The Shuttle SB65G2 & SN85G4 XPCs
They Just Keep Getting Better...

By, Marco Chiappetta
November 13, 2003
 

It has been almost two full years since we first got our hands on one of Shuttle's original small form factor systems, the SV24.  The first few products in their mini-barebones lineup, as it was then known, generated quite a bit of excitement within the hardware community, but we all universally clamored for two things, an AGP slot and easier access to the CPU and drive connectors, etc.  Shuttle not only listened to the community, but in the process of expanding and improving their mini-barebones product line, they added more and more useful features.  As their mini-barebones products morphed into the XPC systems available today, they became more powerful and accessing the system's internals became much easier, courtesy of Shuttle's custom cooling solutions and improved layouts.

Today on HotHardware, we're going to take a look at two recently released XPCs, the Pentium 4 powered SB65G2 and the Athlon 64 powered SN85G4.  Shuttle has taken a slightly different approach with these two machines, by eliminating any on-board video and introducing some new features, like wireless Ethernet on the SB65G2 and a 6-in-1card reader on the SN85G4.  We've equipped these two mini-powerhouses with identical hardware and took them for a spin around the H.H. labs.  Continue reading and see if the Shuttle SB65G2 and SN85G4 are worthy additions to the Shuttle XPC family...

Specifications & Features of the SB65G2 & SN85G4 XPCs
Small Form Factor Goodness X 2

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SPECIFICATIONS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM SPACEWALKER.COM

SB65G2 Specifications

Processor

  • Intel Pentium 4/Celeron in the 478 pin package with 400/533/800MHz FSB

Chipsets

  • Intel 865PE/ICH5

Memory

  • Two x 184 pin DDR 266/333/400 Dual Channel DDR DIMM slots up to 2GB

On board header

  • 2 x UDMA100 IDE Ports

  • 1 x FDD Port

  • CD_In headers

  • 20 Pin ATX and 4 Pin ATX 12V power connectors
  • 3 Fan connectors

IEEE 1394a

  • VIA VT6307, complies with 1394 OHCI specification revision 1.0, up to 400Mb/s data transfer rate

Audio

  • On board Realtek ALC650 six channel audio

Fast Ethernet

  • On board Realtek 8100B supports 10 Mb/s and 100 Mb/s LAN operation

Extension Bay

  • 2 x 3.5" bays
  • 1 x 5.25" bay

Dimension

  • 300(L)x200(W)x185(H)mm, 2.85Kg (N.W.), 4.65Kg (G.W.)
  • Material - Aluminum

Power

  • Dimension: 82(W) x 43(H) x 190(D) mm (Max)
  • Input: 110 / 230V AC
  • Output: 220W(PFC)
  • EMI Certified: FCC, CE, BSMI
  • Safety Certified: UL, TUV, CB

SN85G4 Specifications

Processor

  • Support AMD Athlon64 CPU with 1600MHz HyperTransport technology

Chipsets

  • NVIDIA nForce3 150
  • Support AMD Athlon64 , HyperTransport bus
  • Built in EHCI USB 2.0 controller

Memory

  • 2 x 184 pin DDR SDRAM DIMM Slots
  • Support PC1600/2100/2700/3200 compliant unbuffered DDR SDRAM up to 2GB capacity

IEEE 1394a

  • VIA VT6307, complies with 2 IEEE1394a OHCI specification revision 1.0, up to 400Mb/s data transfer rate

Audio

  • On board Realtek ALC650 six channel audio

Fast Ethernet

  • NVIDIA MAC with Realtek 8201BL supports 10 Mb/s and 100 Mb/s LAN operation

On board connector and header

  • 2 x UDMA100/133 IDE Ports
  • 2 x 150MB/s S-ATA Ports
  • 1 x FDD Port
  • CD_In , mini CD_In and Aux_In headers
  • 20 Pin ATX and 4 Pin ATX 12V power connectors
  • 3 Fan connectors

Extension Bay

  • 1 x 3.5" bay (internal)
  • 1 x 5.25" bay

Dimension

  • 295(L)x200(W)x180(H)mm, 2.85Kg (N.W.), 4.65Kg (G.W.)
  • Material - Aluminum

Power

  • Dimension: 65(W) x 43(H) x 190(D) mm (Max)
  • Input: 110 / 230V AC
  • Output: 240W(PFC)
  • EMI Certified: FCC, CE, BSMI
  • Safety Certified: UL, TUV, CB

The Bundles:


ACCESSORIES INCLUDED WITH THE SHUTTLE SB65G2

 


ACCESSORIES INCLUDED WITH THE SHUTTLE SN85G4

The SB65G2 and SN85G4 both shipped with very similar accessory bundles.  The SN85G4 came with a User's Manual for the FN85 motherboard used in the system and an installation guide that explained how to properly build-up the machine. Four cables were also included - one SATA cable, two custom 80-Wire IDE cables and a single floppy cable.  We also found the obligatory driver CD, as well as two small baggies containing some double-sided adhesive, screws, wire ties and two metal feet used to elevate the front of the system slightly.  Both of these XPCs also came with custom I.C.E Technology CPU heat-pipes, but they weren't exactly the same.  The heat-pipe included with the SB65G2 has a copper insert, while the SN85G4's heat-pipe is made completely of aluminum with a highly polished base.  The clip used to hold each heat-pipe in place, however, was identical.

With the SB86G2, because the system is equipped with Shuttle's FB65 motherboard, the user's manual is different.  The SB65G2 also has an integrated 802.11b wireless Ethernet controller, so an extra manual, driver CD and antenna were included as well.
 




A Closer Look at the SB65G2