Shuttle’s SX58H7 Ultra-Portable Core i7 Platform
Trumpeting support for the latest Core i7 processors and graphics cards (even in SLI and overclocked configurations), Shuttle’s announcement of its latest Prima-series XPC raised eyebrows among our skeptical review staff. After all, packing all of those features into a pint-sized case would require a level of planning and skill rarely seen in the industry.
But nobody said such a feat would be impossible, either. Today we’re out to test Shuttle’s claims. How much hardware does the XPC SX58H7 really support? How well does it really overclock? Can it actually compete with full-sized performance systems?
| Shuttle XPC SX58H7 General Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Case Style | Shuttle Form Factor (2-slot cube) |
| Drive Bays | 1 x 5.25" External, 1 x 3.5" internal, 1 x 3.5" flexible |
| Power | Shuttle Form Factor (500 W) ATX 2.1, EPS12V |
| Cooling Fan | 1 x 92 mm Exhaust (Max 3,800 RPM, 72.85 CFM) |
| CPU Support | Core i7, Core i7 Extreme (LGA-1366) |
| Memory Support | Four DIMMs DDR3-1066 (16.0 GB Max) |
| Expansion Slots | 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 |
It actually went to 425W peak with both Prime95 (8-threads) and Crysis GPU bench (2560 Very-High 8x) running at the same time, but that's not a very realistic test.
It shows how the system compares to a standard motherboard and cooler in performance and overclocking. If you want more than standard cooling, you can read any of the X58 motherboard shootouts where a big liquid cooler is used.
Something I found with my current Shuttle box (i.e. SN21G5) is that, having added a modest dedicated graphics card (i.e. NVIDIA 9500 GT), the heat generated by the GPU was enough to keep the main fan spinning at low speeds even when idle. So as soon as the system is put under some load, even if the GPU is idle and only one CPU core is used 100%, the fan will spin at almost full speed generating quite some noise.
Since these small computers are often placed on the desktop, next to the user, the noise level is even more apparent than with other systems which generate similar decibel figures, but rest on the floor, etc. So... should I move away from SFF for my next PC if I want a silent Core i7 system with a GTX 260 GPU?
I can't really seem to figure this part out, at ava direct they have this XPC SX58H7 for about $688 I think, but again nothign conclusive as to what it comes w/....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101082
Case, mobo, PSU. Yes, it's expensive.
Sorry 'bout the gonad dude: The price wasn't available when the article was written. I'd discuss the idea of adding a pricing coment with funkmaster Angelini now that it's available.
I built 8 i7 920's @ 3.2GHz with Vigor Monsoon III LT's and they ran in the 38-42c/65-70c range.
Of course since you decided to gauge temperature as "Degrees Above Ambient" instead of just degrees, who knows what your temps really were... (I assumed 24c room temp)
My main system is a dumb looking mid tower with all kinds of neon crap on it and ~95 fans. I caved to my gamer nature when I selected it. It was never intended to be in this office and I'm a little embarrassed by it if a client stops by. This little shuttle would give me back my desk and still run a decent game without making me look like I'm permanently 14 years old.
A lot of the Antec line is perfectly suitable for both gaming, with a professional look. For something like a wolf in sheep's clothing (if you don't mind the noise), look at the New Solutions cases. Otherwise, the p180/2 series are quiet, and sleek looking, without all the crazy lights. You're paying a bit more for those, however.
I'm sure there are other options, but for the cost, I've found the Antec cases to be quite worth the money.
Of course the point of the shuttle is the small compact form. However, it's not for HTPC purposes, I'm not sure I'm sold onto this. Seems like their board doesn't have wireless either.
Agreed, with the two PCIe x16, it's definitely not an HTPC. It can be USED as such...
My personal take: I LOVE the idea of the heatpipes and relocating the CPU heatsink. I'm contemplating seeing if I could apply the same thing to my HTPC at home. However, I'm absolutely serious about using two single slot cards or one of the SLI'd/Crossfired cards in there. They recirculate the heat back into the case, and are not nearly as effective at exhausting it outside the case. As such, a configuration like that...
To put it simply, I had a case with VERY GOOD cable management (routed cables behind the mobo), used a 200mm and 120mm fan for exhaust, and a 120mm for intake. About 160CFM's at full blast. Threw in a 9800 GX2, and consistently was hitting 90degC on the GPU; on intensive games I could bat 100degC. The CPU was also affected, going up to 80degC at points.
Simply using a cardboard heat shield to redirect the recirculated air out of the case - now I'm about 50degC at CPU and it's rare to crest 80degC on the GPU.
As stated previously, you stick a GTX295 in there, you're going to melt that thing.
Just my 2 cents.