Shuttle XS35-701 atom dual-core 510 barebones

[Victor Schneider, Ph. D.]

Brand new Shuttle barebones system, up to double the speed of a single core atom for streaming media because of new programming developments, only one problem: The Shuttle AMI bios doesn't let you turn off hyperthreading. If the AMI bios did, the system would run 10 or 15 degrees cooler, and streaming media would run measurably faster.

I know because I tested this out using the bios of a similar Intel D510mo desktop motherboard set up in a badly designed case. The Shuttle case is better designed, but its bios isn't. Someone tell the folks at Shuttle that they're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with that system.

Oh yes: The Shuttle version uses 200-pin laptop memory and features a one-screw hold-together laptop-style plastic case. The Intel version uses desktop DDR2 memory and features a standard motherboard with a slightly more complete bios.

[Victor Schneider, Ph. D.]

And one more thing: A realtek rtlsomethingorother wireless pcie card that has a driver under Windows and gets recognized under Linux.

Only no bios setting to disable hyperthreading. Which means you get core temperatures in the low 70s. I am trying the Linux maxcpus=2 kernel startup option to see if it makes a difference, and the listed core temperatures seem to have dropped into the mid sixties, still hotter than my old Intel D510mo motherboard with its high 40s when hot.

Did you know that there are all kinds of companies selling packaged Intel D510 systems in cases of all descriptions nowadays. Do a search on checkout.google.com for merchants selling these things.