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Mini-ITX 101
Posted on September 30, 2002 - Last revision July 2, 2004
What is Mini-ITX?
Mini-ITX is a motherboard form factor created
by VIA. Motherboards are available from VIA under the name "EPIA". Mini-ITX and Mini-ITX-sized motherboards are available from manufacturers
such as Axiomtek, Commell, DFI, Eyetech, IBASE, Insight, Lex, Lippert, Samsung and Unicorn.
Mini-ITX motherboards have a processor soldered
to the board and a rich supporting chipset providing networking,
graphics and sound. This means that by adding just some memory,
a hard drive and a power supply, you have a full computer.
You might want to add a case, but this is optional ;)
Mini-ITX motherboards are very cheap. But
they are powerful enough to play back full screen video through
their monitor or TV output.
Mini-ITX motherboards are very small. The
specification requires that the boards are 170mm x 170mm (6.75"
x 6.75")
That's VERY small.
They are also quiet. The board above is an
EPIA 5000, made by VIA. The CPU is cooled by a heatsink (i.e.
a block of metal). There are no moving parts (i.e. fans) on
this board at all. Other boards usually have small fans to cool the
CPU, but are still very quiet, compared to a Pentium or Athlon
fan.
For more technical information - see the (in need of updating) FAQ,
or just browse the site - you'll soon get the idea!
Where can I buy one of these puppies?
How about buying one from us? - we ship worldwide.
What is Mini-ITX.com?
That's us. An independent site featuring Mini-ITX
related projects, information, news and stuff. Take a look
around - you'll get the idea.
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