Tra le prime news provenienti dall'IDF di San Francisco segnaliamo l'annuncio ufficiale della prima motherboard - la Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF2 - dotata di supporto per i nuovi processori a basso consumo Atom - in versione dual-core e prodotti in tecnologia a 45nm - e destinata all'impiego nei netbook (o "nettop" volendo usare la terminalogia del chipmaker statunitense, ndr) di nuova generazione.

La nuova motherboard di Intel è basata sul chipset/IGP 945GC ed include anche la cpu, che è siglata Atom 330 ed ha un FSB pari a 533MHz, e il relativo dissipatore. L'unico slot disponibile per moduli DIMM può supportare fino a 2GB di RAM DDR2 a 533MHz o 667MHz. La Desktop Board D945GCLF2 è dotata inoltre di un connettore ATA100, un controller Ethernet LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s, due porte SATA II, fino a 8 USB 2.0 e audio HD a 6 canali.

Intel commercializzerà la scheda a partire dal mese di Settembre.

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Aug. 19, 2008 – Offering more choice to entrylevel desktop PC users, Intel Corporation today showcased a new desktop motherboard that packs a powerful price-performance value proposition. Running on the newly released 45nm dual-core Intel Atom Processor 330, the Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF2 Essential Series is the second generation of Intel’s most affordable and differentiated motherboard that integrates a single unit of compute with a microprocessor, chipset, motherboard and heat sink.

Designed to specifically build nettops – a family of affordable desktops purpose built for Internet-centric usage models – the Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF2 targets entry-level computer users in the emerging markets, as second or basic home PCs for mature markets, or customized for unique vertical usage models such as Internet kiosks, thin clients or POS (pointof- sale) systems.

"Small on size and big on potential, the best of 45nm technology is used to deliver a rich and full experience in a tiny, power-packed package," said Tom Rampone, vice president of Intel’s Sales and Marketing Group, and general manager, Channel Platforms Group. "Nettops represent a fundamental shift in system design and PC consumption. Over the next 20 years we will see nettops emerge as a powerful and significant force in computing."

Providing a big Internet experience in a small package, the Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF2 features the newest mini-ITX form factor. Backward compatible with ATX/MicroATX, this form factor allows PC manufacturers and system builders to create energy-efficient solutions with the ultimate small chassis flexibility. The board is integrated with a low-power dual-core Intel Atom Processor with 533 MHz system bus, and the Intel 945GC Express Chipset with built-in Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950. There is a single DIMM socket designed to support up to 2 GB of DDR2 667/533 SDRAM.

For custom system configurations and future add-in upgrades there is a PCI expansion slot. In addition, the board includes an IDE connector supporting up to two ATA 100/66 devices, and an integrated 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet LAN connectivity. Featuring High Definition Audio (6-Channel) with front panel header, the integrated stereo audio provides excellent value. The board also supports up to eight Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports (four back panel ports and two onboard headers supporting four additional USB 2.0 ports), two Serial ATA ports (3.0 Gb/s), and an S-Video connector.

Availability
The Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF2 will be available for shipping worldwide in September this year. Furthermore, the ecosystem is strong at launch with over a dozen chassis manufactures who have confirmed

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