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Shuttle XPC SK83G Review

Company:

Shuttle, www.shuttle.com
The test system was provided by NewEgg.com, www.newegg.com.

Price:

Current retail price at NewEgg.com $199 US.

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Pros:

• Quality exterior finish and style
• Integrated Video
• Small form factor size

Cons:

• Drive bays don't have covers to match face plate
• No gigabit ports

Getting Started

Small form factor systems are a nice addition for any office or home. It does not matter if you are buying it for mobility such as taking it to LAN events or if you are looking for a small foot-print computer to put on your bookshelf at home or on your desk at work. The Shuttle XPC SK83G is a great option. The AMD based system runs quiet but can pack quite a punch of power.

To get started we loaded up our XPC SK83G as follows:

• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Socket 754
• Memory: 2x512 MB Corsair TWINX1024-3200XLPRO (2-2-2-5 timing)
• Optical Drive: Liteon SOHW-832S 8X Dual Layer Dual Format DVD Burner
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2
• Hard Disk Drive: Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000 RPM SATA Drive
• Graphics Card: ATI 9200 All In Wonder

Click on picture to enlarge image

Installing all your hardware into this Shuttle is relatively easy. The most difficult part is installing the CPU and assembling the heat pipe portion of the heatsink with the rear exhausts fan. Still, not difficult if you are at all mechanical. The memory sockets are located beneath the power supply. Normal modules still have plenty of clearance, but seating the modules into the socket might be a little difficult for novices where you do not have direct access above the sockets to press down.

Initially we used the integrated video while getting the system up and running and found it more than adequate for basic video needs. This option really increases the value of using this system in the business world. However the added 8x AGP slot makes it viable at home for high end gaming or even as a multimedia centerpiece. And for those audiophiles that have to have the best, there is an available PCI slot to add your favorite Sound Card if the included 6 channel Realtek audio option does not suffice. Or another good option for the PCI slot is a wireless network card. This will give you easy wireless access if you do not have network cables running throught your home. Once the system was up and running we did add an ATI 9200 All In Wonder we have in the Lab. This allowed us to try out the systems ability and usability outside the office and in the front room.

Specifications

Adding It All Up

The Shuttle XPC SK83G is a great system. The Shuttle XPC systems are a great buy if you are looking for a small form factor system. And though it is based on the AMD Athlon 64 socket 754 CPUs, it still can provide superb processing power at a very reasonable price. Even if you want to game on it. With the Athlon 64 3400+ CPU and 1 gigabyte of memory, we were never lacking in power to play and recording movies, TV, and music.

Shuttle cases always look good anywhere you put them. Even with a black faced optical drive mounted in the case it doesn't look bad on your bookshelf next to your stereo and TV. And though it lacks a gigabit network port, the existing features are well worth the low price to get this system up and running. You cannot go wrong with the Shuttle XPC SK83G, especially if you buy it at NewEgg.com!

Because of the great performance and features at a low budget price, we are awarding the Shuttle XPC SK83G the UpgradAdvisor.com Recommended Upgrade Seal of Approval!!!

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