Dual Core CPU's and Shuttles

[wedge22]

Are there any shuttles available that accept the new Dual Core AMD cpu's?

[Dougal]

Probably all the 939s.

CHeck for the BIOS updates.
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2457&p=5

[DJWillis]

The SN25p and the SN20G5 support X2's in latest BIOS's. The SN95G5 (All versions) are up in the air at the moment as Shuttle has admitted to some bad design on there part that makes X2 a non-starter on the V1 and V2 (and reports are the V3 is not happy with X2's).

You might get a better response in the SFF forum .

[StormPC]

I can tell you right now that running an X2 in a Shuttle is a bad idea unless you plan on running totally stock with a not so powerful videocard.

X2s are very powerful CPUs, and as such require lot's of power. Most SFF PSUs will not cut it if you want to overclock.

[wedge22]

Thanks for the info Storm. All I want from my pc is that it has to be small, quiet and powerful. I may look into other methods of using a dual core cpu now then.

[DJWillis]

I can tell you right now that running an X2 in a Shuttle is a bad idea unless you plan on running totally stock with a not so powerful videocard.

X2s are very powerful CPUs, and as such require lot's of power. Most SFF PSUs will not cut it if you want to overclock.

Hi Storm,

That is a little unfair to brand all SFF PSU’s as unsuitable .

Most S939 Shuttles (and I base this purely on there semi-decent SilentX PSUs that ship in there current rigs) are more then capable of running an X2, Shuttles board design may be more suspect but I am sure *cough* Shuttle will iron out those issues.

The thermal and power envelope of an X2 at stock is no more then an FX55 and I have built Shuttles (SN95G5 V2 and SN25P) running FX55’s at stock without any issues what so ever (with a 6800GT in both and a gig of Gell DDR 4000). Temps have been more then adequate and well within spec.

If you want to overclock a Shuttle the PSU is not lightly to be your limiting factor but the rate at which you can get air through the case. In my test rig I got an FX55 stable @ 3Gig at usable temps after replacing the stock fan with a decent Papst and removing the fan grill on the back of the case. Whilst I would agree that hardy makes it stock these mods are easily done by anybody who would consider the smallest mods to a mini tower rig .

All in all, whist I might be more then a little disillusioned with Shuttle at the moment and think there quality control for boards is shocking (hence don’t take this as a recommendation) I have to go on the record as saying there current range of PSU’s are up to the job and I think will cope with X2’s without to many headaches .

[Shmee150]

Urmm guys, help!

I have an SN25P, XFX 7800GTX, WD Raptor 74GB 10krpm, Hitachi 400GB 7.2krpm, NEC ND3540, and hopefully about to be getting 2GB of Patriot PC3200 2-3-2-5 Ram.

The Shuttle PSU is very good and 350W so should be able to manage but you've worried me.

So.. the problem - I was going to get an Athlon64 X2 4400 to put in there but unfortunately it is out of stock everywhere! So what processor should I put in without spending over £600 on it? And I suppose without doing something that may blast my computer to oblivion!

Thanks,

ShMeE

[StormPC]

Hi Storm,

That is a little unfair to brand all SFF PSU’s as unsuitable .

If you read my post again you'll see that I never said that. I said that it is a bad idea if you intend to overclock. X2's stock run very cool, but when you overclock them they need voltage, which really makes them throw out the heat. No SFF (not even a Shuttle which is one of the better ones) will be able to deal with the heat and voltage (not to mention current requirements) of an X2 that has been overclocked a couple hundred MHz or more.

I just said it's not a good idea. Didn't say it couldn't be done. The rig would need to be heavily modded to be able to deal with an overclocked X2 and a 7800GTX.

I don't think you understand how powerful the X2's are.

As an example:

I have a 4200+ that is crunching SETI 24/7 overclocked to 2490MHz. It does more work than 6 (yes that's SIX) Sempron 2600+'s. That is monster power, and that's just the slowest (2.2GHz and 512k cache) with a 290MHz overclock.

This 4200+ rig spanks my 3.2GHz dual Xeon (Narconas) server in crunching power, even with HT enabled.

[DJWillis]

Storm,

Do I detect a slight selective quoting .

As it stands I agree with you completely, when your OC’ing all bets are off . OC’ing an X2 (as with an FX) is just not a sane option on an unmodded Shuttle .

I was basing my views on the fact that on paper X2’s have very similar thermal properties to the FX55/57 and I have had good success with FX55 OC’s and Shuttle PSU’s and power hungry GFX. As you have used X2’s in the wild so to speak it’s your call. Sorry if I caused offence, it was not intended, honestly .

John

[StormPC]

I didn't take any offense. I just reported some things I've observed. I don't see any argument. I only quoted your first point because it seemed to be saying something I didn't believe was true.

Cheers!

[wedge22]

So I could get an X2 into a shuttle along with a 7800 and not have to worry about the heat as long as I do not o/c it?

[scotty6435]

I have seen several shuttles with 4800 X2s and a 7800GT all in with no problems. I haven't seen any overclocking done yet but i don't see why that would be a huge problem as the shuttle 350W PSU is actually equivalent to approx 550W ATX PSU. Give it a go and see what happens!

[wedge22]

I may get myself all that gear when we move to Vancouver, as long as my wife lets me anyway.

[speedy_s]

afaik x2 don't need huge amounts of volts
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2452

[StormPC]

afaik x2 don't need huge amounts of volts
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2452

You couldn't be more wrong. Read the whole article, not just the sentences you like. They don't need volts if you don't overclock them. Here's a couple of sentences you missed...

"That speed required just 1.45V, was exceptionally stable, and ran quite cool. The last 55MHz required a great deal more voltage and generated a lot more heat."

Also, keep in mind that Anand reviewed a hand-picked CPU, not a production one.


scotty6435 wrote:

"the shuttle 350W PSU is actually equivalent to approx 550W ATX PSU."

Ummmmm.....no it's not, not even close. What in the world are you talking about? Shuttle PSUs are ok but they are nothing special.

[StormPC]

So I could get an X2 into a shuttle along with a 7800 and not have to worry about the heat as long as I do not o/c it?

Yes, but you will really be pushing the PSU and you'd better have good air flow through the case. Also don't expect the PSU to last very long if it does work, and watch your ambient temps.