Shuttle's new $199 KPC Linux box (or $99 barebones)

[JeffreyLebowski]

I just picked up one of these units and put together a complete system with spare parts i had laying around. I have an e2200 2GB memory and an 80GB sata HDD in it. I loaded Vista Premium and Ubuntu 8.04 on it and it runs great. It seems to have a little more snap to it than my main rig. I'm impressed and with finding someone that has replacement face plates, I'm thinking of getting those and a slim DVDRW and making a 2nd box for my entertainment center.

My only complaint is the processor socket is at a 45 degree angle compared to the mounting holes for the HSF. This wouldn't be an issue, but the socket seems to be off center and a large portion of the stock intel HSF hangs over the CPU. Coupled with the crap push tabs on the HSF it does get hot quick. I'm going to get a screw in type HSF and hope that makes better contact and better cooling.

 

[IlllI]

new model x27 announced. even smaller than the kpc Text

 

[DW in UT]

The new x27 looks like it is now scheduled for mid to late September release, with a price of $189. From Shuttle's forum

Smaller that the earlier KPC offerings, as it uses the new Atom cpu (1.6 speed?) and an external power supply.

Price should include case, external power supply, Atom cpu, and mobo. Some other tip sites report an unconfirmed email from a Shuttle employee saying that the Atom chip is not included in the $189 barebones price, but most dismis that report as so far all the makers who use Atom's have only delivered integrated CPU/Mobo combos - not separate cpu and board.

 

[IlllI]

yeah i think the cpu would be included. i dont think you can buy those oem or retail
i wonder if it would take a 3.5 in hard drive or if it would require 2.5

doesnt look like it has room for a hd + optical drive

 

[DaveSimmons]

I might buy one for a media player if it does tak a 3.5", but Shuttle has managed to give the wrong mix of features (for me) with the K45 and K48 so I'm fully expecting only 2.5" support.

A Popcorn Hour media player is only ~$200 so I might go that route instead.

 

[wbynum]

Does the BIOS on the K45 lock the PCI bus down to 100mhz even when oc'ing the FSB?

I'm waiting on my e2180 cpu to get here from Amazon and then my K45 build will commence. Going to use my RMA Crucial Ballistix memory. Hopefully if I run it at 1.8v and normal timings it will not die in 2 months...

 

[D4L]

Alright, so I am hoping I can get some advise/help from the users/readers of this thread.

I jumped on the recent Fry's deal and got the Shuttle KPC K-45 case. But I am now at a point on trying to figure out which parts I would/should get. Specifically, CPU, Heatsink, Mem, HD. I want to use this box as a NAS device and possibly to do testing and creating VMs and stuff. I don't think this box is capable of doing anything multimedia related, streaming movies and stuff, though if anyone has any suggestions or ideas I am open to them.

Appreciate your feedback/help!

D$L

 

[DW in UT]

I got in on the Fry's sale as well, and will try running some alternative operating systems. When/if I get over that whim, it should be a good home office or kitchen box using Ubuntu Linux.

For extra parts to round out the barebones box, also ordered:

Intel 2180 cpu - $70 - Newegg
2x1 gb Crucial memory - $30 - Newegg Labor Day sale

.92mm Arctic Cooling case fan for rear exhaust from SVC.com - $8
cpu cooler from SVC.com - $8 - (past reports are mixed on the fan included with the cpu)
mix of extra ide, sata and other cables & parts from SVC.com $15

Already had: hard drives (ide & sata), external cd-r (usb & firewire), firewire pci card (not at all sure if this makes an external firewire cd or dvd bootable, but have usb available as well)

Future tweaks: pci video card or wireless card in the single pci slot.

Will tinker with it for a few months, then decide whether to keep it or sell it for at least the cost of parts ( $200 ~ $300 ? ) then use that cash for the next generation. (Looks to me like any mini computer sells fast on my local Craig's list, although I have not tried it myself.)