARK BARK BARK on Mar 30, 2006 16:12:20 GMT -5
I have the centurion 541, it's a very nice case!
Also, I do not think it's worth it to go Micro ATX with SLI. Just get a small mid tower case instead. My centurion is packed, and all I have is one vid card, and a sound card. The cards themselves won't be what gets you, it's the cables and everything which become an enormous pain. Even my super lan boy case is packed (albeit with alot more hardware) and thats a Mid.
The other option is a shuttle, but it's over $500 and you need 2 SINGLE SLOT cards.
|
|
lol