Shuttle XPC SB81P (and PCI-Express)

[Snakebyte]

First of all, does anyone know anything about the Shuttle XPC SB81P? Here are the specifications:


CPU Support: Socket 775 Pentium 4 & Celeron 800/533 MHz FSB
Chipsets: Intel 915G / ICH6R
Memory: 2x 184-pin DIMM DDR333/400(Dual Channel)
IDE: 1x ATA100, 4x SATA
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Expansion Slot: 1xPCI, 1x16X PCI Express
Audio: Realtek ALC880 7.1 Audio
LAN: GbE LAN
Extension Bay: 2x 3.5", 1x 5.25"
Front Panel Ports: 2x USB2.0, 1394, Audio Ports, 6 in 1 Card Reader
Back Panel Ports: COM, VGA, 2x PS/2, RJ45, 2x USB, 1394, Audio ports, SPDIF I/O, Coaxial Digital Audio
Power Supply: 350W
Dimensions: 8.7" x 8.3" x 12.8"


I've read a number of reviews which all seem to be very positive. I'm thinking of putting in a 3.0-3.4Ghz P4 and 1GB of RAM. The main problem I'm having is figuring out what video card to use. What PCI-Express cards are available for approximately $400 or less? Any recommendations?

 

[Washuu]

I would say a 6600GT is a good card for only $200, I believe they might have a 6800 for under $400, I know that the 6800GT and Ultra are greater than $400.

X300 Series is Really Cheap, 6200 is just over $100, X600 $120-150 , X700 $200-300

From the looks of it, I would definately get a 6800 in that situation.

 

[Snakebyte]

Newegg shows two PCI-Express 6800s, both of which are in stock and less than $400:

$339 - MSI nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, PCI-Express
$369 - Leadtek nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, PCI-Express

Any recommendations about these two? Or is there one somewhere else that is better/cheaper?

 

[X|Rolando]

x800 XL 299 $ (no idea where though, sorry).

sinkoman:

I'm looking at the x800 xl's for when they come out. I found one on Froogle for 299 usd.

 

[Asus]

Unless you must have PCI-Express, this would run games faster. Link

I just hope there are no heat issues with that Prescott and a highend GFX card. :O

 

[Snakebyte]

I think I saw that the X800 XLs aren't out for at least another month or so...

Shuttle is once again at the forefront of the SFF market. Arguably, the pioneer of smaller and more powerful desktops, Shuttle is the first to jump onto Intel's new chipsets and CPU design. They've done an excellent job with the form and function of the XPC SB81P system. Offering a very attractive looking case with stealth drive bays, including the floppy, which no other manufacturer has done to my knowledge. They further topped the outside with a nice mirror finish. The cooling of this system is not only top notch, but super quiet. We all know the reputation that Prescott has for running very hot. With some innovative ideas and design, Shuttle has found a way to keep the system cool and quiet by channeling the air directly across their ICE cooling system and out the other side of the case. Another high point is Shuttle using a tool free assembly for the drive, especially for a small form factor PC.

The reviews I have seen of it act like there isn't any problem overheating.

I guess I could go with AGP, but doesn't it make more sense to use PCI-Express? I mean, when I want to upgrade in the future won't there be a better selection of PCI-Express cards as they try to phase out AGP? Not to mention PCI-Express is theoretically twice as fast.