Mini Computer World

DFI Prepares MI P55-T36 Mini-ITX Motherboard With P55 Chipset

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:35:59 +0000

DFI is preparing a Mini-ITX motherboard with could be the first Mini-ITXP55 board.

The MI P55-T36 Mini-ITX board features a PCIe 16x slot, 2 DDR3 memory slots, 6 USB ports, Gigabit ethernet.

MI P55-T36 specifications (yet to be confirmed):

CPU: LGA 1156 socket, supports Core i5 and Core i7 processors
Chipset: Intel P55
RAM: 2 x 240pin DIMM slots, DDR3 RAM
Storage: 3 x SATA ports, 1 x eSATA port
Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe x16 slot
Display: TBD
Audio: 8 Channel HD Audio, 2 x S/PDIF output (1 x coaxial, 1 x optical)
LAN: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
I/O: 10 x USB 2.0 ports (6 x external, 1 x internal), PS/2 port

[via Fudzilla]

Technorati Tags: Core i5, Core i7, DDR3, DFI, eSATA, P55, PCIe x16

Zotac Releases NVIDIA ION-Based Mini-ITX Motherboards Synergy Edition With PCIe x1

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:00:59 +0000

Weeks after annoucing its high end ION ITX-F Mini-ITX board, Zotac has released two new value Mini-ITX motherboards.

The new ION Syergy Edition series Mini-ITX boards feature a PCIe x1 slot with either a single-core 1.6 GHz Atom 230 CPU (ION ITX-E) or dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 CPU (ION ITX-G).

Other features include NVIDIA ION integrated graphics, 4 SATA ports, HDMI and DVI output.

Compared to the other Zotac ION boards, these lose the 5.1 HD output via S/PDIF connectors (7.1 still possible via HDMI), and the eSATA port available on the other boards is replaced by a fourth SATA connector.

ION ITX Synergy Edition specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 230 (1.6GHz single core - ION ITX-E) / Intel Atom 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual core - ION ITX-G)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION
RAM: 2 x 240pin DIMM slots, up to 4 GB of DDR2 667/800 RAM
Storage: 4 x SATA ports
Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe x1, 1 x Mini PCIe slot
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x DVI output, 1 x HDMI output
Audio: HD Audio (line in, line out, mic in)
LAN: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
I/O: 10 x USB 2.0 (6 x external, 4 x

internal), PS/2 port

Press Release here.

IONITX-G-E Product page here.

IONITX-E-E Product page here.

[Via Fudzilla]

Technorati Tags: 230, 330, atom, GeForce 9400M, Ion, mini motherboard, mini-itx, NVIDIA, PCIe x1, ZOTAC

Zotac Announces Ion-Based Nettop: MAG HD-NS01 / HD-ND01

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:27:59 +0000

Zotac has announced its Ion-based nettop: the MAG, 6 months after the first Ion-based nettop: the AspireRevo was announced by NVIDIA and Acer.

The MAG features an Intel atom 230 CPU or 330 CPU, NVIDIA ION integrated graphics, HDMI output, Gigabit Ethernet, eSATA and joins the likes of the AspireRevo and the EeeBox.

Combining a high-performance NVIDIA® ION™ graphics processor with a choice of energy-efficient dual-core Intel® Atom™ 330 or single-core Atom™ 230 processors, the ZOTAC MAG delivers an eco-friendly computing experience that still packs a performance punch in a compact 186mm x 189mm x 38mm package.

The MAG does not come with any pre-installed operating system: Zotac leaves it up to users to chose the one they want to run.

MAG HD-NS01 / HD-ND01 specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 230 CPU (1.6GHz - HD-NS01 series) or 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual core - HD-ND01 series)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION
RAM: 2 GB of DDR2 800 RAM
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x HDMI output
Audio: 7.1 Channel HD Audio
Storage: up to 160GB 2.5in SATA hard drive, 1 x eSATA port
LAN: 1 x Gigabit
WLAN: 1 x 802.11b/g/n
I/O: 6 x USB 2.0
Other: card reader

Press release here.

Product page here.

Technorati Tags: 230, 330, atom, eSATA, HDMI, Ion, MAG, mini computer, nettop, NVIDIA, ZOTAC

Zotac Releases NVIDIA ION-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard ION ITX-F With PCIe x16

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:03:59 +0000

Zotac has released a new Mini-ITX motherboard to complement its existing NVIDIA ION-based Mini-ITX motherboards.

The new ION ITX-F series Mini-ITX board features a PCIe x16 slot with dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 CPU and WiFi 802.11n.

Other features are common to existing ION ITX boards and include NVIDIA ION integrated graphics, 3 SATA ports, 1 eSATA port, HDMI and DVI output.

IONITX-F-E specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual core)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION
RAM: 2 x 240pin DIMM slots, up to 4 GB of DDR2 667/800 RAM
Storage: 3 x SATA ports, 1 x eSATA port
Expansion slots: 1 x PCIe x16, 1 x Mini PCIe slot (used by WiFi)
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x DVI output, 1 x HDMI output
Audio: 5.1 Channel HD Audio, 2 x S/PDIF output (1 x coaxial, 1 x optical)
LAN: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
WLAN: 1 x 802.11b/g/n
I/O: 10 x USB 2.0 (6 x external, 4 x

internal), PS/2 port

Press Release here.

IONITX-F-E Product page here.

[Via HEXUS.net]

Technorati Tags: 330, atom, GeForce 9400M, Ion, mini motherboard, mini-itx, NVIDIA, PCIe x16, ZOTAC

ASUS Releases NVIDIA ION-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard AT3N7A-I

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:43:59 +0000

After the ZOTAC NVIDIA ION Mini-ITX motherboards released earlier this year, it is now turn for ASUS to enter the ION Mini-ITX game by releasing its NVIDIA ION-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard AT3N7A-I

The AT3N7A-I Mini-ITX board features the dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 CPU, NVIDIA ION integrated graphics, 3 SATA ports, 1 eSATA port, HDMI output.

AT3N7A-I specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual core)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION
RAM: 2 x 240pin DIMM slots, up to 4 GB of DDR2 667/800 RAM
Storage: 3 x SATA ports, 1 x eSATA port
Expansion slots: 1 x PCI slot
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x HDMI output
Audio: VIA VT 1708s 8 Channel HD Audio, 2 x S/PDIF output (1 x coaxial, 1 x optical)
LAN: 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
I/O: 10 x USB 2.0 (8 x external, 2 x internal), PS/2 port
Other: Bluetooth

Product page here.

You can also check AnanTech’s review of the AT3N7A-I here.

Technorati Tags: 330, Asus, atom, GeForce 9400M, Ion, mini motherboard, mini-itx, NVIDIA

Asus Unveils EeeBox EB1012 With NVIDIA ION Graphics And Dual Core Atom 330

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:25:59 +0000

Asus has unveiled the EeeBox EB1012 nettop computer, adding to its always expanding line of Eee Box computers.

The Eee Box EB1012 features the dual-core Intel atom 330 CPU, NVIDIA ION integrated graphics, HDMI output, eSATA port. Worth noting is that VGA output is back…

The EB1012 is powered by the Intel® Atom™ 330 dual core processor, which is built specifically for PCs like the EB1012. And with the accompanying NVIDIA® Ion™ graphics processor, the EB1012 treats you to an impressive multimedia performance with a low power consumption of just 40W.

The EeeBox EB1012 also gains some cosmetic changes (no more front cover), and comes with Window Vista Home Premium.

EeeBox EB1012 specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual core)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION (MCP7A)
RAM: 2 x 200-pin SODIMM, 2 GB of DDR2 800 RAM standard (up to 4GB)
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x HDMI output, 1 x VGA output
Audio: 5.1 Channel HD Audio (with S/PDIF out)
Storage: 250GB 2.5in SATA hard drive, 1 x eSATA port
LAN: 1 x Gigabit
WLAN: 1 x 802.11b/g/n
I/O: 6 x USB 2.0 (3 x front, 2 x read, 1 x top)
Other: card reader, stand, remote controller (optional), keyboard + mouse (optional)

Product page here [via blogeee.net (French)].

Technorati Tags: 330, Asus, atom, EeeBox, eSATA, HDMI, Ion, mini motherboard, NVIDIA

ASRock ION 330 Review @ Phoronix

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:49:59 +0000

Phoronix has posted a review of the ASRock ION 330 nettop.

Running it through their Phoronix test suite, the ASRock ION 330 nettop performed favorably with Ubuntu 9.04, compared to a ION/Atom 230-based system.

As in TweakTown’s review, they were impressed with the NVIDIA ION graphics performance when playing 1080p HD content (using VDPAU for hardware acceleration), and got some additional performance out of the system by overclocking the Atom 330 from 1.6GHz to 2.1GHz.

Not only does the ASRock Nettop perform well thanks to its NVIDIA ION GPU and Intel Atom 330 dual-core processor, but also the system has a very small form factor, runs cool and quiet, and comes with a great set of features.

Read the full article here.

ION 330 specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual-core)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION
RAM: 2GB of DDR2 800 RAM, up to 4GB
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x HDMI output
Audio: 5.1 Channel HD Audio, 1 x S/PDIF output
Storage: 320GB 2.5in SATA hard drive
LAN: 1 x Gigabit
I/O: 6 x USB 2.0
Other: slim super-multi DVD player

Technorati Tags: ASRock, Atom 330, HDMI, Ion, mini motherboard, nettop, NVIDIA, review

Zotac Fixes Wake-On-USB for NVIDIA ION-Based Mini-ITX Motherboards.

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:26:59 +0000

Anantech is reporting that Zotac has released revised PCB versions of its NVIDIA ION-based Mini-ITX motherboards, which address the wake-on-USB problem that did exist with these boards.

Zotac has since redesigned the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) and connected standby power to the USB ports. Now when the motherboard enters S3, the USB ports still have power and can wake the system up if there’s any activity on a USB device.

The revised Zotac Ion boards can be identified thanks to the last 4 characters of their part number: J10F.

It may however not be easy to figure out if you have the new board unless you look at the motherboard itself.

Full article here.

Technorati Tags: atom, GeForce 9400M, Ion, mini motherboard, mini-itx, NVIDIA, wake-on-USB, ZOTAC

ASRock ION 330-BD Review @ TweakTown

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:49:59 +0000

TweakTown has posted a review of the ASRock ION 330-BD nettop.

They were impressed with the NVIDIA ION graphics performance when playing 1080p HD Blu-ray content and power comsumption. While still being limited with its Atom CPU, the ability to overclock the Atom 330 from 1.6GHz to 2.1GHz delivers some additional performance out of this little system.

We really enjoyed the ASRock ION 330-BD nettop - it has plenty going for it and easily gets our recommendation for consumers wanting an affordable, but capable home theater PC or simply a small PC that doesn’t use a lot of power, but still has some decent hardware under the hood to do more than a standard low-end nettop, which is only for basic office computing.

Read the full article here.

ION 330-BD specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom 330 CPU (1.6GHz dual-core)
Chipset: NVIDIA ION
RAM: 2GB of DDR2 800 RAMup to 4GB
Display: NVIDIA ION Integrated Graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x HDMI output
Audio: 5.1 Channel HD Audio, 1 x S/PDIF output
Storage: 320GB 2.5in SATA hard drive
LAN: 1 x Gigabit
I/O: 6 x USB 2.0
Other: Sony BC-5500S SATA Blu-ray slim player

Technorati Tags: ASRock, Atom 330, blu-ray, HDMI, Ion, mini motherboard, nettop, NVIDIA, review

WHS Build With Intel D945GSEJT Mini-ITX Motherboard @ Home Server Hacks

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:44:59 +0000

Home Server Hacks has published steps for a Windows Home Server build using the Intel D945GSEJT Mini-ITX motherboard.

Their article acknowledges the low power consumption of the D945GSEJT board (their Kill A Watt measured 12-16W for the whole system) - quite impressive. Whether you are a fan of WHS or not, this is a good example of what can be achieved with this low profile (20 mm!) and fanless board, which appears as a good alternative to the MSI IM-945GSE (MS-9830) Mini-ITX board for a fraction of the price…

Full article here.

D945GSEJT specifications:

CPU: Intel Atom N270 CPU (1.6GHz)
Chipset: Intel 945GSE + ICH7M
RAM: 1 x 200-pin SODIMM, up to 2 GB of DDR2 RAM
Storage: 2 x SATA ports, 1 x IDE port
Expansion slot: 1 x PCI slot, 1 x Mini-PCIe slot
Video: integrated GMA 950 graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x DVI output, LVDS connectors (dual display)
Audio: Realtek ALC662 HD Audio
LAN: 1 x Realtek RTL8111DL Gigabit Ethernet
I/O: 7 x USB ports (3 x external, 1 x internal), 2 x Serial (internal), 1 x Parallel (internal), PS/2 connector (internal)

D945GSEJT product page here.

Technorati Tags: 945gse, atom, dvi, Intel, mini motherboard, mini-itx, N270, WHS