AMS eCube EG65D: Decent Performance, but Many Issues
by Wesley Fink on October 28, 2003 11:04 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
AMS is primarily known as a manufacturer of enclosures. Recently, they have begun to diversify by adding Small Form Factor computers to their product line. The very attractive all-aluminum EG65D is their most recent SFF entry and features the Intel 865G chipset.
While the eCube is about the same size as the Soltek and Biostar SFF systems, it adds a top handle to make transport easier. The perforated aluminum “shell” also gives the eCube an industrial look favored by some enthusiasts. It is certainly different from what we have seen in other SFF systems, and certainly looks like it is ready to take off with blistering performance. In addition, AMS adds a blue LED fan, so the system has a soft blue glow in the interior when the system is on.
The eCube EG65D, like the Shuttle and Biostar we recently reviewed, is based on the latest Intel 800FSB Dual-Channel 865 chipset. The AMS eCube uses the onboard graphics of the G version of the 865, but also has an 8X AGP slot for graphics expansion. The AMS supports any current 800FSB C Series Intel processor, as well as earlier 533 and 400FSB socket 478 CPUs. Add to that, 8 USB 2.0 ports, 3 Firewire, Serial ATA, a 220 Watt Power Supply and 5.1 audio, the AMS appears well-equipped to compete with other SFF systems.
While the eCube is about the same size as the Soltek and Biostar SFF systems, it adds a top handle to make transport easier. The perforated aluminum “shell” also gives the eCube an industrial look favored by some enthusiasts. It is certainly different from what we have seen in other SFF systems, and certainly looks like it is ready to take off with blistering performance. In addition, AMS adds a blue LED fan, so the system has a soft blue glow in the interior when the system is on.
The eCube EG65D, like the Shuttle and Biostar we recently reviewed, is based on the latest Intel 800FSB Dual-Channel 865 chipset. The AMS eCube uses the onboard graphics of the G version of the 865, but also has an 8X AGP slot for graphics expansion. The AMS supports any current 800FSB C Series Intel processor, as well as earlier 533 and 400FSB socket 478 CPUs. Add to that, 8 USB 2.0 ports, 3 Firewire, Serial ATA, a 220 Watt Power Supply and 5.1 audio, the AMS appears well-equipped to compete with other SFF systems.
System Specifications
| System Specifications | ||||
| AMS eCube EG65D | Soltek Qubic EQ3401M | Biostar iDEQ 200T | Shuttle SB65G2 | |
| Expansion Bays (5.25"/3.5"/Hidden) | 1/1/1 | 2/1/1 | 1/1/1 | 1/1/1 |
| Front USB Ports | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Rear USB Ports | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Internal USB Ports | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Front Firewire Ports | 1 Standard | 1 Standard | 1 Standard | 1 Mini |
| Rear Firewire Ports | 2 Standard | 2 Standard | 1 Standard | 1 Standard |
| On-Board Parallel Port | None | Internal Header | Internal Header | Internal Header |
| On-Board Game Port | None | None | Internal Header | None |
| On-Board Serial Ports | 1 Rear | 2 Rear | 2 — One Rear & One Internal Header | 2 Rear |
| Front Audio Jacks | 4 — Mini Mic and Frt/Back/CtrSub Speakers | 2 — Mini Mic & Line-In | 2 — Mini Mic & Heaphone | 3 Mini |
| Rear Audio Jacks | 3 Mini | 3 Mini | 3 Mini | 3 Mini |
| SPDIF | TWO — Rear Optical OUT & Front Optical IN | One — Front Optical Out |
Two: Rear Optical Out & Front Optical In | Two: Rear Optical SPDIF In & Out |
| Number of Fans (including CPU/chipset) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Power Supply | 220W Chyang Fun | 250W Enhance | 200W Enhance | 220W Enhance |
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clm811 - Sunday, December 28, 2003 - link
Have the EG65D, as in review,but in black(same physical appearance). Ran hot with p4 2,6C, Dual-channel PC3200 and TWO Seagate Barracuda 120GB HDD(one SATA,one PATA), so I added a small(50mm)fan on bottom of drive cage, blowing upwards from memory location (CPU fan blows down). To improve airflow,P.S. wires are dressed with split-loom, and supplied IDE cable replaced with dual head, rounded (with shield mesh). Runs cooler, but supplied CPU fan is still too noisy for my taste(and I could do without the blue "pimp" light). Overall a nice-looking, transportable box.Wesley Fink - Thursday, October 30, 2003 - link
We tested with 1GB of memory (2 x 512MB), not 1Mb. The typo has been corrected.FishTankX - Thursday, October 30, 2003 - link
It said in the noise level tests that the QUBIC chassis was armed with 1Mb of RAM. Did windows run fast? :DFishTankX - Thursday, October 30, 2003 - link
eastvillager - Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - link
I have the black one, which has completely different sides/faceplate(not just colors).It ran far too hot until I added a couple 3 inch holes and a strategically placed 80mm fan, lol. 1 hole in the left side, directly over the vidcard heatsink/fan, and one hole on the ride side, opposite the cpu/heatsink, with an 80mm fan blowing inwards. I'll probably remove internal/external grillwork from the rear fans when I get around to it, and police the wiring a bit to squeeze out as much airflow as I can.
It isn't exactly quiet, but it isn't significantly noisier than my full size systems, either. Big thing is, I can easily carry a computer to work now that craps all over the desktops they give us.
nastyemu25 - Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - link
not a big fan of this one's exterior design :o