Intel shows off new mini-itx board at CeBIT

climber109 · Post by **climber109** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:54 pm

I saw this at anandtech: http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/sho ... i=3252&p=8

Scroll down to the bottom. There is a Mini-ITX board from Intel called the DQ45EK. From the name, I am guessing that it will have the upcoming Q45 chipset (the "office" version of the G45). From the picture at Anandtech, it has a normal LGA775 socket and takes standard DDR2 DIMMs rather than SODIMMs.[/url]

line · Post by **line** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:18 pm

A G45-based variant (DG45FC) is also in the works.

http://en.expreview.com/2008/03/06/inte ... /#more-292

According to the specs, the back panel ports include DVI-I, HDMI 1.3 and eSATA, and the onboard sound chip supports Dolby Digital Live (real-time encoding of multichannel audio over S/PDIF).

If you're worried about the absence of the VGA port, worry not: the signal is still present on the analog section of the onboard DVI-I connector (that's the meaning of the "-I" suffix) and it can be passed through with a DVI->VGA passive adapter like the ones that typically come with graphics cards.

LAThierry · Post by **LAThierry** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:15 am

I searched in quite a few places, but did not find information on whether the lan speed is 10/100 or 10/100/1000.

line · Post by **line** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:23 am

The DG45FC has a Gigabit controller according to the specs.

line · Post by **line** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:26 pm

More DQ45EK photos:

From here (linked by yyrkoon on AT).

So, the execs get an eSATA port, too.

line · Post by **line** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:01 pm

DG45FC photos:

from HEXUS, linked to by Mini-ITX.com. Thanks to Ajax9000 on AT.

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:59 pm

Yum. The DG45FC has teeny-tiny HTPC written all over it.

Love to see a shootout with an 870G.

-D

Moogles · Post by **Moogles** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:06 am

Wow a mini-ITX board with dual DVI out. That is pretty cool.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:25 pm

Very nice. E-sata. DVI+ Display port, 6 USB 2.0 ports, RJ-45 + soundcard input. The connectors are more than impressive in lower one. Display port is nice touch. I like DG45FC

aristide1 · Post by **aristide1** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:52 pm

What about the prior shrinkage? 45nm quads?

Only in the geek world of PCs is shrinkage a good thing.

Spare Tire · Post by **Spare Tire** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:20 pm

That's alright, but how much a piece?

Ashex · Post by **Ashex** » Sat May 03, 2008 12:11 pm

I was about to make a thread about this. This is what I've gotten so far:

There's going to be two versions, the DG45FC with the following:

Intel Core2Duo (1333Mhz FSB)
GMA X4500HD Graphics
G45 Chip
ViiV technology
DVI and HDMI output
HDDVD and Bluray encoding
Two DDR2 800 slots, up to 4GB
Gigabit Ethernet
eSata
6+4 USB ports
Optical audio out, and what looks like 8 channel audio capabilities
1 PCIe X1 slot
1 PCI slot
5 Sata ports
Supports RAID
Slightly more expensive then their desktop boards, but cheaper then other mini-itx boards

Spec Sheet

Source

And the DQ45EK based on Q45 chipset

Vpro
Intel Core2Duo with 1333Mhz FSB
Q45 Chipset
2 DDR2 800 slots
Dual DVI output
PCIe x1 slot
4 Sata ports
1 eSata port
RAID support
4-channel audio
6+4 USB

Spec Sheet

Source

dougz · Post by **dougz** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:26 pm

Ashex wrote:I was about to make a thread about this. This is what I've gotten so far:

There's going to be two versions, the DG45FC with the following:

Intel Core2Duo (1333Mhz FSB)

GMA X4500HD Graphics

G45 Chip
...

Slightly more expensive then their desktop boards, but cheaper then other mini-itx boards
Spec Sheet

Source

Thanks for the info.

Any guesses as to when (non-VESA) Linux video drivers will be available? I googled, but didn't find anything.

Are these boards targeted toward Industrial computing (and priced accordingly)? They don't seem to be targeted for emerging markets, like the D201xxx mini-ITX. I'm not sure how to interpret the bullet about pricing.

"Slightly more expensive..." -- USD$100 - $125 would be pretty nice.

"...cheaper then other mini-itx boards" -- Very large range of potential prices, some not very cheap.

Ashex · Post by **Ashex** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:06 pm

I'm working on getting more info, but that's pretty much all I have for the time being. The DG45C is designed for media applications, such as HTPC. the DQ45EK is primarily for desktop applications, workstations, demos, etc.

The pricing I got off the video I linked, which sounds like it'll be in the sub-250 market, ideally sub-200.

dougz · Post by **dougz** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:07 pm

Thanks for the info. Hope they do make the Computex intro schedule and ship fairly promptly. (Intel is pretty good about shipping on-time, unlike Via.)

Pretty impressive little boards.

Mariner · Post by **Mariner** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:11 am

The current high cost of most mini-itx boards is a real turn-off (so to speak!).

If this motherboard comes at a good price, it will be a fantastic option for HTPCs. My preference is still for AMD chips (performance is not too much of an issue for me) but for a tiny HTPC, this little motherboard could be tough to beat.

oDii · Post by **oDii** » Thu May 08, 2008 3:26 am

These look phenominal; look forward to seeing more, possibly with Core2Quad support?

.

Short of a PCI-E 16x slot it's missing nothing, and even then the size makes up for it.

Ashex · Post by **Ashex** » Sun May 11, 2008 3:53 pm

Intel has confirmed release for June at the Computex Show in Taipei. There's also some more info about Other boards coming out, with an interesting figure of being able to build a system for under 300 for their low-cost boards.

AZBrandon · Post by **AZBrandon** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:04 am

So what is the lowest power 775 processor? I'm currently running my mini-ITX with no mobo fans and just a single, 5v 80mm case fan. I'd be interested in this if there's an Intel proc that can run with just a basic heatsink and low airflow through the case.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:44 am

AZBrandon wrote:So what is the lowest power 775 processor? I'm currently running my mini-ITX with no mobo fans and just a single, 5v 80mm case fan. I'd be interested in this if there's an Intel proc that can run with just a basic heatsink and low airflow through the case.

Celeron 420. can run passive on the stock heatsink when undervolted. ironically northbridge cooling becomes more important than CPU cooling; also mini-ITX boards unlikely to have any undervolting options in BIOS.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:30 am

I am officially drooling. Intel just gave me literally EVERYTHING I needed for a perfect Raid Box. I almost can't believe we've suddenly gone from old sis chipset to a brand new 65nm G45 with gigabit, raid, quad internal sata ports and dvi output. It's a dream come true. THANK YOU INTEL! And I really mean it. This also makes me wonder why the hell amd didn't make a modern updated mini-itx board like this.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:32 am

jaganath wrote:
AZBrandon wrote:So what is the lowest power 775 processor? I'm currently running my mini-ITX with no mobo fans and just a single, 5v 80mm case fan. I'd be interested in this if there's an Intel proc that can run with just a basic heatsink and low airflow through the case.
Celeron 420. can run passive on the stock heatsink when undervolted. ironically northbridge cooling becomes more important than CPU cooling; also mini-ITX boards unlikely to have any undervolting options in BIOS.

Well I'd hope northbridge won't be such a heat issue with a 65nm chipset instead. Personally I'd want an E7200 in the board with undervolting if possible. I can imagine that providing a ridiculous amount of power combined with really low power usage.

dougz · Post by **dougz** » Tue May 20, 2008 3:59 am

Companies have D945GCLF on offer.

http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/0 ... 4200.shtml
http://www.tranquilpc-shop.co.uk/acatal ... oards.html
http://www.mini-box.com/Intel-D945GCLF- ... otherboard

nutball · Post by **nutball** » Tue May 20, 2008 4:15 am

I don't like the look of that fan. What gives?

hans007 · Post by **hans007** » Tue May 20, 2008 5:31 am

nutball wrote:I don't like the look of that fan. What gives?

the wierd thing is, the fan is on the northbridge.

the cpu is under that little heatsink. its just a 945g chipset, so i'm assuming theres plenty of passive hetasinks that could have worked (my intel microATX g31 board has no fan and most 945g boards do not either).

so i dont get why intel put a fan on it. maybe they had extras left over ?

dougz · Post by **dougz** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:11 am

hans007 wrote:the wierd thing is, the fan is on the northbridge.

the cpu is under that little heatsink. its just a 945g chipset, so i'm assuming theres plenty of passive hetasinks that could have worked (my intel microATX g31 board has no fan and most 945g boards do not either).

so i dont get why intel put a fan on it. maybe they had extras left over ?

Your microATX is in a bigger box with one or more big case fans and (possibly) a bigger/better northbridge heatsink. Much better airflow.

A mini-ITX board may well end up in a tiny box with extremely poor air circulation, so they put a fan on the northbridge. I assume that the northbridge has higher heat dissipation than the CPU and the CPU has higher heat tolerance or can step it's throughput down if it overheats.

OTOH, there are mini-ITX 945G boards now. Don't know the cooling requirements. This one appears to have a big northbridge heatsink for a GM (mobile) --
http://www.logicsupply.com/products/i945gmt_fsa Looks like even the southbridge has a heat sink.

XS Janus · Post by **XS Janus** » Thu May 22, 2008 5:24 am

I think "G" is like 22W TDP and "GM" just 7W.
My guess manufacturers just put a fan/big heatsink according to specs not really caring if it's to much--- as long as it isn't to little.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Thu May 22, 2008 11:09 am

I'm really not liking this atom board because besides some likely power advantages, it's far too similar to the Intel D201GLY2. There's nothing else that could be considered an improvement, unlike the newer G45/Q45 mini-itx boards, which look like a massive jump. Of course I think we all have different priorities. I'm addicted to having speed, features, and low power

dougz · Post by **dougz** » Thu May 22, 2008 11:57 am

merlin wrote:There's nothing else that could be considered an improvement, unlike the newer G45/Q45 mini-itx boards, which look like a massive jump.

You must not be a Linux user...

Losing the SiS chipset is a huge advantage over the D201 series, at least for Linux users. There were no good Linux drivers for the D201 SiS boards, and no prospect of drivers in the future.

To be fair to Intel, this board appears to be primarily intended for the ultra low-budget market segment. There will be better Atom-based boards for enthusiasts, but they will cost more. Fair enough.

If you want to lose the northbridge fan, do like the D201 hackers and substitute a better northbridge heatsink.

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:28 pm

dougz wrote: You must not be a Linux user...

Losing the SiS chipset is a huge advantage over the D201 series, at least for Linux users. There were no good Linux drivers for the D201 SiS boards, and no prospect of drivers in the future.

To be fair to Intel, this board appears to be primarily intended for the ultra low-budget market segment. There will be better Atom-based boards for enthusiasts, but they will cost more. Fair enough.

If you want to lose the northbridge fan, do like the D201 hackers and substitute a better northbridge heatsink.

Ahem, now that's not quite true. I have a distribution of linux sitting on my htpc/lanbox right now

I've never used a Sis chipset though

Certainly this board is nice for pure budget/power needs. It's just nowhere near a G45 that is out of the box fanless and full of features.

Intel shows off new mini-itx board at CeBIT

Intel shows off new mini-itx board at CeBIT

Slashdot: "Atom-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard Available&qu

Re: Slashdot: "Atom-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard Availabl

Re: Slashdot: "Atom-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard Availabl

Re: Slashdot: "Atom-Based Mini-ITX Motherboard Availabl