ZOTAC Unleashes Blu-ray Ready ION Mini-ITX Platforms

[malware]

ZOTAC International, an award-winning manufacturer of graphics cards and motherboards, today unleashes its first eco-friendly all-in-one platform – the ZOTAC ION. The ZOTAC ION delivers an integrated CPU and GPU with high-definition video playback and SATA RAID capabilities into a single mini-ITX platform. Powered by a brand new NVIDIA ION graphics processor, the ZOTAC ION is ready to take on DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.1, NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX games and applications with its 16 blazing-fast stream processors. An integrated Intel Atom processor provides ample performance for daily productivity, email and web browsing tasks.
Single and dual-core Atom processors power the ZOTAC ION. A single-core Atom N230 processor delivers plenty of power for daily computing uses while an optional dual-core Atom N330 processor is available for those demanding more power.




“Achieving greater power efficiency while maintaining competitive performance was previously a hard feat to achieve. With the new ZOTAC ION platforms, we’re able to deliver competitive performance with unmatched power efficiency,” said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.

NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology enables high-definition video playback on the ZOTAC ION platforms. With PureVideo HD technology, the ZOTAC ION is able to playback vivid 1080p high-definition movies smoothly and enhance standard-definition contents to near-high-definition levels.

A native HDMI output enables easy connectivity to the latest high-resolution monitors or high-definition television sets. HDCP compliance secures the HDMI connection for playback of protected video content. DVI and VGA outputs are also available for multiple display connectivity.

“Home theater PCs are becoming popular around the glove. Our new ZOTAC ION is an instant solution for users seeking to build an HTPC. Since the CPU and GPU are integrated on the board, we’re also able design a fan-less cooler for the board,” Mr. Berger added.

Integrated 802.11n wireless networking on Atom N330 equipped ZOTAC ION motherboards allow blazing-fast network connectivity at speeds up to 144 Mbps for high-speed wireless file transfers and high-definition video streaming. The Atom N330 equipped ZOTAC ION motherboard also features an onboard DC/DC power supply that delivers greater power efficiency than standard AC/DC power supplies.

“The onboard DC/DC power supply removes the need for a large internal power supply that is typically noisy and occupies a lot of space. With the onboard DC/DC power supply, the dual-core ZOTAC ION motherboard can fit into slimmer and more stylish mini-ITX chassis’ with ease,” Mr. Berger said.

ZOTAC stands by the quality of the ZOTAC ION motherboards and backs it with an extended warranty. With the ZOTAC extended warranty, the ZOTAC ION is guaranteed to be trouble-free throughout its lifetime.

General details:

• New ZOTAC ION platforms
• NVIDIA ION mGPU
• 16 stream processors
• Integrated Intel Atom N230 (single-core) or Atom N330 (dual-core) processors
• 533 MHz front-side bus
• HDMI (w/7.1-channel Audio), DVI and VGA outputs
• HDCP compliant
• 2 DDR2 DIMM slots
• DDR2-667/800 compatible
• Up to 8 GB of DDR2 memory
• Integrated DC-DC power supply (optional)
• Included 19V AC/DC power brick (optional)
• Integrated 802.11n WiFi (optional)
• Mini PCI Express slot (optional)
• Microsoft DirectX 10 and OpenGL 2.1 compatible
• NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX ready
• NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology
• ZOTAC Extended Warranty (visit http://www.zotac.com for details)

Source: ZOTAC

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by malware

Powered by a brand new NVIDIA ION graphics processor, the ZOTAC ION is ready to take on DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.1, NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX games and applications with its 16 blazing-fast stream processors.

That is so misleading its almost illegal. (I know thats zotac's words not Malwares) I'd like to see it try play DX9 games never mind DX10.

[Mussels]

Home theater PCs are becoming popular around the glove.

Glove? lol.

Terrible marketing for an otherwise nice looking board.

[Shadin]

Wow, according to ZOTAC, I could just sell of my gaming rig and replace it with that little beast.

It does look nice for an HTPC, but whoever wrote their description should be shot.

[CyberDruid]

I want one. That's perfect for adapting to an automotive PC.

[DaJMasta]

The integrated DC-DC PSU is really the innovation here on Zotac's part. Getting that on the board really makes it shine and makes the cost of using one a fair bit cheaper.


I am somewhat skeptical that the single core version could do blu ray, perhaps there's more offloaded encoding than I realize.

[BazookaJoe]

I can think of a hundred uses for these IF they ever appear at any kind of reasonable price.

(NONE of them game related - although a fan of old rom-games might enjoy it as part of a HTPC, with some emulators loaded)

Now - If only any online retailers would ship to my country :\

[suraswami]

was there not some kind of intel vs nv chipset rights issues? was that resolved?

anyway good to see 'Atom' in all forms, should have called it 'amoeba' lol

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

That is so misleading its almost illegal. (I know thats zotac's words not Malwares) I'd like to see it try play DX9 games never mind DX10.

it should play DX10 games just fine the onboard is based off the 8200m right? which means you cna play mosty games just fine. not crysis but CnC, the half life series etc.

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by cdawall

it should play DX10 games just fine the onboard is based off the 8200m right? which means you cna play mosty games just fine. not crysis but CnC, the half life series etc.

In comparison my 3450 can't play anything in dx10 even at low res. It can play dx9 but not very well and that is faster than an 8200m. I know this isn't meant to be a gaming platform but they make it appear like it is a capable gaming platform.

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

In comparison my 3450 can't play anything in dx10 even at low res. It can play dx9 but not very well and that is faster than an 8200m. I know this isn't meant to be a gaming platform but they make it appear like it is a capable gaming platform.

i put crysis on my RM70+8200M and it ran it not well and at low settings but it ran it. thats DX10.

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by cdawall

i put crysis on my RM70+8200M and it ran it not well and at low settings but it ran it. thats DX10.

It can run it but its very slow 10fps on average. Thats not my point though it isn't an adequate gaming system like the marketing suggests.

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

It can run it but its very slow 10fps on average. Thats not my point though it isn't an adequate gaming system like the marketing suggests.

its not marketed for gaming so much as blu-ray....

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by cdawall

its not marketed for gaming so much as blu-ray....

I know but the marketing suggests it is very capable when really it isn't.

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

I know but the marketing suggests it is very capable when really it isn't.

so intel markets there IGP as capable to

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by cdawall

so intel markets there IGP as capable to

Intel markets their IGP's as gods gift to computing

[ginger]

Yea but Nvidia's ION graphics processors is a Geforce 9400M not a 8200M.

[Cold Storm]

Originally Posted by CyberDruid

I want one. That's perfect for adapting to an automotive PC.

Dude, I can just picture you putting it inside a vehicle!!!

As for the board.. It does sound very nice.

[z1tu]

"with its 16 blazing-fast stream processors"

[DrPepper]

Originally Posted by ginger

Yea but Nvidia's ION graphics processors is a Geforce 9400M not a 8200M.

Shader wise they are the same iirc.

[ascstinger]

Originally Posted by DrPepper

Intel markets their IGP's as gods gift to computing

yeah, I agree it's rather idiotic to use the gaming in the same sentence as 9400m, but hey even an X4500 is super fast gaming these days according to intel.

[AsphyxiA]

again, this would be perfect if it had a pci-e slot! dc-dc is perfect for an in car audio environment, but if audiophile sound quality is wanted, you need something other than realtek (unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for an external DAC from Pioneer, which doesn't sound as good as analog).

[tkpenalty]

DC Adapter FTMFW. Who cares if it doesnt have the PCI-E, that would drain too much current for the DC adapter to handle. I could put this computer into a small wooden box . Anyway found this really nice case for these kinds of ITX boards... forgot the site though =_=.

[cdawall]

Originally Posted by AsphyxiA

again, this would be perfect if it had a pci-e slot! dc-dc is perfect for an in car audio environment, but if audiophile sound quality is wanted, you need something other than realtek (unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for an external DAC from Pioneer, which doesn't sound as good as analog).

look closely at the board it has mini PCI-e like whats on a laptop there are some sound cards for that and there is a USB xfi card as well

[AsphyxiA]

Originally Posted by cdawall

look closely at the board it has mini PCI-e like whats on a laptop there are some sound cards for that and there is a USB xfi card as well

Ok yeah there are some sound cards that will fit and there are some usb sound cards, HOWEVER, when dealing with an audiophile environment, XFI cards generally sound like poo. They are great for everyday all around media use but when you want the best overall sound, CMedia HD Oxy cards are great. VIA based cards are great too. Both are on a pci form factor and the Asus d2x which has an hd oxygen but is one of the only ones with pci-e. Having no pci-e option is seriously not a good idea.