...I'm really thinking small, unobtrusive. Like a Micro ATX or Mini ITX form factor.

2GB ram
at least 256MB video card with DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.
AMD 64 X2 processor
and about a 250-320GB drive.

Opinions? Good cases? Favorite mobos?

This won't be a gaming system...mostly business/CAD/Office stuff, so I don't need the best of the best. But I do need good functionality.

While we're at it...XP Pro or Vista? I prefer XP because I don't need a bloated OS (well, not as bloated as Vista). I will be doing a lot of file transfer via USB and Bluetooth from stuff like my Trimble GPS, Palm, phone, etc. and a decent amount of both 2D CAD and 3D CAD/solid (parametric) modeling.

But I want SMALL and quiet.

I WILL be using a 24" flatscreen.

Gimme your opinions.

7/30/2008 5:41:20 PM

ibtnoen

7/30/2008 5:45:38 PM

Shuttle cases are popular due to small size, microATX

I like a lot of the smaller cases as well such as the Antec 3480, the Mini P180, and the Minuet.

MiniITX won't give you enough power imho, and not enough flexibility.

Motherboards I like - Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI

Graphics cards you really only have one workstation option and that's the Quadro FX570

Also please check this thead (if not move your post):
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[Edited on July 30, 2008 at 5:57 PM. Reason : .]

7/30/2008 5:52:39 PM

keep 'em coming, folks. I value TDub's opinions...on SOME things.

7/30/2008 9:59:55 PM

Dell Studio Hybrid?

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-hybrid?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=designtab

7/30/2008 10:08:41 PM

budget?

7/30/2008 10:39:49 PM

Keeping it under 500 bucks, maybe 600. I don't need mega power, just good basic functionality.

7/30/2008 11:04:59 PM

You could probably get away with an Intel G31/G33/G35 ( http://tinyurl.com/57h6da
) or a newer G45 board and a Core 2 Duo that would serve you better than an X2. That'd be about the right form factor and should give you plenty of power.

Not sure what to tell you for the case -- if you want something that's virtually silent you might not be able to get a really tiny case since you're going to need to be using large heatsinks and 120mm fans.

7/31/2008 12:42:54 AM