Shuttle XPC SB65G2: Big Performance in This Small Package
by Wesley Fink on September 9, 2003 11:32 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Final Words
The evolution of the Small Form Factor systems has been interesting to watch since AnandTech first looked at a Shuttle SFF in late 2001. That early system was a Shuttle Socket 370, and was as different in performance from the XPC SB65G2 as you can imagine. The early reviews talked about how cute, handy and quiet the SFF systems were, and we forgave the less than stellar performance as a necessary compromise for the small size.That’s quite a change to the SB65G2 we are evaluating today. This system is being compared to the very best 865/875 systems recently reviewed, and it is holding its own against them. We even evaluated overclocking a system that’s barely larger than a toaster — a system already running a 3.0 800FSB CPU with 1GB of dual-channel memory and the current power hungry top-of-the line ATI Radeon 9800 PRO. Our toaster-size SFF overclocked just fine. In every test we ran, it was as stable, cool, and quiet as you could want in a computer.
We have now reached the point where we will compare the SFF to any PC we test, which means you will have to forget thinking about the SFF as a cute compromise. As we have clearly shown in the benchmarks, the SB65G2 is a great system compared to any 865/875 system. It is still cute, maybe even elegant, but we can no longer consider it compromised.
The other area where Shuttle has done a stellar job is increasing the performance to completely competitive levels while maintaining, or even improving, the quietness we have come to enjoy with the better SFF systems. Our Noise Level measurements show the Shuttle remains one of the quietest machines available when running on the low setting for the ICE cooling fan. In all our tests and overclocking, the fan never once needed to kick into higher cool, so you can comfortably expect quiet operation from the SB65G2.
This brings us to a new twist on the SFF machines, and that is value. With the barebone SB65G2 selling for less than $300, you will need to compare the cost and convenience of the SFF XPC box to the cost of conventional components when building a system. The price for a balanced Aluminum chassis PC, power supply, top-performing Springdale motherboard, and effective and very quiet heatpipe cooling system seems a very good value. If you would prefer the same system with integrated graphics, the Shuttle XPC SB61G2 is also available at about the same price. It also has the 8X AGP slot, so there is room for that future graphics upgrade.
Consider the Shuttle XPC SB65G2, a full-featured, top-performing Springdale in a very small and quiet system at a very good price. If that appeals to you, then the Shuttle XPC SB65G2 or the SB61G2 will definitely please you.
If you are looking for a capable SFF system, then continue checking our reviews at AnandTech. There are several other interesting SFF system reviews that are in the works.
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Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
Awesome little box. Built an SB61 last year, stuck a Ti4200 in it and it is magic - yet is quiet as a mouse.Whatever version of the SB62 is available at the end of this year will be my next PC purchase.
And you have to wonder what those who report heat problems are DOING with their boxes - I live in an un-airconditioned tropical location that regularly gets above 35C - and my Shuttle just keeps on keeping on.
Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
anyone have one of these aluminum machines from shuttle? I've been trying to find a cd drive that matches the finish before I buy the system.Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
I was curious about USB FDD in order to avoid putting a FDD In one of these and and according to the SB61G2 manual off of Shuttle's web site there is BIOS support for booting to USB FDD and USB CD/DVD.Anonymous User - Friday, September 12, 2003 - link
It's amazing what they can put inside that small box.Anonymous User - Friday, September 12, 2003 - link
Looks excellent for the price !Anonymous User - Thursday, September 11, 2003 - link
Where is the gigabit NiC??? and firewire 800 even!!!Anonymous User - Thursday, September 11, 2003 - link
#20 and #25My apoligies.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
#25The difference between the SB61G1 and the SB62G2 are the following:
SB61G2- silver, firewire, SATAx2 (non RAID), AC '97 Realtek AL650 6 channel Codec, 200w Power Supply, usb, integrated Intel Extreme Graphics -865G chipset, 800mhz, spdif in/out, bugs with ATi Radeon 9500&9700s (until recent revision that fixed the capacitators that were the culprits), extra crackling noises in front Headphone jack due to some sort of interference.
SB62G2- BLACK, MESHED, NO FIREWIRE, SATAx2 RAID (ICH5-R), 220W POWER SUPPLY, DUAL 10/100 LAN, FIXES to ATi Radeon issues and supposedly the sound problems too, USB, Intel Extreme Graphics 865G chipset, 800mhz FSB, SPDIF in/out, same Realtek AL650 6 Channel AC '97 Codec.
yes, the PDF spec sheet is off, it was actually posted the last week of August, while the product page on the Shuttle HQ and US websites have been changed twice since then to reflect the 220W PS and some other typos. So until offical release, its specualation.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
To #23...wow, that's kind of harsh.Actually, the info is from the shuttle site. See http://us.shuttle.com/specs2.asp?pro_id=380 and http://www.shuttle.com/hq/product/barebone/specs_b... Each page also has a PDF with detailed specs as well. No spdif is listed. Unlike these pages, the spec pages for the 61G2 specifically list the spdif. (According to the site, the 52G2 has a spdif.)
Of course, you may have a 61G2 right in front of you with a spdif, in which case the online info is wrong (wouldn't be the first time). It also seems the 62G2 doesn't have a 1394 port.
Still, no reason to abandon courtesy! Perhaps you'll share with us common folk what you see as the difference between the 61G2 and the 62G2?
(Disclaimer: Lest anyone think that what I post is "fact," please note that everything I say is "as far as I know." Believed accurate, but not guaranteed.)
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
Nice big pictures at http://www.shuttle.com/de/druck_sb65.htm. It's in German, only Shuttle site that has info so far.