Overclocking and Thoughts

During all overclocking testing the Shuttle SB77G5 was equipped with the WD Raptor HDD, a Sony DVD-ROM optical drive and the chassis lid was on and secured.

Dropping the engineering sample 3.6 processor's multiplier to 14 allowed me to push the FB77's front side bus clock to 261MHz, using DDR500 memory modules at 3-4-4-8 memory timings, default processor voltage and 2.8V Vdimm.

Using Panopsys' new tool, ThrottleWatch, pushing the FB77's front side bus up from 200MHz 5MHz at a time and keeping the CPU's multipler at 18X, using the Smart Fan profile in the BIOS that dynamically adjusts fan speed based on monitored CPU temperature, showed throttling soon after at 210MHz (3780MHz).

Using the Mid fan profile, which increases basic fan speed, and fan speed to full at 75ò¾ reported CPU temperature, throttling occurred slightly higher at 215MHz (3870MHz) and the full speed fan could be heard at all times. The SB77G5 isn't a match for the fastest Prescott processors and I'd advise against using anything higher than the 3.6GHz Prescott (avoid the 570J at 3.8GHz), although a quick test of a 3.4 Extreme Edition showed it to be fine all the way to the same 3.87GHz that I tested the 3.6 Prescott to, with no throttling; Gallatin-2M runs cooler, without doubt. I can't see Intel's $1000 processors finding many homes in an XPC though.

Thoughts

Shuttle are aiming the SB77G5 at the gamer, giving them recent P4 processor support in a small form factor, while letting them use existing AGP graphics and good DDR400 memory. The performance relative to DFI's excellent 875P-T shows they've succeeded in the performance endeavour, using that processor. But if you're a gamer, with the money to spend on SB77G5, why are you using Pentium 4? Shuttle's alternate SN95G5 is more suited to you.

Prescott's hot running tendencies and the ICE cooler's inability to keep much more than 3.6GHz in check effectively means that the unit's early promise fades quickly for me. It's fast P4 in the G5 chassis, but I can't see the appeal for the gamer unless you're a dyed in the wool Intel fan.

It's for that group of people only. Great looks, good features, the ability to use AGP graphics and good DDR400 memory, and the best Pentium 4 MCH (in this reviewer's opinion) are the high points. It's just that balls-out performance isn't done well in such a small space, using Intel Prescott CPUs.

Overall, a fine product, somewhat soiled by the CPUs you'd really like to use it with for maximum gaming performance. Pricing is expected to be around ?50 including VAT, available from a number of online retailers very soon.

Pros

Pairs LGA775 with 875P and ICH5R
Overclocks well
Great looking
Good feature set

Cons

Doesn't like much more than 3.6GHz from a Prescott, heat wise
For gamers, Prescott is arguably the wrong CPU choice

Thanks

Shuttle for the sample



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