Thoughts
I entered into my first SFF review for HEXUS with an open mind, mindful of previous XPC systems I'd come across during non-HEXUS work, but unwilling to let those positive experiences cloud my judgement. Previous reviews of Shuttle systems at HEXUS have generally extolled their virtues, but a company can slip up at any moment.That's hasn't happened this time however, the SB61G2 v3.0 passing my personal tests with flying colours and it gets close to top marks in the general SFF arena too. There are more powerful, fancier, more feature packed XPCs available, but the SB61G2 isn't any worse off for that.
The beauty of Shuttle's approach, the Shuttle for all occasions mantra, means that there's something for everyone. If the SB61G2 v3.0's feature set and performance aren't for you, you only need to glance up and down the XPC ladder to find one that does match what you need.
In isolation, the i865G bridge doesn't give it the last word in balls-out Pentium 4 performance, a slightly lacklustre showing in the memory controller department seeing to that. The on-board VGA core isn't brilliant, the analogue performance at higher resolutions a specific sore point, disregarding the performance. But, the clean looks and design, good interior organisation and strong features help make up for it.
If I was to be super critical, I'd have liked to have seen the ICH5/R bridge in there for some SATA RAID action. A DVI riser for the AGP port would be most welcome too. And the ALC650 is showing its age, the 658 a much better modern replacement. Otherwise, I'm struggling
It's a tidy, polished implementation of a well trodden concept, with the odd rough edge here and there. But nobody else does a Pentium 4 SFF box quite like Shuttle, with the SB61G2 v3.0 one of the best. A price of just under £200 inc VAT in the UK should see good sales.
Recommended if a P4 XPC is what you're after and you don't fancy splashing out on the RefleXion or an SB75. So recommended infact that I've just bought one myself.
Score
Pros
StylishPacked with features
Cheaper than most Pentium 4 XPCs
Good presentation, bundle and manuals
On-board VGA core useful in some situations
Overclocking was strong
(limited) Prescott and P4 Extreme Edition support
Cons
On-board VGA useless in most situationsNo DVI output for it
ALC650 sound is showing its age
