
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)

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

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
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

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% | |

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 |