Nvidia's ION platform has become very popular product among users offering a good 3D and Video performance while it remains affordably priced. ION's graphics processors turn up the visuals on compact, low-power PCs with performance up to 10X faster than similar systems. When combined with a low-power CPU like Intel's Atom, ION graphics processors transform traditional under-performing PC designs into a premium experience.

- Key Benefits

• Premium DirectX 10 graphics with advanced digital display connectivity
• Full 1080p HD video with true-fidelity 7.1 audio
• NVIDIA CUDA technology to accelerate the most demanding applications, vastly improving your PC’s ability to work with visual content such as video encoding
• Premium Windows experience with Windows Vista and Windows 7

Today we have in our labs the Inno3D ION-based solution. Being part of the 'iChiLL' series of products, it offers improved features and specifications compared to Nvidia's reference design for the platform.

The Inno3D ION is packaged into a large box despite the relatively compact size of the main device, indicating that this product comes fully loaded. We found the product sold online for about €140 (including VAT), which is somewhat more than what you would spend for other ION-based solutions. However, as we will see later on, the Inno3D ION comes fully-featured and it is addressed to a specific target group.

Many components are found into the box:

Besides the ION mainboard, the package includes SATA cables, a CD-ROM with drivers, a printer manual, a back plate, a Wifi antenna, a CPU cooler, a mini ac/dc adapter and a power cable.

- Specifications

• CPU: Intel Atom (integrated)
  • Up to 533 MHz FSB
  • Intel HyperThreading technology
• Chipset: MCP7A ION
• Memory: DDR2 667/800
  • 2 x 240 pin DDR2 DIMM slots
  • Up to 8GB ram
• Bios
• Expansion slot
• Graphic: GeForce 9300
• Audio: 6CH (HD)
• LAN: Integrated 802.11n WiFi (Optional)
• Internal Connectors: Mini PCI Express x1
• Rear Panel I/O:
  • 10 USB ports (6 on back panel, 4 via pin header)
  • 1 Serial port header
  • 1 MOLEX power connector (Can power up to 3 SATA devices)
  • 1 HD Audio Port (Line-in, Line-out, Mic-in)
  • 1 PS/2 keyboard port
  • 2 Digital S/PDIF outputs (1 optical, 1 coaxial)
  • 1 WiFi antenna connector (optional)
  • 1 DC power jack (optional)
• Hardware Monitor
• O.S. Supported: Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/XP 64-bit/Vista
• Form Factor: ITX

Visit Ebuyer.com to Buy The Inno3D ION iChiLL Motherboard