There are a fair number of applications that require a cost effective quick and easy computing solution that gets the job done with least power consumption. ECS brings us the 945GCT-D motherboard that comes with an Intel Atom 230 (1.6GHz) Diamondville CPU and delivers just that. With the integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics solution included, it’s almost half way ready to go.

The Atom CPU

We've looked at the Atom in the form of Eee PC 901 but its the first for us on a desktop so a little bit about Intel’s ATOM CPU before we continue. Intel ATOM is Intel’s smallest and lowest power consumption processor to date. Its main aim is to fit into portable devices such as netbooks and other mobile internet devices. Intel originally announced the 45nm ‘Diamondville’ processor in March of 2008 to be used in the Classmate PC.

Note the CPUz screenshot. Multiplier is at x12 and the adjustable bus speed of 133MHz (more on this later).  As seen, the CPU itself is extremely small with an overall die size of just 25mm². Intel processor spec is SLB6Z.

Packaging

ECS packs the 945GCT-D motherboard within a small black box with a picture of the motherboard on the face of the box. The package includes; manuals, driver CD, a SATA cable, an IDE cable and an I/O shield.