Joined on 08/06/06
Overall, a Great system.
Pros: Very, very small form factor, but still with plenty of room for components. Has everything that you need. ICE cooling system is outstanding and does a very good job of cooling the proc as well as the entire system. The PSU is a beast and can handle almost anything you throw at it.
Cons: Overclocking with this guy is very difficult. I was only able to get a Q6600 up to 2.88GHz from 2.40GHz (normally I can get one up to 3.4GHz easily). If you are using a 45nm processor, be sure to have another LGA775 proc handy because you will need to upgrade the BIOS before the 45nm proc will work.
Overall Review: I am really impressed with the quality from Shuttle. I am running a Q6600, 4GB of GSkill DDRII 800MHz RAM, a 50GB WD Hard drive, and soon to be an 8800GT. And all of this is on a 250W PSU. Also the On-Board graphics is not all that they built it up to be, it has no shader support so most games won't even load. I always like to have boards with the on-board in case something happens to the PCI-Express card.
Amazing Processor From Intel
Pros: Over clock's like no other processor I have ever seen. Got it to run stable at 3.6 GHz on a Asus P5K Deluxe. Currently have it in a Shuttle SG31G2 at stock speeds. The temps are relatively low for the amount of power it has.
Cons: None so far. OEM procs don't come the Core 2 Quad case badge, but thats hardly a con.
Overall Review: Huge increase in performance from a Core 2 Duo. I would recommend this proc to anyone for any application, even those on a budget. I also recommend the Q6600 over the Q9300 because it can be overclocked well over the Q9300 and it's a lot cheaper!
More great Memory from GSkill
Pros: Amazingly fast, very realiable. Scales right up with my Q6600 to 960MHz in a Shuttle SG31G2 with no problems. Ran MemTest86+ with them OC'ed for over 20 passes without any errors.
Cons: None what so ever
Overall Review: I have been using GSkill ever since my friend introduced them to me, and I have never been let down.
Amazing Printer
Pros: Print quality is excellent. Prints incredibly fast, even over the wireless. Also has manual duxplexing. Once you get the networking portion working it is truly amazing.
Cons: Wireless network set is a real pain. It's little on the loud side when printing, but nothing to serious.
Overall Review: If you are going to use the wireless networking you will need a decent understanding of networking. Like others have said, don't follow the setup program. Go to the Brother website and read the online pdf manual. Also if you are going to use the wireless networking and you get it all set up, when you go to add the printer in Windows, you MUST create a network printer port using the IP. Windows will not find it over the wireless.
Excellent Enclosure
Pros: Outer shell is made of metal. Very study and all connectors plug in nice and snug. Blue lights are a nice touch. Works fine with both PATA and SATA drives.
Cons: As others have said, the internal SATA connect is a bit on the weak side, so be careful. Also the hard drive tray is made of plastic, not aluminum like the outside shell.
Overall Review: The lights could annoy some people, but can be easily unplugged inside.
Outstanding
Pros: This card is outstanding. It can play Crysis on very hight at 1280x1024 and every other game that I have on max settings. Card also over clocks to better than the 880gts. I have mine at 700/2000
Cons: As many others have said the cooler is very loud and ineffective. I installed the Zalman Fatal1ty cooler and it dropped the temp 15C to idle at 37C and load at 54C
Overall Review: My setup: Intel e6750 OC to 3.20GHz, Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, 4GB GSkill Memory, XFX 8800GT, HT Striker Omega Sound