ECS has unveiled a new PC motherboard designed for small form-factor computers. Measuring 6.7″ x 3.3″, the new ECS GLKD-HTI is half the size of a mini-ITX board. It’s listed on the ECS website under the SoC (system-on-a-chip) category, likely because the board is designed to work with an Intel Gemini Lake processor that is not user removable.
But the system has a SODIMM slot for DDR4-2133 memory, an M.2 2280 connector for a SATA SSD, and a connector that supports SATA III hard drives or SSDs.
The GLKD-HTI has plenty of ports, which could make it a versatile option for small computers. But it’s not exactly a powerhouse.
It only supports Intel Gemini Lake processors, which are inexpensive, low-power Celeron and Pentium chips with Intel HD 600 graphics. The system only supports up to 8GB of RAM and video output is limited to resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels via an HDMI 1.4a port.
Other features include a Gigabit Ethernet port, four USB 3.0 ports, two audio jacks (line out and mic in), Realtek ALC662 6-channel audio, and an M.2 2230 slot for a WiFi & Bluetooth card.
The board should support Windows or Linux.
ECS hasn’t announced pricing or availability details yet.
via OverClockers and MiniMachines
They are USB 3.0. And they are 4, not 3.
https://www.ecs.com.tw/en/Product/Motherboard/GLKD-HTI/specification
Happy new year to all.
The ECS website is a little less clear on this point than I would like: https://liliputing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ecs-ports.jpg
But looking at the images, I think you’re right. I’ll update the article.
I love this, this is something I would totally buy. For me this would be a home-theatre PC candidate, so the HDMI 1.4 would be no bueno. Hopefully they have a model with HDMI 2.0 coming.
I wonder what kind of cases they have coming. It’s obvious that it won’t work in a Mini-ITX case, despite being based on the ITX layout. The rear two corner screws aren’t part of the Mini ITX layout, so this thing is going to need its own case.
Here you go:
https://liliputing.com/2020/12/hackboard-2-is-a-single-board-pc-with-celeron-n4020-for-99-and-up-crowdfunding.html
Yeah, it only has 4 gigs of RAM, but overall, a very competitively priced package, HDMI 2.1 included.
Yeah, I was slightly interested in the Hackboard 2. I just wasn’t into the idea of it being a “project board”. Their focus on eDP, Camera, and Touchscreen connectors just didn’t interest me. I would have liked to see a Sata connector.
The extra appeal of this new ECS product is the fact that the extra real estate provides me a SATA port, the ability to choose my own RAM, and more USB ports.
Also, its hard to tell, but it looks like it might use a standard Intel heatsink mounting hardware, so presumably I’ll have some options for cooling solutions.
Also the implication of potentially having multiple models with different processors tells me that theres probably going to be some effort from ECS to keep this form factor around for a while. Thats the real attraction to me.
I see. Good points!
Just eyeballing it, the rearward screws look like they could be in the usual Mini-ITX locations. The forward screws obviously are not, but they could be supported by standoffs (which could even be left “floating”). Of course the case would still be twice as large as necessary, but the empty space could be used for… stuff.
I was referring to the screws on the opposite side from the IO panel. Those screws are not part of the ITX standard. They’re placed in what would be the middle of an ITX board. ITX only has screws on the outer corners.
I’m a fan of using female-to-female standoffs, and putting a dab of JB Weld on the bottom, and gluing them to the case panel.
Our of curiosity, which software do you use for HTPC purposes? Is it basically all just KODI? Do you have your HTPC setup so that it launches directly in to KODI or something like that?
It kind of looks like the same shape as the Lenovo Thinkcentre m90n and m75n PC’s.
https://liliputing.com/2019/05/lenovo-thinkcentre-m90n-nano-mini-pcs-coming-in-august-for-4539-and-up.html
https://liliputing.com/2020/06/lenovo-introduces-thinkcentre-m75n-mini-desktops-with-amd-ryzen-chips.html