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Shuttle XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro

04 Mar 2008

It was only a matter of time before Shuttle updated its flagship small form factor PC to the newest chipset and the XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro is its attempt to port Intel's enthusiast class X38 chipset.

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HWZ's Overall Rating: 8.0

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			<h2 class="header-green">Shuttle XPC Prima SX38P2 Pro (Intel X38)</h2>
		<span class="byline">Reviewed by Vincent Chang on Tuesday, 04 Mar 2008</span>
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		 		<h2 class="page-title">Introduction</h2>
		 		<h3 class="page_title">Introduction</h3>
<p>Despite the best efforts of Shuttle, the small form factor PC (SFF) segment has remained a niche affair after all these years. PC vendors like Acer and HP have introduced desktops that can be classified in this category while ASUS seems to be building on its success with the Eee PC by launching a slim desktop, the <a href="http://promos.asus.com/US/evensite/Nova/index.htm" target="_blank">Nova P22</a> . Such developments certainly hint at a potential market here but given the mostly fruitless efforts from Shuttle, perhaps not for the relatively stagnant DIY scene.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, for the more demanding enthusiasts who cannot accept the compromises found in branded PCs, Shuttle has kept up with the times and regularly launched new models supporting the latest chipsets and processors. We have seen them implement SLI for their XPC models, but their newest flagship SFF goes for the top of range Intel X38 chipset with CrossFire support. Known as the Prima SX38P2 Pro, this SFF utilizes a familiar P2 chassis but with vastly updated specifications. All the important features of a Intel X38 board are also present, like supporting the new 45nm Intel processors, PCIe 2.0, to Dolby DTS Connect and even Intel's Turbo Memory technology via a PCIe Mini slot if you so require that add-on. </p>
<p class="rtecenter"><img src="http://images.hardwarezone.com/upload/files/2010/05/9fc478e4e0.jpg" title="Shuttle's new flagship enthusiast small form factor enclosure, the Prima SX38P2 Pro, based on Intel's X38 chipset." alt="" /></p>
<p class="rteleft">The usual installation guide from Shuttle should be chock full of images, but it was missing from our package. However, we got by with the downloaded manual from Shuttle's website. Below are the list of items that are in the box (or already pre-installed by Shuttle).</p>
<ul>
    <li>XPC Multi-Language User Guide</li>
    <li>XPC Drivers DVD (includes Norton Internet Security 2007 and Adobe Reader 8.1)</li>
    <li>I.C.E Technology CPU heat-pipe</li>
    <li>2 x SATA cables (pre-installed)</li>
    <li>1 x SATA cable</li>
    <li>1 x IDE cable (pre-installed)</li>
    <li>1 x Floppy cable</li>
    <li>6-pin VGA power cable adapter</li>
    <li>2 x Cross Fire bridges</li>
    <li>1 x USB to USB cable for Speed-Link</li>
    <li>4-pin to SATA power cable</li>
    <li>Power cord</li>
    <li>Screws</li>
    <li>Heatsink Compound</li>
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