MSI has announced the impending launch of its first products based around Intel's ultra-compact 5x5 form factor, or STX as it is now known.
Some 29 per cent smaller than the existing mini-ITX standard, Intel's 5x5 form factor was unveiled in August last year as the logical successor to its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) range. Boasting a 140mm x 147mm footprint, the motherboard standard nevertheless includes a user-accessible CPU socket, two SODIMM slots, and SATA and M.2 storage options. Now, MSI is dipping its toes into the market with its first 5x5 products: The Cubi 2 Plus and Cubi 2 Plus vPro.
Identified under 5x5's new STX moniker, the Cubi 2 Plus is a svelte machine boasting Intel's latest low-power Skylake processor. Models based on the Core i3-6100T, Core i5-6500T and Core i7-6700T will be available, all using the integrated graphics. Each model supports up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, includes built-in 802.11b/g/n or 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 radio connectivity, and supports a single 2.5" SATA drive and M.2 SSD for storage. Ports include a top-mounted USB 2.0 port with charging function, three front-facing USB 2.0 and one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, analogue audio, wired Ethernet, HDMI and DisplayPort output, and a further USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A port at the rear.
The Cubi 2 Plus vPro, features the same hardware design as its home-oriented equivalent but includes support for Intel's vPro extensions, along with a screen-sharing virtual meeting platform dubbed Intel Unite. Pricing for all models has yet to be confirmed, with more information expected ahead of the official launch in March.
Some 29 per cent smaller than the existing mini-ITX standard, Intel's 5x5 form factor was unveiled in August last year as the logical successor to its Next Unit of Computing (NUC) range. Boasting a 140mm x 147mm footprint, the motherboard standard nevertheless includes a user-accessible CPU socket, two SODIMM slots, and SATA and M.2 storage options. Now, MSI is dipping its toes into the market with its first 5x5 products: The Cubi 2 Plus and Cubi 2 Plus vPro.
Identified under 5x5's new STX moniker, the Cubi 2 Plus is a svelte machine boasting Intel's latest low-power Skylake processor. Models based on the Core i3-6100T, Core i5-6500T and Core i7-6700T will be available, all using the integrated graphics. Each model supports up to 32GB of DDR4 memory, includes built-in 802.11b/g/n or 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 radio connectivity, and supports a single 2.5" SATA drive and M.2 SSD for storage. Ports include a top-mounted USB 2.0 port with charging function, three front-facing USB 2.0 and one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, analogue audio, wired Ethernet, HDMI and DisplayPort output, and a further USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A port at the rear.
The Cubi 2 Plus vPro, features the same hardware design as its home-oriented equivalent but includes support for Intel's vPro extensions, along with a screen-sharing virtual meeting platform dubbed Intel Unite. Pricing for all models has yet to be confirmed, with more information expected ahead of the official launch in March.
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
Want to comment? Please log in.