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| Packaging and Features |
The MP945-VX system comes in two flavors, the difference being an included remote with the VXR. The MP945-VX is built around the Intel 945GM chipset and supports the Core Solo/Core Duo (Yonah) processors. As the system is based on notebook/laptop components, 2.5” HDD, DDR2 SODIMM memory, slim line DVDRW drive and power brick, it can be reduced from the standard SFF size to less than half the size. This also allows for a significant reduction in both power and cooling needs With the imbedded gigabit network adapter, USB, 1394, mini-pci (for 802.11a/b/g wireless) as well as the video (DVI/Component/VGA) and audio outs (5.1), this makes it a perfect start in a home theater setup. The system is available from resellers in both barebones and fully configured versions. With both options this system is suitable for the hardware enthusiast as well as the general consumer.
The system came packaged in a plain white box with no illustrations or information, the only item on the outside was a sticker detailing the configuration of the system. As this looks like an evaluation unit that AOpen has sent to Intel, I will wager that the graphic design on the retail box will be more in line with AOpen’s current offerings.
Opening up the package, we find the main unit, a power brick and cord, a DVI – DVI/VGA splitter, a Multi-TV out adapter (component, s-video, composite), 3 CDs/DVDs (a utilities CD, NTI’s CD&DVD Maker & Cyberlink’s PowerDVD), as well as a Users Manual.
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Model |
MP945-VX |
MP945-VXR |
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AOpen-mp945_T.jpg |
AOpen-mp945VXR_T.jpg |
Special Features |
Viiv Ready
DVI/YPbPr/S-Video, D-sub, 5.1ch, Gb LAN,
1394, SATA II, SO-DIMM DDRII, 802.11b/g (Optional),
Super Multi, Smallest WinTel PC in the world |
SIZE WxHxD(mm) |
165(W)x50(H)x165(D) |
SIZE WxHxD(inch) |
6.49(W)x1.96(H)x6.49(D) |
Volume(liters) |
1.36L |
Weight(Kg/Pound) |
1.49kg / 3 pound (N.W.) |
CHIPSET |
Intel 945GM+ICH7M-DH |
| Power Solutions |
Two-phase voltage stabilization |
MEMORY TYPE |
DDRII SO DIMM x 1 |
| DDRII TYPE |
667/533 |
| Max memory size |
1G |
| CPU TYPE |
Socket M 479
(Support Intel Yonah CPU) |
| FSB |
667/533 |
| VGA CHIPSET |
Intel 945GM OnDie |
| VGA Port |
x1 |
TV Out |
Multi-TV x1
(Composite + S-Video + YPbPr) |
CPU Thermal |
AOpen Proprietary super quiet FAN (below 27dB) |
mini PCI Slot |
x1 |
PCI Express |
none |
Built in High Definition Audio 8 Channel (previously codenamed Azalia) TYPE |
5.1 CH |
| Line-In (Surround-Out L/R)* |
x1 |
| Line-Out(Front-Out L/R)* |
x1 |
| Mic-In(Central/Subwoofer out) * |
x1 |
| Front Mic-In |
none |
| Front Earphone-Out |
none |
| S/PDIF Optical-Out |
x1 |
| S/PDIF Optical-In |
none |
| S/PDIF Coaxial-Out |
none |
Intel LAN(RJ-45) |
10/100/1000 |
S-ATA Connector |
x1 |
ATA Connector |
None |
USB 2.0 |
2(Rear) /1(On Board) |
IEEE 1394 |
1(Rear) |
VGA output Port 15 pins D-Sub |
via DVI-to-VGA adapter |
| CHASSIS 5.25" ODD bay |
x1 Slot-in Slim SuperMulti(DVDRW) |
| CHASSIS Front Cage |
hidden Mic x1 |
| CHASSIS 2.5" HDD bay |
x1 (SATA) |
Power Supply |
65W DC Adapter |
Input Voltage |
AC 100~240V |
Operating Temperature |
10 ~ 35 ? |
Storage Temperature |
-10 ~ 48 ? |
Operating Humidity |
5 ~ 95%RH |
Supported OS |
Windows MCE 2k5
WinXP home
WinXP pro. |
Remote control |
none |
Yes |
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What is the first thing any self-respecting hardware enthusiast would do? That’s right; we open this puppy up to see what it looks like on the inside!
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To access the internals, turn the system over and remove the four screws at each corner hidden by the rubber vibration dampening mat. Carefully lift up the top of the case, take care not to damage the wiring connecting the base to the top. Remove the wiring for the power, speaker, & LED, connecting the base to the top, taking care to remember where the wires attach to the motherboard.
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Right off the bat, you can see that this system is based on a laptop design. You also notice the innovative heat sink and fan for cooling the CPU and Northbridge chipset, the DDR2 RAM slot and the mini-pci slot The system we received from AOpen via Intel was pre-configured with an Intel T2600 Core Duo processor running at 2.16ghz with a FSB of 667, 1gb of Infineon DDR2 RAM (HYS64T128021HDL-3S-B), Intel PRO/Wireless 2915LF ABG Mini-PCI card and a Seagate Momentus 5400rpm 80gb SATA hard drive with Windows XP Media Center Edition.. Just in front of the Ethernet ports and the sound panel connectors you can see a slot where the adapter connecting the HDD and optical drive is located.
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Looking at the top, we find the card that connects the two drives to the motherboard. As you can see, AOpen has used SATA drives which should result in faster drive access over the IDE drives in the previous Mini-PC systems.
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Removing the memory and the mini-pci card, you can see the details of the board. The quality of the manufacturing is readily apparent upon examination. I know that I would love to be able to purchase this board as a stand-alone part. This would be an ideal board for using in custom mods, with just a few changes. Add a connector for an LCD panel, a mini-pci-e slot to allow the use of laptop video cards and perhaps another memory slot. There should be room for these items if the rear of the board is used for the memory and the mini-pci slot.
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Removing the proprietary heatsink reveals the copper baseplate, the thermal material along with the CPU socket and the Northbridge chipset. The innovative design shares the baseplate between the CPU and the Northbridge chipset. I would suggest removing the stock thermal material and using AS5 instead.
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Turning to the top of the case, you can see the plastic cage where the 2.5” SATA hard drive and the slim line dual format DVD writer is attached.
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You can see that the decorative plastic panel on the top can be removed. AOpen states that there are panels available in several colors. Removing the panel reveals the screws attaching the plastic cage holding the SATA hard drive and the optical drive as well as the built in fan shroud.
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Looking at the rear of the cage, you can see where the connectors on the ODD and HDD attach to the adapter card.
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For those of you who purchase a fully configured system, set up becomes a snap:
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1.Set MP945-VX on desk
2.Plug in power brick
3.Attach USB keyboard & mouse
4.Attach LAN cable to RJ-45 jack or if using the wireless option attach antenna to rear connector
5.Attach DVI cable to monitor
6.Attach audio output
7.Turn on system
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| CONTENTS |
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