Gigabyte GA-GC230D Atom Mini-ITX - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 10th Sep 2008, 08:18

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...tom-mini-itx/1

The Atom platform bounces out of the netbook and onto a mini-ITX motherboard for Gigabyte and we test it to dispel the myths about what Intel's new low power, low cost prodigy can and cannot do.

Jack_Pepsi · 10th Sep 2008, 08:59

I don't understand why they included a Parallel port, completely redundant (imo).

Cthippo · 10th Sep 2008, 09:11

Can the two SATA ports be run in RAID1 from the BIOS? I'm looking at one of these for a fileserver, but if I have to go buy a PCI RAID card in addition to the other components, then a two drive NAS box (Around $200 with drives) starts looking pretty appealing.

ParaHelix.org · 10th Sep 2008, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack_Pepsi

I don't understand why they included a Parallel port, completely redundant (imo).

Yeah, but, I wouldn't say "completely" redundant as they are still used by programmers for hardware programming.

atanum141 · 10th Sep 2008, 09:45

Could this run OSX??

Bindibadgi · 10th Sep 2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo

Can the two SATA ports be run in RAID1 from the BIOS? I'm looking at one of these for a fileserver, but if I have to go buy a PCI RAID card in addition to the other components, then a two drive NAS box (Around $200 with drives) starts looking pretty appealing.

No, it's the vanilla ICH7 not the ICH7R. You can use something like FreeNAS though and do a Software RAID 1 - I've done that with my parents NAS box. It's no the fastest thing on earth, but it works.

Cthippo · 10th Sep 2008, 09:53

Software RAID=FAIL

Reminds me why I don't buy Intel stuff anymore.

Thanks for the info though, Rich

Bindibadgi · 10th Sep 2008, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo

Software RAID=FAIL

Reminds me why I don't buy Intel stuff anymore.

Thanks for the info though, Rich

No problem. It's hardly surprising though considering the cost of the board, and a 2 port PCI SATA RAID card costs very little unless you want something hardcore.

The boy 4rm oz · 10th Sep 2008, 10:12

Performs pretty well for Atom board. Would make a good Office PC or perhaps a media PC.

Cthippo · 10th Sep 2008, 10:14

More like something real. A lot of the cheap "RAID" cards don't have any onboard processing and just use a driver to offload it all onto the CPU. Granted, that may not be too much of a load, but if I'm flipping through images while listening to music, both from the fileserver, it can get pretty dicey at times.

In addition, finding linux drivers for a lot of those cheap cards can be near on impossible. It's basically the "winmodem" effect all over again.

bowman · 10th Sep 2008, 10:22

Why didn't you try overclocking it, just for laughs? I still have yet to see anyone overclock an Atom. It should clock really well too!

steveo_mcg · 10th Sep 2008, 10:34

It looks like it should be more responsive than my old epia m 1k. I'd consider replacing it but i'd need some way of passively cooling it. I've gotten quite used to working in complete silence.

The Infamous Mr D · 10th Sep 2008, 10:43

The Atom is certainly an impressive design, but this is let down by the ancient chipset with its whopping TDP, lack of video support, networking and expansion options. With the majority of the features catered for by USB and onboard options, a PCI slot seems redundant - a PCI-Express x16 slot would have been a real boon for the enthusiast market.

I'm probably going to sit and wait for Mini-ITX v2.0.

Bindibadgi · 10th Sep 2008, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowman

Why didn't you try overclocking it, just for laughs? I still have yet to see anyone overclock an Atom. It should clock really well too!

It'll do between 1.8-2GHz, but it really doesn't give that much more performance.

Cthippo - unless you drop about the same amount as the entire Atom board for a "hardware" RAID card, you don't get any offloading - no motherboard comes with anything XOR-hardware, Intel ICH-R's included

Mr.D - Intel (very validly) pointed out that you get what you pay for, and if you wanted those extra features buy a Pentium Dual Core and a G45 mini-ITX board. (It just so happens that I got one today

)

Vode · 10th Sep 2008, 11:07

Are mITX boards (commonly) compatible with ATX/mATX cases? Or are the stand-offs all wrong?

Been thinking of knocking up a little 24/7 home server/NAS box. Was thinking an Eee Box for it's low power consumption, but this would be great - and I'd be able to use real hard drives :P

The Infamous Mr D · 10th Sep 2008, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindibadgi

Mr.D - Intel (very validly) pointed out that you get what you pay for, and if you wanted those extra features buy a Pentium Dual Core and a G45 mini-ITX board. (It just so happens that I got one today

)

Now that's more like it! Where do I get one and how much?

Phil Rhodes · 10th Sep 2008, 11:16

If you put a plug-in DC/DC converter on that, won't it obscure the PATA port?

Cupboard · 10th Sep 2008, 12:24

One thing they are doing very well is dropping the floppy port

As I have said before - I really want one but I cannot justify it, even if it is dirt cheap.

Stuey · 10th Sep 2008, 12:59

Quote:

This is the first time we've seen Intel's prodigy ultra low power platform (yes platform, not just CPU) come to a motherboard for us to play with in much more freedom. Well, when we say that, it's all relative.

Well there has been two Intel board iterations, with the more recent version similar to this gigabyte one being out there for quite some time now...

Anyways, I am very eager to try out an atom desktop board, but this legacy port business kills it for me. What is also irritating is that the mini-itx power options out there approach 75% of the cost of the Atom-integrated board itself.

Singularity · 10th Sep 2008, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by atanum141

Could this run OSX??

Well, intel's reference board, that this is based on, can (not saying it legally should

)

These atom boards are pretty nice... now, if only I could find a decent small PSU in this god-forsaken country...

10th Sep 2008, 08:18	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Gigabyte GA-GC230D Atom Mini-ITX http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...tom-mini-itx/1 The Atom platform bounces out of the netbook and onto a mini-ITX motherboard for Gigabyte and we test it to dispel the myths about what Intel's new low power, low cost prodigy can and cannot do. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

10th Sep 2008, 08:59	#2
Jack_Pepsi LandsElite.com Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In the sticks, UK Posts: 313	I don't understand why they included a Parallel port, completely redundant (imo). __________________ http://cache.www.gametracker.com/ser...2/b_560x95.png

10th Sep 2008, 09:11	#3
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,461	Can the two SATA ports be run in RAID1 from the BIOS? I'm looking at one of these for a fileserver, but if I have to go buy a PCI RAID card in addition to the other components, then a two drive NAS box (Around $200 with drives) starts looking pretty appealing. __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

10th Sep 2008, 09:45	#5
atanum141 I fapped to your post! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: London Posts: 7,536	Could this run OSX?? __________________ Welcome to Thunderdome, B*tch XBL: atanum141

10th Sep 2008, 09:53	#7
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,461	Software RAID=FAIL Reminds me why I don't buy Intel stuff anymore. Thanks for the info though, Rich __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

10th Sep 2008, 10:14	#10
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,461	More like something real. A lot of the cheap "RAID" cards don't have any onboard processing and just use a driver to offload it all onto the CPU. Granted, that may not be too much of a load, but if I'm flipping through images while listening to music, both from the fileserver, it can get pretty dicey at times. In addition, finding linux drivers for a lot of those cheap cards can be near on impossible. It's basically the "winmodem" effect all over again. __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

10th Sep 2008, 10:22	#11
bowman Multimodder Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 249	Why didn't you try overclocking it, just for laughs? I still have yet to see anyone overclock an Atom. It should clock really well too!

10th Sep 2008, 10:34	#12
steveo_mcg What owl? Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,980	It looks like it should be more responsive than my old epia m 1k. I'd consider replacing it but i'd need some way of passively cooling it. I've gotten quite used to working in complete silence.

10th Sep 2008, 10:43	#13
The Infamous Mr D Multimodder Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 80	The Atom is certainly an impressive design, but this is let down by the ancient chipset with its whopping TDP, lack of video support, networking and expansion options. With the majority of the features catered for by USB and onboard options, a PCI slot seems redundant - a PCI-Express x16 slot would have been a real boon for the enthusiast market. I'm probably going to sit and wait for Mini-ITX v2.0.

10th Sep 2008, 11:07	#15
Vode Minimodder Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 25	Are mITX boards (commonly) compatible with ATX/mATX cases? Or are the stand-offs all wrong? Been thinking of knocking up a little 24/7 home server/NAS box. Was thinking an Eee Box for it's low power consumption, but this would be great - and I'd be able to use real hard drives :P

10th Sep 2008, 11:16	#17
Phil Rhodes Supermodder Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 577	If you put a plug-in DC/DC converter on that, won't it obscure the PATA port?

10th Sep 2008, 12:24	#18
Cupboard I'm not a modder. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bury St Edmunds/Durham Uni Posts: 1,843	One thing they are doing very well is dropping the floppy port As I have said before - I really want one but I cannot justify it, even if it is dirt cheap. __________________ i7 920, 8800GTS 512, 6GB Corsair all in an Intel DX58SO; 3*320GB RAID5; CM Stacker Samsung Q45.