Thoughts, HEXUS.awards, HEXUS.where2buy, HEXUS.right2reply
You can take a few key points away from our look at the Shuttle P2 3700G. The first is that whilst performance is undeniably impressive, you will generally get more by going down the regular midi-tower route. What's pleasing, however, is the ability to integrate so much oomph into a chassis that isn't even half the size, and to be able to cool the components in, effectively, whisper-quiet mode with the XPC's spatial restrictions in place.
Size and power considerations also dictate that the P2 3700G doesn't cater for the very latest hardware. Rather, it's one step down from the best in each area. Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 instead of QX6700, NVIDIA's GeForce 7950GX2 instead of GeForce 8800 GTX, DDR2-533 instead of DDR2-1066, etc., so hardcore enthusiasts looking for ultimate performance will need to look elsewhere.
Shuttle's choice of populating the sample with 4GiB RAM is, perhaps, the only issue we have in terms of practicality with the supplied Windows XP 32-bit OS, but the rest of the component choice is well-thought out.
We're reasonably confident that the Shuttle P2 3700G will do well because it's aimed at a market that requires impressive performance in a small form-factor system, and that's what the sample is all about. Yes, we'd like SLI'd G80 and Kentsfield and faster memory, but those choices are at odds with the design ethos behind Shuttle's XPC line.
You don't need to spend £2000+ to benefit from pre-configured SD37P2 integration, either, as the company also offers lower spec. P2 3700G models starting at £850
In summary, with respect to our sample SKU, it all boils down to whether for £2000 you can accept the compromise of 'lesser' components for reduced space and greater portability. If you can, and there will be many readers who fall into that camp, Shuttle P2 3700G is an exercise in demonstrating just how well the trade-off can work. If not, keep your cash back for a higher-specification midi-tower unit from the likes of MESH. Simple, clear buying advice, we hope.
HEXUS Awards
The Shuttle P2 3700G, as configured in this review, is awarded the HEXUS Executive Recommended award for intelligently packing in so much power into a well-designed XPC small form-factor chassis. It's not for everybody, mind you.
Shuttle P2 3700G
