Shuttle XPC Prima P2 4800X System Review

By Jeff Prehm, Bill Lake
published

Shuttle XPC Prima P2 4800X

We previously took a look at Shuttle’s SX38P2 PC. At that time, the company also sent us an early version of its XPC Prima P2 4800X system, which had a fatal flaw and was withdrawn from the market. We later received the XPC Prima P2 4800X with a revised motherboard for testing, and since then, we have been kicking the system around our lab to see if it's still a viable option for value-oriented enthusiasts.

The XPC Prima P2 4800X is the same size as the SX38P2 and they share a lot of the same components, such as the Oasis and Integrated Cooling Engine (ICE) systems.

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ICE CPU cooling

They share the same chassis and many of the same features, such as the fingerprint reader.

Fingerprint reader

So, while the older SX38P2/SX48P2E and XPC Prima P2 4800X appear to be the same, looks can be deceiving. The Prima P2 4800X, for example, integrates an 802.11g and Bluetooth module into the chassis. These modules plug into a USB header on the motherboard. The case also includes LEDs, which indicate connectivity status.

Shuttle also sells barebones versions of the XPC Prima P2 4800X: the SX48P2 and SX48P2 Deluxe, which differ in that the Deluxe model has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, while the SX48P2 does not. For future reference, all models will be denoted as SX48P2.

Side-by-side comparison
Jeff Prehm
14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • 1raflo
    This is an overpriced rig, thats for sure.
    Reply
  • StupidRabbit
    It's an oldie, but a goody. We take apart a Shuttle XPC Prima P2 4800X, based on Intel's X48 chipset, and test this fully-built system's mettle against XPCs that came before. Our conclusion? You could do better for less if you built your own.

    lol i didnt even have to read the article since you put the conclusion right in the description on the main page.. but i guess it couldnt have ended any other way. overpriced.
    Reply
  • BillLake
    StupidRabbitlol i didnt even have to read the article since you put the conclusion right in the description on the main page.. but i guess it couldnt have ended any other way. overpriced.

    Well I don't see that in the article anywhere. It would seem that you might be quoting something else but the concussion is true. For those looking for a SFF it is overpriced for what it provides. You can say the same about any customer builder, Falcon Northwest, Alienware and so forth. They all sell their products for a huge premium but they do give you warranties on your "super fast and overclocked system". For me, I really like the SFF so I buy the barebones version of Shuttles products and am very happy with them.
    Reply
  • StupidRabbit
    well at one point i myself was thinking of buying a thermaltake lanbox. but since i dont go to any lan parties and have no need to carry my rig around, i just could not justify a small form factor box over a mid-sized one. as you said it really is a very niche market, and i guess i am just not one of the consumers that is targeted.
    nontheless, it is one cool looking thing and has more performance than most gamers need, and you are a lucky guy to have their products.

    but until i transform into a really hardcore gamer, and have a couple grand laying (lying?) around im just gonna stick with my trusty intel e6420 overclocked by 50% and a thermaltake big-typ vx-10.. something that would have a hard time fitting in there
    Reply
  • StupidRabbit
    *big-typ 120 vx.. correction
    Reply
  • BillLake
    Yeah you might be able to get some other heat sink in there but it would be hard as they really designed it for this one. Maybe remove the side fan and get one that blows out that same side?

    The reason I like the Shuttle boxes is that they take up little room and you generally do not give up much. Now that said they do lack expandability but of course I can put three in the space of a full tower case. Look at the barebones units, they are very affordable but then again if something fails you have to get their board to fix it and that is not cheap.
    Reply
  • cletus_slackjawd
    I have a shuttle XPC with an athlon64 3000+ skt 754, 1gig ram, x800pro, 1gb DDR-400 dual channel, sony DVD Burner and 300gb maxtor IDE PATA.
    It's based on the Nforce2 so it has good audio by Nvidia, firewire, great access up front w/ 2ea USB, Mini 1394 in front, normal in back, speaker, mic, headphone jacks up front, memory card readers up front, mirror finish up front, quiet, reliable as hell. It's actually now my wife's rig as I've built 2 new computer since handing it down, but it's pretty awesome. I will repurpose it as a media PC/Console Emulator when the time comes she wants a new one. In conclusion, a very positive experience from a Shuttle product.
    Reply
  • 1potato
    Page 3 - "RAID supports stripping for improved data security". Made me chuckle :). I think you mean striping, and actually I think you really mean mirroring in that context.
    Reply
  • gaiden2k7
    you guys really need someone who knows his/her way w/ the camera.. blurry pictures = dizzy viewers.
    Reply
  • BillLake
    Thanks for catching the miss use of the word, spell check can save you from misspelling but not miss use. The system could do Striping, mirroring or striping with parity if you put three disks in. It support three disk by putting one below the optical drive. Shuttle does not sell it with 3 drives but I have done it. Well thanks again for catching that.
    Reply