Minisforum AR900i: A Powerhouse in Mini-ITX Form
The Minisforum AR900i motherboard, a notable release from Minisforum known for its mini-PCs, brings a remarkable blend of power and compact design to the Mini-ITX platform. This motherboard is engineered with an embedded 24-core Intel Core i9-13900HX processor. This powerhouse chip boasts 24 cores and 32 threads, complemented by 36 MB of cache and a clock speed that can reach up to 5.4 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) ranges from 55 Watts to an impressive 157 Watts, making it capable of handling demanding tasks, including resource-intensive workloads and gaming.
The AR900i is equipped with two DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots, allowing for up to 96 GB of RAM. Storage needs are met with four PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 slots. Its I/O capabilities include HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, USB2.0 Type-A, and a 2.5 GbE Ethernet port. The motherboard also features Wi-Fi 6E for wireless internet access and Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting wireless peripherals.
A key feature of the AR900i is its PCIe Gen5 x16 slot, which can accommodate any modern GPU, including those as advanced as the RTX 4090. Despite its small size, this mini-ITX motherboard offers full-size GPU support, thanks to its PCIe 5.0 X16 slot. Priced at $559, the Minisforum AR900i is an attractive option for those seeking a powerful yet compact motherboard. The cooling solution is compact, but users should note that while the radiator for the processor is included, the fan is not and must be purchased separately.
Minisforum BD790i: AMD’s Compact Solution
In contrast, the Minisforum BD790i represents AMD’s foray into the mini-ITX world. This motherboard features the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX processor, an 8-core, 16-thread CPU with a 40 MB cache and a peak frequency of 5.1 GHz. It supports DDR5-5200 memory and PCIe 5.0 hardware. The BD790i includes dual PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots for high-speed storage and a PCIe 5.0 X16 connector for graphics cards.
Designed with an integrated advanced cooling system, the BD770i ensures optimal performance temperatures for both the processor and the dual PCIe 5.0 SSDs. This innovative cooling system even allows for the installation of a 120 mm fan, though it’s not included in the package.
Minisforum AR900i. Mini-ITX: Compact and Versatile
Both the AR900i and BD790i are mini-ITX motherboards, a form factor measuring 170 mm × 170 mm. Developed by VIA Technologies in 2001, these motherboards are traditionally used in small-configured computer systems. They represent the smallest motherboard form factor, ideal for users looking to build compact yet powerful computers.
Minisforum AR900i. Conclusion
The Minisforum AR900i and BD790i are excellent examples of how modern technology has made it possible to pack immense power into small form factors. The AR900i, with its Intel Core i9-13900HX, is tailored for users who need high performance in a compact size, while the BD790i caters to AMD enthusiasts with similar space-saving requirements. Both motherboards offer advanced features like PCIe 5.0 support and high-speed memory compatibility, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, from gaming to professional workstations.
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