Shuttle SN68PTG5 XPC - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 3rd Jan 2008, 08:12

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...tle_sn68ptg5/1

Possibly the perfect Home Theatre PC barebones - the SN68PTG5 looks fantastic, has integrated graphics with HDMI out and is attractively priced. Has Shuttle made something we all want under our TVs?

Xir · 3rd Jan 2008, 11:33

For a HTPC-Test im missing some info:

How's the picture quality, the TV-out, and the loads (and noise) at DVD and HD playback? (Best in your preferred setup...BE processor and IGP)
Is there a TV-in? How about fitting a TV-capture card, DVB-S or DVB-T card? How are the loads when Timeshifting or playback while recording?

Are there any new Shuttles with an external (fanless) powersource? (Like the old SD11G5)

For the non AMD'ers...would the SG33G5 be the Intel based equivalent to this one?

Cheers,

Xir

Bindibadgi · 3rd Jan 2008, 11:47

There's no TV in - but it's upgradable via the PCI, PCI-Express or USB. Loads are dependent on what TV card, software you use and what you record. Loads with HD and DVD playback can be seen here: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...r_tf7050-m2/15 - noise is entirely dependent on load, heat output and optical drive used (mostly the latter).

Picture quality - I haven't got round to testing this yet, but it does support Nvidia PureVideo and it has HDMI digital interface so it should be pretty good.

The SG33G5 is the Intel alternative, yes. There's nothing like the (fantastic but super niche and expensive) SD11G5 planned that I know of, unfortunately.

Tomm · 3rd Jan 2008, 14:43

Yeah I'd be interested to know how it performs both in 1080 and 720 HD playback. I think that should be part of the bench suite, at least for computers that can be potentially used as HTPCs.

Tyinsar · 3rd Jan 2008, 17:44

It looks like a fairly decent rig but I really don't like the look of that HDMI->DVI adapter. Wouldn't one with a short chunk of cable in between be less prone to breaking? (I'd happily give up the gold plating for that.) Also it would make more sense to me if they replaced the VGA port with a DVI-I port and included a DVI->VGA adapter.

pumpman · 3rd Jan 2008, 18:36

Finally a positive review of something with amd in the content

Nice price too

waits for the c2d pwnzrrr brigade to come along

Almightyrastus · 3rd Jan 2008, 23:08

Would it be possible for this to work as a blu-ray player with the addition of an appropriate drive? If this is possible then i think i might have found my ideal htpc (so called as my fiancee has already said "ooo purdy" to the looks of it)

Xir · 4th Jan 2008, 07:21

Thanks for your quick response.

I somehow miss the days when signal quality was part of the standart testsuite for GPU's ;-)

this one uses the NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV IGP and nForce 630a chipset.
from your test before http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...r_tf7050-m2/15 I read:
Nvidia doesnâ€™t state that the chipset is capable of full 1080p HD DVD or Blu-ray playback.

But you did get it to run...somhow right?

Mind you, not that I'm planning on Full-HD until my old TV breaks (and Bluray/HD-DVD player prices go down), but it'll be coming sooner or later.

Bindibadgi · 4th Jan 2008, 08:56

The IGP doesn't, but if you run it with CPU decoding it does.

Negative_Sun · 29th Jan 2008, 22:00

Quick question:

I'm quite interested in using this case as my main PC as I love the look and feel of SFFs.

You said you dropped a BE-2350 in there with the onboard Graphics and the power comsumption was next to nothing, then the next is the 6000+ with no dedicated GPU and a 6000+ with a HD3850 uses way more because the 6000+ guzzles up too much Watts.

What I'm interested is this: how would it fare with a BE-2350 or BE-2400 (maybe OC to what you had it) and add either a 256Mb 3850 or 256Mb 8800GT?

Do you think it would hang or run, even at full load?

Cheers if you could answer this.

xander12345 · 6th May 2008, 20:34

Hi everyone, I bought this system after reading this review but I just cant get a decent picture from it. I using;

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processor 5000+
and a Samsung 2032mw monitor

I've tried using a HDMI cable but the picture is too intense and blurry giving serious eye strain. While using the D-sub (VGA) port and cable the picture is just seriously poor quality, any ideas?

Bindibadgi · 6th May 2008, 22:33

Is it upscaling the picture? Have you got the drivers installed correctly? Any interference?

HDMI should not be blurry - it's digital.

Is your monitor working properly?

xander12345 · 8th May 2008, 20:46

Yes my monitor is working fine its a brand new "Samsung SyncMaster 2032mw" i've tried using every different setting it offers. I have reinstalled the drivers many times, however how would you know if they were not installed correctly?
Im going to buy a DVI-VGA cable and try using the HDMI adapter but if that doesnt work i dont know what else to try really, any ideas?

3rd Jan 2008, 08:12	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Shuttle SN68PTG5 XPC http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...tle_sn68ptg5/1 Possibly the perfect Home Theatre PC barebones - the SN68PTG5 looks fantastic, has integrated graphics with HDMI out and is attractively priced. Has Shuttle made something we all want under our TVs? __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

3rd Jan 2008, 11:33	#2
Xir Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 534	For a HTPC-Test im missing some info: How's the picture quality, the TV-out, and the loads (and noise) at DVD and HD playback? (Best in your preferred setup...BE processor and IGP) Is there a TV-in? How about fitting a TV-capture card, DVB-S or DVB-T card? How are the loads when Timeshifting or playback while recording? Are there any new Shuttles with an external (fanless) powersource? (Like the old SD11G5) For the non AMD'ers...would the SG33G5 be the Intel based equivalent to this one? Cheers, Xir __________________ SN25P A64 3700+ (San Diego) 2 GB DDR400 OCZ Platinum EL 2-3-2-5 1T X1800XT 512mb Sapphire 200GB Samsung SP2004C

3rd Jan 2008, 11:47	#3
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,281	There's no TV in - but it's upgradable via the PCI, PCI-Express or USB. Loads are dependent on what TV card, software you use and what you record. Loads with HD and DVD playback can be seen here: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...r_tf7050-m2/15 - noise is entirely dependent on load, heat output and optical drive used (mostly the latter). Picture quality - I haven't got round to testing this yet, but it does support Nvidia PureVideo and it has HDMI digital interface so it should be pretty good. The SG33G5 is the Intel alternative, yes. There's nothing like the (fantastic but super niche and expensive) SD11G5 planned that I know of, unfortunately. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

3rd Jan 2008, 14:43	#4
Tomm I also ride trials :¬) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fallowfield, Manchester Posts: 2,233	Yeah I'd be interested to know how it performs both in 1080 and 720 HD playback. I think that should be part of the bench suite, at least for computers that can be potentially used as HTPCs. __________________ Carrot cake cheesecake Shuttle SN85G4V2 \| A64 3200+ / Apple PowerBook 12

3rd Jan 2008, 17:44	#5
Tyinsar 6 screens / 1 card Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: AB.CA Posts: 2,005	It looks like a fairly decent rig but I really don't like the look of that HDMI->DVI adapter. Wouldn't one with a short chunk of cable in between be less prone to breaking? (I'd happily give up the gold plating for that.) Also it would make more sense to me if they replaced the VGA port with a DVI-I port and included a DVI->VGA adapter. __________________ It's not about how life treats you, it's about how you treat life.

3rd Jan 2008, 18:36	#6
pumpman Ultramodder Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,009	Finally a positive review of something with amd in the content Nice price too waits for the c2d pwnzrrr brigade to come along __________________ Hexus

3rd Jan 2008, 23:08	#7
Almightyrastus Heathen Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 442	Would it be possible for this to work as a blu-ray player with the addition of an appropriate drive? If this is possible then i think i might have found my ideal htpc (so called as my fiancee has already said "ooo purdy" to the looks of it) __________________ Lo there do I see my Father. Lo there do I see my Mother, and my Sisters and my Brothers. Lo there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning. Lo they do call to me. They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla where the brave may live forever.

4th Jan 2008, 07:21	#8
Xir Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 534	Thanks for your quick response. I somehow miss the days when signal quality was part of the standart testsuite for GPU's ;-) this one uses the NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV IGP and nForce 630a chipset. from your test before http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...r_tf7050-m2/15 I read: Nvidia doesnâ€™t state that the chipset is capable of full 1080p HD DVD or Blu-ray playback. But you did get it to run...somhow right? Mind you, not that I'm planning on Full-HD until my old TV breaks (and Bluray/HD-DVD player prices go down), but it'll be coming sooner or later. __________________ SN25P A64 3700+ (San Diego) 2 GB DDR400 OCZ Platinum EL 2-3-2-5 1T X1800XT 512mb Sapphire 200GB Samsung SP2004C

4th Jan 2008, 08:56	#9
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,281	The IGP doesn't, but if you run it with CPU decoding it does. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

29th Jan 2008, 22:00	#10
Negative_Sun What's a Dremel? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Quick question: I'm quite interested in using this case as my main PC as I love the look and feel of SFFs. You said you dropped a BE-2350 in there with the onboard Graphics and the power comsumption was next to nothing, then the next is the 6000+ with no dedicated GPU and a 6000+ with a HD3850 uses way more because the 6000+ guzzles up too much Watts. What I'm interested is this: how would it fare with a BE-2350 or BE-2400 (maybe OC to what you had it) and add either a 256Mb 3850 or 256Mb 8800GT? Do you think it would hang or run, even at full load? Cheers if you could answer this.

6th May 2008, 20:34	#11
xander12345 What's a Dremel? Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	Hi everyone, I bought this system after reading this review but I just cant get a decent picture from it. I using; AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core processor 5000+ and a Samsung 2032mw monitor I've tried using a HDMI cable but the picture is too intense and blurry giving serious eye strain. While using the D-sub (VGA) port and cable the picture is just seriously poor quality, any ideas?

6th May 2008, 22:33	#12
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,281	Is it upscaling the picture? Have you got the drivers installed correctly? Any interference? HDMI should not be blurry - it's digital. Is your monitor working properly? __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

8th May 2008, 20:46	#13
xander12345 What's a Dremel? Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	Yes my monitor is working fine its a brand new "Samsung SyncMaster 2032mw" i've tried using every different setting it offers. I have reinstalled the drivers many times, however how would you know if they were not installed correctly? Im going to buy a DVI-VGA cable and try using the HDMI adapter but if that doesnt work i dont know what else to try really, any ideas?