Looking to build Mini-PC w/ intel Pentium D 805 OC'ed...

[mr_dc]

Hi everyone, I am looking to build a mini-pc system (e.g. Shuttle) using the much hyped and very overclockable Pentium D 805 as the processor. Condering the following contraints, I would like to get advice from all you pros on the best configuration:

* MUST use the Intel Pentium D 805
* MUST use air-cooling, no water cooling, etc.
* MUST be desktop-type case
* Would like to keep component price low, no reused parts available
* Need a stable system

What main components (i.e. barebone, memory) should I use? I see Shuttle, AOpen, etc. has several LPGA 775 based systems but will they allow for overclocking the 805? Hoping to get like 3.4-3.6 GHz on this system while keeping it stable - has anyone out there done this yet?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[gambit6259]

just my 2 cents but I don't think a Mini PC will make a good platform for overclocking that processor. I would think you might run into cooling issues.

 

[PCcashCow]

I want to warn you that Mini-PC's and XPC's are not designed for OC'ing. Meaning that the unusual size and configuration does not allow for oversized heatsinks and fans to make up for the extra heat.

In addtion some models have power restraints, meaning you may only be able to pull 300watts as in the Antec XPC cases.

* MUST use the Intel Pentium D 805
* MUST use air-cooling, no water cooling, etc.
* MUST be a mini-pc based chassis
* Would like to keep component price low, no reused parts available
* Need a stable system

Your parameters don't fit the cut of something that is going to OC'ed inside and XPC.

You would do better to stay away from Barebones set pieces and start with on oem XPC case and work from there. The ARIA MicroATX Cube is nice, but you'll want to change out the PSU if you want to get the max power. Do some google'ing some more before you start getting hung up on microATX from factors. Otherwise go for some like the Shuttle SD36G5, it's pre-packaged for the D.

 

[mr_dc]

Thanks for the feedback thus far... so let me broaden my request: How about a good configuration for air-cooled OC'ed PC that with a case that will allow me to place on my desk with monitor on top of it that is reasonably quiet?

 

[waylander]

I don't think it will happen. The fact that you want to OC is going to limit the case size to something that you can fit a decent sized air cooler into. You state no w/c but you'd have a better chance of using a small case if you water cool because you don't have to be so worried about air flow. I personally think you can't do it.

You have a few choices...

1. Get your set up but don't OC
2. If you still want to OC get a bigger case or some HTPC cases will accept the zalman 9500 cpu cooler.
3. Get the micro case and OC with a micro water cooling unit that fits in a 5-1/4" drive.

 

[PCcashCow]

The XPC setup would be awsome for you if you didn't OC. But if you'r like everyone else here, it's in your blood to do it. Try starting with someting nice looking like the Thermaltake RH-D050-2SN, but make sure when you configure a PSU that it fits & does not obstruct the Cooler of the CPU. Or the Antec NSK2400, they both mesure about 6.6inchesX17.inches.

I did a build antec's aria a year ago for an Photoshop PC. It sits right on my desk nicely and take up no more room than a gallon of milk on a table would, but I didn't OC, and my Zalman fan just cleared the PSU. Start with your case, then find a microATX board you like, then come back with some specs, we see you through from there.

 

[badge]

Hi everyone, I am looking to build a mini-pc system (e.g. Shuttle) using the much hyped and very overclockable Pentium D 805 as the processor. Condering the following contraints, I would like to get advice from all you pros on the best configuration:

* MUST use the Intel Pentium D 805
* MUST use air-cooling, no water cooling, etc.
* MUST be a mini-pc based chassis
* Would like to keep component price low, no reused parts available
* Need a stable system

What main components (i.e. barebone, memory) should I use? I see Shuttle, AOpen, etc. has several LPGA 775 based systems but will they allow for overclocking the 805? Hoping to get like 3.4-3.6 GHz on this system while keeping it stable - has anyone out there done this yet?

Thanks for any advice!

There is no micro board availabl with an Intel 975 or even a 955 chipset like the Tom's article used for testing. Many micro boards have built in graphics chips which, in my opinion, limit O'cing ability. Micro cases are not big enough for large heatsink/fans. Go with a full atx board and case.

Pentium D 805 Smithfield (3.25mgz. x 2, 1.35v, idl 42c)
Asus P5LD2-VM (945g chip)
OCZ PC5400 667 mgz + 512 x 4
EVGA 7800 GT
Infinity 500 psu
Aspire X-QPack micro case (ordered a new atx mid case last night)

I will likely buy a new Asus Intel 975 MB and swap all this out of the micro case. I doubt you can clock higher than 3.3 or so with any micro board on the market. Maybe you can if you really know your stuff. I have yet to loosen my timings from 4-4-4-8 at a good 700 mgz. I may get to 3.3 mgz. if I do.

I may go up in flames too.

 

[jimytheassassin]

why not just turn your computer INTO a desk. StarWars Computer Desk Then you'll have plenty of room

 

[mr_dc]

Ok, so I am convinced overclocking may not be suitable with an XPC or similar product and that my goals may conflict.

Taking the recommended approach, how about building the system around something like this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129162

and this cooler (per Tom's HW):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118003

Hard to see if the fan will fit and all that... anyone done this?

 

[badge]

Fan no go. There is no suitable high performance fan and heatsink on the market that will fit in that case. Coolermaster makes some coppercore low profine heatsink/fans that may lower your temps 1 to 2c. Don't mean to make you feel bad.

 

[badge]

I was born for it! LOL! To be all I can be you mean.

 

[badge]

Have you looked suitable psu's for for a micro case? I managed to squeeze in a full size Infinity 500 sli in mine. And don't count on fitting anything other than a cheap DVD-RW in there either. No space! Not for the long DVD-RW. Micro power supplies are generally in the 180w genre. There are some available in the 250 to 300 watt capacity and very few rated above that.

On the other hand, I kind of like my micro. It's well...little and my son's friends want to buy it. I'll have to get a little bitty for sale sign for it and I'm all set!

 

[mr_dc]

Ok, what about basing the system off of something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112082

Should fit my Zalman 9500... how about the rest of the components, any recommendations?

 

[badge]

Ok, what about basing the system off of something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112082

Should fit my Zalman 9500... how about the rest of the components, any recommendations?

I'm not familiar with that case. I see it holds an ATX MB. Have you found a micro board with an Intel 975 or 955 chipset? I'd like to have one.

 

[badge]

Ok, what about basing the system off of something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112082

Should fit my Zalman 9500... how about the rest of the components, any recommendations?

As far as other components, I have OCZ PC5400 667 mhz. 512 x 4 running at well over 700 mhz with a Pentium D 805 processor. And I'm not through with it yet. I would think the company's 800 mhz. product would be clock much better. Nice.

 

[JLHedges]

I've got a Shuttle XPC (SFF) with a socket 478 mobo, 2.8GHz P4, and I run it OC'd to 3.4GHz on the cooling that came with the system. It's pretty loud at startup and when its under load, but temps are acceptable. As long as you're not going past 3.6GHz, I think you would do fine with an 805D

My 2 cents,

 

[badge]

I've got a Shuttle XPC (SFF) with a socket 478 mobo, 2.8GHz P4, and I run it OC'd to 3.4GHz on the cooling that came with the system. It's pretty loud at startup and when its under load, but temps are acceptable. As long as you're not going past 3.6GHz, I think you would do fine with an 805D

My 2 cents,

It's quite a trick to go beyond 3.3 on a Pentium D 805 Smithfield unless you have an Intel 975 or 955 chipset, 800 mhz RAM and a cooling plan. Let me retract that. It's a major feat on an Intel 945g chipset under any circumstances to achieve better than 3.3. Don't know about the Nforce 4 chipset. Every system has it's limits.

The system tested on Tom's had a $250 975 chipset MB and $200 worth of 800 mhz. RAM and a Zalman $80 heatsink/fan for starters. And a room full of engineers (Ha, Maybe not!). You would need close to this to achieve speeds higher than 3.3 with that processor on a so-so system. I'm not saying there are guys out there who couldn't possibly get a little more out of a lesser setup, but you'd be hard pressed to do it without the best products on the market.

 

[mr_dc]

So maybe the solution is to just get an XPC system with maybe the 945G chipset since I don't see any mini's out there with the 955/975 yet and take it to 3.2-3.3GHz for stability/noise/heat/etc.

Any thoughts on this approach? Still getting an inexpensive performer in my opinion (not for gaming BTW, mostly internet and some light video editting).

Thanks for all the help so far...

 

[badge]

So maybe the solution is to just get an XPC system with maybe the 945G chipset since I don't see any mini's out there with the 955/975 yet and take it to 3.2-3.3GHz for stability/noise/heat/etc.

Any thoughts on this approach? Still getting an inexpensive performer in my opinion (not for gaming BTW, mostly internet and some light video editting).

Thanks for all the help so far...

I have Pinnacle Studio 9 installed on my main rig for eight, nine months now. In the past I did some fairly heavy video editing. That's with my AMD 4800 X2. This Pentium D 805 Smith I just built and have running at 3.25 is in the same neighborhood as far as speed and dual core ability to work within the software. You will ike this processor. Especially if you haven't experienced dual core. It's nice and the price is certainly great.

I was a little dissappointed I could only get to 3.0 with the new 805 D Smith. Did some research and set the boards PCI settings a little higher in the BIOS and managed to get where I am at 3.25 stable. That's with not much of a bump in the Vcore (1.35v). My OCZ 667 mhz RAM is performing great, had it over 700 mhz bumped it to 1.8 and left it at that for now. Be sure and get the 800 mhz. stuff. Just give 'em the money, it only hurts for a while. I still want to loosen the timings from 4-4-4-8 to 5-5-5-14 or so and see what I get. This 945g chipset just will not run any faster for now. Only using it for YouTube and a lot of Porn, but what the hell I can be fast doin' it. LOL!

The processor is an impressive performer like you mentioned. How can people resist at the low price? Anybody know how to download youtube, decipher the youtube format and be able to burn DVD's of the music on there. I tried, got the youtube file onto my HD, but couldn't find a program to turn youtube files into a file I can do something with.