Intel breaths life into mini-ITX form-factor with do-it-all mainboard

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G45 shoehorned into mini-ITX by Intel.

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I am so glad to see a small PCB with the possibility of providing what I need for a HD HTPC computer finally show up. It remains to be seen if Intel's DG45FC mini-ITX board will really be up to all the tasks required of a real HD HTPC, but I can always hope and wait for the results to dribble in from all of the game box new product test sites. The first thing I will look for is smooth and high picture quality decoding of Blu-ray files at a maximum system power of 50 watts or less. That way a hurricane won't be necessary to cool the box. Next, I will want to hear what the sound quality is like. Can you really build a decent HD HTPC without having a Sound Blaster in it? I don't care to have a TV tuner in my unit, so hopefully the only card slot I will need will be for 802.11n.

I know that Intel has never before offered a northbridge with anything close to what they are claiming
for the video decoding performance of the G45. Here's hoping they are up to the task and that their claims are not just more mega-company bull ****. I think it's worth mentioning that Intel's 45nm E8200 could play the pivotal roll in holding down system power to a level so that the TV stand won't get scorched.

It's sad to observe that even though AMD has just introduced their new 780G northbridge - which looks like a real nice candidate for an HS HTPS - you don't see them out pushing one of their motherboard partners to bring out a PCB smaller than an elmonzo grande micro ATX. What happened to the mini-DTX guys at AMD? Maybe they left with Henri Richard or Dave Orton?

Just one more thing in passing. If Intel really intends to sell a mini-ITX board in the developed world, I wonder if they have the moxie to comprehend just how absolutely ****ty one of those little mini-ITX boxes look with a humongous power blister hanging out of its ass.

Hexus, thanks so much for your coverage of CeBIT 2008 on Hexus.tv.

i've never seen anything like that before! that's brilliant! :D
about 4x the size of an Intel Stock heatsink! :D

HDMI and DVI.. not bad :P

how much do people expect this will sell for?

Well, this replaces in some way the D201GLY2 mobo that Intel made using an SIS chipset. Given that I would expect an approx £10 premium over the predecessor which sells for around £60, so expect £70 plus whatever addon retailers make cos they feel like it... £80 or higher? I am wondering when it will be out....

I'm more convinced by the AMD 780 solution for HTPC right now..

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Originally Posted by dangel

I'm more convinced by the AMD 780 solution for HTPC right now..

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I would be too but for the fact its for AMD chips only :(

C2D is a gazillion times better than AMD\'s offerings!

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Originally Posted by Methanoid

I would be too but for the fact its for AMD chips only :(

C2D is a gazillion times better than AMD\'s offerings!

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Well - not quite. Yes it\'s quicker but it\'s not night and day - my current HTPC is AMD/DDR1 based and it\'s more than quick enough. With the 780 having hardware acceleration in the integrated video it\'s ideal isn\'t it?

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Originally Posted by Methanoid

C2D is a gazillion times better than AMD's offerings!

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For an HTPC system that's hardly relevant though.

I'm waiting on a desktop board for the new mobile Penryns for an HTPC upgrade.

Actually I think this Fly Creek will do very well for a HTPC or a small server.. might have to have 2... if only it was an x16 PCI-Express slot!

Few of those with quads in could make quite a nice folding farm.

Yes, cos of course a quad will be quite happy in a very small case... NOT!! ;)

hmmmmm 5 months on and no sign of these babies :mad:

I got fed up with waiting and got hold of the scaleo E by fujitsu. Alright it's P4 based, but it's silent, has SCART, DVI and VGA out, proper 7.1 with phono jacks, and cost me £81, plus a few bits that PC world very unhappily price matched :D

Would have loved the FC (or even the micro atx version) so will follow with interest when reviews emerge but was disappointed to see a lack of an IDE connector on the board - i know it's old hat but it is useful every now and again

Hmmmmm... I think I may wait for this instead of opting for the AMD equivalent.