Building a small form-factor PC

Introduction

Mini-ITX is a motherboard form factor created by VIA. Motherboards are available from VIA under the name "EPIA". Mini-ITX and Mini-ITX-sized motherboards are available from manufacturers such as Axiomtek, Commell, DFI, Eyetech, IBASE, Insight, Lex, Lippert, Samsung and Unicorn. Via also offers an even smaller form factor with the nano-ITX design.

EPIA boards can suffer LAN instability problems without adequate grounding.

"Eden 800" = C3 800MHz = Pentium II 350MHz

Ready-made solutions

Zonbu's Zonbox

http://www.arsgeek.com/?p=1949

DecTOP

http://www.dataevolution.com

Koolu

Linutop

fit-PC

http://www.fit-pc.com

SolidLogic Little Valley

Cases

Travla C134

http://206.14.132.88/products/Travla/c134/C134.html

Casetronic Travla C134/C136

Travla C156

http://206.14.132.88/products/Travla/c156/C156.html

Casetronic Travla C156

Travla C138

http://206.14.132.88/products/Travla/c138/C138.html

Casetronic C138

Motherboards

Via EPIA ML 8000

The EPIA ML 8000 replaces the EPIA 800, which is now end of life. The EPIA ML 8000 can be considered to be an excellent value "Lite" version of the EPIA M motherboard, with the same CLE266 embedded onboard graphics, 5.1 Audio, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0 and DDR RAM support, but without the TV-Output and with an 800MHz Fan cooled C3 CPU.

Via EPIA ME6000

These are probably the most powerful fanless integrated motherboards available anywhere on the planet. 600Mhz Eden Processor and heatsink, improved onboard Apollo CLE266 graphics, 6 Channel audio, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2, Firewire and TV-Out support. Ideal for the perfect multimedia playback machine. Additional 2 x USB 2 and 2 x Firewire ports come on a separate PCI backplate.

Via EPIA SP8000E

The EPIA CN 10000EG is the effective replacement for the SP 8000E. 800MHz fanless Mini-ITX motherboard with IDE and SATA connectivity and MPEG-4 Acceleration.

New VIA CN400 graphics and 800MHz fanless Eden Processor with next generation Nehemiah C5P core gives the EPIA SP 8000E vastly improved Padlock encryption, 3D graphics and DVD playback. The board has 6 Channel audio, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0, IDE and Serial ATA and TV-Out support. Ideal for the perfect multimedia playback machine. Comes with LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) interface as standard. LVDS can be used to interface to certain flat panel displays.

Via EPIA SP13000

The EPIA CN 13000G is the effective replacement for the SP 13000. 1.3Ghz Mini-ITX motherboard with IDE and SATA connectivity and MPEG-4 Acceleration.

The fastest EPIA motherboard available. The EPIA SP 13000 has an onboard "fansink" reducing heat and noise (a mere 25dBA at one metre). New VIA CN400 graphics and 1.3Ghz C3 Processor with next generation Nehemiah C5P core gives the EPIA SP 13000 vastly improved Padlock encryption, 3D graphics and DVD playback. The board has 6 Channel audio, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 2.0, IDE and Serial ATA and TV-Out support. Ideal for the perfect multimedia playback machine. Comes with LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) interface as standard. LVDS can be used to interface to certain flat panel displays.

Via EPIA VT

The EPIA VT is unique in the EPIA range, with Dual Eden-N 1GHz processors, 3 x LAN sockets, 2 x USB 2.0 ports and 1x COM port. We only have very limited stock of the VT310DP.

Via EPIA EK

The EPIA EK is designed for connectivity, with 2 x LAN sockets, 4 x USB 2.0 ports, 2x SATA and 1x COM port plus 3x COM port pin headers. The EPIA EK is an all-new replacement for the EPIA PD and CL motherboards.

Via EPIA CN 10000G

1.0GHz Fanless VIA Eden (C7) powered 17x17cm Mini-ITX motherboard with DuoView+, CN700 chipset, 10/100 LAN, 2x SATA with RAID 0/1, 2x IDE, One DDR2 DIMM slot, TV outputs and 4x USB 2.0 Ports. RoHS compliant.

Via EPIA CN 13000G

1.3GHz VIA C7 powered 17x17cm Mini-ITX motherboard with DuoView+, CN700 chipset, 10/100 LAN, 2x SATA with RAID 0/1, 2x IDE, One DDR2 DIMM slot, TV outputs and 4x USB 2.0 Ports. RoHS compliant.

Q&A

RAM: What's the difference between PC2100 and PC3200?

Should I get a 90W or 120W power supply?

Travla mini-ITX cases come in two versions. The 90 watt model is for Via motherboards, while the 120 watt models are for Intel P4 motherboards.

Can I boot off a USB drive?

Yes, Via motherboard can boot from a USB drive, so you don't need to have a CD/DVD combo (although you can always hook one up just to set up a new OS).

Glossary

Casetronic

Travla by any other name. Case and motherboard combinations.

RoHS

The European Union (EU) Directive on the Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances. This bans the use of certain substances in electrical and electronic equipment products placed on the European market after July 1 2006.

Resources

Articles

Sites

Suppliers