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Barebone is quite an interesting solution that balances on the vergeof a classical DIY computer and a finished one. They make it very simpleto assemble a working machine from components lying on the floor as wellas leave some freedom for imagination. Some companies assemble finishedsystems themselves, but most barebones systems go directly to end-usersand test labs. Today we will tale a look at three such systems availableon the market, at their features and positioning. Also, we will share ourown impressions. AOpen MX4GRAppearance and ease of use This is a classical version of the slim desktop, though it doesn't lookthat slim because of the small width and a protruding plate of gray andblue plastic. This plate looks quite coarse, - thus, apart from the traythe CD-ROM drive has a part of its front panel uncovered (especially becauseits color is standard beige). Just compare with the ASUS Prodigy. It'smy own opinion, but this attached plate looks alien here. At least, youcan remove it, though the front panel behind it doesn't look attractiveat all. Also note that you can install the case vertically using the supports.The front panel has two USB connectors and two audio ones (mic and headphones),which are positioned rather handily. This is the only barebone that camewith a keyboard and a mouse. The PS/2 keyboard looks a little bit ergonomic(roundish shape and a some kind of a palm rest), the mouse is ordinaryand comes with scrolling (looks like one of the A4Tech models). Well, the system justifies its positioning - for office use -cute but without frills. Insides and functions The functions are certainly determined by the mainboard. The AOpen MX4GRis based on the i845G chipset and has only a network controller from Realtek(RTL8100BL). However, this chipset integrates a lot of stuff itself: USB2.0, 10/100 Ethernet, video (not the worst), AGP slot, 3 PCI slots and1 CNR. There is quite a good AC'97 codec from Analog Devices (AD1981A)which, at least, doesn't worsen audio compositions. All other characteristics (supported processors, frequencies of FSBand memory etc.) depend on the chipset. In general, it has enough functionsfor what it's meant for; I won't complain about a missing FireWire becauseit's not needed in an office machine, while a USB 2.0 is in the right place. What I don't like in the AOpen MX4GR is that the arrangement of thecomponents inside is not that good though it looks nice at first sight.However, as a rule, one has to disassemble barebone systems very rarelyor never. ASUS Prodigy (P4S)Appearance and ease of useThis is one more desktop system but it looks more austere. This PC casecan be put on its side for what there are special supports. However, the CD-ROM drive can't work in a vertical position as it lacksfor a disc lock on the tray. I think it's just a mistake and they willcorrect it. However, the CD-ROM and FDD drives do look like an integralpart of the system here. The mic and headphone connectors, 2 USB (1.1) and optical S/PDIF outputare located on the front panel under a special lid. On the one hand, ifthe connectors are not used and covered, the case looks tidier. But ifthey are used all the time, for example, the headphones are always connected,the opened lid just worsens the look. One can mention proper dustproofnessbut just look at the back :). On the whole, the ASUS's barebone looks simpleand elegant. On the other hand, its exterior is restrained, like that ofthe previous solution. But maybe that was the idea... Insides and functionsASUS offers two Prodigy version based on the SiS650 and i845G chipsets.We tested the first one called Prodigy P4S, and the speeds and chipset'scharacteristics shown below are not shareable contrary to the same appearance,accessory pack, expandability etc. The ASUS P4S333-VF mainboard is built on the SiS650 (SiS650 + SiS961)and doesn't support USB 2.0, which is not an advantage, because USB 2.0devices are many in number and it's much more pleasant to use them thanUSB 1.1 counterparts. But the Prodigy optionally supports FireWire (thoughit's missing in this particular system), which allows positioning thismodel as a half-home one. There are only two PCI slots and no CNR. Althoughthis is a "slim desktop" solution you can install full-size PCI expansioncards thanks to a riser card for horizontal installation of the cards. By the way, one of such cards is supplied - a PCTel's based soft modem.But the AGP connector hasn't a riser card for itself and without it onecan't connect an external video card (AGP) by any means. The other components are standard for a modern barebone system: integratedgraphics (though 3D of the SiS 650 is not that perfect compared to othermodern integrated solutions, but 2D is decent), 10/100 Ethernet, AC'97Audio (Avance Logic ALC201A codec). On the whole, after the AOpen MX4GRthe functions look poor. The PC case's design is worse - the drives can be only removed as awhole, and the hard drive is hardly reachable both for connection of cablesand for cooling. However, this barebone works noiselessly thanks to thecooler below. By the way, SuperMicro equips its server boards for Intel Xeon withsimilar cooling devices. A slow and quiet fan blows air through the heatsinkwith high aluminum fins on the side carrying warm air away to the backpanel where it's blown out by a special little fan. The ASUS P4S333-VF board works strangely with the processors clockedat 533 MHz (FSB). They are not officially supported (note that the SiS650is built on the discrete SiS645, not on SiS645DX), they can be installedand they are even detected by the board, but after that the system worksunstably. Taking into account that the most problems were concerned withthe hard drive, it seems that the FSB/PCI frequency conversion coefficientis not correct, i.e. FSB is set at 133 MHz, and the PCI divisor remainsthe same as for 100 MHz. I hope the assumption is right because such problemcan be solved by the BIOS modification. However, the ASUS's technical supportis not going to see to it. Shuttle XPC SB51GAppearance and ease of use The XPC SB51G justifies its Spacewalker trade mark by 100% - this istruly something of the outer space. The body doesn't look like a computerat all - it has a square face, the front panel comes with transparent plastic,big heads of the metallic bolts, and even the covers for the FDD and CD-ROMdrive bays are much accented and look like a part of the case's decor. But the Shuttle XPC SB51G is the only system that doesn't come withthe CD-ROM and FDD drives, and you will have to buy them separately. Ifyou install here the standard drives, the integrity of this body's imagewill be broken if you don't paint them into some matching color. The connectors have handy positions, and they outnumber those on theother barebones: headphones out, mic-in, 2 USB, 1 FireWire and 1 S/PDIFoptical output. The back panel is stuffed with all sorts of connectors: 2 COM ports(the ASUS and AOpen models have one), 2 USB, 2 FireWire (!) etc. Only anLPT port and a joystick connector are lacking. However, today almost allprinters (the "closest relatives" of LPT) have the USB interface. Insides and functions The system is built on the Shuttle FB51 mainboard which is based oni845G chipset. Therefore, it supports USB 2.0 due to the south bridge and3 FireWire ports due to the integrated controller VIA VT6306. Of course,it has 10/100 Ethernet (Realtek RTL8100BL) and AC'97 sound (6-channel onthe Realtek ALC650 codec with advanced specs and average sound). So, theShuttle's barebone sports the biggest number of external buses (note thatthe ASUS's model has FireWire optionally). 3D graphics and the like isprovided by the AOpen MX4GR which is described above. The system can be easily assembled/disassembled thanks to the drivesunit which you can easily remove and connect cables to. Two slots (PCIand AGP) allow for full-size expansion cards - this is an advantage ofthe cube in comparison with the slim desktop! Specs and testsNow we are turning directly to the technical description and to the tests.The technical information will sometimes repeat what was said above, butit's still more convenient for general estimation. AOpen MX4GRCase format: slim desktop
Dimensions: 324x95x399 mm
Mainboard, chipset: AOpen MX4GR, Intel i845G
Video: integrated i845G
Audio: AC'97 codec Analog Devices AD1981A
Network: 10/100 Ethernet, Realtek RTL8100BL
Connectors behind: PS/2 Mouse & Keyboard, 1xCOM, 1xLPT, 1xVGA, 1xJoystick,3xAudio (In/Out/Speakers), 1xEthernet, 2xUSB (2.0)
Connectors in front: 2xAudio (Mic/Out), 2xUSB (2.0)
In the box: PC case, power supply unit, board, FDD, CD-ROM, mouse, keyboard
Power supply unit: 200 W
Expansion slots: 1xAGP, 1xCNR, 3xPCI
Expansion cards format: only low-profile
Expanded BIOS settings: BIOS based on Award v6.00 Setup of memory timings CAS Latency, RAS Active To Precharge, RAS to CAS Delay, RAS Precharge Setup of memory frequency+CPU:DRAM = 1:1, 4:3, 4:5 Setup of AGP bus+Shared Memory - 1, 8 MB Setup of PCI bus- Changeable scaler of AGP and PCI buses+AGP(PCIx2) = FSB/0,5, FSB/0.75, FSB/1, FSB/1.25, FSB/1.5, FSB/1.75, FSB/2, FSB/2.5, FSB/3, FSB/3.5, FSB/4, FSB/5, FSB/6, FSB/7, FSB/10, FSB/14 Manual assignment of interrupts- Changeable FSB frequency+100-248 MHz in 1MHz steps Changeable CPU multiplier+x8-x24 Changeable core voltage- Changeable memory voltage- Changeable chipset voltage- Changeable AGP bus voltage- ASUS Prodigy (P4S)Case format: slim desktop
Dimensions: 305x88x385 mm
Mainboard, chipset: P4