FS: Shuttle XPC Mini Tower

[Saxito Pau]

Well guys I am putting up my mini PC for sale

I love it bad but I need the money. Will get a better one soon anyway.


Specs:
Shuttle SK22G2
VIA chipset motherboard
AMD Sempron LE 1300 (2.3GHz)
2GB DDR2-800 RAM (can take up to 4GB)
250GB SATA HDD
16X Pioneer IDE Burner
Onboard VGA and LAN
1 PCI-e slot
1 PCI slot
250W PSU
6 USB ports
2 Firewire ports


Manufacturer link:

http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/Models/sk22g2.html

http://global.shuttle.com/support_list03.jsp?PCI=19&PI=99


A forum dedicated to Shuttle XPCs:

http://www.sudhian.com/index.php?/forums/viewforum/4/


History:

This shuttle was originally purchased in 2007, but the motherboard died/fried in its first or second use purchase by the original owner (some yatchie) and was parked up for over a year with daniboy.

This year I finally got around to resurrecting it. I purchased a new replacement board directly from Shuttle about 6 months ago (using the TT Directbuy people), added the necessary components and it worked with no fuss.

It was rented to a friend of mine from August to December 2008, and he had no complaints about its performance.

The only other quirk I can recall is that if installing XP and you have a dual core CPU, you have to manually choose the HAL type from a list of options  (very early in the install - even before the point where you supplied the disk for the RAID drivers) choosing "ACPI multiprocessor PC".

If you didn't do this, the performance would be degraded or even a blue screen, and you would have to reload windows to select the correct HAL type as per what the MS Knowledge article says:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299340

Windows Vista however runs fine with no hitches.


Known Issues:

1. Onboard sound does not work properly, so I stuck in a SoundBlaster PCI Audigy card. As a result the front audio jacks do not work either.

2. The front left USB port does not work - anything plugged in shows up as "device unrecognized". Research says it is due to some "SpeedLink" feature that shuttle put on the port. It can't be turned off and I also read the port does not get enough voltage. All other ports work fine.

3. The processor will show up as "AMD Processor model unknown" until such time as a BIOS update is issued.

4. Fastest video card I get to work in it was a GeForce 7900GS. Simply will NOT work with newer video cards (Tried a 8800GT and 8800GS. No dice). I would have liked to try an HD 4670 though.

Asking Price: $1800 negotiable.
Reasonable offers will be considered.
Arrangements for sale to any actual purchaser will be done as 2009 starts
Pics will come soon...

[Saxito Pau]

Price Drop: $1800

[AR!Ø]

Issuing first dibs, going to do some more research.

EDIT: So I did a bit of browsing on that forum you had there Sax and from some of what I read it seems that there is a possibility of using a higher end Video Card, examples being a 9600GT and a HD4670 if I'm not mistaken. Can you say just what the problem was when you tried installing the other cards you mentioned?

[Saxito Pau]

Well  when i tried those cards I mentioned, I simply got no display signal from the video cards I tried. I Think It still kept sending a display to the onboard even while the video card was in and PC on. I deduced it is a compatibility issue, but it is the FIRST compatibility issue I seen with PCI-E slots and cards (the second is with another board and ATI cards..).

The BIOS option for selecting initial source is lame. You can only choose either "PCI" or "onboard/PCI-E"

Please note well that even if you do get a higher end video card to work, It MUST be a single slot card, and even then the thickness of the card should not exceed 16mm so that the case can be closed properly (unless you like modding cases).

http://global.shuttle.com/support_faq_detail.jsp?PI=766&PFI=1669

I know one person that have a HD4670. I can loan him the shuttle and let him try the card in it.

Also the history has been updated. Only Pics to come now.

[Arcmanov]

Yes, I recieved my HD4670 yesterday.  Its single slot, and doesn't even require an extra
power adapter.  Quite a powerful card for its diminutive size.

I can test it in the Shuttle if you want.

[AR!Ø]

Would be greatly appreciated, I am looking into gathering the funds as of today

[Saxito Pau]

Some good news, Ario:

I got an HD4850 for use in my secondary rig, but i opted to try it in the shuttle first.

Card was detected one time, so I don't see why it won't work with a HD4670 or a HD4830. but I getting Arcman's 4670 tomorrow to test for good measure..

Due to the PSU being just 250W, use higher than a 4830 at your own risk

[AR!Ø]

Thanks for going through the trouble sax.

[Saxito Pau]

I am happy to report that the HD 4670 works without fuss.

GPU Idle temps are 44C, load temps reach 71C

I strongly recommend buying the Sapphire branded version

got a score of 5400 (SM2 - 2603, SM3 - 3208, CPU - 893) with 3DMark06

And just to make the offer a lil better Ario, I can swap the Sempron CPU for an X2 6000+ for $300 more (at least it is detected properly)

EDIT: the HD4830 and HD4850 will work, but is the power draw and the Shuttle's 250W PSU I concerned about.... I think as long as you not into intense gaming you should be fine, do a check on the power draw on those cards)

[Arcmanov]

Nice.  If you want AR!O, myself or Sax will be glad to order one of those 4670s for you.  You can't get this
one, as its part of my current test rig at the moment. 

[woodyear99]

Where can I find small cases that will fit regular hardware for a HTPC?

[Saxito Pau]

Where can I find small cases that will fit regular hardware for a HTPC?

Circuit Zone and SuperTech. I seen a case or two there that should suit your fancy...

[woodyear99]

Thanks will check Circuit Zone tomorrow

[AR!Ø]

Awesome news all around. I will order the other parts online when I get back to Canada next, and since it looks like I may be leaving sooner than expected, I'd like to arrange for next week if that's cool with you sax.

[Saxito Pau]

Yeah Ario, great. I'll PM you will further details.

In the meanwhile, have a look at a review comparing the HD4670, HD4830 and HD4850

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/gpu_displays/his_radeon_4670_4830_4850_mid_range_round-up/1

[Saxito Pau]

The potential buyer has decided against purchase, so this is still up for sale.

Any takers?