AOpen ePC EPC945-m8 - no CPU

Advantages: Cheap and lots of features
Disadvantages: average overclocking ability

...The AOpen AK77-600 Max has a unique feature of having double bios chips, specially these days when virus attacks are common these days. With having twin bios, the second bios can store a good bios version that can be used when the first bios other one fails. It is also bundled with a Norton virus 2003, s very helpful software which can protect you from e-mail worms and viruses. This board has via kt600 chipset instead of an nforce 2. The motherboard has a little heat sink at the middle which helps to avoid overheating. All the headers of this motherboard are place on the near bottom of the motherboard. The USB 2.0 header s located at the second third PCI slots. A total of 6 USB ports are located at the back panel of this board. There is also a printer port and 2 ps/2 ports. Four mounting holes are located in CPU sockets, which free... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Extremely quiet
Disadvantages: Small space to work with

...This is an excellent little barebones system. As seen in the picture it looks smart and can accomodate a CD/DVD drive as well as a floppy drive! Its a little cramped to work with inside but a lot of the parts can be removed for easy access. The built in CPU cooling system works excellently and the quality is as good if not better as the similar spec shuttles! The buttons feel solid, The plastics are firm and feel very high quality! Its also a very reliable system which runs well with Windows XP and Linux. The in Built PSU is very quiet also but its power rating is quite low for those who are wishing to try and cram a big thirsty graphics card in there. A very good Little Barebones system!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Tailor Made Spec, Robust Quality build. Nice looking, Good Value, Easy to upgrade
Disadvantages: Needs a high level of technical competance. One or two parts can be difficult to obtain.

...will find is that the centrino CPU can be a bit tricky to find. The other problem is that, if like me, you choose a non-standard DVD-writer in place of the AOPEN reccomended model, then you will have to make up a small retaining bracket which isn't supplied with the case. Reasonably easy to do... but you do need some technical skills. Assembly took about 2 hours once I had realised the need to make a retaining clip for the DVD drive. There are no instructions supplied. But if you use common sense it is pretty obvious how it all comes apart and goes back. Just DONT force anything. If you have to strain it then you are trying the wrong way... ! You can also find hints on the web by via a google search (sorry but I cant recall the URLS) As far as performance and quality in use is concerned, the end result is excellent and I am well pleased... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful