14 DAY TRIAL // Intel's introduction of the Sandy Bridge processor architecture as well as the recently launched mobile graphics cards have enabled manufacturers to build even smaller HTPC systems, and ASRock has just showcased such a product line at the CeBIT 2011 fair, that takes place right now in Hannover, Germany.
The most powerful of the three solutions announced by ASRock is the Vision 3D 2nd Generation HTPC system which is powered by a low-power Intel Sandy Bridge processors as well as by an Nvidia GeForce GT 540M graphics card.
This GPU was specially designed in order to be used inside mobile systems, such as notebooks and convertible laptops, and is based on a cut-back version of the GF106 core that features 96 stream processors, a 128-bit memory interface as well as a 672MHz core clock.
In addition to the Intel CPU and Nvidia graphics, the Vision 3D HTPC also packs a Blu-ray player, 7.1 channel surround sound and an HDMI 1.4a video output.
The next HTPC system to be announced at CeBIT is the all-new CoreHT which packs an Intel Sandy Bridge CPU together with a Centrino Advanced-N 6250 WLAN card that supports Intel's Wireless Display 2.1 technology.
Unlike the Vision 3D, the CoreHT relies on the on-die Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU for graphics duties, but it still packs a Blu-ray drive as well as an HDMI v1.4a output that is compatible with stereoscopic 3D content.
Last in ASRock's HTPC lineup is the ION 3D HTPC which is powered by an Atom dual-core D525 processor paired together with HDMI 1.4a and Dual-link DVI, 802.11b/g/n wireless, a Blu-ray optical unit and SuperSpeed USB 3.0 support.
For added performance, the Nvidia second generation Ion graphics is connected to an ICH8M chipset that connects to the GPU via a PCI Express x4 interface.
No details regarding pricing and availability of these products were made public at this time.