Wednesday, May 27th 2009

ASUS Preparing Atom-Based AT3GC-I Mini-ITX Motherboard

ASUS is preparing a new motherboard for DIY nettop builders. The AT3GC-I Mini-ITX motherboard, using an Intel Atom processor, takes care of the basics. The motherboard uses a common fan-heatsink to spread the heat between an Intel Atom 330 dual-core processor, Intel 945GC northbridge, and ICH7 southbridge. Memory support is covered by one DDR2 memory slot supporting a DDR2-533 module, and storage is care of two SATA and one IDE connectors. A standard PCI slot provides expansion. 6-channel audio and 10/100 Ethernet make for the rest of the mix. ASUS may use the Computex event as a launch vehicle for this entry-level motherboard.
Source: TechConnect Magazine
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26 Comments on ASUS Preparing Atom-Based AT3GC-I Mini-ITX Motherboard

#1
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Am I the only one that would like to see ASUS(or anyone) put out an Atom 330 board using the ION platform with some decent overclocking options in the BIOS?
Posted on Reply
#2
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
what a ghetto cooling solution.

"Sir, the heatsink half the size of the board didnt do it! what should we do!"
"i have a 40mm fan... and some screws. lets do it!"

I just dont want to go near these things, so long as they have intel onboard video.
Posted on Reply
#3
Cheeseball
Not a Potato
If it had three of those 40mm fans in an array (and one 3-pin/4-pin connector), it would've been nice, but loud.
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#4
crtecha
Musselswhat a ghetto cooling solution.

"Sir, the heatsink half the size of the board didnt do it! what should we do!"
"i have a 40mm fan... and some screws. lets do it!"

I just dont want to go near these things, so long as they have intel onboard video.
ditto onboard intel is terrible I have to use it everyday at work......
Posted on Reply
#5
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
I have to use it every day on my netbook, it works, just not for gaming.
Posted on Reply
#6
to6ko91
newtekie1Am I the only one that would like to see ASUS(or anyone) put out an Atom 330 board using the ION platform with some decent overclocking options in the BIOS?
overclock on mini-ITX ...:eek::shadedshu think again its like spliting the atom with a fork and knife :banghead:

P.S. zotac has atom 330 & ion chipset ;)
Posted on Reply
#7
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
to6ko91overclock on mini-ITX ...:eek::shadedshu think again its like spliting the atom with a fork and knife :banghead:

P.S. zotac has atom 330 & ion chipset ;)
What would be the problem with overclocking on a mini-ITX?:laugh:

Would it really be that hard to program in some basic voltage control, FSB control, and memory options into the BIOS? I'm not saying make a beastly overclocker, just something with some basic options to let us tinker a little.

And I know about the Zotac board, but no overclocking AFAIK.
Posted on Reply
#8
lemonadesoda
Boring boring boring. We dont need ANOTHER Atom on a 945GC northbridge.

Zotac Atom 330 + ION is the most interesting board so far.
newtekie1Am I the only one that would like to see ASUS(or anyone) put out an Atom 330 board using the ION platform with some decent overclocking options in the BIOS?
See Anantech. IIRC he OC the Atom 330 on ION already. www.anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=602

Even the OC 330 didnt quite give it enough horsepower for playing "flash" based video.
Posted on Reply
#9
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
I was actually just reading that, after reading a review on the Zotac board and finding out it does have a few overclocking options(though CPU voltage is still saddly missing).

The problem I have with the Zotac board is not expansion slot, the 9400 is ok, but I'd prefer to be able to put something a little more beefy in there if I wanted.
lemonadesodaEven the OC 330 didnt quite give it enough horsepower for playing "flash" based video.
I'm sure it doesn't help that the flash based renderer is horribly inefficient, he even comments on this in the article, and even mentions that more powerful systems struggle with Hulu.
Posted on Reply
#10
Static~Charge
newtekie1The problem I have with the Zotac board is not expansion slot, the 9400 is ok, but I'd prefer to be able to put something a little more beefy in there if I wanted.
If you want a mini-ITX board with more options, take a look at the J&W MINIX 780G-SP128MB. Sure, it'll use more power, but it also has much better performance and expansion.
Posted on Reply
#11
MRCL
to6ko91overclock on mini-ITX ...:eek::shadedshu think again its like spliting the atom with a fork and knife :banghead:

P.S. zotac has atom 330 & ion chipset ;)
I wait till the first waterblock for Atoms comes out:laugh:
Posted on Reply
#12
PlanetCyborg
atom 330 + mobo with a PCI-e x16 would be nice!!!(i would use it as a htpc)
Posted on Reply
#14
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Static~ChargeIf you want a mini-ITX board with more options, take a look at the J&W MINIX 780G-SP128MB. Sure, it'll use more power, but it also has much better performance and expansion.
the minix is a sex god, however that slot is only 4x electrically. not that you'd stick a 4870x2 in one of these things, but it must be noted.
Posted on Reply
#15
Weer
Oh great, we get a cooler half the size of the board (yes, it's funny - thank you, Mus), but no overclocking options.

And to everyone who wants to use PCIex16 graphics cards - An average Mini-ITX power supply gives a maximum of 100-120w, with the sole point of reaching the lowest power consumption possible (~5-10w for the CPU, 15w for the chipset unfortunately, etc.).. you're not going to be able to run anything better than an IGP. And the reason I didn't go with ION? It's useless - I can play 1080p video on Atom 330. Anything else.. is just like this cooler - useless. Actually, ION is ever worse. At least this cooler (potentially) allows for lower power consumption, while ION takes more power undoubtably.
Posted on Reply
#16
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
Static~ChargeIf you want a mini-ITX board with more options, take a look at the J&W MINIX 780G-SP128MB. Sure, it'll use more power, but it also has much better performance and expansion.
I'm more interested in playing around with an Atom 330, I've already got an AM2+ board to play around with.
Posted on Reply
#17
Weer
newtekie1I'm more interested in playing around with an Atom 330, I've already got an AM2+ board to play around with.
You figure out a way to overclock Atom 330 - you ring me up, bro!
Posted on Reply
#18
PlanetCyborg
WeerOh great, we get a cooler half the size of the board (yes, it's funny - thank you, Mus), but no overclocking options.

And to everyone who wants to use PCIex16 graphics cards - An average Mini-ITX power supply gives a maximum of 100-120w, with the sole point of reaching the lowest power consumption possible (~5-10w for the CPU, 15w for the chipset unfortunately, etc.).. you're not going to be able to run anything better than an IGP. And the reason I didn't go with ION? It's useless - I can play 1080p video on it. Anything else.. is just like this cooler.
Mini-ITX power supply is a joke:laugh: i think 600 w OCZ will do just fine;)
Posted on Reply
#19
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
you can get mini ITX cases with 200-250W PSU's fairly easily. they're just full height instead of half height or external PSU.
Posted on Reply
#20
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
WeerYou figure out a way to overclock Atom 330 - you ring me up, bro!
The Zotac board allows it, but with no CPU voltage control, it won't even break 2GHz...
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#21
PlanetCyborg
Atom overclocking is a serious business like traktor racing:roll:
Posted on Reply
#22
ascstinger
i'd wager that anything more than a 9600gt would start to be very cpu limited, the 9400 is a good fit for the atom. in zotac's case, someone who was seeking a little more power could move up to the 9300wifi, which uses 775 cpu's and has a full x16 pci-e slot
Posted on Reply
#23
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
PlanetCyborgAtom overclocking is a serious business like traktor racing:roll:
You are talking to a person that overclocks Celerons and Semprons and Durons before that.:laugh:

Pushing weak processors brings me enjoyment for some reason.
Posted on Reply
#24
cdawall
where the hell are my stars
newtekie1Am I the only one that would like to see ASUS(or anyone) put out an Atom 330 board using the ION platform with some decent overclocking options in the BIOS?
no i want to see one to
Posted on Reply
#25
Hayder_Master
most smaller ATOM mobo right now with good cooling
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