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Shuttle SDXi Water-Cooled SFF PC

Posted by kdawson on from the looks-hot-runs-cool dept.

MojoKid writes "Shuttle Computer single-handedly invented the SFF PC or Small Form-Factor PC a few years back. Their line of XPC mini-PC systems, no bigger than a toaster oven, has evolved nicely over the years. This article takes a look at the features and performance of a new XPC from Shuttle that is built on a i975X/Core 2 Duo platform and is designed with the PC enthusiast in mind. The SDXi features a number of unique features like a built-in water-cooler for Radeon GPU-based graphics cards and a slick, flamed-out paint job that you've just got to see." Update: 07/08 23:53 GMT by KD : Here is a link to the version split over 12 pages, in which the images are clickable thumbnails.

2 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. System Noise by corvair2k1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The article mentions a problem that I have had with Shuttle systems all along: Noise. Even though it's water cooled, they found noise to still be a problem.

    If I could be choosy, this is what I want in my typical SFF system:

    - One full size x16 PCI express slot for my big graphics card (that should fit and be adequately cooled)
    - Space for two hard drives in the chassis, along with one optical drive
    - Near silence except when doing something intense, like gaming or encoding
    - Of course, small.

    When will I get such a system!?

  2. Too many hoses by Animats · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Shuttle did well with their innovative heat pipe system, which is a rigid, sealed unit connecting a heat exchanger atop the CPU with one near an air outlet and fan. The case and motherboard were designed around the cooling system. That's what makes their small form factor PCs workable without overheating problems. We used those things outdoors in summer, while field testing robots, and they held up well. I've never had a Shuttle PC overheat, even at 105F ambient.

    But the new graphics card cooling technology looks like a tacky afterthought. Big hoses all over the place. Too much plumbing. It comes with a paint job that might look good on a pickup with a lift job. So you get a sense of the target market.

    If you like this sort of thing, go read "Soon, I Will be Invincible!", the fictional memoir of an evil mad scientist who tries to take over the world. It's the classic dweeb fantasy, with appropriate interior decoration.