Shuttle XPC SB65G2: Big Performance in This Small Package
by Wesley Fink on September 9, 2003 11:32 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Shuttle SB65G2: Noise Level
With the large performance leaps in Shuttle’s SB65G2 come more heat, and the need for more cooling. Does this mean that Shuttle had to give up some of their famous quiet operation as a trade-off to performance?To test this, we measured sound levels of the SB65G2 on a typical computer desk. Sound Level was measured on all 4 sides, 4" from the chassis. Our new Sound Level meter is capable of measuring as low as 35db, using either A or C weighting with Fast or Slow Dynamic Response. Since A weighting and Fast response are most comparable to how we actually hear, these settings were used for measuring Sound Level. Results from the Sound Level meter are reported in 0.1db increments.
The SB65G2 was loaded as you might equip a top-level system with space-saving in mind. We had installed a 3.0 P4, 1 GB DDR400 memory, Liteon combo CD burner/DVD, a floppy drive, 120GB Maxtor hard drive, and a fanless ATI Radeon 9600 video card. Since we will be comparing these Noise measurements with other SFF systems, it would not be fair to compare the SB65G2 with a 9800 PRO to systems that will likely have on-board video and no fans. The video card substitute was our only change to the system as tested.
We measured noise from the middle of each one of the four sides, 4" from the chassis.
With the fan on its low setting, the noise level from the SB65G2 is as low or lower than anything we measured in our SFF Roundup in March. This is very good news, considering the increased performance in this SB65G2 system. LOW level is the normal operation setting even with the 3.0 Pentium 4, a loaded system, and overclocking. At no point did the Shuttle get warm enough to kick in the high speed fan setting.
The SB65G2 is noticeably louder at the high speed setting, but it is still quieter than the same measurements in our last SFF Roundup. Shuttle has done a wonderful job of moving to the highest performance levels with the SB65G2 while still maintaining quiet operation. It’s a tribute to the excellent design of the I.C.E. “heat pipe” cooling system that the system remains cool and quiet, even with our 3.0 800FSB CPU, and even when it’s overclocked to 3.4+ GHz.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
43 Comments
View All Comments
Anonymous User - Sunday, September 14, 2003 - link
Awesome little box. Built an SB61 last year, stuck a Ti4200 in it and it is magic - yet is quiet as a mouse.Whatever version of the SB62 is available at the end of this year will be my next PC purchase.
And you have to wonder what those who report heat problems are DOING with their boxes - I live in an un-airconditioned tropical location that regularly gets above 35C - and my Shuttle just keeps on keeping on.
Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
anyone have one of these aluminum machines from shuttle? I've been trying to find a cd drive that matches the finish before I buy the system.Anonymous User - Saturday, September 13, 2003 - link
I was curious about USB FDD in order to avoid putting a FDD In one of these and and according to the SB61G2 manual off of Shuttle's web site there is BIOS support for booting to USB FDD and USB CD/DVD.Anonymous User - Friday, September 12, 2003 - link
It's amazing what they can put inside that small box.Anonymous User - Friday, September 12, 2003 - link
Looks excellent for the price !Anonymous User - Thursday, September 11, 2003 - link
Where is the gigabit NiC??? and firewire 800 even!!!Anonymous User - Thursday, September 11, 2003 - link
#20 and #25My apoligies.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
#25The difference between the SB61G1 and the SB62G2 are the following:
SB61G2- silver, firewire, SATAx2 (non RAID), AC '97 Realtek AL650 6 channel Codec, 200w Power Supply, usb, integrated Intel Extreme Graphics -865G chipset, 800mhz, spdif in/out, bugs with ATi Radeon 9500&9700s (until recent revision that fixed the capacitators that were the culprits), extra crackling noises in front Headphone jack due to some sort of interference.
SB62G2- BLACK, MESHED, NO FIREWIRE, SATAx2 RAID (ICH5-R), 220W POWER SUPPLY, DUAL 10/100 LAN, FIXES to ATi Radeon issues and supposedly the sound problems too, USB, Intel Extreme Graphics 865G chipset, 800mhz FSB, SPDIF in/out, same Realtek AL650 6 Channel AC '97 Codec.
yes, the PDF spec sheet is off, it was actually posted the last week of August, while the product page on the Shuttle HQ and US websites have been changed twice since then to reflect the 220W PS and some other typos. So until offical release, its specualation.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
To #23...wow, that's kind of harsh.Actually, the info is from the shuttle site. See http://us.shuttle.com/specs2.asp?pro_id=380 and http://www.shuttle.com/hq/product/barebone/specs_b... Each page also has a PDF with detailed specs as well. No spdif is listed. Unlike these pages, the spec pages for the 61G2 specifically list the spdif. (According to the site, the 52G2 has a spdif.)
Of course, you may have a 61G2 right in front of you with a spdif, in which case the online info is wrong (wouldn't be the first time). It also seems the 62G2 doesn't have a 1394 port.
Still, no reason to abandon courtesy! Perhaps you'll share with us common folk what you see as the difference between the 61G2 and the 62G2?
(Disclaimer: Lest anyone think that what I post is "fact," please note that everything I say is "as far as I know." Believed accurate, but not guaranteed.)
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
Nice big pictures at http://www.shuttle.com/de/druck_sb65.htm. It's in German, only Shuttle site that has info so far.