Low power consumption IPC motherboard in mini-DTX form factor: DFI CA230-BF

In Channel market, everybody knows that DFI sells hi-end overclocking & performance motherboard in “LANParty” brand.

However, only few people know that DFI is even better in applied computing platform.

In industry motherboard market, quality & stability are everything.



I’ve seen some company demonstrated ACP boards in Computex, the boards are all simple & smaller than microATX.



The QC requirement of ACP (Applied computing platform) is very strict; all ACP boards have to take switching surge & flash impact.

And, the longer warranty period & better material are also the differences between channel motherboards & ACP boards.



The leading role today is DFI CA230-BF (mini-DTX; 20.3 x 17 cm), it could not be installed in mini-ITX case.

DFI adopts the most powerful Intel integrated chipset “GM45+ICH9M” into this board.



The packing: For IPC only, it is very simple.





Accessories: User manual, Driver CD, SATA cable, IDE cable, I/O shield, extension USB.





DFI CA230-BF









The layout is very solid.





Bottom side of board

1 PCIe x16

1 PCIe x1

1 PCI (It’s awesome that adopt so many slot in mini-DTX)

1 IDE

4 SATA II with AHCI

LAN: Realtek RTL811C-GR; Audio: Realtek ALC262

One ceramic thermal pad covers the south bridge.





Upper side of board

2 SO-DIMM for DDR2 667/ 800





Rear I/O

1 D-sub

1 DVI

4 USB 2.0

1 RJ45 port

2 COM port





It supports mPGA478M socket (For notebook use), you can find one QX9300 on the socket. It’s my first to use “Hi-end” NB CPU.





The tiny cooler works well, it dissipate heat efficiently to keep the temperature low.

The white connector calls “LVDS LCD panel”, it designed for connect cashier/ ATM/ POS and other interactive devices.





Testing platform

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme Q9300

MB: DFI CA230-BF

DRAM: Wind Series DDR2 667 4GBX2 SO-DIMM

VGA: Intel GMA4500&MSI R4670 2D512/D3

HD: SAMSUNG 2.5 250GB 7200 RPM

POWER: Corsair 400W Power Supply





SW installation page; CPU-Z showed it’s T9400, diagnose incorrect.





CPU 266X9.5=>2.53Ghz Quad core

DRAM DDR2 667 CL5 4GBX2



CPU

Hyper PI 32M&CPUMARK99





CrystalMark 2004R3





CINEBENCH R10





EVERETS Cache&Memory

30 degree when stand by; 40~45 degree when running testing tools.







3D Performance

Integrated VGA: Intel GMA4500

3DMARK2003





3DMARK2005





It’s my first time to test GMA 4500. GMA4500 is the best 3D core in Intel; the 3D performance is fair, but quite enough for IPC board.





Power consumption (test by power angel)

34W when stand by





3DMARK2005-59W







When VGA card installed,MSI R4670 2D512/D3

3DMARK2005





3DMARK VANTAGE





Crysis Benchmark





You can install VGA card for better 3D performance; ATI 4670 is cheap & has good power efficiency, or you can choose NVIDIA 9600GT.

DFI ACP products are designed for industry & business purpose; so, revision control, material & warranty are very important.

Revision control means you don’t have to worry when the board is malfunctioned; you can always get the same product and material from DFI for at least 5 years.





In power consumption, you can choose Core 2 Duo CPU to save more power. Then you can use 150W PSU to run this platform.

It’s the first time I test this kind of platform, I’m very impressive of the power consumption & size.

If you are interest in ACP product, you can link to http://www.dfi.com.

In some day, I hope I can buy ACP board in retail market (At least it’s not ATOM + 945GC again).