Benchmark Analysis

The XC Cube EZ65 performed up to our expectations, and more. It not only has the high-end features, but comes quite close to matching the performance of an enthusiast-level i865G motherboard. The i875P reference system showed a bit higher performance, but this is to be expected of Intel's highest performing chipset, but the gap was certainly not as large as we anticipated. Overall performance is also dependent on the video card used, and our system and memory bandwidth tests showed a noticeable difference between the i865G and a dedicated AGP card.

In terms of real-world performance, the XC Cube EZ65 is virtually indistinguishable from the standard platforms in terms of business and multimedia use, and the gaming side is also on par. Of course, this assumes a consistent video card between platforms, and the size and design of the XC Cube EZ65 really isn't tailored for the larger, hotter-running enthusiast products from ATI and NVIDIA. The i865G's Intel Extreme Graphics core is a mixed bag, and while it does foot the bill for standard business and multimedia use, and the odd 3D game, even a low-cost GeForce4 MX440 is offers significantly higher gaming performance.

Value

The AOpen XC Cube EZ65 has a street price of approximately $265, placing it right in line with other high-performance, small form factor PCs. The Biostar iDEQ 200T ($250-$255), Qbic EQ3401 ($260) and Shuttle XPC SB61G2 ($275) are popular i865G SFF systems, and AOpen definitely competes quite well at this level. Overall value is tougher to peg, as this relates more to individual needs, but AOpen definitely has a winner at this market segment.

* Please note that these prices were taken at the time of review and are not meant to reflect long-term trends.

Conclusion

The small form factor PC market has gone through changes since its introduction, starting off with low-performance configurations, before moving to the high-end systems of today. The AOpen XC Cube EZ65 is a direct hit to this emerging market, and not only has the features of a high-end motherboard, but offers serious performance as well. This system is a clear winner on all counts, and AOpen has emerged as a real challenger in the small form factor market.

Pros:

• i865G Level Desktop Performance
• Exceptional BIOS and Overclocking Options
• Flexibility of Onboard Video + AGP Slot + PCI Slot

Cons:

• Low Game Performance of i865G Graphics
• No Secondary Cooling Fan

Ratings: