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.

So this is a S775 motherboard which comes with its own small CPU Cooler with custom mounting?

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


It consumes 59W when running 3DMark. It’s very low with quad core CPU, CM45 & ICH9M.

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).

so this board is not available through retail channels? how can one buy it? :)