MSI Unveils New Haswell-powered Embedded Motherboard

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By Jane McEntegart
published

Perfect for digital signage, according to MSI.

MSI today announced a new embedded mini-ITX board dubbed the MS-98C7. The board is intended for high-density processing and graphic application markets and uses Intel's 4th generation Haswell. It supports up to 16 GB of RAM and features output interfaces for VGA, LVDS, and DP. As such, MSI is pushing this on the industrial scene for digital signage, onboard MOD and gaming.

 

The MS-98C7 packs support for 1080p, dual gigabit LAN, dual Mini-PCIe, 5 COM ports, 8 or 10 x USB ports (4 x USB 3.0; 6 x USB 2.0), support for SATA 3.0, and mSATA via Mini-PCIe, and 8 GIPO (general input output) connections (users can define the I/O via BIOS).

MSI says the MS-98C7 is available as two separate SKUs aimed at different application requirements: the more budget-friendly H81 and high-end Q87. Both offer scalable CPU options.

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13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • NAG3LT
    11450737 said:
    I can't really see, are those 2x pci-e express slots for SLI configuration? I've yet to see a Mini-atx with one! =(

    The 2 slots on the left look like RAM slots. PCI express is a single slot on the right.

    Reply
  • So it's just a Haswell mini-itx. Ok. I don't understand why it deserves a whole article. Any clarification guys?
    Reply
  • rwinches
    2 mini-PCIe 1 PCIe x 16
    http://www.msi.com/product/ipc/MS-98C7.html
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    Mini case, low profile gfx card and this would make a killer HTPC
    Reply
  • popatim
    I only see one fan connector.
    Reply
  • lp231
    Poor design on the power connector, why are they even using a standard 8-pin? Embedded board uses notebook chargers not a standard power supply. Did MSI even bother on checking out Intel's AIO standards?!
    http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/thinminiitxcomponentcatalog.pdf
    Reply
  • __Miguel_
    11450926 said:
    11450737 said:
    I can't really see, are those 2x pci-e express slots for SLI configuration? I've yet to see a Mini-atx with one! =(

    The 2 slots on the left look like RAM slots. PCI express is a single slot on the right.
    That is absolutely right.

    Slots on the left are Mini-PCIe (next to the SATA ports) and 2x SO-DIMM (a.k.a. notebook memory); slot on the right is PCIe 16x.

    It sounds like a rather nice board for quite a few applications besides industrial, actually... A version without all the COM ports (maybe leave one, though you'd probably be able to get away with using only the GPIO pins) and an HDMI port would probably be fantastic as a low-power HTPC, or a rather powerful router. I'd like to know about price, though.
    Reply
  • rezzahd
    11451052 said:
    So it's just a Haswell mini-itx. Ok. I don't understand why it deserves a whole article. Any clarification guys?

    My understanding behind this is the fact that there are not currently many boards that are Mini-Itx that are Haswell specific.

    Reply
  • Lutfij
    This particular lineup of the CPU being onboard the mobo would be perfect for OEM's and system integrators like dell/hp who would market them to laymens and ofc people who don't want to go through the hassle of building a rig for rendering. In fact this rig with its small footprint will be very popular among rendering farms...the dual lan does great for backburners.
    Reply
  • threehosts
    Can't wait to put one of these inside a super-extra big tower case and a really bad ass power supply :D
    Reply