ASRock has announced a new mini-STX motherboard with an interesting twist, as the H110-STX MXM motherboard offers support for current MXM (version 3.0b, up to 120W) mobile graphics cards.
Like the ECS H110 motherboard featured in our recent Mini-STX build, the ASRock H110-STX MXM is based on the LGA1151 socket (though CPU TDP was not in the source post), offers a pair a DDR SODIMM slots for up to 32GB of DDR4 notebook memory. Storage support is excellent with dual SATA ports and M.2 SSD support. Importantly, this ASRock board uses PCI Express 3.0 on both the MXM (PCIe 3.0 x16) and M.2 (PCIe 3.0 x4) slots. Display output capability is excellent as well, quoting the TechPowerUp post:
"Display connectivity includes one HDMI port that's wired to the CPU's onboard graphics, a second HDMI port wired to the MXM slot, a full-size DisplayPort wired to the MXM, and a Thunderbolt port with mini-DisplayPort wiring to the MXM."
There are some roadblocks to building up a gaming system with this motherboard, not the least of which is cost. Consider that compatible MXM 3.0b options (with a recent GPU) are hundreds of dollars from a place like Eurocom (a GTX 980M is around $800, for example). Naturally, if you had a damaged gaming notebook with a usable MXM GPU, this board might be a nice option for re-purposing that graphics card. Cooling for the MXM card is another issue, however, though harvesting an MXM card from a notebook could potentially allow implementing the existing thermal solution from the laptop.
Look closely and you will see a Z270 product name in this ASRock photo
Update: We now have full specifications from ASRock's product page, which include:
- Socket LGA1151 for Intel Core i7/i5/i3/Pentium/Celeron (Kabylake)
- Supports MXM Graphics Card (Type-B , Up to 120W)
- Supports DDR4 2400MHz, 2 x SO-DIMM, up to 32GB system memory
- 1 x HDMI (4K@60Hz), 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x Mini-DisplayPort
- 3x USB3.0 Type-A, 1x Thunderbolt 3 with USB 3.1 Type-C
- 1x M.2 (Key E), 2x M.2 (Key M)
- 1x Intel i219V Gigabit LAN
- DC 19V / 220W power input
Of note, the chipset is listed as Z270, though the product name and primary motherboard photo suggest H110. The H110-STX MXM is part of ASRocks industrial motherboard offerings (with signage and gaming the mentioned applications), and includes a 220W power supply. Pricing and availability were not mentioned.
There’s no way they’re
There’s no way they’re expecting to make a profit from this, there has to be some other motivation… what do you guys think?
This is a great product for
This is a great product for its use of the MXM GPU option to allow for a user to upgrade the GPU. I almost wish that someone would design a clam-shell case with a built-in LCD and a Keyboard for some form on upgradeable mobile device. The only problem would be how to attach a battery.
A Better solution would be Maybe even a Mac-Mini sort of device where the user could carry a portable USB LCD screen and one of those foldable keyboards. I’d love to have something mobile that could have both the CPU and GPU be upgradable.
How hard is it for non OEMs to get MXM based GPUs. Maybe some used gaming laptop parts supplier for a more affordable MXM based GPUs. I see great potential in this motherboard form factor with an MXM slot/CPU socket for the hardware hacker/builder community.
“How hard is it for non OEMs
“How hard is it for non OEMs to get MXM based GPUs. ”
Pretty hard. The hope is that ASRock may be able to change this. They already intend to bundle the H110-STX with either a 1060, 470 or 480 MXM module, and are looking into what changes to the power delivery system may be needed to support the 1070 and 1080 MXM modules. If ASRock can act as resellers for MXM modules – and in the long run, add an incentive to conform to the MXM specs rather than violate them as in Alienware’s modules (for example, there are many offenders) – then OEMs may start making their MXM modules more available to consumers.
I really want to see some AM4
I really want to see some AM4 motherboard based form factors like this with MXM becoming commonplace and then I can have something to take with that has better thermals than a laptop. I’d really like to have a mini system that I could take on the road and plug up a portable USB monitor and one of those foldable keyboards that unfolds to almost full size.
I guess the surface studio
I guess the surface studio doesn’t seem quite so overpriced now. Those darn MXM modules are so spendy!
This would make a good behind
This would make a good behind the monitor computer if you scored a mxm on the cheap.
Ebay has a shit ton of quadro mxm cards under $100
Or a 980m out of an Alienware for $575
and even the 970m is listed
and even the 970m is listed around $375-395 on eBay.
This was my favorite product
This was my favorite product out of CES. SmallFormFactor.net was the first to report it on it. One really cool thing about it is the quad m.2 ports on the back – three of which support full length ssds.
The big issue is whether we will see compatible MXM cards on the market.
Another interesting thing
Another interesting thing about this is that the board is supposedly based on z270, but the model number is h110?
Official datasheet: http://asrock.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/Download/e-catalog/H110-STX%20MXM.pdf
This is a dream come true for
This is a dream come true for me as i have been finding a thin motherboard gpu combo for my AIO build.
I personally think there are
I personally think there are millions of possibilities for this board, especially if launch in the z270 chipset. I would love to have a Travel/Lan rig that could easily be carried and stored w/out worry of damage from travel. Yes the 980m’s go for an outrageous price but I’m sure if they had a higher demand and more competition other than just for laptops/2-n-1’s the prices would be settled closer to standard desktop card prices. I would like it more if it had Dual m.2 support like it’s predecessor.
I wonder where you can find
I wonder where you can find this for sale, its pretty unique market.
is there a watt limit on the
is there a watt limit on the cpu at all or could I slap one of them 130w i7-7700k in this bad boy?