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Intel's Thin mITX Specification, and DIY AIOs

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SJ_UnderWater

SJ_UnderWater

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Dec 3, 2010
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Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2V
CPU
Intel i3-530
Graphics
HIS HD 6570
Mac
  1. iMac
Mobile Phone
  1. Android
So I will be posting a thin mini-ITX build in the next week or two, but I thought I would gather some information others could use about this exciting solution. I was originally attracted to the idea of all of a machine's components fitting on the motherboard, in a tiny case w/o an internal PSU, but it turns out Intel is really pushing this concept with its partners, and a little wrangling means you could probably buy parts. With the exception of a slim slot-load DVD burner, this is easily possible with the Intel DQ77KB, including space for an mSATA SSD and mPCIe WIFI card.
cap08loopaio_28_detail.jpg
Sometime around the middle of 2011, Intel unveiled a new motherboard standard, Thin Mini-ITX, with the goal of standardizing some of the more compelling form factors available (like All-In-Ones) for system builders and do-it-yourself-ers. The project started simply with some 6-series boards, including Intel's own DH61AG, a few third-party cases like the LIAN LI PC-Q05B and Silverstone PT12B designed specifically for the standard (utilitizing the lower-profile IO shield, and mounts for the Intel HTS1155LP low-profile cooler), and a couple of AIO chassis. One caveat is that these boards expect a simple 19V DC power supply, either from an external PSU (some high-watt, e.g. 160-180W laptop AC Adapters might work, see below), or a special 1x2 (like half a CPU 2x2) header on-board. The actual standard according to the DQ77KB manual is 19V ±10%, 12A max, in a 7.4mm x 5.1mm DC plug, GND outside, 19V inside.


All thin mini-itx boards must support a few standards:
  • DT socket
  • SODIMM memory
  • LVDS and/or EDP headers for internal display
  • Onboard DC power
  • Mini PCIE ports for expandability
The DQ77KB (and others) support a few more:
  • SuperSpeed USB 3.0
  • eSATA
  • Audio
  • Intel® HD Graphics
  • High Current/Fast charging USB 2.0 ports
  • Full display output support with HDMI* and DVI-I
Along with the boards, some made by third-parties like Gigabyte (though GA has only made 6-series so far), there are a few DIY AIOs available, some on Amazon. A sample is the Loop LP-2150 (2) (3), the In-Win K1, and the ECS G24. These AIO chassis take a thin mini-ITX board, CPU, RAM, SSD/mSATA, slim optical, and low-profile cooler. The screen, connections, and PSU are included, see below.

Useful Links:
 
interesting ,im digging this kind of minimalist build. Cant wait to see it
 
Here's a nice AIO case that would make a good iHack. The barebone model includes the chassis, screen and power adapter for US$350. There's also a touch capable version for a little more, and you can spec out your parts on their website and have them build it for you.
 
I'm glad theyre finally selling that Mitac, because when I first did my research into Thin mITX, and even after I bought my DQ77KB, you couldn't find any other AIOs on the market, anywhere. Even the Loop was only available because a channel access partner decided to resell on Amazon. Did you know that I actually found the English site for DQ, and made three separate requests that NewEgg start carrying their products? Rejected every time.
 
Albeit this Mitac has a touch screen, should I assume that there is no support for the touch screen in OS-X ML?

This is the 24" all-in-one I found interesting (The link also has the 22 inch versions and the non-touch versions which are cheaper):

http://ctl.net/desktops/all-in-one-aio/ctl-mitac-24-inch-class-l5-bare-bones-all-in-one-m780t-with-touch-screen

This has a video of a guy building an all-in-one machine using this case and a Gigabyte thin-mini-itx board:

http://www.techspot.com/news/51711-...itx-motherboards-now-available-on-newegg.html
 
As I read further about the case, and looked around the forums, I found out that OS-X does not support the LVDS display connector.

From what I can tell the LVDS connector is the connection to the display in the case so you will just get a blank display and would use the external HDMI.

So the thin aspect of the motherboard is somewhat less interesting if you are unable to use the board to make an AIO display. (similar to an iMac)

(The motherboard selected has been used by several other people to build an iHack.)
 
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