"Compact" is often synonymous with "low-performance". Though performance isn't always the goal with a compact system, it is often desired. ITX boards are great for hobbyists but leave much to be desired in the horsepower area. Shuttle has upped the stakes for tiny PCs a bit with their Shuttle XPC SN26P. Using a very clever heatpipe and heat spreader design that has no fans on the video card themselves, this chassis brings the cards so close they literally touch. And yet, it is able to have dual 6800 GT. It apparently is just as quiet as other shuttle designs. Text doesn't do the design justice, and I suspect pictures don't either.