Shuttle announced its new XPC SZ68R5 barebone mini PC based on Intel’s Z68 Express chipset supporting the 2nd generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 (Sandy Bridge) processors with LGA1155 socket. The barebone has four memory slots for up to 32GB of DDR3 memory. There are four add-on card slots, including a PCIe-x16-2.0, a PCIe-x4-2.0, a Mini-PCIe-x1-2.0 and a mSATA. A 500W power supply with 80-PLUS certification comes pre-installed.
Since Sandy Bridge processors have integrated Intel HD graphics, the SZ68R5 comes standard with HDMI port and DVI-I port, and of course you can add your own graphics card. Though compact and mini, Shuttle’s new barebone has room for powerful dual-slot graphic cards. The aluminum XPC barebone comes with Shuttle’s Heatpipe Cooling technology with variable speed control that automatically ensures maximum system stability and quiet operation. It also delivers optimal air flow by means of cleverly arranged components, which enables a large number of parts to be cooled simultaneously in the air flow.
The XPC SZ68R5 is the first Shuttle machine to support “Smart Response Technology” (SSD caching), which enables an SSD drive to be used for increased speed (e.g. an mSATA-SSD in the Mini-PCIe slot). The barebone has two SATA Gbps, two SATA 3Gbps, two USB 2.0, two RS232 ports on its motherboard and it provides four USB 3.0, six USB 2.0 and one eSATA/USB Combo external connectors, including one Smart USB port on the front with 2Amp power for charging device like iPad. There is integrated 8-channel HD audio.
The Shuttle XPC SZ68R5 is priced at Euro 301.
