VIA Unveils Mini-ITX 2.0: The Mini PC Platform of the Future

[malware]

VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced a new standard for Mini-ITX boards to ensure an optimized multimedia and computing experience in small form factor desktop PCs.




Mini-ITX 2.0 is a set of minimum specifications for the next generation of Mini-ITX boards to encourage the integration of the latest PC technologies into the small form factor market and to provide OEMs, system integrators and end-users alike greater freedom of choice in configuring mini PCs and home media centers to deliver an optimized graphics, high definition video, and computing experience. Mini-ITX 2.0 makes the ideal platform for such systems due to its advanced performance, high levels of feature integration, and easy expandability, coupled with the broad infrastructure of cases and accessories that has been built up around the form factor.

At the core of Mini-ITX 2.0 is a high performance yet power efficient x86 processor, such as the VIA Nano processor announced last week, to provide all the horsepower necessary for running the latest applications and operating systems in a space-constrained environment. To maximize flexibility in configuring mini PC systems for today's increasingly immersive graphics and high definition visual computing environments, such as advanced DirectX 10 graphics and Blu-ray Disc playback, Mini-ITX 2.0 also defines a 16-lane PCI Express slot as a prerequisite, enabling the integration of a high performance graphics add-in card.

"With the Mini-ITX, VIA set the de facto standard for small form factor x86 platform integration, triggering industry-wide innovation in mini PC systems," said Timothy Chen, Special Assistant to the President, VIA Technologies, Inc. "Through the introduction of Mini-ITX 2.0, we are defining the mini PC platform of the future, paving the way for the emergence of a new generation of high performance systems that deliver an optimized experience in today's increasingly media rich environment."

In line with the company's long-term commitment to supporting open industry standards, VIA is working with leading industry partners including NVIDIA, the world leader in visual computing technologies and the inventor of the GPU, to drive innovation and maximize freedom of choice around the Mini-ITX 2.0 standard.


"VIA has pioneered small form factor PCs, in contrast to competing closed designs, VIA's new solution allows customers to play today's latest PC games and experience new video and photo applications available with NVIDIA's DX10 GPUs," stated Drew Henry, general manager, NVIDIA MCP business.

Mini-ITX 2.0 Standard
Mini-ITX 2.0 is an open industry standard that defines the minimum platform requirements for media-rich optimized mini PCs. Key features include the following:

• Processor: High-performance, power efficient x86 processor, such as the VIA Nano processor
• Memory: Support for minimum 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
• Graphics: DirectX 9.0 integrated (IGP); DirectX 10 through an add-in card
• Display: 1 VGA port for LCD display; 1 HDMI port on add-in card
• HD Audio: 3 Audio jacks for up to 6-channel surround sound
• Broadband Connectivity: 1 Gigabit LAN port
• Storage: 2 Serial ATA II slots + 1 IDE (PATA) slot
• Peripheral Connectivity: Minimum 4 USB2.0 ports
• Expansion: 1 PCI Express 16-lane slot
• Size: 17cm x 17cm
• O/S Support: Microsoft Windows Vista; Microsoft Windows Vista Premium (through an add-in graphics card); Microsoft Windows XP, and major Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Suse Linux and gOS

VIA
Today's Mini-ITX mainboards have come a long way from first production, with faster processor speeds yet more power efficient platforms than ever, with richer digital media feature integration, and greater connectivity and storage options. VIA boards now feature PCI Express, DDR2, SATA II, multi-channel HD audio and much more, and VIA is continually investing resources in developing ways to integrate ever greater functionality into small footprint platforms. From the earliest VIA EPIA board to the Mini-ITX 2.0 concept, VIA has been at the cutting edge of small form factor innovation.

More information on Mini-ITX 2.0 may be found on the VIA website at: http://www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives.../mini-itx_2.0/

Mini-ITX 2.0 Availability
Motherboards and systems based around the Mini-ITX 2.0 standard will be available from leading vendors in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Source: VIA

[cdawall]

only pci why not pci-e?

WOOPS!!!

[robodude666]

That is a PCI-Express 16x slot. I want my promised Mobile-ITX.

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by robodude666

That is a PCI-Express 16x slot. I want my promised Mobile-ITX.

lol via nano+9800GX2

[ktr]

Originally Posted by cdawall

lol via nano+9800GX2

talk about a massive bottleneck...lol

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by ktr

talk about a massive bottleneck...lol

the GPU would be 2x as large as the mobo

[ktr]

With the mini-itx 2.0 standard, only time will we see a 775 board with a nvidia 610 chipset (or better).

[jbunch07]

this would ideal for an htpc or something similar.

[DaJMasta]

Two Ram slots...... PCI-e.... 4 SATA..... this is a huge step up from the last couple of generations just in board design. Despite the horribly awkward IDE placement on this board....

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by DaJMasta

Two Ram slots...... PCI-e.... 4 SATA..... this is a huge step up from the last couple of generations just in board design. Despite the horribly awkward IDE placement on this board....

i personally like how the cpu is smaller than the chipset

[DaJMasta]

Originally Posted by cdawall

i personally like how the cpu is smaller than the chipset

Then you'll love intel's variant with an atom processor:




The processor is the little fanless sink..... the big one is the northbridge/integrated graphics.

[lemonadesoda]

mini-ITX 2.0 should define dual-link DVI, or HDMI, as the output, not VGA.

Even my i-BASE s479 Mini-ITX (v1.0) has DVI out, and the board is already quite a few years old.

[Pinchy]

These mini-ITX's make great backup/print servers

[intel igent]

i think i see a car PC in my future.....

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by intel igent

i think i see a car PC in my future.....

care to elaborate.

[ktr]

Originally Posted by jbunch07

care to elaborate.

Never heard about a carputer.

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by ktr

Never heard about a carputer.

oh ok gotcha.

hmmm *rubs chin* got me thinking.

[intel igent]

^ yup! and now with the ability to use your mobile phone as a source of internet connection the possibillities are endless

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by intel igent

^ yup! and now with the ability to use your mobile phone as a source on internet connection the possibillities are endless

good call.

it sure beats what my brother-in-law does, he made a custom stand for his laptop in the car, and just put a power inverter in there. it works pretty well but he looks like a cop.

[PVTCaboose1337]

Originally Posted by cdawall

lol via nano+9800GX2

I want it now... longer than the board.

[intel igent]

Originally Posted by jbunch07

good call.

was the pun intended?

Originally Posted by jbunch07

it sure beats what my brother-in-law does, he made a custom stand for his laptop in the car, and just put a power inverter in there. it works pretty well but he looks like a cop.

thats cool! guess he kinda freaks people out sometimes when he's driving?

[jbunch07]

Originally Posted by intel igent

was the pun intended?



thats cool! guess he kinda freaks people out sometimes when he's driving?

yea a little!
he works for GE so he has a cage in the back to with tinted windows, its a van.

but still looks kinda cool actually.

oh yes that pun was intended

[intel igent]

he could do the NARC thing and get free party favours!

[Luke]

i want one for many things
mainly a HTPC

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by DaJMasta

Then you'll love intel's variant with an atom processor:




The processor is the little fanless sink..... the big one is the northbridge/integrated graphics.

how sad is that...they can make a cpu that runs cooler than the chipset that runs it.....

at least Via wont need that big ass cooler to keep the chipset cool assuming it uses the same VT8237 based on they have been using since s754 it will only need 2cm x 2cm x 5mm passive to keep it cool so smaller than the atoms HS