Today sees us look at another Fusion based board that seems simple yet effective design from Jetway. We’ve looked at server boards from Jetway in the past, mainly based around the Atom platform, and whilst the features don’t generally scream out, they usually offer a no frills option to consumers who simply want the main features that the chipset offers with a quiet and low-powered operation.

Does the NC85-E350-LF live up to this and how does it rival against the other Fusion boards that we’ve seen in the past?

Let’s get down to it and take a look!

Specifications

[TABLE=class: grid, width: 100%]
[TR]
[TD] CPU[/TD]
[TD] Support AMD Zacate E350 Dual core 1.6GHz APU[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Chipset[/TD]
[TD] AMD Brazos Zacate + Hudson D1 Chipset[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Memory[/TD]
[TD] 2 * SODIMM Sockets for un-buffered Single Channel 64-bit DDR3 800-1066 SDRAM up to 8 GB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Expansion Slots[/TD]
[TD] 1 * 32-bit PCI slot
1 * Mini PCI-E[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Storage[/TD]
[TD] 4 * Serial ATA2 3Gb/s connectors[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Audio[/TD]
[TD] VIA VT1705 6-Channel HD Audio CODEC[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Ethernet LAN[/TD]
[TD] 1 * Realtek RTL8111E PCI-E LAN chip for Gigabit LAN[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] USB[/TD]
[TD] Embedded 10 * USB 2.0/1.1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Rear Panel I / O[/TD]
[TD] 6 * USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 * PS2 KB/MS port
2 * RJ-45 ports
1 * Audio I / O port
1 * VGA port
1 * DVI-D port
1 * HDMI port[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Internal I / O[/TD]
[TD] 2 * USB 2.0/1.1 headers for 4 USB 2.0 ports
CPU / Chassis Fan connectors;
1 * 24-pin ATX Power connector
1 * 18 bit Single Channel LVDS header
1 * COM Port & 1 * GPIO header
1 * CIR header[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] BIOS[/TD]
[TD] AMI 16MB SPI Flash ROM[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Certificate[/TD]
[TD] CE,FCC,RoHS,Eup[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Functional[/TD]
[TD] ATM, Automation, medical Equipment, Security, Networking, POS, General Application, Gaming Machine, Transportation[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Temperature[/TD]
[TD] Operating within 0~50 centigrade
Storage within -20-85 centigrade[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] Form Factor[/TD]
[TD] Mini ITX Form Factor(170mmx170mm)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

When we hear the name HTPC we automatically think of small form factor and its micro design that we’ve all come to be familiar with. This is where manufacturers have seized the market with micro-ATX and Mini-ITX form factor systems to supply you with inexpensive components for the least amount of money possible. These are generally catered for by using a low profile design coupled with either an AMD Neo or more commonly Intel Atom processor, sufficient memory slots, suitable chipset and on-board audio, LAN and graphics to give you an all in one solution for your needs.

On the market, we can see the likes of the Zotac ZBOX with its slim, sleek design offering up all of the above in a mini barebone PC suitable for the average family man to provide for his family. The average enthusiast however, would rather build his own system to his own specification, so he knows exactly what he’s got for his money. That way he can decide on a budget, the needs for the system and the brands that will be used as we all know the world is full of fan boys and customers devoted to a particular manufacturer. We’ve seen this so many times in the past with the likes of the AMD/Intel battle, or the AMD/Nvidia clash, but that’s for another article.

In the past we have looked at a mini-ITX motherboard branded in the shape of the Jetway NC63-330-LF using an Intel Atom N330 Dual-Core 1.6GHz processor but as times change, so does the technology and the features used. This is where we introduce the Jetway NF96FL-510-LF with its improved processor (which is loosely based on the Atom 330), different chipset and improved features.

As we delve further into the review, you will see why this board is also perfect for other uses including for security or as a simple download box for all you pirates out there, but as we know, these types of motherboards are generally favoured for the above mentioned HTPC purposes due to their all in one design and passive cooling, whilst offering fantastic bang for buck when looking at the features and specifications of a board like this.

Now let’s take a look at the specifications in a bit more detail to give you clear and concise information on exactly what is supported on this mini ITX board which in turn should give you a better insight as to whether the board will be suitable for your needs.

Specifications
[HR][/HR]

CPU	INTEL® Atom Processor D510 / D525(Dual Core)
Chipset	INTEL® Atom Processor D510 / D525 + ICH8M Chipset Front Side Bus 667MHz
Memory	2 * DIMMs Sockets for un-buffered Single Channel DDR2 800/667 SDRAM up to 4 GB
Expansion Slots	1 * PCI slot 1 * MINI PCI-E
Storage	Embedded INTEL ICH8M Chipset 3 * Serial ATA2 3Gb/s connectors 1 * Ultra DMA 100 / 66 IDE connector
Audio	Realtek ALC662 6-Channel HD Audio CODEC
Ethernet LAN	Realtek RTL8111DL PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet LAN
LVDS	Onboard 18-bit single channel LVDS connector
USB	Embedded 9 * USB 2.0/1.1
Special Features	Support ACPI S3 Support CPU Smart FAN Support Watch Dog
Rear Panel I / O	5 * USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 * PS2/KB Connector 1 * RJ-45 port 1 * COM port 1 * VGA port / 1 * DVI-D port 1 * E-SATA Port 1 * 12V DC in 3 * Audio Phone Jack
Internal I / O	2 * USB 2.0/1.1 headers for 4 USB 2.0 ports 1 * JWDB pin Power connector CPU / NB / Chassis Fan connectors; 1 * 32-pin LVDS headers & 1 * GPIO header & 1 Parallel headers 1 * COM header ( COM1 for RS-422/485) 1 * AUDIO header
BIOS	Award 8MB DIP Flash ROM
Functional	ATM, Automation, medical Equipment, Security, Networking, POS, General Application, Gaming Machine, Transportation
Form Factor	Mini ITX Form Factor(17cmx17cm)

This particular board comes with an Intel Atom 330 dual-core 1.6GHz processor, has 2 DDR2 slots supporting upto 8GB of DDR2 memory modules of speeds upto 800MHz.

It uses the Nvidia ION chipset and has integrated graphics that supports DirectX10. This board also has integrated HD sound and Gigabit Lan.

A perfect board for HTPC users.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out http://www.eteknix.com shortly for the full review on this product.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is a micro ATX based board which may be small in size, but is big in performance.

Perfect for a general desktop rig, or dedicated download box, you will not be dissapointed in this fantastic board.

Click here to view the embedded video.