UPDATE: Adding minor pricing and availability details on Shuttle XPC SB86i in the EU.

The first ever picoBTX form-factor PC from Shuttle Computer, a top maker of small form-factor PC barebones, emerged for sale during the weekend in Tokyo, Japan. While this is not the first ever BTX form-factor personal computer in retail, this is the first BTX product oriented on do-it-yourself (DIY) market.

Shuttle’s XPC SB86i small form-factor computer barebone is based on Intel’s i915G core-logic that supports Intel’s Pentium 4 and Celeron processors with 533MHz and 800MHz processor system bus. The system can install a PCI Express x16 graphics card, a PCI add-in card and up to 2GB of dual-channel PC3200 DDR memory. The chassis allow installing one 5.25” optical drive and two 3.5” hard disk drives to utilize Intel’s Matrix RAID capabilities. The XPC SB86i also sports a number of multimedia enhancements, such as 8-channel Intel’s high-definition audio, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, FireWire and 8-in-1 card reader.

Shuttle SB86i, photo by Akiba PC Hotline

While the XPC SB86i is not as small as some of Shuttle’s SFF systems, it can run Intel’s high-end processors, including the latest Intel Pentium 4 570J (3.80GHz), without the need to be equipped with multiple of fans and a relatively expensive thermal-dissipation system based on heat-pipes, thanks to picoBTX design.

BTX layout allows for more room for processor power delivery routing and reduces routing complexity for the memory controller to memory from the I/O controller to rear panel I/O. The thermal benefits provided to the processor voltage regulation allows for designs with fewer components.

Shuttle says SB86i employs “highly evolved engineering and design strategies for thermal dissipation, noise minimization, portability and stability”.

Shuttle’s XPC SB86i is sold in Tokyo, Japan for $365 - $385 according to a report from Akiba PC Hotline. According to reports from Matbe.com web-site based in France, the XPC SB86i costs 399 euros in the country.