Shuttle XPC SB65G2: Big Performance in This Small Package
by Wesley Fink on September 9, 2003 11:32 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Shuttle SB65G2: FB65 Motherboard
| Motherboard Specifications | |
| CPU Interface | Socket-478 |
| Chipset | Intel 82865PE MCH (North Bridge) Intel ICH5 (South Bridge) |
| Bus Speeds | 100 to 355 MHz (in 1MHz increments) |
| AGP/PCI Speeds | Auto and Fixed 66/33, 77/36, 80/40 |
| Core Voltages Supported | 1.10V to 1.85V (in 0.0125V increments) |
| AGP Voltages Supported | Auto, 1.55, 1.60, 1.65 |
| DRAM Voltages Supported | Auto, 2.65, 2.70, 2.75 |
| Memory Slots | 2 x 184-pin Dual-Channel DDR DIMM Slots |
| Expansion Slots | 1 AGP 8X Slot 1 PCI Slot |
| Onboard RAID | None |
| Onboard USB 2.0/IEEE-1394 | Eight USB 2.0 supported through South Bridge VIA VT6307 FireWire Controller |
| Onboard LAN | Realtek 8100B 10/100 |
| Onboard Audio | CMedia 9397A 5.1 Digital Audio With SPDIF Optical In & Out |
| Onboard Serial ATA | Two Standard SATA connectors via Intel ICH5 Southbridge |
As in any computer system, the motherboard controls the features and options available on the system. Comparing the SFF Shuttle FB65 motherboard to any recently reviewed Springdale, you will see that the SB65G2 provides all the contemporary features you will find on a full-size board. The only exception here is that Shuttle did not enable any of the undocumented PAT features that we have seen used on some full-size boards. Perhaps that is part of the reason why the Shuttle is such an incredibly stable system. As you will also see in our Performance tests, the missing PAT schemes also do not affect performance nearly as much as you might think.
The only concession we see to the small motherboard size is the 2-dimm limit, but the 2-dimm slots are dual-channel to make the most of the 865PE chipset. While memory is limited to a maximum of 2GB, it is doubtful you would want to use more memory in this small, quiet system.
Here is another inside view of the SB65G2.
You can clearly see the dimm slots on the left and the 4 coils used in the 3-phase power design. Certainly, Shuttle has not skimped in any way on the power regulation on the FB65 motherboard. This is part of the reason why the SB65G2 seemed to handle anything we installed in the system despite the tiny 200-watt power supply.
The biggest surprises on the motherboard were the overclocking options. The vCore, vDimm, and vAGP ranges are what you expect on a good full-size motherboard, and not on a SFF board.
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Kai920 - Friday, January 2, 2004 - link
#42 - Yesether108 - Monday, December 22, 2003 - link
can anyone tell me if i can cram a ati 9800 all in wonder into this box?Anonymous User - Monday, October 20, 2003 - link
Just got confirmation from Shuttle tech support that the SB65G2 does not support SATA RAID 0. Shuttle tech support tells me it uses ICH5 while the dealer here in the UK says it used ICH5R but they both agree RAID is not supported. Quite disappointed since I was hoping to get wireless and RAID all on one motherboard. The SB65G2 is availabe in the UK at www.gemma.co.uk from Oct 24th.Any experience on exactly *how* quiet these little boxes are? Quiet enough for a living room?
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - link
So I assume that one would be the "OEM" CPU instead of the retail CPU for a Shuttle box, right?Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - link
Um, never mind. Should've checked the web site first.Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 1, 2003 - link
Don't tease us! What are the specs??Anonymous User - Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - link
Wait for the SB75G2. Thats the shuttle you really want :)Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - link
I've been to the US Shuttle and international sites today (9/24) and there is NOTHING on the SB65G2, or any SB65X2 or SB61X2. The SB61G2 is the box I can find in the Pacific Northwest, along with some of the earlier Athlon and P478 versions. IS THIS THING REALLY FOR SALE?Arlo - Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - link
So when is this suppose to be release?jbratton - Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - link
My advice a a Shuttle Customer... DO NOT RISK IT !There are lots of other vendors with integrity out there. The jokers I've delt with at Shuttle in the US void any warranty they claim ! Im my experience with them I can count on an unneeded flashing bios.. If thats the problem.. than your ok.. ortherwize.. you're on your own.. after a couple of attempts..forget it.. your warrantys expired !! - A Joke they play on us !