LANbox computer

[Kadeshi]

Hi guys, I've been thinking of this idea for a long while and was wondering what the gamer communities opinion would be on it. If i was to make a small desktop LANbox style game computer. Would it be practical in terms of cost and performance. I understand that if the parts fit its ok and all that, but is it worth it vs. a bigger tower computer if space and weight are an issue. Also what components would you build it with.

[gemini]

A Micro ATX motherboard would fit this kind of thing fine. A smaller desktop computer can have just as much power nowadays than a huge monster five times the size and price.

I personally have toyed with the idea of having another computer, just for lans.

Having a monster of a liquid cooled, quad core overclocked, SLi, really nice case (Coolermaster Cosmos Sport) and just leave it at home.

Then having another machine with dual core (quad not necessary for only one screen), one graphics card, monster air cooler + loads of fans and a craptonne of hard drive space (4TB +) and an entirely disposable case.

It of course has its advantages. Packing down my PC for lans is something I despise doing as is setting it up again after.

But there are also a lot of downsides. The initial cost being just one consideration. Also you would need to set up this PC at home before going to lans to get the OS and all your games installed and up to date before a LAN.So you havnt really moved forward.

It is something I have put a lot of thought into. And I even specced it up not that long ago. But If I was to do it then I wouldnt just go for the tower. I'd go for the monitor, keyboard, mouse and headphones too. (I really hate moving my monitors)

My spec for a smaller gaming PC would be.

Motherboard : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-101-GI
Processor : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-272-IN
RAM : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-072-OC
Graphics : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-118-OK
Hard Drives (x3) : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HD-212-SE
DVD : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CD-122-SA
Heatsink : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HS-005-XG
Case : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-049-CT
PSU : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-031-OC

I despise setting up / taking down my computer that much that I would also go and buy this lot to avoid altering my setup at home.

Monitor : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MO-001-AO
Mouse : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=KB-069-LG
Keyboard : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=KB-117-LG

For my personally though, after pricing that up I realise im not that far away from a gaming laptop which would fit the bill far better than a second desktop. It's something I plan on buying sooner rather than later.

Back to the original point though. There is no reason at all why that spec I have listed wouldnt do. It has more performance in there than most people will need (even for modern gaming) that will destroy any game you throw at it. There is even cash to be saved in there if 3x1Tb hard drives is just too much for you. You could also save about £50 on the graphics by going for a 240 or 250. That is just personally what I would go for. (Note though that I would not spend less than £100 on my graphics card)

[Kadeshi]

Thanks for that quick reply, thats been a big help.

[MadmaN]

im going for the shuttle sx58h7 i7 lanbox system ... its just a barebones case with mobo and psu but it take just about anything!

i cant wait to see how my build will turn out

[Kadeshi]

wow, that does look very nice indeed.

[Castiana]

I'm actually going to be building a dedicated LANbox myself this year. This thing isent going to be cheap, i've spec'd it out as best as i can. I dont want to spend to much on it, but I dont want to have to upgrade it in 1/2 years time. So far, its about a grand. And this is whats in it:

Case: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-154-LL
PSU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-017-ZA
Motherboard: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-323-AS
CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-280-IN (It changes depending what OCUK have in stock)
RAM: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-151-OC x 2
GFX: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-078-BG
HDD: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=HD-066-SA x 1
Optical: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CD-038-OT

[gemini]

That's a monster PC spec Sion. That should easily last several years with no upgrading.

I am still unconvinced by the Shuttle box. It says it can take a GTX 290, and the reports on tomshardware tend to agree that it can comfortably take a GTX 260. However I still dont believe it. The box of my 260's say a minnimum of 600W (roughly).

[MadmaN]

There is a guy on another forum i could link you to... he has his shuttle box up and running with a i7 920 and a GTX 295 and says its running like a dream... he has screenshoted his temps and posted them on the forum.

and other people on the forum with the same box and with same sort of specs.

the 295 is on shuttles own support list!!!


Trust me m8 i have searched hours and hours into this and found all the info i needed.

I am going for the cpu you mentioned as its cheap and powerfull .. the i7 920 @ 2.66Ghz.

[Kadeshi]

post the link, i'd like a look at that.

[$ku1!]

my pic of temps when i did a small 5% oc, quite scary...

[BLACKALiCE]

Originally Posted by $ku1!

my pic of temps when i did a small 5% oc, quite scary...

Conversely.

[MadmaN]

The i7 920 is hitting 4Ghz overclocked speeds ... infact OCUK is selling a bundle and for £15 they sell it to you overclocked @ 4Ghz

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=BU-003-OB


here is the link to the guy on the forum with the SX58H7 and the 295 and temps

http://www.sudhian.com/index.php?/fo...thread/106294/

[Bloodnok]

who needs a shuttle pc, build your LAN pc inside a suit case

[PseudoPhreak]

he sucks, hes a lefty.

[Kadeshi]

Wow! what a great idea! Now thats a laptop!

[Bloodnok]

Originally Posted by Castiana

Motherboard: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MB-323-AS
CPU: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CP-280-IN (It changes depending what OCUK have in stock)
RAM: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MY-151-OC x 2

After the LAN, I found that my case is just taking the piss in size and weight (no room for booze in car *faceplam*).

So looking around the net has pointed back to this thread (which I was taking the mickey at) and seeing that Castiana's setup might work for me (got an white antec p180 mini doing nothing and suits the bill)

Just need a heck load of cash (gfx, psu, hdd, optic drive, not required yet) and my current pc will just be a server, what a way to go...

[MadmaN]

update on the status of my shuttle .... 2 lans down and its going strong! even with the GTX295 jam packed inside the case lol ... it's handled ANY game i have gave it ... 1.5k well spent

so I would 100% recommend it if anyones intrested in building a small but powerfull lan box.

[Bloodnok]

Just a wee update, cpu, mobo and ram have been ordered