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In the Forums... |
Posted: April 19th, 2002 Written by: Tuan Huynh Introduction  Last summer Shuttle started selling their barebones system that was designed for Socket 370 processors that featured a high level of integration. Their SV24 barebones system was an instant hit due to its relative small size and features packed into such a small package. The FV24, which was the board used in the SV24, featured VIA’s PL133 north bridge and 686B south bridge, which featured Pro Savage integrated graphics with up to a 32mb SMA frame buffer, ATA100, and AC’97 audio. Due to its relatively small size, the board only featured one PCI slot for expansion, leaving much to be desired from the system. Though there were some flaws in the designs, the SV24 was able to sell out within the first 2 hours of being available on New Egg. Shortly afterwards, Shuttle was back at the drawing board designing another barebones system that would succeed the SV24. Unveiled at CeBit 2002, the Shuttle SS50 is finally available online for a price of $355. Today we’ll be reviewing the SS50, as well as showing you how to turn it into the center of your entertainment system. Features  Compared to the SV24, the SS50 is a little bigger, but you’ll see why Shuttle had to increase the size a bit, as it is worth it in the end. On the front of the SS50, you’ll notice that Shuttle has improved upon its predecessor by adding a front Firewire port below the USB1.1, Headphone, and Mic jacks. Looking at the power and reset buttons, the SS50 has more stylish chrome buttons compared to the dull beige buttons on the SV24, other then that, the front remains identical.  On the back, the SS50 improves upon it’s predecessor by having room for 2 PCI slots compared to one on the SV24. Comparing the rear I/O of the SS50 and SV24, you’ll see that the SS50 contains 2 Serial ports, but no parallel ports, so if you have an old printer, you’ll have to upgrade to a newer USB printer, other then that, the SS50 still has the VGA out, S Video (Composite capable via included adaptor), 2 Firewire, 2 USB1.1, Ethernet, and PS2 ports. On the audio side of things, Shuttle has gotten smart and has chosen to integrate a hardware based C-Media CMI8738 DSP capable of 6 Channel audio output, compared to the SV24’s AC’97 2 channel audio. Cooling wise, the SS50 has improved upon its predecessor by utilizing an 80MM fan compared to the 60MM fan on the SV24, thus solving some of the overheating issues of the SV24. |
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