Introduction
SHUTTLE VIA SK41G SFF PC
Hmm, it's a little unfair, isn't it ?. Browsing through Shuttle's XPC Small Form Factor catalogue makes for a little grim reading for AMD fans. Whilst Intel fans are kept happy with three distinct models featuring the all-important AGP slot, Shuttle have only recently included an AMD-based SFF XPC with an in-built AGP slot. The nVidia nForce2-powered SN41G2, reviewed by us last week, proved, once again, that small-form-factor units could be every bit as good as their desktop counterparts.
It's nice to have a choice on any given platform, though. Intel have the SB51G (Intel 845GE), SS51G (SiS 651), and SV51F (VIA PM266A) vying for your attention. Although doing the same basic job as one another, each one has different strengths and weaknesses. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
The S.F.F idea has taken off in no uncertain terms. So with AMD being the provider of CPUs with the greatest price-to-performance ratio, it makes great sense in providing more than one AMD-based Shuttle XPC with the requisite AGP slot.
I've just mentioned that VIA have a model in the Intel XPC range. It's logical that they should put their hat in the ring and put forward an AMD model. The Shuttle XPC SK41G (don't you just hate codes ?) is that model. Designed to provide direct competition to the all-singing, all-dancing nVidia solution, it has a lot to live up to.
Is there anything new here that we've not seen before ?. How will it compare on both the features and performance front against the nVidia offering ?. Is it worth the outlay ?. These are some of the questions that we'll attempt to answer as we look a little more closely at the newest XPC on the block.
