Some time ago I have been asked by my friend about possible uses of old Mini-ITX motherboard. He told me that he have found a passively cooled VIA EPIA-PD in some old media equipment at his work that was not needed anymore. He told me that this is only 600Mhz processor… It is not worth anything… I was almost shocked. 600Mhz is really a lot for a passively cooled computer that has only 9 to 15 watts power consumption!
Tag Archive for 'Motherboard'
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During the IDF conference Intel have presented a motherboard in mini-ITX form factor with support for the latest Intel Core i5 and i7 (and future Core i3) with Socket LGA 1156. Motherboard is based on Intel’s H57 chipset, and contains practically all that is necessary to create a small HTPC computer. On this mini motherboard that is sized 17 x 17 cm we can find two slots for DDR3 memory, PCI-Express x16 slot and four SATA 3.0 Gbps ports. On the rear panel there are six USB 2.0 connectors and one HDMI, DVI, RJ-45 and eSATA. This motherboard as most in Mini-ITX format will have integrated graphics chipset onboard.
Continue to ‘The first Mini-ITX motherboard with socket LGA 1156 from Intel’
ZOTAC have announced a new ION ITX (more about ION ITX series here) motherboards from Synergy Edition. This motherboards just as previous in this series are capable to play full HD 1080p Blu-ray video thanks to NVIDIA® ION™ technology. ZOTAC ION ITX-E Series is powered by single-core Intel® Atom™ 230 while the ION ITX-G Series have the dual-core Intel® Atom™ 330 processor – both clocked at 1.6 GHz.
A few days ago we have posted information about new Zotac ION ITX-F Mini-ITX motherboard. Zotac have published a nice video where they are unboxing it. On video you may see exact content of the box and their new motherboard. Here it is:
VIA VB8003 – Mini-ITX Nano Board. I have been writing about this awesome mini motherboard already (right here), but there is much more information available today.
Here is a quick look:
ZOTAC have presented a new version of their mini motherboard from ION ITX series. New high-end motherboard ITX ION-F was extended with PCI Express x16 slot. The platform is equipped with high-performance NVIDIA ION and energy-efficient dual-core Intel Atom 330, this two will have great performance not only in high-definition video playback, but also in everyday applications. NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology in ITX ZOTAC ION-F allow for smooth playback of Blu-ray high bitrate video, with minimal CPU usage. NVIDIA CUDA enables fast processing, editing and correction of video with use of GPU ION and low energy consumption.
I have published an article about this great motherboard before (right here), but I believe that this awesome piece of hardware deserves to be described in much more details. I believe that this is most powerful Mini-ITX motherboard with such functionality. You probably will ask in this place “Why do I think so??? There is quite a few motherboards with similar CPU…”.
Yea… there is… But this board have something more! It have an integrated ION platform! It is a solution you really want to have included on your mini htpc! Thanks to ION your computer will be able to decode and play a real Full HD movies without any CPU usage!
Continue to ‘Asus AT3N7A-I as the best choice for your Full HD Mini HTPC?’
Asus ION AT3N7A-I
Asus have presented a new motherboard made in the Mini-ITX format and equipped with dual-core Intel Atom processor and Nvidia GeForce graphics 9400 (ION). This product is made for customers who want to build small and efficient HTPC (Home Theater PC) platform.
Taiwanese manufacturer have introduced this motherboard in a Mini-ITX standard based on nVidia ION platform (ION is able to easily play a Full HD moves at 1080p!). AT3N7A-I features a dual-core Intel Atom 330 with 1.6 GHz timing, Dual DDR2-800 memory, three SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, and integrated GeForce 9400 graphics with support for DirectX 10, one PCI slot, gigabit Ethernet, 7.1-channel surround sound support, support for Bluetooth, eSATA port and D-Sub and HDMI connectors.
Asus ION AT3N7A-I
Motherboard available at Amazon: Asus AT3N7A-I
ZOTAC International have presented a new platform ZOTAC ION with the new NVIDIA GPU ION that ensures optimal performance in games and applications compatible with DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.1, NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX.
ION graphics processor is great solution for Windows Vista and Windows 7, Linux and multimedia playing (smooth Full HD movies in 1080p!). ZOTAC ION motherboards are equipped with single (ION ITX B with passive coolong – no fan!) or dual-core (ION ITX A) Atom processors. Single-core N230 Atom processor provides sufficient performance in everyday applications, while dual-core Atom processor N330 is available for more demanding users.
HDMI output supports 7.1-channel digital audio, giving the highest quality and fidelity audio playback in movies in Dolby Digital True HD and DTS-HD. Integrated HDCP allows you to playback protected video content. In addition, DVI and VGA outputs are supporting multiple displays.
General information:
- Playing movies in Full 1080p HD (IONITX A and B!)
- Compatible with Windows Vista Premium and ready for Windows 7
- mGPU Nvidia ION
- 16 stream processors
- Integrated Intel Atom N230 (single-core witg passive cooling – totally silent without fan!) or Atom N330 (Dual Core)
- HDMI (with 7.1-channel audio), DVI and VGA
- 2x DDR2 DIMM
- Supports DDR2-667/800
- Supports up to 4GB of DDR2 memory
- Integrated DC-DC power adapter (optional)
- The included external power supply 19V AC / DC (optional)
- Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11n WiFi module (optional)
- Mini PCI Express (optional)
- Compatibility with Microsoft DirectX 10 and OpenGL 2.1
- Supports NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX
- Compatibility with NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology
- Expanded 5-year warrant
ZOTAC IONITX A
ZOTAC IONITX B
Attached accesories
Intel D945GCLF
Intel D945GCLF is a flexible solution in the segment of Mini-ITX boards. It has integrated 45nm Intel Atom processor and Intel 945GC Express Chipset. It is extremely energy efficient solution for home users as well as unique solutions that fits market demands today. Designed with 45nm Hi-k metal gate processor, offering incredible opportunities to communicate, listen to music, watch movies, play and learn with use of unlimited resources of the Internet.
Intel D945GCLF is really great product. It is a great way to start building a computer, without spending a lot of time to get compatible components and assambling them together. When you buy this motherboard you will still need to add a hard drive, RAM, power supply, some speakers, keyboard, mouse, monitor and operating system. But you should not have any problems with their compatibility.
Intel D945GCLF
After testing we have done by installing several different versions of operating systems, including Ubuntu Linux, which could be easily installed on this board, I conclude that the system is fast, reliable and very stable. Several of my friends from work bought this board for its personal use.
Intel D945GCLF
Processor performance is quite acceptable for web browsing and basic tasks. Booting the system wasa surprisingly fast. This mainboard is characterized by extremely low energy consumption which is attractive and ideal for all systems that are designed for continuous operation (eg, home server, security systems etc).
This product is an excellent solution for building inexpensive end efficient computer system. Personally I really recommend it.
Motherboard available at Amazon: Mini ITX Intel D945GCLF
