D201gly2: product and SPCR review discussion

derekva · Post by **derekva** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:48 pm

dougz wrote: FWIW, I read several articles about the Shuttle KPC. It appears that the samples were at CES as a technology preview and the design has not been frozen. Therefore, your guess about features is as good as any. I'm interested enough to put a google alert on the topic.

Speculation & conjecture time --
- 945G chipset. Huge improvement over 201/202 boards, IMHO.
- There was prior speculation that Intel would be doing a 945 mini-ITX. Is this product based on an Intel design? Others coming?
- Some articles speculated on which Celeron 420 was used -- mobile or socket 775. Price suggests 775. Socketed!
- Intel really seems to be doing a great job with low cost laptops & desktops. More, faster!

Hmm. I think the Socket 775 would make it a non-starter for me. Gotta have my Socket M.

If it was a Socket M mini-ITX board using the i945GC chipset, that could be a real coup at $99. I'll wait until someone gets their hands on a KPC and dissects it, though.

-D

dougz · Post by **dougz** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:24 am

Here's the latest and cutest (sort of) mini-ITX computer from Korea, the Ripple-Mini from Ripple. With an external size of 120x300x220mm, our little Ripple-Mini is powered by an Intel Celeron M215 (1.33GHz, 512KB) with a D201 GLY Intel motherboard, 1GB of RAM, SiS 662 North Bridge and SiS 964L South Bridge, for an affordable price of 90 EUR (in Korea).
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-15 ... Korea.html

More --
http://www.techfresh.net/gadgets/comput ... more-14408
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa9c-Xyb9e0

Appears to be Korea-only for now...

SilenceDK · Post by **SilenceDK** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:49 am

Have any of you replaced the standard heatsinks on the D201GLY2 board so that the board fits into a normal Morex case? Such as 3677?

tonyb · Post by **tonyb** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:33 am

Bathman wrote:Vmod modification is here - if you can read German

http://forum.mini-pc-pro.de/hardware-al ... -vmod.html

The idea seems to be as follows: rub the surface-mount resistor shown in the photo with an HB pencil so that there is a layer of graphite between the two terminals, which will reduce the effective resistance and hence the CPU voltage!

SixToes · Post by **SixToes** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:28 am

I just got one of these and I'm really happy with it. It runs 2GB RAM rather than the 1GB Intel advertise, and it also supports unadvertised screen resolutions - I have it at 1680x1050 while I build and test it. With a new XP install it feels quick in everyday use. So far my only reservation is the northbridge temperature with default cooling - it gets so hot I can't touch it. Still, a 5v fan sorts it out in the short term, and longer term I'll stick a Thermalright HR-05 or similar on it.

It replaces a Tualatin Celeron 1200 clocked at the same speed which makes for an interesting comparison. I've run a few PCMark2005 tests and posted the results below. I'm not sure I trust PCMark completely as some of the laptop numbers seem a bit low for disk performance, but still it's some sort of performance guide.

I'm going to use it as a file server, so if anyone has suggestions for a small case that isn't too expensive, and that (with modifications if necessary) will support two 3.5" drives and a 2.5" it would be really useful. Thanks!

Master One · Post by **Master One** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:50 am

I am just testing the D201GLY2 in a small fanless box, so a completely fanless system.

I equipped it with 2 GB DDR2 667MHz (leaving SDRAM control in the BIOS on "Automatic"). First it was just kept 2 hours showing the BIOS Hardware Monitoring, then I had it perform Memtest (from an Ubuntu CDROM) for two hours.

There was no change in the BIOS Hardware Monitoring, no memory errors, and it seems to be completely stable at

Code: Select all

Processor Temp   100.0C
System Temp      64C

which is quite amazing, I think.

Now I want to find a better chipset and CPU cooler, which seems to be pretty difficult.

Any idea, if that one from NorthQ would fit on both (chipset & CPU)?

frank2003 · Post by **frank2003** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:22 am

Master One wrote:Processor Temp 100.0C

I agree that's really amazing.

Just to put that CPU temp in perspective, I once tried to quiet a VIA M10000 (C3 @ 1ghz) processor by slowing its small cooling fan. The C3 was able to take temperatures up to 80C but the system failed. The reason (hold your laughter) was that one of the plastic push-pins holding the CPU heatsink poppped, presumably due to the intense heat. So the CPU overheated and odor of burned electronics radiated from the board. Amazingly the CPU still worked once I replaced the push-pins.

So I guess credit goes to the metal screws and springs for making the high temperature on this Intel board possible .

oberbimbo · Post by **oberbimbo** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:10 am

I'm not sure whether memtest is the best test for the CPU. I've always found that cpuburn drive CPU temperature more than I ever managed to do so...

elsarco · Post by **elsarco** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:48 am

hey guys,i provided myself one of this board and a slim dvd drive as well so far.
I was thinking building this setup:
-the mobo
-1go ram (2go available if i read correctly?)
-1 slim dvd drive
-1 hdd 2.5"
-1 compactflash for Os

My main issue is i want to be able to dualscreen with this,so i m trying to get a pci gpu (should i go for 9250 or an oldies like matrox G450?).
You guys think i can run all that with a picopsu?(i got no idea what power is needed for those gpus)

Also if any know where to find picopsu+brick not too expensive in Europe,ty!

sea2stars · Post by **sea2stars** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:58 pm

If you want to use anything beyond the onboard graphics, I doubt a PicoPSU will be able to provide the required amps. Your might be able to use something like a Sparkle SPI220LE?

Master One · Post by **Master One** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:02 pm

sea2stars wrote:If you want to use anything beyond the onboard graphics, I doubt a PicoPSU will be able to provide the required amps. Your might be able to use something like a Sparkle SPI220LE?

Are you sure about that? The PicoPSU-90 (with ATX-4pin-connector) should be able to provide plenty of power even for an addon-graphics-card (something like a ATI 9250 or a Matrox shouldn't need that much power).

BTW I am still searching for a better low profile CPU heatsink. I already took a look at the specs of various manufacturers, but nothing came up yet (except a few northbridge CPU coolers, which are the only ones, that would fit nicely into my case, with a max height of 45 mm ~ 1.77 inch).

Bathman · Post by **Bathman** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:31 am

I am using a D201GLY2 with a PCI MX4000 laptop a harddrive and a PICO 80W power supply with a 60watt power brick with no problems at all.

And if I can figure out how to lower the CPU voltage I guess it would use even less power.

Nick Geraedts · Post by **Nick Geraedts** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:40 am

I have no idea if it would work... but has anyone tried installing Notebook Hardware Control on a D201GLY/D201GLY2 board? Most laptops don't have BIOS level voltage control, but it's able to lower the operating voltage for mobile CPUs.

sea2stars · Post by **sea2stars** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:05 am

Cool. Mark me down as being corrected. Bathman, have you really stressed that system? I've been thinking of tossing in a PCI 6200 for my D201GLY using a Pico120; simply because Linux graphics support is lacking running the SIS chipset.

AuraAllan · Post by **AuraAllan** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:08 am

@ sea2stars

Im running a E4500 + 2,5" HDD + HD2400XT on a PICO120 with 110 brick with no problems.

Loaded the system draws less the 70W so you should be just fine.

sea2stars · Post by **sea2stars** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:34 am

Sweet. Well after the move to a house next month and starting/finishing another ITX system, I'll have to get back to my D201GLY box. I'll have to get a flexible PCI riser and cut an opening for the PCI bracket.

Shade00 · Post by **Shade00** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:38 am

I've had the D201GLY2 running for a solid month or so. At first I shoved it into an old Flex ATX case I had, but the power supply was designed for server usage and was thus far too loud.

So yesterday I was in Office Depot and picked up an Antec NSK1300 microATX case for $65. I built my primary HTPC using this case, and I figured it would work well enough for the D201GLY2. Everything fit fine and I am glad to have the extra space.

I am running the board with 1gb DDR2, which I will likely upgrade to 2gb soon. What brands of 2gb sticks are you guys successfully running?

I am also running the board with a Geforce 6200 PCI. I am struggling with trying to get the Geforce to accelerate H264 content. MPEG2 using Purevideo works great, DVD playback runs around 15% using this little board.

I love the board, but I just wish it had a PCI express slot. Trying to get hardware acceleration using the 6200 is a pain.

I did add a 40mm fan to the top of the stock heatsink. I zip-tied it on there. Really fancy. I need to go back and put Arctic Silver on there.

Here's hoping Intel brings us another ITX board, maybe with a low-clocked, low-power Penryn chip and a PCI express slot.

Bathman · Post by **Bathman** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:51 am

I dont think you will have any look accelerating h264 with a Nvidia 6200. However a PCI ATI2400 Pro would probapbly work and I was gobsmacked when I found a site selling them.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139026

http://www.powercolor.com/Global/produc ... uctID=1715

Who needs PCI Express !!!

sea2stars · Post by **sea2stars** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:18 pm

Interesting.

Does it support HDCP or not? Somewhat conflicting info on the product page. Probably more power efficient than a 6200.

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:26 am

SZ wrote:D201GLY2 does not fit into that Silverstone with the original CPU heatsink.

Are there any slimmer form factor heatsinks that will perform as good / better?
VIA motherboards are all so expensive....

SilenceDK · Post by **SilenceDK** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:58 pm

Master One wrote: Any idea, if that one from NorthQ would fit on both (chipset & CPU)?

I can confirm that the NorthQ can be used. Using it on my system myself, though I went for the 3881

Furthermore I'm running Windows Server 2003 x64 R2 - Enterprise edition, with a 2 gb Kingston ram stick without any problems.

Note - The heatsink on the board was terrible. I recommend everyone to change it.

My setup:
Case: NOAH CRS3988
Motherboard: Intel D201GLY2 - 1,2 ghz Celeron
Harddrive: 250 GB - 2.5" harddrive - WD Scorpio WD2500BEVS
Ram: 2048 MB DDR2, PC5400 DDR2-667 - KVR667D2N5/2G
PSU: picoPSU-120-WI-25V - 120 Watt + 80 watt brick
Fans: Standard Noah casefan + 2 x NorthQ 3881 chipset coolers.
Heatsink: Artic Silver 5

Master One · Post by **Master One** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:56 pm

SilenceDK wrote:I can confirm that the NorthQ can be used. Using it on my system myself, though I went for the 3881

Yes, I am actually using the NorthQ 3881 in my testsetup as well, but till now only on the northbridge, because I only could get one of these coolers (the second will hopefully arrive next week).

The problem is, that there is no temp sensor for the northbridge (the "System Temp" sensor reported by the BIOS seems to be located somewhere else), and I have no idea, how to measure, if there really is a difference to the stock cooler. Touching it, I'd say it has about the same temperature as the stock cooler, but the NorthQ definitely has a lot more surface.

I am not sure, if the NorthQ 3881 really is any better than the stock CPU cooler, because it's quite a bit smaller. I was hoping to find something larger with a lot more surface than the stock CPU cooler, that nevertheless fits into my small case, but without success till now.

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:24 am

Hey guys,
Is the NorthQ taller or shorter than the original heatsink?

I'm still wondering about the Silverstone LC19....

Master One · Post by **Master One** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:21 am

klankymen wrote:Is the NorthQ taller or shorter than the original heatsink? I'm still wondering about the Silverstone LC19....

The NorthQ is even shorter than the memory bar, so that one will fit in any case for sure.

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:27 am

Awesome. Now I just need to decide if I spend a Grand on a fileserver or on speakers... O.o

How do you attach the sinks, just with thermal glue? Or are there screws they fit?

Master One · Post by **Master One** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:13 am

klankymen wrote:Awesome. Now I just need to decide if I spend a Grand on a fileserver or on speakers... O.o

Fileserver

klankymen wrote:How do you attach the sinks, just with thermal glue? Or are there screws they fit?

A good thermal paste + the same method, the stock coolers are mounted.

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:08 am

awesome. and they both fit next to each other? or will you need to clip some fins?
I'm thinking maybe just order case, hsf and board. I have some old ram here, and probably also an old hard drive. I could toy around with some print and file server stuff....

that would be around 240 euros, leaving 760 for speakers

missilemike · Post by **missilemike** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:11 pm

Hi guys.... First post...

I got a D201GLY2 on Friday and have spent the weekend messing with it. Here are my observations so far:

1. 2 gigs of memory works just fine.
2. That German vmod also works! I am seeing a very constant 1.22, down from the original 1.34.
3. The PicoPSU 90 powers it fine. I am using a 7200 rpm 2.5" fujitsu notebook drive, and the afore mentioned 2 gigs ram- no problems at all. XP Media Center installed flawlessly on a usb cdrom drive.

Now on to the cooling! Everyone is right. There is no way this thing can be passively cooled. I ran prime95 and shut it down when it hit 80 degrees. So then I tried a bunch of different fan combos.

First thing I did was go to Fry's and buy a Silenx Ixtreme 40mm fan- and it works pretty good for most situations. I just zip-tied mine to the side of the cpu heatsink.

But, after a lot of experimenting, I found the best cooling/noise tradeoff was an old p4 socket 478 fan sitting directly above the chipset heatsink on its little plastic legs. I had to break off the middle/tall legs to make it sit right. Anyway, it actually keeps the cpu cooler than the silenx fan that was directly on the cpu heatsink, with similar noise levels and a MUCH cooler northbridge

I use speedfan to set up the intel fan to run at ~1000 rpm until 55 degrees c, then it ramps up to 2400.

I can upload pics if anyone's curious.

EDIT: 1 more thing. I have a koolu geode LX800 based system- and the D201GLY2 absolutely crushes it. Performance is VERY good.

SixToes · Post by **SixToes** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:38 pm

I've replaced the standard CPU heatsink with a Thermalright HR-05 and the Northbridge heatsink with an HR-05 SLI. Using one of each HR-05 type allows the much larger heatsinks to sit next to each other without overhanging the mainboard or fouling caps/memory/etc.. The only issue was that the Thermalright retention clips weren't tight enough but it was easy enough to bend them a little so that they apply more force. The temperatures are better although still high without a small amount of active cooling.

No fan
System: 48 Celsius
CPU: 80 Celsius

5v Panaflo
System: 39 Celsius
CPU: 48 Celsius

Some pictures - first the board with stock heatsinks removed

The Thermalright sinks mounted

The test bed. The fan was moved out of the way to get the 'no fan' temperatures.

vincentfox · Post by **vincentfox** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:32 pm

What about putting a Scythe Ninja on the CPU?

Still room for HR-05 on the NB you think?

Or perhaps put HR-05 SLI on the NB?

D201gly2: product and SPCR review discussion

Re: Celeron 420 with Intel 945G on Mini-ITX w/ 100watt PSU

D201GLY in box w/1 GB US$131 EUR90

Two thumbs up

Heatsink swap - Thermalright HR-05 and HR-05 SLI