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Shuttle XPC SN27P2: A Mini-PC for Athlon AM2 Processors
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1. First XPC For AMD AM2 Socket CPUs

Shuttle's latest barebone for AM2 processors

A short while ago, AMD introduced a new type of processor socket: the AM2. In contrast to older platforms, which worked only with conventional DDR memory, this new model supports DDR2 RAM. The new Shuttle Mini-PC features a motherboard with the AM2 socket and DDR2 memory slots. But the XPC SN27P2 isn't quite as compact as its predecessors in this Shuttle product line.

Behind the front panel doors (unfortunately made of cheap plastic) you'll find connectors for audio, USB and firewall, plus a 5.25" drive bay. The middle panel door offers a 3.5" bay where you could install a floppy drive or a memory card reader (neither of which is included with this barebone unit as shipped).

Brief Overview
Shuttle XPC SN27P2
NVIDIA nForce 4 - 570 Ultra
AMD Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2 or Sempron
AM2
1000 MHz
DDR2 Dual Channel 667 / 800
4 DIMM slots, maximum 4 GB of RAM
3 x SATA / 1 x IDE / 1 x SATA external
1 x Gigabit Ethernet
7.1 High Definition Audio

Rear view of the Mini-PC

The I/O panel includes numerous USB ports and an external SATA connector (in red)

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2. Interior View

Both 3.5" bays mount in side-by-side drive cages at the top of the unit

Despite the small form factor, the interior layout is well-designed and surprisingly spacious. Two drive cages positioned at the top of the case interior provide room for one 3.5" drive each, but without the benefit of acoustic decoupling, which in a worst-case scenario can actually amplify drive noise. All device cables are well organized, and come pre-installed and secured to interior rails inside the case. The nVidia chipset on the motherboard comes equipped with a small cooling fan that is barely audible. You'll also find four DIMM sockets on the motherboard, granting this PC a maximum memory capacity of 4 GB of DDR2 RAM. Three Serial ATA connectors are accessible inside the case, with a fourth external SATA connector on the exterior I/O panel as well.

This drive cage includes no acoustic decoupling, not even rubber grommets.

A side mounted ventilation fan sucks air in from outside the case.

Interior view of the SN27P2
3. Interior View, Continued

The case interior is laid out for easy access to all areas

The new AM2 socket

Four DIMM slots support up to 4 GB of DDR2 RAM

Three SATA connectors are accessible inside the case
4. Hardware Report

For our intensive lab tests of this new XPC, we equipped this barebone with the following hardware components:

Hardware Installed
AMD Athlon X2 AM2 5000+ (2600 MHz)
2 x SuperTalent DDR-II, 533 MHz, 1 GByte each
Gigabyte RADEON X300, 128 MByte
Seagate ST3160812AS, 160 GByte
LITE-ON DVDRW SHW-16H5S

The FAN-O-Matic supports multiple fans and temperature sensors

Innovatek's FAN-O-Matic not only controls multiple fans, it can also read values from temperature sensors and display them graphically. That makes this device an ideal part of our test gear for measuring heat buildup in small cases or barebone PCs.

CPU-Z

CPU-Z data for the AM2 Athlon 64 X2 CPU

CPU-Z data for the processor cache

CPU-Z data for the motherboard and BIOS

CPU-Z memory timing information for the DDR2 memory modules

CPU-Z Serial Presence Detect (SPD) data shows each DIMM's burned-in memory data
5. Stress Test And Temperature Measurements

Only after we launched numerous programs did CPU load reach 100%

Ratings

Shuttle XPC SN27P2
Weighting Category Results Achieved
35% Equipment 90%
35% Ergonomics 90%
10% Benchmarks 95%
10% Price/Value 80%
5% Design 90%
5% Service 90%
  Total Result 90%
6. Summary And Conclusions: A Good Concept Overall

Front ports are tucked away behind a swing-down plastic door

The new Shuttle Mini-PC makes an excellent impression overall. Even with the AM2 version of the high-end Athlon 64 X2 5000+ in place, the Shuttle XPC SN27P2 stays comfortably quiet under heavy load. Thanks to good ventilation and ample cooling, the interior of this Mini-PC stays relatively cool, without danger of overheating. Our only regret is that the hard disk cages included no acoustic decoupling, though purchase of some silicone or rubber grommets to put between the cage and the case could correct that easily. This is a minor issue that Shuttle could address with little effort or expense.

Vendor/Model Shuttle XPC SN27P2
Internet Website shuttle.com
Dimensions 12.8" x 8.7" x 8.3" (325 x 220 x 210 mm)
Price $370
Ports and Connectors
Case Front
Audio 1 x Microphone, 1 x Headphone
USB 2 x USB 2.0 Type A
Firewire IEEE 1394a 1 x 4 pin
Buttons Power On, Eject
Card Reader Optional
Display None
Case Rear
PS/2 None
Monitor output None
USB 4 x USB 2.0 Type A
Firewire IEEE 1394 1 x 6 pin
Serial / Parallel Ports None / None
SATA / eSATA 1 x / None
Clear CMOS Yes
Sound analog 5 x
Sound digital Yes: SPDIF / optical
LAN 10/100/1000
W-LAN optional
Fans
CPU 1 x
Power Supply 1 x
System/Case 2 x
Chipset active
Motherboard
Motherboard FN27V10
Supported CPUs AMD Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2 or Sempron
Socket 940
Hyper-Transport 1000 MHz
Northbridge NVIDIA nForce 4 - 570 Ultra MCP (MCP55-Ultra)
Southbridge Nein
Memory
Memory type DDRII
Memory speeds 667 / 800
Memory mode Dual Channel
Memory slots 4 x
Max memory capacity 8 GByte
Internal I/O Components
Media & communications processor nForce 570 MCP / IT8712F
Storage Ports IDE 1 x UltraATA/133
Storage Ports Serial ATA 3 x S-ATA 300 + 1 x external
RAID Support Yes
Network Controller Marvell 88E1116 PHY
On-Board Audio
Type Realtek ALC882
Surround Support 7.1 Sound
Expansion slots
PCI 32-Bit 1 x
PCI Express 16x 1 x
PCI Express 1x None
Mini-PCI None
Free USB Interfaces None
Drive Bays
3.5" devices 3 x
5.25" devices (optical drive) 1 x
Accessories
Manual English
Cables IDE + SATA Cables
Software Driver CD
CPU Cooler Shuttle I.C.E. heatpipe cooling system
Power Supply
Vendor / Model Sient X
Maximum power output 400 Watts

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