More on Intel's Thin Mini-ITX Standard
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 1, 2011 12:42 AM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
- Intel
- Motherboards
- thin mini ITX
- Computex 2011
I stopped by Intel's booth at Computex to grab a few shots of the small but potent Thin Mini-ITX ecosystem. If you read our coverage yesterday you'll remember that Thin Mini-ITX is just a low profile Mini-ITX standard designed for affordable (or potentially DIY) all-in-one PCs.
Intel had a number of Sandy Bridge motherboards on display that conform to the Thin Mini-ITX standard. Most of the boards use Intel's H61 chipset:
The cooling system is also standardized. Below is an example of the cooling solution Intel will be selling in Q4 of this year:
Intel also had a number of all-in-one cases available. While most weren't all that elegant looking, this model from Loop looked very Apple-like:
There were a number of DC power adapters on display, ranging from 150W to 180W. The power connector is also a standard.
Going forward as the majority of desktops move to even lower TDPs, these DIY all-in-one systems may end up becoming more popular. One major issue I see right away is the lack of support for discrete graphics. Go far enough into the future and perhaps that won't be so important, but today it's not fun driving a high resolution panel off of SNB integrated graphics. I do hope that as Intel pushes for this standard it doesn't forget that discrete GPUs are still quite necessary for many users in 2011. Maybe we'll eventually get that upgradable 27-inch iMac that I was asking for recently.
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alaricljs - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
If you look closely, you'll see that you can mount the HSF either to the expansion slot edge of the mobo or the edge opposite the IO plate. The CPU socket is spaced the same distance from both these edges. It's still possible to produce the same design with a 90' PCIe slot.MadAd - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
if theyre going mess with the format footprint it would be more use if it had some kind of sideways pci-e capabilityMadAd - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
looking at that fan is making me grimace, looks like a noisy buggerdealcorn - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
Done right, this permits an invisible pc that that functions on request from wireless devices. You see no pc, no messy wires, but its there whenever you want it and it will never be a superb gaming platform. Cover your ears because it hurts to hear: it's mom friendly.lestr - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
Seems that since there ARE 3 "free edges" someone - anyone please - could use them in a more efficient - elegant manner, eh?Totally agree put the HSF opposite the back plane... a Corsair H50-60 mounted flat
x16 slot @90 off one edge would be great - single or dual slot
x1 slot @90 off opposite edge for a tuner card, REVO, sound card, what have you..
mPCIe slots for wifi + SSD (310). could use more of them, why only 1?? Stack them!
This would give a solid surface to mount the board surrounded by top and bottom vents on 3 sides - who could complain about air flow then? This config would keep all heat away from the mobo. Also eliminate some of the cable clutter.
As for an AIO they need to be flat, width and length smaller than a 19" monitor would also lend itself for placement on a bookshelf. Stand alone BluRay or DVD players are wide, shallow and 2" thin.
LIan Li could then create a "briefcase" with a flip up monitor. Borrow concepts from lap tops.
It's nice to hear others are thinking outside the "box"... ok so real estate is limited but they could do it if they wanted to. That's a HUGE IF...
zshift - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link
If AMD decided to adopt this platform for Fusion, my prayers would be answered. The absolute HTPC, in the smallest form factorteekblang - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
A brick powersupply (19v or 12 V are perfect) on 1U platform. Now If they can come up with a cheap video / no audio but with RAID SIL based SATA2/3 headers. for less than one benjamin I'm all over it like flies on a wet dung.henhaohenhao - Wednesday, July 13, 2011 - link
Come go and see, will not regret it Oh look
http://www.ifancyshop.com