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Gigabyte Slips in Atom-Powered GA-GC330UD ITX Motherboard

Discussion in 'News' started by btarunr, May 16, 2009.

  1. May 16, 2009 at 7:52 AM #1
    btarunr

    btarunr Editor & Senior Moderator Staff Member

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    Gigabyte added its entry to the league of Intel Atom-embedded mini-ITX motherboards, the GA-GC330UD. This motherboard features the typical combination of dual-core Atom 330 paired with Intel i945GC, with a pinch of the manufacturing technologies Gigabyte is known for. The Atom 330 dual-core is clocked at 1.60 GHz, and features 512 KB of cache. It remains passively cooled as against the northbridge which uses a fan-heatsink. A single DDR2 memory slot will accept up to 2 GB of DDR2 533/667 MHz memory, although 533 MHz is as far as the memory controller can support.

    Storage is care of an IDE and two SATA connectors, supporting four storage devices in all. Basic 6-channel audio and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet make for the rest of the mix. Gigabyte used a 2 oz copper bi-layer PCB, and an all solid-state capacitor design that ups durability. Gigabyte looks to target the grass-root of the market, with this motherboard targeting businesses and internet kiosks.

    [​IMG]

    Source: Tweak.dk
     
  2. May 16, 2009 at 9:04 AM #2
    Necrofire

    Necrofire New Member

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    Why, oh why, can't they pair an awesome low-power cpu with an equally awesome passively-cooled chipset. What inside that chipset requires cooling that a high-end nvidia or amd chipset doesn't have?

    "Here's a nice hybrid, gets over 70mpg. Oh wait, we put that in a hummer, so it gets to a top speed of 20mph in about 2 minutes of flooring it."
     
  3. May 16, 2009 at 9:36 AM #3
    BazookaJoe

    BazookaJoe

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    Agreed.

    Gripe 2.) WHY'TF cant there be a PCIx slot on these things.. c'mon guys! FFS!

    Final note : Over all still a nice thing - Make a good torrent PC or media player.. or both... I'm definitely in the market for one if they cheap enough.

    Still a pity about the active cooler / no PCIx
     
  4. May 16, 2009 at 11:34 AM #4
    puma99dk|

    puma99dk|

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    old chipset and no pci-e :(
     
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  5. May 16, 2009 at 2:14 PM #5

    tkpenalty New Member

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    Guys the reason why they use intel chipsets + atom instead is probably because this motherboard has been in development for quite a while.

    But anyway the reason for a PCI insead of PCI-E is because this board is not really targeted at the enthusiast, or average consumer but the corporate market; datacentres. I've heard of some people adopting such systems, replacing the aging P4s systems and offering the same, or better performance. PCI means compatability.

    I'm just waiting for Gigabyte to make an Ion board which doesnt have the stupid PCI-E and RAM slot limitations. That would be epic win >=D. Low profile 9600GT + Intel + Ion system. That'd make one tiny box.
     
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  6. May 16, 2009 at 3:38 PM #6

    Esse

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    Because Intel said so.
     
  7. May 16, 2009 at 4:26 PM #7
    Static~Charge

    Static~Charge

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    I find it ironic that the CPU can be passively cooled, yet the northbridge requires active cooling. :shadedshu Perhaps Intel should spend more time improving the power consumption of their chipsets....
     
  8. May 16, 2009 at 4:32 PM #8

    PCpraiser100 New Member

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    Wow, not bad for a media PC.
     
  9. May 16, 2009 at 6:04 PM #9

    snakeoil New Member

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    wow crippled cpu + crippled chipset, buy one then
     
  10. May 16, 2009 at 8:38 PM #10
    Hayder_Master

    Hayder_Master

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    intel before now gigabyte , it is look like new atom tiny compo mobo's series
     
  11. May 16, 2009 at 11:09 PM #11
    lemonadesoda

    lemonadesoda

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    This board is rubbish. It offers nothing new, and there are better Atom 330 options out there. This doesnt come close.
     
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  12. May 18, 2009 at 1:02 AM #12

    extrasalty

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    Since Atom's TDP is so low, they had to add 2 oz. of copper to cool the 945:roll::nutkick:
     

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