Mini | XPC | Pcs Questions NOOB :)

[willy_manilly]

Hey, just a few questions about XPC's and MINI PCS's

1. What Mobos do they take? I have heard something about matx?
2. What cpus do they take, do they just hold the normal ones e4400?
3. Where can i get the parts for them ?
4. Do they take special Gfx Cards?

Thanks

[Krinos]

Originally Posted by willy_manilly

Hey, just a few questions about XPC's and MINI PCS's

1. What Mobos do they take? I have heard something about matx?
2. What cpus do they take, do they just hold the normal ones e4400?
3. Where can i get the parts for them ?
4. Do they take special Gfx Cards?

Thanks

XPCs take shuttle SFF sized motherboards - at the moment they only come with the XPCs themselves but I hear shuttle has plans to start selling the motherboards separately. They take normal CPUs, RAM and drives, and all but the longest SINGLE SLOT video cards.

Some of the other, slightly larger mini PC cases take regular mATX boards (and thus most normal-sized parts) but the thinner/flatter mini PC cases may only take low profile (i.e. half-height) expansion and video cards.

[willy_manilly]

Originally Posted by Krinos

XPCs take shuttle SFF sized motherboards - at the moment they only come with the XPCs themselves but I hear shuttle has plans to start selling the motherboards separately. They take normal CPUs, RAM and drives, and all but the longest SINGLE SLOT video cards.

Some of the other, slightly larger mini PC cases take regular mATX boards (and thus most normal-sized parts) but the thinner/flatter mini PC cases may only take low profile (i.e. half-height) expansion and video cards.

Thanks for that info it answered my questions. I Think im going to go for a mac mini now instead of the xpc system because of the size.

[SSJX]

Originally Posted by Krinos

They take normal CPUs, RAM and drives, and all but the longest SINGLE SLOT video cards.

Actually no, depending on the XPC, eg. Prima series/P2 chassis, they can take dual slot graphics solutions. People have even fit 8800 GTX's in them.

Originally Posted by willy_manilly

Hey, just a few questions about XPC's and MINI PCS's

1. What Mobos do they take? I have heard something about matx?
2. What cpus do they take, do they just hold the normal ones e4400?
3. Where can i get the parts for them ?
4. Do they take special Gfx Cards?

Thanks

Answers in relation to Shuttle XPC's:
1. Shuttle mobo's are 'built-in' so to say. They would be classified under matx but they're dimensions do not conform to the standard matx specifications.
2. The CPU is dependent on the shuttle's mobo (and model number). AMD models can hold AMD CPU's and Intel models hold Intel CPU's. Be sure to check what socket they are both purchasing any CPU,
eg. AMD - socket 939, AM2
Intel - socket 478, 775
3. Parts can be bought from any computer retailer/e-tailer. Just ensure you buy compatible parts - see shuttle's website
4. Special graphics cards? if you mean high end, then yes, the 'Performance XPC's' will. As for Physics cards, any shuttle with a PCI slot will do (but the graphics card will have to be single slot then).


Answers in relation to mATX:
1. mATX stands for micro ATX and has set dimensions so that these mobos will fit in "mATX compatible" cases. mATX is generally larger than XPC mobos.
2. mATX mobos take CPU's that are compatible with them. Check the mobo's specifications/do your research before you buy.
3. Parts can be bought from any computer retailer/e-tailer. Again, check you buy the right compatible components, eg. DDR2 667mhz ram for a DDR2 533/667/800mhz compatible ram slots, NOT DDR2 1066mhz.
4. High end graphics cards - generally yes, as they leave enough space for dual slot solutions, however be sure to check that your case has the correlating slots. Also, check that it has a PCI-e 16x slot.

[willy_manilly]

Thanks for that information