First post, by DCG Retrowave
- Rank
- Newbie
I just found 2 Shuttle XPC computers locally, both for $25 CDN. They're both the same model, the SS51G (not sure if they're the 2002 version or the 2003 Hyper-Threading ones). The seller doesn't know the specs, but they are both complete PC's, not just the case and motherboard. I'm seriously considering purchasing both and installing Windows 98SE on one and Windows XP Professional on the other, but I have a few questions before I bring my computer collection up to a total of 22 🤣
Would a Socket 478 Pentium 4 be a suitable CPU for a Windows 98SE machine? I ran 98SE on one briefly a few years ago, but I didn't use it for more than a few days because I couldn't find drivers for that IBM's on-board graphics and sound (I eventually did find them a year later, but I downloaded the XP versions instead and reinstalled XP on that machine).
Can I use full-size AGP and PCI cards in this model? I plan on adding a Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 for the 98SE one and some version of the Audigy for the XP one (not sure which Audigy I should go for yet) and get myself a GeForce 3/4 series card for 98 and either a 4 or 6 series card for XP (no FX series for me 😁).
Would these mini computers run too hot or could I keep them relatively cool? My 2007 Mac Mini running Windows XP always runs a little hot, but not unusually hot. These Shuttles are larger so I guess it's safe to assume they'd be easier to cool?
How are the PSUs in the Shuttles? Are they pretty reliable? According to Shuttle's website, they're 200W PSUs which is what I have in a few of my older PCs from the early 2000's. However, those computers are using integrated graphics or low-end cards. For these Shuttles, I want to throw in the graphics and sound cards I listed above and the GeForce models would be high-end AGP cards from their respective series. Would I be pushing the limits or would the PSU have more than enough watts to power everything?
I've haven't done any major upgrades to a small PC like this before. I've done several upgrades for my HP Pavilion a1610n (extra HDD, more RAM, added a 9500 GT, and got myself a SB Live!), but that PC has a 300w PSU and has a much larger case. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 😀
Some pics of the units I'm looking to buy.
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/nAQ … leD4Ko/$_59.JPG
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDE2MDA=/z/RKA … teD4Kq/$_59.JPG
Website for the Shuttle XPC with more detailed specs.
http://www.shuttle.eu/_archive/old/es/www.shu … /index-420.html
DCG Retrowave
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xHzJ94Fji7psz45rF_Bhw