At first we would like to thank Shuttle Europe for offering a sample of their latest XPC slim Barebone DH32U5 for testing and reviewing.

 

 

 

About Shuttle:

 

"Shuttle Inc, founded in Taiwan in 1983, is specialised in development and production of innovative mini PCs. The joint-stock company is represented worldwide by a network of branch offices in Germany, the US and Japan. Since 2001 the attractive cube-shaped PCs have conquered nearly any field of application and have become the core business of the company headquartered in Taipei / Taiwan. Widely acclaimed by customers and press across the globe, Shuttle founds its success on effective management and long-term experience in making mainboards of highest quality standards. Since years Shuttle's mini PC barebones and fully-configured systems are the first choice of many system integrators, VARs, OEMs and ODMs banking on the high reliability and build quality. With appealing mini PC solutions Shuttle meets the requirements of consumers excellently and seeks to provide further user-friendly solutions of consumer electronics for the digital home environment."

 

ADD-ONS VIA M.2 MODULE

Two M.2 slots make it possible to add data mediums and additional modules, for example for WLAN or wireless. Thanks to the PCI Express connection, large quantities of data can be transported in a short time via the M.2 slot.

M.2-2280 for an NVMe SSD

M.2-2230 for a WLAN module

FOUR IDENTICAL 4K-CAPABLE MONITOR CONNECTIONS

Four HDMI 2.0 ports enable high-resolution multi-monitor workstations and therefore make it possible to display large amounts of information that can be viewed at a glance.

UP TO 64 GB OF RAM

Modern professional applications consume a particularly large amount of memory. With two slots and therefore 64 GB of RAM in total, this Mini-PC can handle any demanding task.

SPACE FOR A 2.5" DRIVE

As a complement to an NVMe SSD, this model also offers a home to classic data storage devices in 2.5" format*. Hard disks and SSDs in this format offer many terabytes of storage space.

(*Up to a height of 12.5 mm)

AUTOMATIC POWER-ON FUNCTION

The Power-On-After-Power-Fail function ensures that the PC switches on automatically as soon as it is (re)connected to a power source. The function is activated or deactivated via a jumper.

READING AND WRITING MEMORY CARDS

Discreetly hidden in the front panel is an SD card reader that allows convenient handling of memory cards, such as those often found in smartphones, cameras, microcomputers or drones.

SERIAL PORT

The classic among the interfaces. COM ports are still needed for professional applications, for example in cash register systems and in products from the fields of science and industry.

ANTI-THEFT PROTECTION

The Kensington security slot on the side of the case (also called K-Slot or Kensington Lock) serves as an anti-theft device. Suitable security solutions in various designs are available from specialist dealers.

TWO NETWORK CONNECTIONS

This feature is particularly interesting for vital network applications – this is because two Gigabit Ethernet connectors allow physically separate networks, offer failover and load balancing.

WIRED REMOTE STARTING

This model features a remote power-on connection. Any two-pin cable can be used to connect dedicated buttons via pins on the back and they then allow the machine to be started remotely.

RELIABLE COOLING SYSTEM

An actively speed-controlled 50 mm fan ensures the greatest possible stability in every load situation and even at high ambient temperatures.

 

Chassis

Slim PC with black chassis made of metal

Dimensions: 190 x 165 x 43 mm (LWH) = 1.35-litre

Weight: 1.3 kg net and 2.1 kg gross

Two holes for Kensington Locks and numerous

threaded holes (M3) on both sides of the chassis

 

Power Adapter

External 90 W power adapter (fanless)

Input: 100~240 V AC, 50/60 Hz

Output: 19 V DC, 4.74 A, max. 90 W

DC Connector: 5.5/2.5 mm (outer/inner diameter)

AC mains cable: 3 pins, ca. 1.7 m length, with C5/C6 coupler (called "Mickey Mouse" or "Clover-leaf") for the power adapter and CEE-7/7 plug with earth-contact (type E+F) for the power outlet

 

Operating System

This system comes without an operating system.

It is compatible with Windows 10/11 and Linux (64-bit)

 

Processor

Model: Intel Core i5-1135G7 (ULV)

System-on-a-chip architecture (SoC) with integrated memory and graphics controller: no chipset required

FCBGA1449 package - directly soldered onto the mainboard

Code name: Tiger Lake U (11th Generation Intel Core processors)

Cores / Threads: 4 / 8

Base Frequency: 2.4 GHz

Max. Turbo Frequency: 4.2 GHz

Intel Smart Cache: 8 MB

TDP wattage: 28 W maximum

Manufacturing process: 10 nm SuperFin

Maximum Tjunction Temperature: 100 °C

 

Integrated Graphics

Intel Iris Xe Graphics

Max. GPU clock frequency: 1.3 GHz

Execution Units (EUs): 80

Supports DirectX 12.1, OpenCL 2.0

Supports up to four independent screens via HDMI 2.0b at 4096x2304@60Hz

 

Processor cooling

Heat sink with 50 mm fan (temperature-controlled rotation speed)

 

Mainboard

Mainboard in a Shuttle form factor proprietary design for the XPC DH32Ux

Solid Capacitors for sensitive areas provide excellent heat resistance for enhanced system durability

 

BIOS

AMI BIOS, SPI Interface, 32 MB Flash-EEPROM

Supports Hardware Monitoring and Watchdog functionality

Supports Firmware-TPM (fTPM) v2.0

Supports boot up from external USB flash memory

Supports Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

Supports power on after power failure

 

Memory support

2x SO-DIMM slot with 260 pins

Supports DDR4-3200 (PC4-25600) SDRAM at 1.2 V

Supports Dual Channel mode

Supports a maximum of 32 GB per DIMM,

maximum total size: 64 GB

 

Drive bay

1x 6.35 cm / 2.5" storage bay supports one hard disk or SSD drive with SATA connector

Device height: 12.5 mm (max.)

 

SATA connectors

1x Serial-ATA III, data transfer rate max. 6 Gb/s (600 MB/s)

With Serial-ATA power connector (onboard)

 

M.2-2280M SSD slot

The M.2-2280M slot provides the following interfaces:

- PCI-Express Gen. 4.0 X4, supports NVMe

- SATA v3.0 (max. 6 Gbps)

It supports M.2 cards with a width of 22 mm

and a length of 42, 60 or 80 mm (type 2242, 2260, 2280).

Supports M.2 SSDs with SATA or PCI-Express interface

 

M.2-2230E slot for WLAN cards

Interfaces: PCI-Express Gen. 2.0 X1 und USB 2.0

Supports M.2 cards with a width of 22 mm and a length of 30 mm (type 2230)

Supports WLAN expansion cards (optional Shuttle accessory: WLN-M/M1)

 

Audio

Audio Realtek® ALC662/ALC888S 5.1 channel High-Definition Audio

Two analog audio connectors (3.5mm) on the front panel:

1) 2-channel line-out (headphones)

2) microphone input

Digital multi-channel audio output: by HDMI

 

Dual Gigabit LAN Controller

Dual network with two RJ45 ports with two status LEDs each

Used network chips: 2x Intel i211 Ethernet Controller (MAC, PHY) with PCIe interface

Supports 100 / 1.000 MBit/s operation

Supports WAKE ON LAN (WOL)

Supports network boot by Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE)

Supports Teaming mode

 

Card Reader

Integrated card reader

Supports SD, SDHC and SDXC memory flash cards

 

Front Panel connectors

Microphone input

Audio Line-out (headphones)

4x USB 3.2 Gen 2, max. 10 Gbps (red)

SD card reader

Power button

Power LED (blue)

HDD LED (yellow)

 

Back Panel connectors

4x HDMI 2.0b connector

Optional: 1x D-Sub VGA connector (Accessory PVG01)

4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, max. 5 Gbps (blue)

2x Gigabit LAN (RJ45)

2x RS232 serial port, 9-pin D-Sub (5/12V, 1x RS422/RS485)

1x DC-input connector for external power adapter

1x 4-pin connector (2.54 mm pitch) supports:

- external power on button

- Clear CMOS function

- +5V DC voltage for external components

2x perforation for optional Wireless LAN antennas

2x hole for Kensington Lock (on the side)

 

Other onboard connectors

1x jumper JP2 for power-on-after-power-fail (hardware solution)

1x analog VGA graphics output CN6 (2x 10-pin, 1 mm pitch)

2x serial interface (COM) occupied by backpanel connectors

1x USB 2.0 (4-pin) for optional accessory WWN03 (LTE kit)

1x fan connector (4-pin) occupied by the CPU fan

1x connector for CMOS battery (occupied)

 

Supplied Accessories

Multi-language user guide (EN, DE, FR, ES, JP, KR, SC, TC)

VESA mount for 75/100 mm standard (two metal brackets)

Four screws M3 x 5 mm (screws together VESA mount and PC)

Four screws M4 x 10 mm (to affix VESA mount on the PC)

Four screws M3 x 4 mm (to mount a 2.5" storage device into the bay)

Two screws M3 x 5 mm (silver colour, to mount two M.2 cards)

Driver DVD (Windows 64-bit)

Serial ATA cable for 2.5" drive including power cable

External 90 W power adapter with power cord

 

Optional Accessories:

- PVG01: optional D-Sub VGA video output

- WLN-M / WLN-M1: WLAN module in M.2-2230 format supports WLAN and Bluetooth with two external antennas.

- WWN03: LTE adapter kit with antennas, but without LTE card

- PS02: Stand for vertical operation

- CXP01: adapter cable for external power button

- PRM01: 2U rack mount front plate for two Shuttle XPC slim PCs

- DIR01: DIN-Rail mounting kit

 

Environmental Specifications

Operating temperature range: 0~50 °C

Relative humidity, non-condensing: 10~90 %

 

Shuttle has launched yet another very interesting mini-PC with impressive features such as the included Tiger Lake-U Gen11 Intel ULV processor, no less than four HDMI 2.0 outputs, 2 Gigabit interfaces, support for up to 64GB for DDR4 3200 memory, dual RS-232 interfaces, VESA mount multiple USB 3.2 ports and more!

 

The barebone did arrive in a medium-sized cardboard box, with the usual Shuttle box art:

 

 

 

On the side, we will not only find the product serial number and some internal code names, but also the list of technical specifications, along with the versions we are getting. The DH32U version does include an Intel Pentium Gold 7505, the DH32U3 comes with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, the DH32U5 incorporates an Intel Core i5-1135G7, while the DH32U7 comes equipped with an Intel Core i7-1165G7. While the DH32U and DH32U5 versions are readily available, the DH32U3 and DH32U7 will be produced only upon special orders:

 

 

 

After lifting the top cover, we will note that the internals are carefully protected with lots of foam material:

 

 

 

Besides the separate accessory box, we will also get a transparent plastic bag with the necessary written guides:

 

 

 

The manual does show the user each step concerning the installation of extra hardware:

 

 

 

There is a separate envelope concerning the VESA mount as well:

 

 

 

Let’s check out the accessory box next!

 

 

 

Here we do have the power brick, the power lead, the VESA mount components, but also the mounting screws:

 

 

 

The set of drivers is offered by an installation DVD, but we can always get the latest versions from the Shuttle website:

 

 

 

Even if we are talking about quite a powerful system, the supplied power source is quite compact!

 

 

 

The PSU manufacturer is Ac Bel:

 

 

 

A closer look does reveal that it can supply 19V at 4.74A on the output, for a 90W maximum delivery:

 

 

 

The PSU interfaces with the barebone via a jack plug:

 

 

 

The Shuttle XPC slim DH32U5 is quite compact with its 1.35-litre metallic chassis and 190 x 165 x 43 mm (LWH) dimensions. The top cover does come with cutouts for the CPU fan intake:

 

 

 

In the front, we will note a microphone input, a headphone output, the Power LED, the storage activity LED, the Power button, a SD card reader but also no less than four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports in red color:

 

 

 

On the sides, we will find ventilation grills, but also Kensington lock ports:

 

 

 

 

The chassis was also prepared for a horizontal usage, hence the presence of the four rubber feet on the bottom:

 

 

 

Here we will also note again the product SN, but also its power rating:

 

 

 

On the back, there are lots of connectivity options as well! From left to right, we will note the DC-IN connector for the supplied power adapter, four HDMI 2.0b ports, 2x RJ45 Gigabit LAN ports (teaming mode with load balancing and failover), a COM port supporting RS232/RS422/RS485 while the second does support RS232 only, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports colored in blue but also a 4-pin connector for the external power button, the Clear CMOS button but also for the 5V DC voltage supply:

 

 

 

By only removing two screws in the back, we can lift the top cover; we noted that there is no air filter underneath the perforations of the top cover, so regular cleaning may be needed after some usage time:

 

 

 

A closer look does also reveal the 2.5’’ drive compartment for installing a SATA HDD or SSD:

 

 

 

 

The 2.5’’ drive cage can be lifted off by removing a single screw:

 

 

 

 

The internals of the DH32U5 are quite clean, without an overcrowded design, to aid with ventilation:

 

 

 

Near the memory VRM components, we will find the Debug Connector header, but also the red Always-Power-On jumper (JP2):

 

 

 

Moving to the right, we will note the jumper for the COM port configurations, but also the populated headers of the COM ports:

 

 

 

The XR34350IL MaxLinear transceiver does help with communication via three different protocols:

 

 

 

A WLAN card can be installed in the M2-2230E slot:

 

 

 

The 2x SODIMM memory slots do support kits up to 2x32GB DDR3200:

 

 

 

Hidden under the port cables, we will note the CMOS battery:

 

 

 

It connects to a header next to the M2-2230E slot and nearby we will also find the onboard VGA header, which can be used if the PVG01 accessory is purchased as well:

 

 

 

The HDMI 2.0b headers are protected on the inside by a fabric cover:

 

 

 

Two IT66318FN HDMI 2.0 retiming buffer chips can be noted nearby:

 

 

 

The M.2-2280M slot does support SSDs of 2280 format but also 2260/2242. In terms of data transfer standards, the barebone does support up to PCIe Gen 4x4 or even SATA!

 

 

 

Near the SoC cooler, we will note the UEFI capsule:

 

 

 

The CPU fan is of PWM type:

 

 

 

The cooling system is composed of a bottom copper plate, covered by an aluminum heatsink. The heatsink is actively cooled by a 50mm fan with 7 blades:

 

 

 

To have Wireless LAN / Bluetooth operational, we will need to purchase the updated WLAN kit accessory, which also comes with the much better Intel AX200 NGWG card:

 

 

 

 

The bundle contains the tiny WiFi card from Intel, two antennas, antenna cables of different dimensions but also an installation guide:

 

 

 

The installation guide is quite through, and describes the process depending on the format of the chassis you may have:

 

 

 

 

There are different lengths of cable supplied:

 

 

 

The interface which connects directly to the antenna is gold plated, in order to provide optimal contact:

 

 

 

The Intel AX200NGW card comes with two ports and a sticker with all necessary details:

 

 

 

Before proceeding with the installation of the antenna cables, we will have to free up the place holders:

 

 

 

Choose the supplied cable lengths carefully in order not to cause unnecessary cable clutter! After mounting the cable connectors to the card, we only must fix it in the appropriate slot via one screw:

 

 

 

As a test drive, we will use a Silicon Power A60 512GB M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD:

 

 

 

 

In case of the memory kit, we went with two DDR4 2666 C19 16GB SODIMM modules:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Shuttle, we also got the PS02 stand kit:

 

 

 

 

This one is straightforward, containing the two feet and four mounting screws; here is the final assembly of the DH32U5!

 

 

 

For this barebone, Shuttle has opted again for an Aptio Setup interface, even if we are dealing with an UEFI type of BIOS. The Main section does show in-detail BIOS info, the Intel ME version, the GUID, info about the installed SoC and memory but we can also adjust the system date and time:

 

 

 

The Advanced section comes with multiple sub-sections:

 

 

Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver will output in the dedicated menu:

 

 

The CPU Configuration area allows checking out more details regarding the installed SoC but we can also enable/disable specific options:

 

 

The SATA Configuration area will allow the user to adjust the VMD function and display connected storage devices:

 

 

From the Onboard Device Configuration area, we will be able to disable/enable the audio/LAN interfaces, enable EDID emulation or work with the Serial Port configuration:

 

 

If we have installed lots of RAM, we can dedicate more to the integrated graphics adapter:

 

 

Inside the Power Management menu, we can configure some of the options (others are greyed out):

 

 

The TPM configuration area allows turning on the Security Device Support:

 

 

From the Hardware Health Configuration area, we can configure the fan profile but also look at the SoC temperature and system voltages:

 

 

The Security menu comes with the usual options:

 

 

We can say the same about the Boot menu:

 

 

Finally, we have the Exit menu, where we can Save, Discard or Load Factory Defaults:

 

 

With the help of AIDA64 reporting tool, we have extracted some more details on the test system:

 

CPU

Motherboard

IMC

SB

Network Adapters

iGPU

Audio Devices

 

AIDA64

 

Cinebench R15

 

 

 

Blender Ryzen Render

 

 

PCMark 7

 

 

PCMark 8

 

 

SuperPI XS [2M]

 

X265 Benchmark 1080P 64-bit Normal

 

 

GeekBench 4

 

 

3DMark Vantage

 

 

3DMark 2013

 

 

Tomb Raider

Andrenaline Action Benchmark Presets

 

Hitman: Absolution

Andrenaline Action Benchmark Presets

 

Sleeping Dogs

Andrenaline Action Benchmark Presets

Given the included Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU on the DH32U5 barebone, we are getting great performance for an ULV SoC, while keeping power consumption and heat at bay. While we have tested the mini-PC with a 32GB 2666MHz kit, the supported maximum frequency is 3200, which may also bring some extra boost to the table. Versus the DS20U5 which featured a Comet Lake-U Core i5-10210U fanless solution, the 11th Gen SoC does offer quite an impressive boost in the iGPU department as well via the Intel Gen 12 Xe and its 80 EUs.

 

When talking about clocks and temperatures, the cores can boost up to 4.2GHz when experiencing light loads, but if we are using all cores at once at maximum load, the speed will hover at around 3.2GHz, which is still impressive! In our AIDA64 System Stability Test, the i5-1135G7 CPU has spiked to about 92 degrees Celsius but there were still 8 degrees until reaching TjMAX.

 

 

(click to enlarge)

In terms of power consumption, we have recorded about 16.1W in IDLE and about 62.2W in Full Load, while stressing memory, iGPU and CPU at the same time; given that the DH32U5 is offered with a 90W PSU, there is quite a big headroom as well.

 

In the noise department, the DH32U5 is almost inaudible in light loads (31.9 dBA), while the fan can ramp up quite high if we push the SoC with intensive loads, during a longer time frame (51.6 dBA).

 

The DH32U5 does come with an impressive offering regarding connectivity even in the stock configuration, while extras can be added via the WLN-M1 WLAN module, the PS02 vertical stand, the PVG01 VGA port, the PRM01 rackmount kit, the cable for the external power button (CXP01), the DIN-Rain mounting kit (DIR01) or the LTE-kit (WWN03).

 

Given the overall performance, we won’t hesitate to recommend this barebone for Digital Signage, Kiosk, Surveillance, in Control Rooms, in Gambling Machines, healthcare or other industries. However, this unit is also great as a media center (with apps such as Plex), with emulating older gaming consoles, for light gaming or many other productivity applications.

 

The barebone can be found online for about 670 Euros, which we think that it is a fair price for what we are getting!

 

Shuttle XPC slim Barebone DH32U5 is Recommended for:

 

 

 

We would like to thank again to Shuttle Europe for making this review possible!