syn_anandtech: iBASE Launches MI995 Mini-ITX Intel CM246-Based Board for Xeon E

iBASE Launches MI995 Mini-ITX Intel CM246-Based Board for Xeon E

iBASE introduced one of the industry’s first Mini-ITX motherboards for Intel’s Xeon E processors on Tuesday. The MI995 is based on Intel’s mobile CM246 PCH and is aimed at low-power miniature specialized PCs. Meanwhile, small does not mean limitations, so the MI995 has nearly all the expansion capabilities its bigger brothers do.

The iBASE MI995VF-X27 is based on Intel’s CM246 chipset designed for laptops and supporting Intel’s Xeon E processors in FCBGA1440 packaging for mobile workstations. The particular model carries six-core Xeon E-2176M CPU. In addition, the manufacturer also offers the MI995VF-8850 and MI995VF-8400 platforms featuring the QM370 PCH as well as six-core Core i7-8850H and quad-core Core i5-8400H processors respectively. The Xeon-powered SKU supports up to 32 GB of ECC memory, whereas the Core-powered models can carry up to 32 GB of non-ECC DRAM. All the SKUs feature a TPM 2.0 module, and support vPro, iAMT 11.6 remote management, and iSMART 3.5 technologies.

When it comes to expandability, the iBASE MI995 motherboards feature a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for graphics cards, a mini-PCIe slot, an M.2-2280 slot for SSDs, an M.2-2230 slot for CNVi Wi-Fi solutions, two or four SATA connectors, and so on.

Moving on to connectivity. The MI995 is equipped with two Intel GbE controllers, a Fintek F8196D-I chip for four COM ports, three display outputs, (DisplayPort, DVI-D, HDMI 2.0), six USB 3.1 ports, and audio connectors. As noted above, the motherboards may be outfitted with an optional 802.11ac Wi-Fi CNVi module.

iBASE officially positions its MI995 motherboards for digital signage, gaming, entertainment, and POS applications. Even out of the box, the platform can support multiple displays. Once equipped with a discrete graphics card, the system gains both GPU performance and additional display outputs, just what is needed for digital signage and gaming applications.

iBASE's MI995 Motherboards
	MI995VF-X27	MI995VF-8850	MI995VF-8400
CPUs	Intel Xeon E-2176M 6C/12T 2.7 - 4.4 GHz 12 MB cache 45 W	Intel Core i7-8850H 6C/12T 2.6 - 4.3 GHz 9 MB cache 45 W	Intel Core i5-8400H 4C/8T 2.5 - 4.2 GHz 8 MB cache 45 W
PCH	Intel CM246 + Fintek F81966D-I controller
Graphics	Intel UHD Graphics from CPU PCIe 3.0 x16 slot
Display Outputs	1 × DisplayPort 1.2 1 × eDP header 1 × DVI-D 1 × HDMI 2.0a
Memory	2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM Up to 32 GB of DDR4-2667 ECC or non-ECC, depending on CPU
Slots for Add-In-Cards	1 × PCIe 3.0 x16 1 × miniPCIe
Ethernet	LAN 1: Intel I219LM Gigabit LAN PHY (MI995VF-Series) Intel I219V Gigabit LAN PHY (MI995EF) LAN 2: Intel I210AT Gigabit LAN (MI995VF-X27) Intel I211AT Gigabit LAN (MI995VF-8850/8400, MI995EF)
Storage	4 × SATA 6 Gbps 1 × M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA)	2 × SATA 6 Gbps 1 × M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4 or SATA)
Audio	Realtek ALC888S-VD2-GR
USB	6 × USB 3.1 Type-A 4 × USB 2.0 Type-A via header
Serial Ports	2 × RS232 2 × RS232/422/485
Wi-Fi	M.2-2230 slot
Operating Temperature	0°C~60°C (32°F~140°F)
Form-Factor	Mini-ITX (170 mm × 170 mm \| 6.7" × 6.7")

iBASE already lists MI995 motherboards on its website, but has not touched upon pricing and availability timeframe.

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