![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Wednesday, October 15, 2008
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Intel DG45ID Motherboard with Integrated HD Graphics
It comes in a pint sized package and reading the specifications you would think that the Intel DG45ID motherboard would seem to have the makings of a winner. When it comes to integrated graphics for an HTPC pushing Blu-ray content; do you want Intel inside?
Introduction
Intel is well known throughout the world for their processors and chipsets. While their motherboards may not be the first pick of enthusiasts, those products normally deliver stable performance at stock settings. The latest Intel board released, a part of their micro-ATX lineup, seems packed full of goodness that Intel alone can deliver, or can it?
The Intel DG45ID motherboard is the latest micro-ATX board from Intel for their LGA 775 line of processors. The board itself is based on the Intel G45 chipset, boasting full support for the following technologies: all current non-extreme Intel LGA 775 processors, DDR2 memory operating in Dual Channel mode up to 800MHz officially, on-board DVI-I and HDMI graphics support, and single card PCI-E x16 based graphics support.
The DG45ID board is feature complete, needing a minimal set of components for a working system: an Intel LGA 775 processor, DDR2 memory, drives, and a PSU. The motherboard includes the following integrated device support: 5 SATA II ports and 1 eSATA port (RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 5 capable) on the Intel ICH10R controller; 12 USB 2.0 capable ports (6 in rear panel, and 3 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); 2 IEEE 1394 capable ports (1 in rear panel, and 1 onboard header); 1 Intel GigE Ethernet ports in the rear panel; IDT 8-channel HD audio codec featuring an S/PDIF optical output port; and integrated Intel x4500HD graphics featuring HDMI and DVI-I output ports.
Main Specifications Overview:
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
Packaging
Unlike most of our review products, Intel supplied us with a reviewer sample of the DG45ID board with no retail box to speak of. The packaging included the board and an installation CD only.
Board Layout
Intel designed the DG45ID in an efficient manner, with all space on the board put to use effectively while also ensuring enough space between the onboard components. One of the first things you’ll notice about the board is the lack of traditional components. Intel chose to leave off an IDE port, floppy port, and PS/2 ports. Definitely not many legacy components present on this board. While the board does not have a clearly marked revision number anywhere, the board’s serial number is on a white sticker just above the upper set of DIMM slots. For the board’s capacitors, Intel chose to use components manufactured by the following companies: Lelon Electronics Corp (Taiwan), Rubycon (Japan), Samyoung Electronics Company (South Korea), Teapo Electronic Corporation (Taiwan), Taiwan Ostor Corporation (Taiwan) marked as RLG, and United Chemi-Con (US) marked as KZG.
The area around the CPU socket is well laid out, with more than adequate room around the socket for most CPU coolers. The CPU cooler is held in place via the standard 4-hole LGA775 type mechanism. The G45 Northbridge chipset is to the left of the CPU socket, covered by a large passively cooled aluminum heat sink. The rear chassis fan header is located above the Northbridge, with the 4-pin ATX12V power connector to the chipset’s upper right. The IR output and serial port headers are located in the upper right corner of the board. The 4-pin CPU fan header is located to the lower right of the CPU socket.
The four DDR2 DIMM slots are located just under the Northbridge chipset heat sink, arranged in a bi-colored 2-by-2 configuration. DIMM slots must be placed in like colored slots across the sets in order to enable Dual Channel memory mode. The IR input header is located in the lower right corner of the board, with the 24-pin ATX power connector just under the lower DIMM slot set. The front chassis fan header is located to the lower left of the DIMM slots.
The ICH10R Southbridge chipset is located directly to the left of the DIMM slots, covered by a low profile aluminum heat sink. Directly below the Southbridge are the CMOS battery, BIOS reset jumper, standby LED header, and front panel header. The 5 onboard SATA-2 ports, as well as the onboard speaker, are located in the lower left corner of the board. The 3 onboard USB 2.0 headers are located just above the SATA-2 ports, along the board’s edge.
The DG45ID board comes standard with 1 PCI-Express x16 slot, 2 PCI-Express x1 slots, and 1 PCI slot. Along the PCI slots outer edge are the IEEE 1394 header, the S/PDIF input header, the CD-in header, and the front panel audio header.
Intel chose to integrate the following ports in to the DG45ID’s rear panel: 1 IEEE 1394 port; 6 USB 2.0 ports; 1 Intel GigE Ethernet ports; an eSATA device port; DVI and HDMI video output ports; and 6 analogue and an S/PDIF optical output audio ports.