SkyHawk IMC6375 865G SFF Platform

Performance Summary & Final Conclusions:

Based on the benchmark results, the IMC6375's overall performance falls right into where an 865 chipset should. Memory performance is slightly lower than the Intel 875P chipset because the 865 chipset does not support PAT. (Yes, some manufacturers have found various workarounds to increase memory performance, but we are not getting into that discussion.) The Intel 865 chipset is still very popular, supporting the budget-to-mainstream technology like Socket-478 processors, DDR400 memory, SATA-150, and 8X AGP.

While having the best intentions, the intergraded etBIOS DVD/VCD/CD/MP3 player has a few serious limitations. First, only the onboard video can be used, which for the PC enthusiast is quite limiting since adding an AGP video card disables the etBIOS player. Second, the remote and front audio dial really only function properly with the etBIOS player, having proper support in Windows would have made them both much more practical. Third, the onboard video only has a regular VGA dsub connector, so hooking it up to a TV would require purchasing a converter box for s-video or RCA.

While the noise level from the fans isn't too bad, it would have been nice to have user-adjustable settings to help decrease noise, or increase cooling. The primary fan in the power supply does adjust its speed according to temperature, so it isn't constantly running at full RPM.

Voltage adjustment for the memory is more than adequate, adjustable from 2.5V to 3.0V. This combined with fully adjustable memory timings should allow a user to get the most out of their memory. However the same can't be said for CPU tweaking. There is no voltage adjustment for the CPU, and the FSB can only be increased to 233FSB.

The current selling price of around $250 USD puts the IMC6375 right about in the middle of similar 865G based SFF systems. While lacking some of the finer user adjustments / features, this is still a respectable SFF system.