AOpen EX65 SFF PC Review - Specifications and Looks
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Here are the system specifications as listed on AOpen's website:
Size: 320(W) x 200(D) x 185(H)mm
Motherboard: UX4SG-1394
Chip: Intel 865G/ICH5
Memory: DDR (x2, Dual Channel), DDR266/333/400
CPU: Socket 478, 400/533/800 FSB
VGA: OnDie (8x AGP, x1)
S-Video: None included
PCI: x1
AGP: x1
Sound: AC97 5.1CH
LAN: 10/100/1000
ATA Connector: ATA100 (x2)
SATA Connector: SATA (x2)
USB 2.0: 2 Rear, 2 Front
FireWire (IEEE 1394): 1 Rear, 2 Front, (6/4pins)
Bays: 5.25” (x1), 3.5” (x1), HDD Bay (x1)
PSU: 220W (w/8cm Fan).
AOpen has made it a point to ensure that using an EX65 is an “Out-of-the-Box Experience.” Except for the notable exception of an integrated DVI port for LCD screens and S-Video, the unit is equipped with everything a user needs to quickly get up and running, including audio, video, and other common ports. (It even has a coaxial RCA port next to the VGA port, and an S/PDIF IN port between the USB and FireWire ports.) Just add a processor, RAM, hard drive, an optical port, and the basic system-interface tools (keyboard, mouse, monitor), and within minutes, a user is ready to install the operating system.
For those in need of a DVI or S-Video port, or for those who wish to upgrade the video in this unit, there is room within the system for one PCI card and one AGP card, including higher end video cards, like ATI's 9800 or NVIDIA's 5950.
Looking to turn heads without having to go into any type of case-modifications? Then this system should definitely be taken into consideration. As was mentioned before, the sharp looks of this unit are something worthy of praise. This is exactly what AOpen has worked for with their XCube series, and it's one of the reasons the company has decided to brand their units according to their looks and intended uses. Like the EX65 Cyber Shock, the other units – the EZ65 Living Art, EY65 Metropolitan, and EA65 Home Digital Center – have been designed so as to look more like appliances than actual computers. The Cyber Shock is meant to allow users to “experience hyper-speed digital entertainment, cool looks, [and] dazzling specs,” which is why it's been made to look like a mid-to-high range digital media center.
Starting from the top, we see the 5.25” bay for the optical drive, the 3.5” bay for the floppy or optional second hard drive, the (rather large) power button, and finally the row of interface ports. As can be seen below, from left to right, we can see the S/PDIF Out port, speaker and microphone jack (especially meant for headsets), two USB 2.0 ports, an IEEE 1394 port, and a four-pin IEEE 1394 port.
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