Saturday, August 23rd 2008
Galaxy Prepares Atom-embedded ATX Board
Following several companies coming up with nettop embedded platform boards based on the Intel Atom processor, Galaxy seems to have taken the initiative to build a ATX size board. This board features an Atom 230 processor aided by the i945GC + ICH7 chipset. It features a PCI-Express x16 slot along with five PCI slots. The i945GC provides integrated Graphics Media Accerator 950 to handle display, while the ICH7 provides four SATA ports. The board provides two DDR2 slots for 533 MHz or 667 MHz modules. The provision of a fan connector near the CPU suggests active cooling for the CPU.
The board provides only a D-Sub connector for display output though, several smaller form-factor boards even include DVI connectors, something that's lacking here. There's 8-channel audio provided, and the PCI-Express x16 provides the option of upgrading the graphics sub-system though don't expect to build a gaming machine out of this, it uses only an Atom 230 that isn't top of the line for Atom series either. Besides, Galaxy seems to building this for the OEMs, indications are this won't hit the retail market.
Source:
Expreview
The board provides only a D-Sub connector for display output though, several smaller form-factor boards even include DVI connectors, something that's lacking here. There's 8-channel audio provided, and the PCI-Express x16 provides the option of upgrading the graphics sub-system though don't expect to build a gaming machine out of this, it uses only an Atom 230 that isn't top of the line for Atom series either. Besides, Galaxy seems to building this for the OEMs, indications are this won't hit the retail market.
9 Comments on Galaxy Prepares Atom-embedded ATX Board
I dont get the point in this. Surely even an Micro-ATX is kinda pointless? Isnt the whole point in the atom platform to be small? You may as well have a much more powerful board in a full atx case. :confused:
However a full size ATX, well that is strange. What kind of 5x PCI devices would you want to put in there?
INTEL pwns its partners with the Atom 230 when IT just released a mini-ITX with the far superior Atom 330.
If you are talking enterprise fileserver, then of course NO, to both.
Just another thing that is too special for me :laugh:
t find mini-itx cases to be cheap enough to make it useful as a server(a cheap cost effective one at that). I stick with ATX/micro atx cases when building for cost, and looks. I recently bought a macish looking full ATX case for a mac networked business at about 30$. Its not just the components on the motherboard that makes motherboards ideal for file servers, but their formfactor too.
That all being said, if they include mounting holes for a full sized cooler and a good bit of OCing options, that may be an interesting board :D
A ITX mb fits in a regular ATX case or micro-ATX case, FYI. This mainboard will only fit in FULL SIZE ATX. What is the point? There is no reason in a modern (simple) file or print server for 5x PCI slots. Its unnecessary manufacturing expense. A micro-ATX or ITX mainboard is more than enough for your suggested purpose. IF you had control applications, or a serious PC where you needed 5 PCI slots, then you will want a much better mainboard, more RAM slots and better CPU.
The combination as shown is just a misfit. :toast: