Experience fluid and vivid high-definition video playback with the ultra-compact Zotac ION platform. The mini-ITX form factor Zotac ION combines a high-performance NVIDIA ION graphics processor with a power-efficient Intel Atom processor for the ultimate eco-friendly platform that has no troubles handling regular web browsing, e-mail, productivity and HD video playback tasks.
NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology harnesses the power of the ION's 16 high-speed stream processors for high-definition Blu-ray playback capabilities. PureVideo HD technology decodes HD video formats and enhances standard-definition videos with the ION GPU for flawless HD and superior SD video playback.
Integrated Intel Atom 330 CPUClocked at 1.6 GHz, the integrated Intel Atom 330 processor delivers plenty of power for day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, e-mail, social networking, office productivity and many other applications.
NVIDIA ION Graphics ProcessorPowered by a brand new NVIDIA ION graphics processor, the Zotac IONITX-F-E Intel Atom motherboard provides outstanding media capabilities including 1080p high definition video playback, and robust support for DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.1, NVIDIA CUDA and PhysX games and applications.
NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GPUMicrosoft DirectX 10 and NVIDIA's advanced second PureVideo HD technology allow the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GPU to deliver ultra-realistic effects and unmatched multimedia functionality for incredible PC gaming and multimedia experiences.
HDMI OutputThe Zotac IONITX-F-E Intel Atom motherboard features an HDMI output for connection to your high-definition video equipment. With the HDMI interface ensuring lossless transmission of high-quality HD video signals, play back HD contents on your computer and view them on your large HDTV set for more comfort.
High Speed Connectivity Anywhere with Wi-Fi 802.11nThe Zotac IONITX-F-E motherboard features a mini-PCIe slot and a built-in Wi-Fi 802.11n card that is fully compliant with 802.11n for higher throughput and improves range and interoperability with all 802.11a/b/g/n-enabled devices, taking your Wi-Fi experience to the next level!
SATA II with RAID SupportThe second generation SATA interface delivers up to 300MB/sec transfer speed, doubling that of the first generation Serial ATA. The on-board three SATA II ports support RAID 0, 1 and 0+1 for better performance, enhanced data security, and flexible capacity upgrades.
Pros: The layout of this board is great, and it plays 1080p full-bandwidth videos at 39 degrees C without a hiccup (stock fan, ambient temperature 64 degrees F, vented case on, no case fans). I had no problems installing anything, finding drivers, etc. Dual boots to both Windows 7 and Linux (Mythbuntu 9.10) no problems. Video playback test was in Linux, using the VDPAU extension. The mini-ITX formfactor is refreshingly small, if you're replacing micro-ATX you will find you now have oceans of space to play in.
Cons: The power plug is a 20-pin ATX plug, not 24-pin, and there are jumpers on one side of it, and a capacitor on the other. For this reason a 24-pin plug from a power supply WILL NOT FIT! (normally you can plug a 24-pin male plug into a 20-pin female socket, you just leave 4 of the male plugs hanging over the edge). Make sure your power supply has a 20-pin (or 20-pin + detachable 4-pin) type connector, not a full 24-pin connector, or else you will need an adapter. Also, there is no firewire on the board. If you want to use this as an HTPC motherboard you will not be able to get video from a set-top cable box via firewire AND get video from a PCIe tv-tuner card... unless you can find a TV tuner card with an onboard firewire port (and i don't think they make those, do they?)
Overall Review: Only 2 memory slots might not be enough for some people, however I do not consider this a "con" for such a small board, clearly intended for HTPC's. Since when does an HTPC need more than 4GB of memory?