14 DAY TRIAL // Just when everybody though that LGA 775 is dead and buried, Shuttle comes to add a new XPC barebone to their collection that was designed around the Intel G41 Express chipset to support Core 2 Duo processors.
The new barebone is called the SG41J4 and it features an ultra-compact design as well as a G41 motherboard which can accommodate LGA 775 CPUs and up to 8GB of DDR3 memory via two DIMM sockets.
These can be accompanied by an optical 5.25-inch drive and two 3.5-inch drives, and users can also opt for installing a dedicated graphics card is they so desire as the SG41J4 packs one full length PCI Express x16 socket that can be fitted with dual-slot graphics cards.
Alternatively, a legaxy PCI slot is available for other expansion cards.
If the PCIe-x16 slot is not used, the SG41J4 can operate with the GMA X4500 graphics integrated in the chipset.
Moving to the back of the barebone, we find that Shuttle has included two PS/2 connectors, four USB 2.0 ports (two additional ports are placed in the front), a DVI-D and a D-Sub video output, a Gigabit Ethernet port as well as 5.1 channel audio.
Other features include a 250W power supply, a customizable front panel, and an optional PM65 heatpipe cooler (the SG41J4 is also compatible with Intel's boxed coolers).
"The front panel of this model can easily be modified by the owner, allowing customisation using photos, logos or information," according to Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH.
"The creative opportunities are boundless," concludes the company's rep.
Shuttle's recommended retail price for the XPC Barebone SG41J4 is set at EUR 146.00, excluding VAT, and the barebone should be available for purchase in the not so distant future.