Chipmaker VIA Technologies announced the VIA EPIA SN-series motherboard, the first Mini-ITX to be based on the Vista-certified VIA CN896 IGP chipset.

Powered by the 1.8GHz VIA C7 processor, the VIA EPIA SN provides a performance boost of up to 30 percent over previous VIA EPIA mainboards, while a fanless 1GHz sku is ideal for Network Attached Storage and other applications requiring passive cooling. The VIA EPIA SN is also the first to provide the added flexibility of a 16-lane PCI-Express port for bandwidth-intensive graphics cards.

With , the VIA EPIA SN has the storage and network versatility to suit developers of NAS, digital signage and POS units alike.

Capable , the VIA EPIA SN takes compact computing to new levels of system performance. and can take advantage of , while the option of an additional four COM ports and a native LPC bus is important to POS vendors.

Multiple native RAID configurations through 4 S-ATA channels and VIA V-RAID within the VIA VT8251 south bridge, and the inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet port as standard make the EPIA SN series a strong contender in NAS system development.

Key features and specifications listed by Via include:

• Processor — Via C7 NanoBGA2, clocked at 1.8, 1.5, or 1.0 GHz
• Chipset — Via CN896 northbridge, VT8251 southbridge
• System memory — 2 DDR2 400/533/667 DIMM socket, supporting up to 4 GB RAM
• Video — integrated VIA Chrome9HC integrated graphics, featuring 2D/3D and video acceleration
• Audio — Via VT1708A high definition audio codec
• Expansion:
  

  • 1 x 16-lane PCI-E slot
  • 1 x 32-Bit Mini PCI slot
  • 1 x CompactFlash Type I slot (on bottom of board)

• Networking:
  

  • 1 x 10/100 Ethernet
  • 1 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet
  • optional 802.11b/g wireless module

• Onboard I/O:
  

  • 4 x SATA II connectors
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • LVDS/TTL/DVI module connector (requires add-on card)
  • serial port (COM2)
  • LPC connector
  • CIR (switchable for keyboard or mouse)
  • SMBUS
  • digital I/O
  • S/PDIF out
  • front-panel mic in, line out
• Rear panel I/O:

• PS/2 keyboard and mouse
• serial port
• VGA port
• 2 x LAN connectors (RJ-45)
• audio jacks for mic in, line in, line out
• Dimensions — 6.7 x 6.7 inches (170 x 170 mm)
• Power — ATX power connector; typical requirements not specified