X-bit labs

Shuttle Offers Power Supply Upgrade Option for PC Barebones.

Category: Mobile

by Anton Shilov

[ 07/29/2005 | 04:37 AM ]

Shuttle Computer has introduced a new Shuttle XPC Accessory that addresses one of the drawbacks of the company’s small form-factor XPC cube-like PC barebones for mainstream computers. The Shuttle PC50 power-supply unit (PSU), available in a month time, boasts with 300W maximum output and is able to power the most powerful processors and graphics cards.

“PC components, in particular CPUs, graphics cards, and storage, are continuing to grow ever larger and more powerful. The Shuttle PC50 is the optimal solution for Shuttle and its customers to support the ever increasing demand for power placed upon Shuttle XPC systems by the latest technological advances,” explained James Chang, product director, Shuttle Inc.

Typically, Shuttle XPCs for mainstream users are fitted with a 200-250W power supply unit which is enough to satisfy the needs of most mainstream users. However, gamers and power-users who want to install high-end graphics cards and microprocessors, need multiple storage drives, or want to fine-tune the performance of their Shuttle XPC with overclocking, will find that the additional power supplied by the Shuttle PC50 improves the stability and expandability of these systems. It is unclear, when Shuttle begins to install its 300W SilentX power-supply units into retail PC barebones.

The PSU includes 2 Serial ATA power connectors in addition to its 3 MOLEX and 1 FDD connectors, allowing it to support combinations of hard disks, optical drives, floppy disks and graphics cards. During testing, noise output levels of the Shuttle PC50 were measure at less than 30dB.

While the new accessory may be important to owners of typical Shuttle XPCs, those, who use Shuttle XPC P-series computers will not find the new power-supply useful, as their barebones are already equipped with 350W power-supply units. Still such SFF systems are more noisy compared to SilentX power-supply units.

Shuttle PC50 will be available end of August. The price will be €83 (without VAT). Shuttle claims that users will be able to install the new PSU themselves.