Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Review

Shuttle SP45H7 Overview
The SP45H7 has the typical Shuttle form factor to it. The case is all black and has a very conservative look to it. On the front there is a small Shuttle logo along with the power button. There is a single, hidden 5.25-inch drive bay. I really like the conservative look at that Shuttle has gone with here, they are using it on most of their new barebones systems.

Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System

Along the bottom of the case you have an eSATA port, 2 USB ports, and audio connections. All of these connections are hidden behind a small door that when pressed in opens up. Also there is another door that conceals a 3.5-inch external bay. Here you could install a 3.5-inch SSD adapter kit or a card reader. I really like the addition of the eSATA connector, so many new external hard drives are coming eSATA ready. On the side of the case there is a row of ventilation holes and the Shuttle logo embossed onto the side of the case.

Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System

On the back of the case is of course where you will find all of your connections. You have 4 USB, 2 eSATA, firewire, Ethernet, and 7.1 audio connections. Once again nice to see eSATA on this system, usually you just see 1 on most motherboards, but Shuttle has gone with 2. This system can house 2 add-on cards, as we can see from the 2 expansion slots on the back. In the center of the back of the case you will see the cooling system, we will get into the more when we install our CPU.

Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System

Getting inside the system is very easy, just remove 3 thumbscrews and easily slide the casing off of the case. I really do not like the single piece casing on these types of cases, basically because they can be easily bent and are hard to get back on. This casing was a little bit easier to put back on, but I still had trouble.

Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System

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