The cooling (based on the articles mentioned) does not seem to be an issue, but if you plan on putting the highest end video cards (such as the Radeon 9800XT, Nvidia 5950XT, or above), then you might run into heat problems. But all the reviews used such as Athlon 64's, Athlon 3200XP's, Pentium 4's (high end), and usually a high-end graphics card and did very well. Part of the reason is that the cases are all made of Aluminum, which makes them dissipate heat much faster. Also, the I.C.E. cooling system in the Shuttle machines appears to work very well (from everything read). I would suggest that the only thing to worry about is whether you want more than one (maybe 2) optical drives, and if you want more than one PCI slot.. Most of the good ones seem to come with one AGP slot, and 1 or 2 PCI slots. So, if don't plan on adding stuff to it later, then it should be a decent pick. Of course, you very well may end up paying slightly higher for the same system in a SFF machine as apposed to a standard Desktop. If you want to try to configure any system - Desktop or SFF (small form factor), try looking at
(multiwavedirect) - if their web page does not load {happened to me once before}, just search google for multiwave direct, and it will be the first site listed. Anyway, they have excellent customer service, and the way you can "build your own" machine on their site is very much like that of
.
If I were to get one, I would just make sure to pick one with high reviews accross the web. You could try a google search something like this:
Search for [the model number or name of computer]
Then click "Search Within results" at the bottom of page, and enter "Review" in the insuing search box. You can also search google for Small Form Factor or SFF, as that is the term used for this super-mini machines.
The best part about these is that they are extremely light, small so out of the way, and easily transportable, yet it's a desktop, and not a laptop.
I doubt seriously that any average person would put the machine through any more stress than the people who write the reviews at places like Tom's Hardware, as they intend to tell people how good/bad a product is. Also, if you look around at Tom's Hardware, you'll find they don't just review everybody as being good. If a product is horrible, they'll tell you, and if they say it's good, I'm sure it's good..
Stephen
![[infinity]](/data/assets/smilies/infinity.gif "[infinity] [infinity]")
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV
