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For years, the
only decisions computer user's had to make, dealt with speed
and capacity. How fast is the CPU? How big is
the hard drive? How much memory is included?
These types of questions were heard by prospecting computer
sales people throughout the world. Recently, in part
due to the efforts of companies like
Apple
Computer and
Compaq,
things have changed. The days of plain, beige
computers are long gone, and now buyers can not only choose
from an assortment of colors, but also an assortment of
sizes. Looking to capitalize on the trend started by
these large companies, late last year
Shuttle
introduced the aluminum SV24 mini-barebones system,
reviewed here, and the small form factor craze took off.
These "mini-PCs" were so cool, people began searching for
reasons to justify purchasing one. A little time
passed and the Pentium IIIs solution powering Shuttle's
SV24, were falling a little behind the performance curve, so
the market began clamoring for a more powerful version.
That is what we've got in the HotHardware labs today.
The SS50 is Shuttle's Pentium 4 powered mini-barebones
system. This tiny system packs quite a punch.
Step into our office and check this thing out...
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR AN ENLARGED
VIEW...
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Specifications / Features of the Shuttle SS50 Mini
Barebones System |
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How'd They Fit It
All... |
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CPU
Support:
Chipsets:
Memory:
VGA:
Audio:
IEEE
1394a:
Ethernet:
TV-Out
Function:
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SiS301
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Supports PAL and NTSC Systems
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Supports Composite, S-Video, and Component R/G/B
Output Signals.
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Supports maximum input active resolution at PAL
and NTSC system to 800x600.
H/W
Monitor:
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Built
in ITE 8705F
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2
thermal inputs from remote thermal resistor to
monitor system temperature
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1
thermal inputs from thermal diode to monitor CPU
temperature
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Smart
Guardian Controller to provide programmable fan
speed automatic control
IDE
interface:
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2 x
UltraDMA/100 IDE Channels Master from SiS961
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ATAPI
IDE CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, and LS-120 Supports
Power
Management:
BIOS:
Form
Factor:
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On Board
Ports / Connectors / Jumpers (front/back panel):
Front
Panel:
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2 x
USB ports
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1 x
1394 ports
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1 x
Mic-In
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1 x
Speaker-Out
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Power-On
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Reset
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1 x
3.5" bay
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1 x
5.25" bay
Back
Panel Ports and Connectors:
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1 x
PS/2 Keyboard
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1 x
PS/2 Mouse
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1 x
VGA port
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2 x
Serial Port
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2 x
1394 ports
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1 x
S-Video and Composite connector
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2 x
USB ports
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1 x
RJ45 port
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1 x
line-in connector
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1 x
line-out connector
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1 x
Center/Bass connector
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Other
connectors and jumpers
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3 x
fan connectors
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1 x
ATX power connector
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1 x 4
pin 12V ATX power connector
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Clear
CMOS
Headers:
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1 x
COM port header
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1 sets
of 2 x5 pin Front Panel USB header
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1 sets
of 2 x5 pin Front Panel IEEE1394a header
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CD_In
header
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Microphone_In header
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Speaker_Out header
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Dimension / Chassis
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200(w)
x 181(h) x 280(d) mm
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Aluminum casing
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Power
Expansion Slot:
Dimension:
Input:
Accessory:
Accessory Box:
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1 x
21cm ATA 100/66 cable
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1 x
55cm ATA 100/66 cable (bend 90° from M/B side)
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1 x
32cm Floppy cable (bend 90° at 16.5 cm from M/B
side)
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SCANNED IMAGES FROM THE BACK
OF THE BOX
Now is that
an impressive list of specifications, or what? The
Shuttle SS50 Mini Barebones System brings a lot to the
table, especially considering it's compact design.
This system is barely larger than a shoebox at
8"x7.1"x11", yet it is jammed with features like TV-Out,
IEEE-1394 and 6-Channel surround sound.
Besides the
system itself, you'll find quite a few extras included
with the Shuttle SS50. Inside the box, you'll find
an Installation Guide, a User's Manual and a CD
containing all of the necessary drivers to properly
configure your system. A slim-line, copper cored
CPU cooler with an excellent, hinged clip is also
included. This cooler may not be very big, but it
did an adequate job cooling our 2.2GHz. CPU. Under
load, our CPU temperature never went past 45° C.
Two 80-Wire IDE cables, a floppy cable, a power cable,
thermal grease and a small bag of screws and wire ties
also ship with the SS50.
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The
BIOS & Setup |
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Nothing Out Of The
Ordinary Here... |
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The BIOS found
on the FS50, the Shuttle motherboard used in the SS50, is a
derivative of the Phoenix / Award BIOS we have all seen on
countless boards in the past.
In all of the
"standard" sections of the BIOS, we did not find any
extraordinary features or options. Users do have
adequate control over all of the integrated on-board
components though, most of which can be enabled or disabled
with the BIOS. We were pleased to see the "CPU Fan
AutoGuardian" feature in the "PC Health Status" sections of
the BIOS. With a system as compact as the SS50, some
users are bound to have stray cables interfering with the
CPU fan. It's nice to see at least some level or
protection.
There were also
a few options in the "Frequency / Voltage Control" for the
overclockers. Unfortunately, none of them were for
tweaking the CPU core voltage and memory voltage. What
is there, is the ability to adjust the FSB in 1MHz.
increments between 100 and 165MHz. and selectable CPU to
DRAM clock ratios of 1:1, 3:4 and 3:5. Shuttle doesn't
claim the SS50 officially supports PC2700, 166MHz. DDR RAM,
but using the 3:5 clock ratios does give user that ability.
Obviously, without the ability to raise any voltages and
because a relatively small CPU cooler has to be used,
overclocking will not be the SS50's strong suit, but we did
have decent luck overclocking our 2.2GHz. "Northwood" P4.
We were able to take the FSB up to 110MHz., for a top speed
of 2.42GHz, a 10% overclock. Anything higher than that
and the machine would not even post.
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