The Intel 915GM chipset is compatible DDR-2 memory, and the systems' two 240-pin DDR-2 memory slots are located in a remarkably accessible position.

Just above the memory slots is the aluminum hard drive cage. Hanging off it is a clear plastic tab that helps to keep cables tidy and away from the Intel ICH6M chipset heatsink just below. Any excess HDD or Serial ATA cable slack can be neatly tucked away without having to worry about obstructing system airflow.

The Shuttle XPC SD11G5 SFF PC is equipped with an onboard hardware 7.1 channel Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit EAX sound card, which is located just below the mini PCI slot. The Creative CA0106-DAT hardware sound card is better than the traditional software soundcards, and supports more features than Intel's Azalia. The audio ports are off-loaded onto a small daughterboard which stands vertically at the rear of the chassis. It has five mini headphone jacks, and a set of in/out SP/DIF optical jacks.

In terms of expansion, there is one PCI Express x1 and one PCI Express x16 slot. Note the bundle of jumpers which will need to be adjusted to select between the native Intel GMA900 DVI connector or PCI Express x16 graphics use.

The XPC SD11G5 also features a rather unique expansion option in the form of a mini-PCI slot which is intended to be used with an optional miniPCI wireless 802.11g WiFi card. The case is designed with this upgrade in mind and there is a punch out for the antenna to feed through the chassis at the rear.