Bunch of questions regarding my SFF build

[lespurgeon]

I think you may get better responses in the general SFF area - this area is Shuttle specific.

[Blahman]

hello, I think you've found the wrong sub-forum, this one's for Shuttle brand systems and barebones.
 try here: http://www.sudhian.com/index.php?/forums/viewforum/10/
 and here: http://www.hardforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=102

welcome to the forums!

[Lachesis]

Sorry guys.  I just found these forums and got all excited.  Thanks for not grilling me alive for this!  And thanks again

[Lachesis]

Hello,
I am just about to build my first SFF case and I have some questions.  If you know the answer to any of them, please do feel free to post.  Any information would be super appreciated and helpful! ïÂ�Å 

1. The case I am looking at is the Falcon Northwest FragBox.  It comes with two fans, a 80mm and a 60mm.  I have searched everywhere but I cannot find their CFM nor can I find how deep they are.  I am assuming 25mm, what do you guys think?  I am not too concerned about noise and I am thinking about replacing these with some better fans but it all depends on their actual dimensions and performance.

2. The idea of a 9800x2 graphics card entices me.  I have looked at some of the pictures, and if the card is simply two 8800 GTS (G92) mashed together, such a card should fit right?  Here is a picture for reference: http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/2/7/8/image3.php.jpg

3. As far as motherboard goes, I am currently looking at the ASUS P5E-VM HDMI.  An alternative would be the Gigabyte motherboard with the G33 chipset.  Is there any significant performance difference between the G33 chipset and the G35 chipset when you are using an external graphics card?  Correct me if I am wrong, but overclocking wise, the ASUS motherboard should be at least as good as the Gigabyte.  There is always the option to wait for the micro ATX boards with the GeForce 8200 chipset from nVIDIA, but the performance from hybrid SLI should be minuscule anyway.

4. I have looked around quite a bit for CPU heatsinks that would fit in a FragBox.  The “willitfitâ€Â� excel spreadsheet over at the hardocp forum is one of those sources.  However, my question is, is there any aftermarket CPU cooler that will fit and still allow me to use all four memory slots and if so, which one would be my best option performance wise? I have looked at the SilverStone NT06, but if I use it will a 92x92x25 fan fit on top of it?  It seems to me that all the CPU coolers that would actually fit will still block two memory slots off.  If there are no CPU coolers that will fit, is it possible to put two 4gig sticks of ram in the ASUS P5E-VM HDMI.

5. The processor I am considering is the Q6600 and I have read that there are two steppings of it.  Newegg, however, does not specify the stepping.  Are there any good online retailers that do?

6. feel like such a beginner for asking this, but in terms of memory speed, what should I get?  The specification page for the motherboard states that DDR2 800 is the standard, but I have been told that you can run DDR2 1066 memory on it.  How exactly does this work.  In addition, would there be enough clearance under the HDD rack for OCZ ReaperX HPC.  Here is a picture for reference: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227278

If you anyone has some thoughts on things I might have neglected to consider, please tell me! �

Thanks guys,
mep

[tino]

I moved this thread across as it contained more info. An deleted your other post.

Hope that was ok.

tino

[tino]

I looked into this PC as Ive never heard of it before. This picture Show's a rather tight fit over the first ram slot.

This picture show the depth of the case quite nicely and I think the Graphics card's you show will fit in there. After all you should have the length of your motherboard by the look of that pic.

[hugh]

persoanlly i would look at a 3870X2 over the 9800gx2 thing, the nvidia card is merely 2 8800gt cards mashed together as you say, but every rumour and such to date is putting it at around £500 launch price wheras the 3870X2 is at crazy low proces around the world and is only a tad slower than then gt's in sli (the ati card is £250 and hitting well over 22,000 in 3dm06)

[Lachesis]

I looked into this PC as Ive never heard of it before. This picture Show's a rather tight fit over the first ram slot.

This picture show the depth of the case quite nicely and I think the Graphics card's you show will fit in there. After all you should have the length of your motherboard by the look of that pic.

Thank you for the picture.  I will look into it further when I am done with classes!

[Lachesis]

persoanlly i would look at a 3870X2 over the 9800gx2 thing, the nvidia card is merely 2 8800gt cards mashed together as you say, but every rumour and such to date is putting it at around £500 launch price wheras the 3870X2 is at crazy low proces around the world and is only a tad slower than then gt's in sli (the ati card is £250 and hitting well over 22,000 in 3dm06)

I would not mind using the 3870x2.  As you pointed out, it is probably a better deal too.  The problem is that the 3780x2 board is as long as the 8800 ULTRA and I know that the latter does not fit.