14 DAY TRIAL // There was a time when mini-ITX motherboards couldn't really do much, and even micro-ATX mainboards had a hard time powering high-end PCs. Axiomtek is showing just how different things are today.
The company has introduced the MANO873 Mini-ITX motherboard, which supports even the best Intel CPUs, though TDP limits may come into play at times.
Regardless, the motherboard uses the Q77 chipset, which means it can handle third-generation Ivy Bridge CPU: Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7.
Two memory slots are available too, for up to 16 Gb of DDR3-1333/1600 system memory.
Add to that the PCI Express 3.0 slot and you have everything necessary for a high-end system. The size of the case is the only thing that will limit what card can be used really.
Of course, people could just settle for the Intel HD 4000 or 2500 integrated graphics of the CPU, since they have DirectX 11, but it wouldn't hold up in games, though videos will run fine.
Moving on, Axiomtek has included a pair of SATA-600 ports (SATA III / 6 Gbps RAID 1,0 support) and two SATA-300 ports (SATA II / 3 Gbps one SATA DOM). Four USB 3.0 connectors and two gigabit LAN ports are available as well.
"Our new MANO873 supporting Intel Q77 Express chipset and using 3rd Generation Intel Core processor family offers maximum security and manageability features," said David Chiu, PM of product planning division at Axiomtek.
"Similar to typical Mini ITX motherboards, the MANO873 offers rich I/O including two COM ports, four USB 2.0, four USB 3.0, two Gigabit LANs, DVI-D, and VGA for system integrators in need of numerous and flexible interfaces. Its four SATA connectors allow storage requirements to be met with ease. Users also can increase board functionality with PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and PCI Express Mini Card slot."
Axiomtek made the MANO873 for storage servers, POS, kiosks, medical applications, gaming, digital signage, and surveillance security monitoring. For pricing, enterprise/industrial customers will have to negotiate.