LPX Form Factor

One power supply form factor that has given Baby AT a run for its money over the last 15 years has been the LPX form factor. The "LP" in "LPX" stands for "low profile", another name given to these power supplies. They are also often called "slimline" power supplies because LPX cases are often called slimline cases, and "PS/2" power supplies after the famous IBM model. The main goal of this form factor is size reduction. The height in particular of the power supply is significantly reduced, facilitating the design of much smaller, consumer-oriented PCs. The connectors of the LPX form factor power supply are the same as that of the Baby AT and AT.

Diagram of the side and rear views of an LPX form factor power supply, with approximate dimensions. Note the much smaller height dimension compared to the AT or Baby AT form factors; the power cord outlet and monitor pass-through have been moved next to the power supply fan vent instead of below it. This is key to allowing the production of smaller, "slimline" PC systems. Many LPX systems no longer have the monitor pass-through. All of these systems use remote power switches.

Original image © PC Power & Cooling, Inc. Image used with permission.

While never officially specified as a standard, the LPX or "slimline" power supply basically became one anyway. Due to its small size and convenient rectangular shape, these power supplies were put into all sorts of cases; not just LPX cases but Baby AT and even full-sized AT cases. Until the rise of its anointed successor, NLX, LPX systems were made in large quantity, and millions of these power supplies are still in use.

Rear view of an LPX power supply, showing its power cord and motherboard and drive connectors.

MINI ITX

VIA Mini-ITX Mainboard Form Factor: 17cm x 17cm The Mini-ITX mainboard form factor is a highly integrated native x86 mainboard measuring only 170mm x 170mm and enables the development of an infinite variety of small form factor PC systems. More than 33% smaller than the FlexATX mainboard form factor, the Mini-ITX is aimed at the development of Thin-Clients, wireless network devices, digital media systems, set-top boxes and more. The Mini-ITX mainboard successfully integrates various combinations of readily-available chipset and processor components from VIA that come with rich feature sets that include ultra low power native x86 processors, onboard LAN and various integrated AGP graphics and audio options. Further enhancing its versatility, the Mini-ITX mainboard can include CompactFlash and CardBus slots, TV-Out connector, SPDIF 5.1 audio, USB 2.0, 1394 (Firewire), integrated MPEG2/MPEG4 decoding, support for up to DDR400, Serial ATA and much more. A key advantage of the Mini-ITX mainboard is that it is based on the low power VIA processor platform that comprises of either a VIA C3™ processor or a fanless VIA Eden™ ESP processor, together with a choice of highly integrated VIA chipsets and VIA companion chips. VIA processor platforms are unique in that the workload is shared across the whole platform rather than being focused on the CPU, i.e. platform centric as apposed to CPU centric. Due to their low power consumption, these platforms generate less heat and therefore require less active cooling, allowing the use of quieter, lower profile coolers that are better suited to the ergonomic, small form factor systems that have more application flexibility than the more traditional tower PC.

VIA EPIA Mini-ITX Mainboard from VIA Embedded Platform Division Through its mainboard business unit VIA Embedded, VIA produce the VIA EPIA Mini-ITX Mainboard for small, quiet PCs ranging from silent desktops to digital media rich Hi-Fi and entertainment PCs. You can download high and low resolution pictures, BIOS, drivers, manuals, and datasheets for VIA EPIA Mini-ITX mainboards from the VIA Embedded website. Trailblazing into an exciting new market, there is an increasing number of independent chassis, power supplies and other accessories manufacturers for the Mini-ITX form factor. For information on where to buy VIA Embedded Mini-ITX mainboard as well as information on what chassies are available, please go to the VIA Arena web site or contact our VIA Embedded channel partners from the VIA Embedded web site.

VIA EPIA Mini-ITX Case Mods and Car PC Projects With the I/O ports as the tallest components on the board (including the CPU cooler), the Mini-ITX mainboard is also becoming increasingly popular among the rapidly emerging enthusiast user group. The small size, quiet operation and low profile of the VIA EPIA Mini-ITX makes it ideal for moving the PC to different parts of the home, from stylish case modifications for the living room to in-car PCs. With the VIA EPIA Mini-Itx, your imagination is its only limitation!

NANO-ITX

Via Technologies has revealed the latest member of its diminutive nano-ITX form-factor motherboard family. The Epia NR combines a fanless 1.0GHz Via C7 processor with a high-integration CX700 core-logic chip, targeting healthcare, industrial automation and digital signage, the company said.


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The Epia NR is related to nano-ITX boards Via introduced in March, but, in what the company claims is a first, natively supports LVDS in two single- or one dual-channel monitor configuration without the need for a daughterboard. Via's Epia LT, a mini-ITX board with similar capabilities, was announced in June.

Thanks to the low-power C7 processor, among other power-stingy components, the board can operate at claimed typical power consumptions below 15.5 watts. Additionally, Via's Padlock Security Engine technology offers "military grade encryption and superior data security," the company said.


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Key features of the Epia NR, as listed by Via, include:

• Processor -- Via C7 processor in NanoBGA2 package, clocked at 1.0GHz
  
• Chipset -- Via CX700 Unified Digital Media IGP Chipset
  
• Memory -- SODIMM socket, for up to 1GB DDR2 533 DRAM
  
• Storage interfaces:
  • UltraDMA 133/100
    
  • 2 serial ATA
• Graphics:
  • integrated VIA UniChrome Pro II 3D/2D AGP graphics with MPEG-2 video decoding accelerator
    
  • LVDS panel pin connector for 2 single-channel LVDS panels or 1 dual channel panel (optional)
    
  • VGA port
• LAN -- choice of Via VT6107 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet controller, or Via VT6122 Gigabit Ethernet controller (manufacturing option)
  
• Audio:
  • Via VT1708A high definition audio codec
    
  • line-in/out, mic-in, S/PDIF out
• Other I/O ports:
  • 6 USB 2.0 ports
    
  • LPC bus
    
  • SMBus
    
  • 2 serial ports (COM1 5V/12V selectable)
    
  • Type I CompactFlash slot (shared with IDE, default slave)
    
  • PS2 keyboard/mouse
• Expansion -- 1 Mini-PCI Slot
  
• Size -- 4.7 x 4.7 inches (120 x 120 mm)

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Via says the Epia NR nano-ITX motherboard is compatible with "all leading embedded and desktop operating systems," including Windows XP Embedded, Windows XP/2000, Windows CE, and Linux.

Availability

Pre-production samples of the Epia NR motherboard are immediately available for project (volume) customers, with limited production quantities expected in early August, the company said. Pricing was not disclosed.