Tech Link (Chipset): Intel G965: mATX Performance Update

AMDTech has put the i965 chipset to some bench-loving test runs and came out with a decent findings. While I don't fully agree with their "Quick Take" kinda conclusion, it's still a decent read if you just want to see how mATX fairs against their ATX big brothers.

Quick Take

Our initial performance results indicate a toss up as to which solution is better. That was to be expected as we have two almost identical boards from a features and BIOS perspective that only differ in their use of chipsets and layout design. Even though the chipsets are different, they are based on the same core logic so any real performance differences would be derived from BIOS tuning, options, and the quality of board components.

While the G965 boards will never overclock as well as their P965 siblings, the base performance is almost identical if you have the ability to tune the board. This is a limitation of the chipset and not the mATX board design. On the AM2 side, we have already seen excellent overclocking results from the abit and DFI mATX boards and expect even better performance with their GeForce 7050 designs next month. Also, the performance differences between AM2 solutions in the mATX and ATX designs mirror our test results on the Intel platform for the most part.

We have a few mATX boards with the G965 chipset that have very limited BIOS options, but even so our initial performance tests only indicate up to a 2% difference in most test results due to the memory timings being the prime differentiator in the scores. In fact, probably the biggest difference we have witnessed in our game tests is 5% between a top tier P965 ATX board that has been tuned and a base level G965 mATX board from Intel utilizing auto settings. Our application tests vary from 1% to 3% in scores at stock CPU settings between the two boards with DDR2-800 memory.

In the end, we feel like your choice of a mATX or ATX solution should be dictated by the requirements of the system (price, features, layout, overclocking, warranty, etc.). The use of an integrated graphics chipset will not inherently reduce performance relative to a discrete graphics chipsets, provided you use identical components. It will be the other aspects - particularly overclocking if that's a concern - that will warrant the use of a discrete graphics chipset rather than an IGP solution.

Source:Intel G965: mATX Performance Update

Press Release: AOpen MoDT Series Enters the Era of 64-bit Ultra-speed Computing Comprehensive Support for Intel® Core™ 2 Duo CPU (Merom)

Wow, another great news for the enthusiasts! Their line up of miniPC Duo and MoDT will now support the new processor from Chipzilla, Merom, that is the Conroe counterpart for mobile. Expand for more...

[Taipei, Taiwan] AOpen’s world famous miniPC Duo and MoDT (Mobile on Desktop) technology, using Mobile Computing technology in Desktop computer, anticipate supporting Core™ 2 Duo from now on. With the development name code Merom, Core™ 2 Duo is the CPU for the new generation notebook, that Intel® is going to introduce in the world on August 28. These products include AOpen miniPC Duo MP945-X / -VX / -VXR and MoDT Motherboard Series i975Xa-YDG, i945GTm-VHL / i945GMm-HL and i945GTt-VFA / i945GMt-FA. These products will be integrated with the Core™ 2 Duo (Merom) CPU to have unexpected top performance with optimized compatibility!

“AOpen is devoted to delivering consumers newer, more efficient and more energy-saving information appliance including AOpen miniPC Duo, which is world famous for its compact size and energy-saving, and the new generation MoDT motherboards, developed with innovative thinking. Also, in order to fulfill AOpen’s commitment to consumers, while Intel® is introducing their more computing-efficient and energy-saving Core™ 2 Duo (Merom) CPUs, the series of AOpen’s miniPC Duo and MoDT motherboards will provide supports synchronously. Thus those high quality products, which have been very efficient and energy-saving, will have an enhanced value as a whole!” said Mr. Tony Yang, the Marketing Senior Director. “From now on, all consumers in the world that buy AOpen miniPC Duo and the MoDT Series motherboards using i945 and i975 chipsets can choose complete Intel® Core™ 2 Duo (Merom) CPU. Moreover, for consumers who have already bought the products mentioned above, they can feel the AOpen’s sincerity in taking care of loyal consumers. They only need to visit AOpen’s website and download new BIOS and dedicated drivers designed for Intel® Core™ 2 Duo (Merom) of the products mentioned above. Then they can enjoy immediately the performance of better computing-efficiency and more economical energy-saving that is brought by Intel® Core™ 2 Duo (Merom) CPU!” followed the Senior Director Yang.

AOpen miniPC Duo MP945-VX / MP945-VXR can be integrated with complete Microsoft® Windows XP MCE™ 2005 operating system and remote control to become the most compact desktop globally with Viiv™ technology. Also, the built-in IEEE 802.11 b+g wireless network, 5.1 channel Dolby surround, the feature of S/PDIF digital output, the slim slot-in DVD±RW drive and 2.5’ HDD with large capacity for notebooks can meet the needs of digital homes with all features. AOpen miniPC Duo also provides DVI digital video output and TV signal output of S-Video / Y-Pb-PR. It not only can be connected to the LCD monitor of a computer, but also directly connected to the big size TV in the living room to bring you unprecedented and best visual enperience.

AOpen i975Xa-YDG is the top flagship of MoDT series motherboards. Also, it is the best presentation of that AOpen successfully uses its research and development ability and product originality. i975Xa-YDG integrates the powerful scalability of i975X chipset for desktop computers and the powerful computing and energy-saving of notebook CPU to create unprecedented total value. It includes the feature of overclock in 1MHz without re-starting the computer, integrated system turn on/off and Multi-function remote control for AV control and overclock control. It provides 2 PCI-Express x16 expansion slots, and supports ATI CrossFire dual graphic card technology and SATA II Hot-Swap feature that can be plug-and-play. The noise level of the fan in work is lower than 26dB. It also has 7.1 channel Hi-Fi Dolby surround output. Concluded from above, it’s the best choice for overclocking and game players.

i945GTm-VHL uses i945GT+ICH7M-DH chipset and its top performance can meet the needs of general offices, SOHO and household consumers as well as comprehensive supports for Viiv™ technology. It is designed based on Micro ATX standard specification and is one of the most popular and mainstream products among MoDT series motherboards. Also, i945GTt-VFA also uses i945GT+ICH7M-DH chipset but is designed based on the specific Flex ATX (mini ITX) to reduce the motherboard size dramatically. It retains related scalability that desktop computers require within its compact design, second only to the AOpen MiniPC. It also supports all Viiv™ technology! It is ideal for those who demand for scalability and compact size

Source:AOpen MoDT Series Enters the Era of 64-bit Ultra-speed Computing Comprehensive Support for Intel® Core™ 2 Duo CPU (Merom)

Tech Link (MoDT): AOpen MP945-VX SFF

The dogs over at Gruntville had some testing spree with a very attractive Mobile on Desktop platform (MoDT) based on AOpen MP945-VX. This is within the segment as an AOpen Mini PC MP915 I reviewed back in April. Anyway, this new platform suppors dual core system, so it's more powerful. Expand this article for more...

In the first of several reviews highlighting Intel’s’ Mobile on Desktop initiative, I will be looking at AOpen’s foray into the sub-miniature SFF systems – The MP945-VX.


First a little background:
Founded in 1996, AOpen was the first to deliver a 24x CD-ROM drive (1997)
Introduced:

The first “Colored” motherboard in pink the “AX3S Pro Sweet Kiss” (2000)
The first BareBook (Forerunner to the WhiteBook). (2001)
The first DVD+RW drive (2001)
The first XC Cube systems(2003)
The first Desktop Motherboard using the Intel Pentium M CPU - AOpen i855GMEm-LFS (2004)
The smallest Intel based PC, the Mini PC - code name: Pandora (2005)
The highest rated power supply, 700W (2005)

A full series of Intel Viiv platforms for digital home entertainment (2006)
This leads us to the newest sub-miniature SFF release from AOpen, the MP945-VX. This is an incredibly clean looking machine, reminiscent of the Apple Mini. It pulls away from the SFF crowd with an extremely small footprint, distinctive brushed aluminum case, High Definition 8 Channel Audio, Multi-TV out with 1080i resolution support and the ability to handle the T2700 CPU at 2.33ghz. The system is also Intel Viiv compliant which opens up a whole new area of multimedia benefits.
From the sleek brushed aluminum case, slot load DVD+RW, Integrated power button & indicator, 1080i resolution support, ingenious air flow design, Intel 945GM+ICH7M-DH and 667Mhz DDR2 RAM the MP945-VX is a truly innovative system.

Source:Gruntville

Tech Link (Motherboard): ECS 945G-M3 Motherboard Review

PCStats has an article up about a new Intel® Viiv™ capable motherboard. It is a cute little board from ECS based in mATX form factor. Though folks at PCStats seems to just missed the true meaning of Intel® Viiv™, as they seem to just think it's just a typical HTPC which can easily be done. Oh well, I guess it's like when the Intel® Centrino® was conceived, many enthusiasts think in a very narrow way: a chipset, a wireless lan, and the processor. Well, they totally forgot the utmost compatibilty, worry free, stable, and full support from OEM that the branding also provides.

Intel might be touting VIIV as the next great thing for home entertainment computers, but the secret behind it is not Earth shattering. What Intel has done is take a smaller Micro ATX based PC, install WindowsXP Media Center on it and put a shiny sticker on the front. It's nothing more than what enthusiast computer users have been quietly doing for quite some time now, aside from the nice sticker of course.

For enthusiasts who want all this Intel-branded multimedia goodness, buying a pre-built VIIV system is like buying a Dell to replace the ol' main rig, it's just not going to happen. Sorry Dell, we build our own PC's here at PCSTATS. Seeing as Intel VIIV components are pretty much "off the shelf", it's dead simple to put together a VIIV system of your own and bust out a custom Home Theatre PC (HTPC).

Source:PCStats