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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

Intel has launched the D945GSEJT and DG41MJ  Mini-ITX motherboards.

The D945GSEJT Mini-ITX board uses the Atom N270 processor combined with the 945GSE chipset and ICH7M southbridge with an height of only 20 mm, and runs fanless. It features DVI output, Gigabit Ethernet, and has 1 PCI and 1 Mini-PCIe slot. It uses 12V DC external power.

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.

The DG41MJ Mini-ITX board uses the G41 Express chipset and supports Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors up to 65W TDP. It features DVI output, 3 SATA ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and has 1 PCI slot.

DG41MJ  Specifications:

• CPU: LGA775 socket, supports Intel Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Duo/Celeron processors up to 65W TDP
• Chipset: Intel G41 Express
• RAM: 2 x 240-pin DIMM, up to 8 GB of DDR2 667/800 RAM
• Storage: 3 x SATA ports
• Expansion slot: 1 x PCI slot
• Video: integrated GMA X4500 graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x DVI output
• Audio: Realtek ALC888VC HD Audio with S/PDIF output
• LAN:  Realtek RTL8111D Gigabit Ethernet
• I/O:  8 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x external, 4 x internal), 1 x Serial (internal), 1 x Parallel, PS/2 connector

DG41MJ Product page here.

[Via Tweaktown]

[Updated: added product page for D945GSEJT]

Technorati Tags: 945gse, atom, Core 2 Duo, core 2 quad, dvi, fanless, G41, Intel, mini motherboard, mini-itx, N270

Logic Supply is providing some details on the upcoming Intel D945GSEJT Mini-ITX motherboard.

Intel’s new Mini-ITX form factor mainboard, the D945GSEJT (expected release mid Q2′09), is a low-profile, super-slim platform featuring an Atom processor and mobile chipset.

This low profile Mini-ITX motherboard should feature the 945GSE chipset, Atom N270 CPU and Gigabit Ethernet, along with DVI output and a Mini PCIe slot.

Full article here.

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

ITOX has lauched the NP101-D16C mini-ITX motherboard.

This Mini-ITX board uses the Atom N270 processor combined with the 945GSE chipset and ICH7M southbridge, which allows for low power consumption and the board to run fanless.

The ITOX NP101-D16C Mini-ITX product is ideal for cost-sensitive applied computing and x86embedded systems applications including medical electronics, industrial control, security &surveillance, telecommunications, ATM/POS, digital signage, gaming and kiosk systems.

NP101-D16C Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Atom N270 CPU (1.6GHz)
• Chipset: Intel 945GSE + ICH7M
• RAM:  1 x 240-pin DIMM, up to 2 GB of DDR2 400/533 RAM
• Storage: 2 x SATA ports, 1 x IDE port
• Expansion slot: 1 x PCI slot, 1 x PCIe x1 slot
• Video: integrated GMA 950 graphics, 1 x VGA output, 1 x LVDS connector, 1 x SDVO for optional DVI or LVDS interfaces
• Audio: Realtek 262 2-channel HD audio, S/PDIF input/ouput interface
• LAN: 2 x Realtek RTL8111C PCIe Gigabit Ethernet
• I/O:  8 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x external 4 x internal), 2 x Serial, PS/2 connectors

This board has a 12V DC power input.

Read the press release here.

Product page here.

ITOX also has  the NP100-N16C board, which features DVI output and has a 20-pin ATX power connector.

Technorati Tags: 945gse, atom, fanless, ITOX, mini motherboard, mini-itx, N270

MSI has recently released its WinBOX, targetting it for industrial/embedded use.

Some may consider it as a viable alternative to the Eee Box, given its similar size, performance and low power characteristics.

Here is a comparison table of the MSI WindBOX and current Asus EeeBox models*:

*: note to overload the table, only Atom-based Eee Box models have been included. The Celeron-based Eee Box B201 and B203 models have been ignored.

Looking at the comparison table above, the Eee Box models come with much better features (Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 802.11n, S/PDIF output, DVI or HDMI output) than the WinBOX. The WinBOX may be sllent thanks to its fanless design (and provided it is equiped with a SSD drive); this is however not sufficient to compensate for the lower features it offers.

The Asus Eee Box models are a better choice; with the B204 and B206 models being the ones to go to take benefit of their discrete graphics in a small form factor and quiet (26dB) HTPC configuration.

Technorati Tags: 945gse, Asus, atom, comparison, Eee Box, EeeBox, MSI, N270, Wind BOX, WindBOX

Commell has announced the LV-67D industrial Mini-ITX motherboard.

This Mini-ITX board uses the Atom N270 processor combined with the 945GSE chipset and ICH7M southbridge, which allows for low power consumption.

The board offers an excellent solution for embedded market such as digital signage, kiosks, POS, thin clients, digital security, residential gateways, commercial and industrial control.

LV-67D 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, 1 x CF socket
• Expansion slot: 1 x PCI slot, 1 x Mini-PCI slot, 1 x Mini-PCIe slot
• Video: integrated GMA 950 graphics, 1 x VGA output, LVDS connectors (dual display), optional secondary LVDS or DVI
• Audio: Realtek ALC888 HD Audio with S/PDIF output
• LAN: 2 x Intel 82574L Gigabit Ethernet
• I/O:  8 x USB 2.0 ports, 6 x Serial, PS/2 connectors, GPIO interface: Digital I/O (4 in, 4 out)

Read the press release here.

Technorati Tags: 945gse, atom, Commell, dvi, industrial, mini motherboard, mini-itx, N270

More details on the new EeeBox B204 and B206 are becoming available, following Asus announcement.

For example eeepc.it as some details based on the Eee Box user manual (download the user manual here).

Looking at the user manual, the remote control uses an external USB receiver (instead of an infrared received integrated to the Eee Box itself). There is also reference to a “TV function” in the manual - maybe Asus is going to offer an external TV tuner in the future?

Other than that, the only visible difference on the Eee Box itself is the presence of the HDMI port instead of the DVI port on the B202.

Here is a comparison table of the EeeBox models - current and upcoming:

Technorati Tags: 945gse, Asus, atom, Eee Box, EeeBox, HDMI, mini motherboard, N270

AXIOMTEK has announced the SBC86836 Industrial mini-ITX motherboard.

This Mini-ITX board uses the Atom N270 processor combined with the 945GSE chipset and ICH7M southbridge, which allows for low power consumption and the industrial board to run fanless.

Its small footprint of only 170 x 170 mm and remarkably low power consumption enables system developers to design extremely slim embedded applications such as in-vehicle infotainment, POS, lottery machine, and kiosk.

SBC86836 Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Atom N270 CPU (1.6GHz)
• Chipset: Intel 945GSE + ICH7M
• RAM:  1 x 240-pin DIMM, up to 2 GB of DDR2 400/533 RAM
• Storage: 2 x SATA ports, 1 x IDE port, 1 x CF socket
• Expansion slot: 1 x 1 x PCI slot
• Video: integrated GMA 950 graphics, 1 x VGA output, LVDS connectors (dual display)
• LAN: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet
• I/O:  8 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x external 4 x internal), 6 x Serial, PS/2 connectors, Digital I/O (4 in, 4 out)

Read the press release here [via WindowsForDevices.com].

Product page here.

Technorati Tags: 945gse, atom, AXIOMTEK, dvi, fanless, mini motherboard, mini-itx, N270

TweakTown has posted a review of the MSI IM-945GSE-A industrial Mini-ITX Motherboard. They tested this mini motherboard and compared it to the Gigabyte GA-GC230D board and the VIA EPIA SN2 Nano board.

The IM-G45GSE board performance was on par with the GA-GC230D board, while the VIA Nano board performed better that the Atom boards in every test.

What is missing from the review is a comparion of the power consumption of these boards, especially with the MSI IM-945GSE using low power thanks to the use of the Atom N270 processor combined with the 945GSE chipset and ICH7M southbridge.

They were overall satisfied with the board, seeing its use as carputer:

MSI’s industrial board is extremely good for what it has to work with; it has the potential for a great car PC platform as it allows for the use of all the major features you will have in a car such as USB GPS, WiFi through the mini PCIe as well as TV playback with an add-in PCI tuner card.

Read the full article here.

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

Asus has announced the EeeBox B204 and B206 nettop computers.

The B204 and B206 feature ATI Radeon HD 3400 discrete graphics, HDMI output, remote control, and a 160GB hard drive. The B204 also features bluetooth.

With the discrete graphics providing hardware acceleration, the new EeeBox is expected to play full hd - 1080p - which has been one of the weak points of the existing Atom based solutions, netbooks or nettops.

With the new Eee Box B204 and B206, users will be able to enjoy viewing hardware-accelerated HD content on LCD TVs, monitors and projectors via an HDMI output—making them ideal for families seeking a simple, space-saving home entertainment solution.

Other characteristics remain similar to the original EeeBox (B202).

EeeBox B204/B206 specifications:

• CPU: Intel Atom N270 CPU (1.6GHz)
• Chipset: Intel 945GSE + ICH7M
• RAM: 1 x 200-pin SODIMM, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM standard
• Display: ATI Radeon HD 3400 Discrete Graphics with 256 MB RAM, 1 x HDMI output
• Audio: Realtek ALC662 5.1 Channel HD Audio (with S/PDIF out)
• Storage: 160GB 2.5in SATA hard drive
• LAN: 1 x Gigabit
• WLAN: 1 x 802.11b/g/n
• I/O: 4 x USB 2.0
• Other: Bluetooth (B204 only), built-in battery for UPS function (B204 only), card reader, remote control, stand

Full press release here.

Technorati Tags: 945gse, Asus, atom, EeeBox, fanless, mini motherboard, N270