14 DAY TRIAL // The Pineview generation of Atom processors from Intel was recently introduced and most of the media has been focused on the various products launched by hardware makers meant to support the new chips. Still, it seems that motherboard manufacturers aren't exclusively focused on creating products based on Pine Trail. Just a few days before the end of 2009, ASRock didn't shy away from introducing an NVIDIA ION-based motherboard, the A330ION, aimed at the current generation of Atom chips.
The motherboard uses the mini-ITX form factor and is aimed at combining the versatility of the ION with the processing power of the dual-core processor from Intel, namely the Intel Atom 330 chip. The board itself measures only 6.7-in x 6.7-in (17.0 cm x 17.0 cm) but will provide end-users with a strong array of features even despite its small size.
The A330ION is built with two dual-channel DDR3 DIMM slots and supports a maximum of 4GB of 1066/800 non-ECC, un-buffered memory. The motherboard is built with Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400 DirectX 10-capable graphics, with a maximum HDMI resolution of 1,920x1,200 and a Dual-link DVI resolution of 2560 x 1600 at 75Hz. The board also features D-sub connectivity, with a maximum resolution of 1,920x1,440 at 75Hz. As such, the graphics adapter supports Full HD 1,080p Blu-ray (BD) / HD-DVD playback and the HDCP function.
Additional specifications of the card include four SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, one PCI Express 2.0 x16 expansion slot and a design totally built with Japanese solid capacitors. The rear I/O panel also boasts, among other things, four USB 2.0 ports.
The A330ION has some special features, such as Instant Boot, ASRock Instant Flash and a Hybrid booster, which provides CPU Frequency Stepless Control, ASRock U-COP and Boot Failure Guard. The product will work with Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista and Vista 64-bit, as well as XP and XP 64-bit.
Pricing and release dates have not been made public but the complete specifications are available for download.