X-Cube: Intel 965G Express Mboard

[giltee]

Does anyone know if the Intel 965G Express motherboard that comes with the X-Cube has a setting that will allow you to wake up your PC by pressing the spacebar (or some other key)?

I built my previous systems with ASUS and MSI motherboards, which were pretty full-featured, complete with advanced BIOS settings...so far, the BIOS for my X-Cube feels a little barebones.

Just got my system yesterday, btw. System specs:

X-Cube (silver aluminum basic finish)
Intel 965G Express motherboard (no SLI :shock: )
Intel E6600 CPU (2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo)
2 GB Corsair XMS RAM
NVIDIA 8800 GTX
150 GB WD Raptor SATA HDD (10K RPM)
Lightscribe 20x DVD +/- RW
Onboard sound and ethernet
Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit)

Initial impressions
It looks like Maingear did a nice job with the wiring, but things are pretty cramped. I thought I'd be able to add a 2nd internal HDD myself, but it's doubtful. Also, it doesn't even look like I'll be able to add RAM without taking out the video card. Furthermore, with all the fans needed to keeps things cool and with the lightweight aluminum case, there's a tradeoff in that the system runs somewhat loudly.

One of the things I really like is the Maingear-branded wallpapers and images that they preloaded on the machine...pretty cool stuff, and it feels like my machine got a personal touch from them because of this. Overall, the system runs pretty smoothly. It's a little rough getting used to Vista's User Access controls, but the added peace of mind is worth the extra confirmation dialogs for each application installation. I suspect the system has been fine-tuned by Maingear for gaming...we'll see how that pans out as I start installing the latest games on it.

[theDreamer]

:welcome:

Sounds like you are pretty pleased with the system.
First order of business is we need some pictures, I do not believe we have seen pictures of a X-cube in a long time.

I have yet to experience Vista, but it has its ups & downs as I read.
Adding an internal drive, as I have talked to Peter about it probably will not happen. Yet adding an good external drive can be just as cheap almost now a days. I think I found some 500-750gb drives for under 150 on newegg when they were on sale.

[giltee]

Thanks! :dancing:

I'm pretty excited about the system and SFF tech in general. I'll post pics once I get my camera software installed ;).

I bought my wife basically the same system in full ATX form (main difference being that hers came with an ASUS P5N-E SLI mboard). I'm hoping my machine matches hers in performance...and that both of these will last us at least 3-4 years.

I'll post an update when I have pics and more info. Meanwhile, if anyone knows the answer to my question about being able to wake up the system with the spacebar, please post.

[XBarbarian]

welcome to the family, giltee!

[RottynDawg]

Welcome aboard giltee...I'm not sure we can answer any of your questions until you post pics of both systems ;)

All kidding aside, the spacebar question is a good one. I've been living in Vista day at night at work so I'll check it out tomorrow for you to see if Vista itself has the ability to wake it up via a key input but as you noted...that may require some level of BIOS support which Maingear or another X-Cube owner will have to answer. I swear by the sleep feature in Vista so I can see why you're excited...I'll get back to you tomorrow with my findings.

[giltee]

FYI, I saw that [H]ardOCP had just posted an X-cube review, so I placed a link to it and chimed in with my own review in a new thread in this forum here:

http://www.maingearforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=3101#3101

[Ella Lythe]

Welcome to the club giltee. Now membership dues are to be sent to myself Xbar and the Dawg every 7 days or a puppy in china will not be made into food to feed my 12 starving adopted children...oops should have been a PM :twisted:

[XBarbarian]

lol

[RottynDawg]

:haha: