![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Monday , March 06, 2006
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Shuttle SD31P SFF
Looking for a cost effective Intel based small form factor barebones computer? The SD31P is based on the i945G chipset sporting integrated Sound Blaster Live! technology.
Introduction
Shuttle is well known for their innovative small form factor system design. Since they pioneered this market several years ago, Shuttle has maintained their competitive advantage over the competition. Their latest introduction seems to keep with this trend nicely.
The SD31P is among Shuttle’s lineup for the Intel LGA775 line of processors, including the newer Dual Core models. The system was designed using the Intel 945G chipset, with built-in support for the entire Intel LGA775 processor line, DDR2 type SDRAM modules operating in Dual Channel mode up to speeds of 667MHz officially, integrated Intel graphics controller, and PCI Express x16 based video cards operating in single card mode. The SD31P is a complete system, requiring a minimal of added components to get it up and running: Intel LGA775 based CPU, DDR2 memory, and drives. Shuttle included the following integrated components in the SD31P’s design: 1 IDE ATA-100 port and 4 SATA II ports (3 internal, 1 external, RAID 0, 1, 0+1, and 5 capable) on the Intel ICH7R controller; 6 USB 2.0 capable ports (4 in rear panel, and 2 in front panel); 1 IEEE 1394 port in the front panel; 1 Gigabit Ethernet port in rear panel; Creative Live! 24-bit 8-channel audio codec featuring S/PDIF optical and component input and output ports; integrated Intel graphics controller; and PS/2, and serial port support in the rear panel.
Main Specifications Overview:
Detailed Motherboard Specification List:
Packaging/Case
For the SD31P, Shuttle went with a very generic and simple design. The chipset used and supported platforms are located in small print on the system information sticker on the front of the box. Shuttle chose to include the following items in with the SD31P: 1 ATA-100 IDE cable; 1 floppy cable; 3 SATA cables; a MOLEX extension cable with integrated floppy connector; feet for the front bottom of the case; heatsink compound for use with the ICE cooling unit; removable drive rails for optical, floppy, and hard drives; a power cord; and the standard complement of manuals, driver CDs and floppy disks.
As with the rest of the XPC line, the SD31P is completely modular, having the ability to remove all components from the case including the drive bay, PSU, CPU cooling unit and motherboard. The SD31P is based on the XPC P chassis, which includes a tool free drive cage complete with mounting rails for all drives, a redesign of the I.C.E (Integrated Cooling Engine) unit for better overall CPU cooling, and a 350 watt BTX power supply. The drive cage itself boasts a tool free design, with easy system removal capabilities via the pull tabs on both sides at the back of the cage. The cage can hold 1 5.25 inch device, as well as 1 3.5 inch device, and comes standard with an integrated 8-in-1 card reader. Additional 3.5 inch hard drives can be added along the top of the drive cage and PSU using the provided hard drive mounting rails. The I.C.E unit sits at the front of the system, drawing air in from the front right and exhausting it across the attached radiator to the front left of the case. The unit itself is composed of 3 parts: the air intake duct, the CPU cooler, and the rear exhaust fan. Notice that the heat pipe has been integrated in to the block that sits directly on the CPU, with a dual intake and outlet fan configuration. The CPU block itself is hybrid aluminum / copper design, which allows for very good heat capture and transfer from the CPU.
While the unit has a bit of room to spare, it is still packed full of components. The PSU sits along the mid-rear of the case, with the I.C.E unit along the lower front. Integrated in to the SD31P are various ports in the rear as well as in the hidden front panel. Along the bottom of the front panel are 2 analogue audio ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and 1 IEEE 1394 port. Power and reset buttons are arranged along the right side of the unit, back lit with blue LEDs, as well as a single LED that doubles as a power and hard drive activity LED, changing from blue to amber when drive activity occurs. Both the floppy and optical drive are hidden behind panels below the 8-in-1 card reader slots. The rear of the system contains the rear panel ports, system and PSU cooling fans, and the PSU power switch. Notice that that case rear has 3 output fans, a large fan for the PSU, and 2 smaller fans for drawing air across any top mounted hard drives. The PCI Express cards are held in place using two hold down mechanisms – the standard screw as well as a locking mechanism that swings up and down for better card support The following ports are integrated in to the rear panel: PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports; 1 serial port; 4 USB 2.0 ports; a Gigabit Ethernet port; 5 analogue audio ports; S/PDIF RCA output and optical input/output ports.
System Layout
The SD31P’s board is a bit tight on space in some places, but overall was well designed and laid out by Shuttle. The biggest shortcoming on the board was the lack of active cooling on the Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets. In testing, both passive heat sinks got excessively hot but did not seem to affect system performance or stability adversely. The board included with the system was a revision 1.3 model. The serial number for the board is on a sticker located on the outside edge of the PCI Express x16 slot. Shuttle used capacitors from Taiwan Ostor Corporation (Taiwan).
The SD31P’s PCI Express slots are located along the upper right edge of the board, with the PCI Express x16 video card slot along the outer edge, and the x1 slot to its left. Just above the PCI Express x16 slot is a USB 2.0 header. The onboard floppy and SATA II ports, and the IEEE 1394 header are to the lower left of the x1 PCI-Express slot. Directly to the left of this slot is the 4-pin FAN3 header, with the 8-pin ATX2 power connector and the parallel port header to its upper left. The AUX_IN, CD_IN, and mini CD_IN ports are located to the left of the PCI Express x1 slot, with the 4 SATA-150 ports and floppy port just below. The FAN3 header is of the left of the mini CD_IN port, with the 6-pin ATX1 power connector and parallel port header just above it. The wireless keyboard/mouse header and the CMOS control jumper are located to the left of the ATX2 power connector.
The CPU socket is located along the lower edge of the board. The I.C.E. cooler is held to the CPU using the standard 4-hole LGA775 design. The 4-pin FAN2 header and the EXT GPI header, used for connecting specialized devices to the system, are located to the left of the CPU socket. The front panel connectors/headers are located to the left and below the CPU socket. The 4-pin FAN1 header is to the upper right of the CPU socket, while the 6-pin ATX1 power connector is to the lower right of the socket. Notice that Shuttle chose to use some beefier MOSFETs for power regulation of the CPU power, located directly to the right of the socket along the I.C.E. intake route.
The 2 onboard DDR2 DIMM slots are located in the upper left corner of the board, arranged vertically below the rear panel components. The AUX-IN and CD-IN headers are to the left of the outer DIMM slot, while the IDE port, CMOS battery, and passively cooled Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets are to the right of the inner slot. The Northbridge heatsink is held to the chipset via 2 wire clips on opposite sides of the chipset, while the Southbridge cooler is held on via thermal tape.