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Originally Posted by esteem_lover Sorry if i sound stupid, i do understand there is something in it for these boards to cost that much, but why cant we use our regular boards & power supply (with a convertor) ? |
No, the question is not stupid, it's a genuine one. Most of the people want to know this. Here you go...
Why Mini-ITX?
Mini-ITX is an ultra-compact motherboard developed by VIA Technologies, a Taiwanese company known for innovation and high-quality manufacturing. The highly integrated features of mini-ITX mainboards are ideal for building systems that are powerful, quiet, and small. These boards also pack all the punch of a full-sized PC while running far cooler and more quietly. These features have made mini-ITX solutions the most popular choice for embedded applications and appliance computing—in short, any place where space is an issue.
We'll add to this compact, solid mainboard a road-worthy case, rugged hard disk, and a power supply built to handle special automotive needs, such as battery drain. Put it all together, and you've got one solid Car PC that's ready to hit the highway in ways that no desktop box or notebook could.
As with any technology, there are tradeoffs. So let's talk about the pros and cons of implementing a Mini-ITX solution for the road. I think you'll agree that the pros far outweigh the cons! Here's a brief summary of the highlights of working with a mini-ITX:
1. Ultra Compact: Offers a 170 mm x 170 mm (roughly 6.7 in. x 6.7 in.) form factor.
2. Highly Integrated: Boards carry an onboard processor and integrated I/O.
3. Power Efficient: Low power consumption, cool operation.
4. OS Compatible: Systems support Microsoft and Linux operating systems.
5. Modular: Integrates with industry standard components.
6. Secure: Mini-ITX boards feature onboard encryption technology.
7. Quiet: Smaller means less noise, and fanless mini-ITX offer less noise with greater stability.
8. Compatible Interfaces: Supports SATA drives, DIMM memory, PCI cars, and both USB and Firewire peripherals.
On the flip side, here are a few limitations on the technology which you should consider before implementing a mini-ITX solution:
1. Not Upgradeable: To reduce the cost of manufacture, CPUs are permanently installed on the mainboard. The ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket on most modern motherboards makes up a significant part of the manufacture cost. In VIA's EPIA (Embedded Platform Innovative Architecture) architecture, the company integrated the mainboard and CPU and removed the socket to streamline production and reduce costs.
2. Limited Expandability: Typical cases have limited real estate—that's the cost of going "small." Power supplies can be as small as 60 watts, limiting the addition of peripherals. Also, these boards have minimal PCI slots available.
3. Higher Cost: The cost for an integrated mini-ITX mainboard is likely to be higher than a comparable ATX motherboard/CPU bundle.
While there are certainly some cons to going with mini-ITX, I believe the technology is sound. That's why I recommend it as the virtual heart of this build.
Source : Techbuilder.org