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

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)

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.