PC upgrade time - number cruncher

[Jonny69]

Okay, doing some encoding on my olde laptoppe and it's taking an age. Swapped to ye greate Shuttle and it's no better because it's just as old :D

So it's time to get with the times and upgrade. Basically I need processing power and storage space. Graphics is not a concern, neither is huge amounts of RAM, just need number crunching power for ripping discs to the iPod etc.

Been out of the computer market for a while so I'm out of touch. I think a terrabyte of space should cover us for now, would prefer a desktop system but as small as possible. Don't need a screen, just a nice quality simple case, onboard graphics is fine, already got Windows XP, got disk drives. Used to be able to build a respectable box for under £200, what would I be able to do now?

Want to stay with Windows so PC suggestions only please :)

[divine]

Hmmm...

You could probably get a S775 shuttle PC, whack a Q6600 in it with 2GB RAM and away you go. Assuming the apps you use are quad enabled anyway. Onboard graphics I suppose will depend on the Shuttle, I have no idea what's available in that regard tbh.

Edit

Asus Pundit P3-P5G33 Barebones System - Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad (LGA775) (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-046-AS&groupid=701&catid=110&subcat=&name=Asus%20Pundit%20P3-P5G33%20Barebones%20System%20-%20Intel%20Core%202%20Duo/Quad%20(LGA775))

Takes the latest 1333 FSB Core 2 chips, has integrated Intel 3100 graphics and Realtek sound. Probably best off looking through barebones cases yourself though to find one you like the look of too, at a place you'd be happy buying, I only use OcUK to find stuff, I wouldn't shop there any more.

[Pumpkinstew]

If you don't mind a bit of overclocking I'd get a Core2Duo/Quad and some DDR2 RAM and that should allow for 3GHz clockspeed.
Big cache on the chip is good for ripping and encoding.