Intel releases motherboard form factor ‘5×5’

Intel has introduced a new motherboard form factor at IDF called 5×5. The board is 140 by 147mm in size and has an LGA socket in which users can store a Core processor. Furthermore, the design supports sodimm memory.

The new motherboard design, unveiled at IDF, is midway in size between the existing mini-itx and Intel NUC form factors. Mini-itx adopts the presence of an lga socket for a Core processor, and the NUC uses the support for sodimm and the fact that an external adapter for the power supply is sufficient. That together creates a form factor that fills the gap between the two existing form factors and is intended for mini PCs.

In terms of area, 5×5 is 29 percent smaller than mini-itx and almost twice the size of nuc. In addition, there are sodimm slots and a 2.5″ SATA drive or m.2 storage is supported, the use of the latter offers the possibility to keep the height limited to achieve, for example, housings with volumes of less than one liter There is also the option to connect networks wired or wireless and both 35W and 65W processors can be used.When motherboards with this form factor will be introduced, it is not yet known.