X-bit labs

Shuttle SB81P Small Form-Factor System Review

Category: Mobile

by Platon Scheblykin

[ 07/12/2005 | 10:20 AM ]

The system we are going to talk about today can really become an equivalent replacement for a desktop PC. This Shuttle barebone can perform any function from a modern gaming center to an industrial server. It can be recommended to all categories of users. Want to learn more? Read our review!

Table of contents:

• Specification and Accessories
  
• Exterior and Functionality
  
• Assembly Tips
  
• Cooling System and Noise
  
• Mainboard PCB Design
  
• Mainboard Functionality
  
• BIOS and Overclocking
  
• Performance
  
• Conclusion
  

With all these high-tech things around us, it is very difficult for a new product to surprise even a beginner user. The market of barebone systems is not an exception. Despite the efforts of the manufacturers to promote their produce, there are still very few models which can be regarded as truly exceptional. Sometimes, however, such milestones do occur.

One of them is going to be reviewed here. It is a model from Shuttle, a leader in the mini-computers field, and it belongs to the famous XPC series. The SB81P model combines advanced technologies and original design solutions that make it truly special.

And even though the XPC SB81P isn’t a new product (it was released in late 2004), we just couldn’t pass it by.

Specification and Accessories

And now comes the mainboard:

The accessories to the SB81P are:

• Installation Guide
• User’s mainboard guide
• User’s guide to creating RAID arrays
• CD with drivers
• CPU cooler
• Rails for installing disk drives
• Power cord
• SATA cable
• Floppy drive cable
• PATA cable
• Power splitter
• Thermal paste
• Additional feet for the system case

Opening the barebone’s case I found a bag with absorbing granules inside. Besides the accessories I also received a leaflet for hardware testers and a CD with additional materials for reviews. So, some of the pictures in this review are taken from that CD.