Shuttle Prima SP45H7 Intel Barebones System Review

Installation
Some people are scared to get a system like this because they think the installation will be hell because you are installing in such a small space, but really it is easy. First let’s get the CPU in there, to do that we need to take off the entire CPU cooling system. To do that remove the 4 thumbscrews on the back and the 4 on the top of the CPU block, then lift the cooler off and out of the system.

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

Once you do that it will reveal the CPU socket, then you can install your CPU. We are going with our Intel Core 2 Duo E6400. Just place it in the socket, apply your thermal paste, and put the cooler back on. This installation is so much easier than many regular CPU coolers I have had in the past. Especially the Intel ones with the garbage plastic plungers, don’t get me started on those!

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

Up next we want to install the memory. To do that you need to have the drive housing removed. Once it is removed just put in your memory. We are using 2GB (2x 1GB) of the Crucial 10th Anniversary Edition PC2-5300 DDR2 memory.

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

Next is our hard drive. With the drive housing out install your hard drive by screwing it in on each side to secure it. You are not going to install your optical drive yet because you want the drive housing inside of the case so you can line up the drive with the front panel. So install the drive housing back inside the case and slide in your hard drive, line it up and secure it on each side with screws.

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

The video card is the last piece of the puzzle. You first want to take out the PCI slot covers and push up the locking bracket, if you don’t do this you won’t be able to install your video card. For this install I decided to go with the ASUS X1950 Pro because it is one of the longest cards that I did have just to show you that it would fit inside here. The easiest way I found to install the video card was to put it inside of the case and align it from above. That way you can angle it into place and snap it in. I think this was the hardest part of installation, but honestly it was not that hard at all.

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

To finish things off make sure you connect everything up. One thing I noticed was that Shuttle uses SATA cables that snap and lock into place so they will not easily come off. That is nice so you don’t have to worry about opening up the case all the time. Now just put the top casing back on and you are good to go.

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

About Author