btw.... my modular PSU finally arrived!!!! 

After reading this thread since V2, I think I want to build a SFF rig but with <RM1k budget, will only convert my current rig.

My planning:

Processor : E8400 (current)
HSF : Arctic Cooler Alpine 7 (current, probably change)
Mobo : ? (no idea) RM500
RAM : 2 X 2Gb DDR800 (current)
Harddsik : 500Gb (current)
GC : HD2600XT (Plan to change)
PSU : CM Extreme Power 500W (current)
Casing : XqBox (or any sff casing below RM300)

So only need to buy casing and mobo and probably change GC.

This rig most probably for
-24/7 use (bittorrent)
-some video encoding (mp4, divx etc)
-desktop publishing (photoshop and illustrator) and
-some 3d rendering, some games but no OC.

My main concern is power consumption and also the heat. My HD2600XT with its stock fan generate too much heat. For idle, the temp already 60 and can reach 8+ when fully loaded. Last time I try to play DMC but my pc restart because of over heating. But after I changed to 3rd party cooler, the temp become normal with 50 idle and 6+ when loaded.  So, which current GC will most suitable for sff? Is there any gc that don't need any fan so the rig will quieter?

E8400+GA EP45-DS3 for me is the best combo. With its Energy Saver technology, Gigabyte really reduce my bill if compare with my previous mobo. So, any gigabyte mobo recommended for me?

dun u need microATX for sff??

look for dfi lanparty, sure fix ur bajet

A nice SFF Casing. Even 9800GT can fit lah... Bes wooo..

That picture not within casing. I want to see the HSF in action. But the HSF is expensive, so nvm.

Just dug out my store to search my old HSF. Luckily, one of my HSF have good pin, can be reuse with my e8400 stock HSF.

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Added on April 12, 2009, 12:14 amI just realize that both G31M-S2L abd P5KPL-AM doesn't have 1394 support. This funtion also important to me becoz I sometime need to convert video from video camera. So need to find other solution. May be need to forget about discreet GC and use built in graphic video. No more games...

wow....zalman full copper fan....delicious~
ehh...got cut by the cd rom rack of Xqbox while trying to route the cables....
i was quite picky to show any cables so i tried hard 2 hide any possible cables in view....in the end c blood lor
and the power button cables r abit too short to reach to mobo...so take note(or izzit mine defect saja)?
get cm led fans lar....quiet and move OK cfm...according to sum review i read last time...

I use Cooler Master Premium Thermal Paste ptk-002. At first, I only apply small amount but when I saw  the temp is high, I add more (all inside the tube).

@madman

congrats on ur marriage bro....hope u love ur wife more than ur sff....jkjk
but dun forget to luv ur sff after marriage as well

I noticed that your heat sink is taller than mine. Do you think this will make any difference? My final solution is only to buy good hsf before buying new gc. If not, the temp surely can reach 6+c.

I realized that the stock HSF have small round contact surface with the processor. But most stock hsf don't have my problem so I think, it must be possible the low RPM. At 70-80c, the speed still running at only at below 1000 rpm. I don't what is the maximum speed for stock fan but I will try searching in bios to increase the speed. If all fails, my final solution is to get thermaltake blue orb.