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.
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Chriz - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
I am curious about the LAN port. On the SB61G2 it was only 10/100. Does the SB65G2 use the Intel CSA bus and do the gigabit lan?Wesley Fink - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
#10 -Please see my "searching for the Memory Holy Grail - Part 2" here. All our testing in that review was with a 2.4C, and we make recommendations for buying in the conclusion. This is continued in the Mushkin/Adata memory review.
#7, #11 - The SB61G2 and black SB62G2 are released and available with on-board graphics and an AGP 8X slot. I understand the SB65G2 is to be reased within the next week.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
You should get 3200 speed memory I think.Does anyone know of a good distributor for these at competitive pricing? The distributors I find on google are really sketchy and I don't trust the packaging or descriptions.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
If I want to throw in a P4 2.4C and overclock it, what memory speed should I get? How do you know if you should get PC3200, 3500, 3700, etc.?(regarding the audio noise, that's a bit disappointing...)
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
I have an SN41G2 and I've already replaced the two fans in the system (PSU and ICE).The PSU fan develops a very high pitch noise that will drive you crazy. Replacing it is very easy, just kind of hard to find a 40x40x10mm fan (look for evercool). And of course it voids the warrenty on the PSU only, but not the Shuttle as a whole.
I replaced the ICE fan with a Vantec Stealth as they are much more quiet than the supplied fan.
Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
I mean on Shuttle´s homepage of course :o)Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
Hi...im trying to get some info about the SB65G2,but cant find anything,just SB62G2...? plz help :)Anonymous User - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
Good question, Rekonn and you're correct. I have the same system as the one in the review and it does indeed suffer from noise issues through the onboard sound. I stuck an audigy in it (as most anandtech readers would) and it works fine. Unless you feel like soldering though you can't hook up the front panel to the sound card.I still love the system though.
Rekonn - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
Did you get a chance to test out the front headphone jack? I'd love to get just a subjective impression when listening to some mp3's using a pair of headphones. (On the sb61g2 the noise from the front headphone jack is bad.)jarsoffart - Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - link
On the Noise Level page, you state 1 MB of DDR400, I think you mean 1 GB.