X-bit labs

VIA Launches Smallest x86 Platform.

Category: Mainboards

by Ilya Gavrichenkov

[ 03/19/2004 | 04:44 AM ]

VIA Technologies today launched VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX Mainboard at CeBIT 2004, the world's smallest and most highly integrated standard x86 platform, as their press-release claims.

VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX mainboard combines the fanless VIA Eden-N 1GHz processor with VIA CN400 chipset, also announced today, in an ultra-compact, feature-rich 12cm x 12cm platform that has been specifically designed to reduce the form factor of smart connected devices to the size of a standard office phone.

VIA EPIA N is powered by the VIA Eden-N processor featuring the advanced nanoBGA package measuring just 15mm x 15mm. With its PowerSaver 3.0 power management technology, VIA Eden-N delivers ultra low power consumption levels of as little as 2.5W at 533MHz and can run fanless at speeds of up to 1GHz. Another peculiarity of Eden-N is its integrated PadLock Security Suite consisting of two hardware based Random Number Generators (RNGs) and the PadLock Advanced Cryptography Engine (ACE), delivering good cryptographic performance for the US government approved Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) at rates of up to 12.5 Gigabits per second at a speed of 1GHz.

The VIA CN400 features integrated S3 Graphics UniChrome Pro IGP core with shared memory architecture and support for up to 1GB of DDR400/333/266 memory, and Ultra V-Link interface for a 1GB/s connection to the VT8237 South Bridge on the VIA EPIA N mainboard.

With support for Serial ATA, Parallel ATA-133, USB 2.0, onboard LAN and V-RAID integrated into the VIA VT8237 South Bridge, the VIA EPIA N-Series provides a wide range of integrated storage, multimedia and connectivity options. The board also includes support for VIA Vinyl Six-TRAC 6-channel audio through 3 audio jacks in the I/O panel, and can be connected to a embedded LCD panels. In addition, it has a Mini-PCI slot to provide additional expandability options.

The board will be available through VEPD global distribution partners in Q2, 2004.