Intel D945GCLF New Atom 230 1.6GHz Mini ITX Motherboard

[nelson92]

Looks like one of the best budget M-ITX boards. What desktop CPU would this compare to? Athlon 3200+ or better/worse?

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by nelson92

Looks like one of the best budget M-ITX boards. What desktop CPU would this compare to? Athlon 3200+ or better/worse?

Probably more like an Athlon XP 1500+ (1.33GHz), but with HT and 64-bit support.

The 1.6GHz Atom is roughly the same speed as a Celeron-M 900MHz. The Celeron-M is a fair bit more efficient clock-for-clock than an Athlon XP. The Atom certainly isn't going to be competing against anything from the A64 line.

[nelson92]

thats still fast, well its a hell of a lot faster than my VIA Nehemiah C3

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by nelson92

thats still fast, well its a hell of a lot faster than my VIA Nehemiah C3

Yes, it'll definitely beat the C3 easily.

As an upgrade for old mini-ITX systems it'll be fine. It's got an adequate CPU, DDR2 RAM support, DX9 graphics that'll handle Vista easily, and it's under $80.

[Deanodriver]

Originally Posted by SLATYE

Yes, it'll definitely beat the C3 easily.

As an upgrade for old mini-ITX systems it'll be fine. It's got an adequate CPU, DDR2 RAM support, DX9 graphics that'll handle Vista easily, and it's under $80.

Which is significantly cheaper than any other mini-ITX boards, isn't it?

Actually, it's cheaper than virtually any CPU/motherboard combo. Shame small cases are so expensive, otherwise it'd be an interesting choice for a basic upgrade for my grandparents.

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by Deanodriver

Which is significantly cheaper than any other mini-ITX boards, isn't it?

It's much the same price as the old D201GLY boards - but it's got a much nicer chipset (i945GC instead of the SiS 662). It's far cheaper than any of Via's offerings.

Originally Posted by Deanodriver

Actually, it's cheaper than virtually any CPU/motherboard combo. Shame small cases are so expensive, otherwise it'd be an interesting choice for a basic upgrade for my grandparents.

Yes, the cost of cases is a pity. On the other hand, it'd still be fine in any cheap mATX case - and it should run with even the cheapest generic PSUs (total power consumption at full load is probably ~20W).

[figrin]

Just had a look at the board as an upgrade to my D201GLY. What's with Intel's crappy design? Why a tall heatsink and active cooling for the northbridge - which wouldn't fit in most morex cases, and still needing the 12V plug? Both of which are significant disadvantages in small computers.

[nelson92]

the northbridge has passive cooling, the CPU is now at the middle(i think), i agree with you with the 12v connector, it isnt needed. Also i hate Intel boards so green and ugly looking

[figrin]

Originally Posted by nelson92

the northbridge has passive cooling, the CPU is now at the middle(i think)

Nope.
http://www.cartft.com/catalog/il/934

The Atom is the one next to the penny. Intel really needs to reduce the chipsets size, heat, and combine all cpu/chipset into one small packaging.

[nelson92]

wow, these Atoms must run really cool.

[slobber]

I wonder how long it will take for these to be available in AU....................going by the usual time maybe mid next year

[nelson92]

its already available and quite cheap also

http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/...ntel+D945GCLF+

[slobber]

Originally Posted by nelson92

its already available and quite cheap also

http://www.staticice.com.au/cgi-bin/...ntel+D945GCLF+

OHHH that surprises me, might have to buy one sooner than I thought

[snowman]

ok, one question about these little boards - can you use a standard atx power supply with them? I have a small 200W one goiing spare at the moment, and it seems stupid to get a specialsed PSU when I already have one (it will be going inside a speaker case, so space is no problem)

[nelson92]

yep standard ATX 20pin PSUs are fine.

hope you make a thread about your mod, i was about to do the same thing but had no motivation