Shuttle SB81P: Oh How I Adore Thee...

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://us.shuttle.com/SB81P.asp' target='_blank'>http://us.shuttle.com/SB81P.asp</a><br /><br /></div>Digital Media Thoughts readers know that I'm a SFF (small form factor) computer kind of guy, so I'm always excited to see what Shuttle is up to - they're constantly cranking out new machines, and their latest looks like a stunning blow to the world of big-rig computers. It looks fantastic, has amazing power packed under the hood, and incorporates the latest technologies.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/SB81P.jpg" /><br /><br /><i>"Based on the Intel 915G and ICH6-R chipset, the SB81P delivers cutting-edge features and wicked-fast performance. Supporting new to market socket 775 Prescott processors, the 915G chipset will support a fast 800MHz FSB. In addition, this machine is equipped with a dual-channel DDR 400 memory controller and room for two RAM modules. Furthermore, integrated PCI Express x16 interface delivers twice the bandwidth of 8X AGP."</i><br /><br />After reading a review of this unit <a href="http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?head=58&page=1225">over at Trusted Reviews</a> (rapidly becoming my favourite review site), I think this is the computer I've been waiting for. I need a new video card to go with my Dell monitors and drive them in dual DVI mode, and it doesn't make sense to get a new X800-based video card and not go PCI-Express. It has RAID support, so I can finally use my twin 160 GB hard drives in the way I want to. I was a little disappointed to see that it's not using an external power supply like the ST62K, because I was looking forward to having a near-silent computer, but they seem to have improved upon the noise level, so that's a good thing.<br /><br />Oh Shuttle, how I adore thee. :D

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Eeeks, socket 775! Not impressed with it at all.

BTW Jason, have you seen the MSI Mega series of SFF PCs?

[Jason Dunn]

Eeeks, socket 775! Not impressed with it at all.

&lt;shrug> This board has a host of brand-new technologies, so it's not surprising that it also requires a new type of CPU socket. It comes with the territory.

BTW Jason, have you seen the MSI Mega series of SFF PCs?

Yes, a bit, but I haven't looked that closely at them. Are they nice?

[JTWise]

This is a major sweet machine. Might consider this as I have been looking at buying a shuttle. However, it might be a little too high-end for my HTPC use. It will be interesting to see the pricing on it.

Wonder how quiet this unit will be? I am seriously looking at the ST62K since I want a quiet unit for my living room.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Yea, I do think the MSI Megas are nice, go check out the review here:

http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?cid=26&id=1021

[Jason Dunn]

Yea, I do think the MSI Megas are nice...

That MSI SFF looks nice, but I'm looking for a workstation replacement, not a home entertainment PC. That would work well in a living room, but not so much as a workstation - I personally would find that front panel a bit distracting. But it would work very well next to a TV. :-)

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

The Mega should be able to sorta replace a workstation.. though I wouldn't do that with any SFF PC!

[groan]

anyone know anyone in canada that sells these?

[Jason Dunn]

anyone know anyone in canada that sells these?

I usually buy my Shuttle's from www.memoryexpress.com - but places like Tiger Direct (www.tigerdirect.ca) also sell them, though usually not the newest models.. To get a brand new model like this, you'll need to special order it though - and I don't think they're actually shipping yet. You can probably order one mid August...

[groan]

Thanks!
i assume they add components as well if we want them?
i am looking for a possible xmas gift for my wife...she has a massive and loud roll-down of mine and i think she would appreciate a nice looking quite unit.
these are definately that...
all she does is web surf and email on the most part.

[Jason Dunn]

Thanks! i assume they add components as well if we want them?

Sure, Memory Express will do that for you. You might want to see if Shuttle will ship to Canada, because they're selling finished XPCs now:

http://sys.us.shuttle.com/


EDIT: It looks like this is where you can configure the ST62K:

http://sys.us.shuttle.com/BuildXPC.aspx?id=1075