MSC Vertriebs announced a COM Express module with Intel “6 Series” chipset and a choice of seven different “Sandy Bridge” processors. The CXB-6S offers up to 16GB of RAM, an optional 8GB SSD (solid state disk), six PCI Express x1 lanes, dual display support, and four SATA ports, among other features.

MSC's new CXB-6S is a follow-on to 2009's CXB-GM45, which provided Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 or Celeron 575 support and up to 8GB of memory. It becomes the company's most powerful module using the COM Express Basic (4.9 x 3.7-inch) form factor, thanks to adoption of Intel's QM67 or HM65 chipsets, and one of seven different "Sandy Bridge" processors.

MSC's CXB-6S

According to MSC, the choices are as follows:

• Celeron 827E (1.4GHz clock speed, one core, 1.5MB of cache, 17-Watt TDP)
• Celeron B810E (1.6GHz clock speed, two cores, 2MB of cache, 35-Watt TDP)
• Core i3-2310E (2.1GHz clock speed, two cores, 3MB of cache, 35-Watt TDP)
• Core i5-2515E (2.5GHz clock speed, 3.1GHz TurboBoost frequency, two cores, 3MB of cache, 35-Watt TDP)
• Core i7-2610UE (1.5GHz clock speed, 2.4GHz TurboBoost frequency, two cores, 4MB of cache, 17-Watt TDP)
• Core i7-2655LE (2.2GHz clock speed, 2.9GHz TurboBoost frequency, two cores, 4MB of cache, 25-Watt TDP)
• Core i7-2715QE (2.1GHz clock speed, 3GHz TurboBoost frequency, four cores, 6MB of cache, 45-Watt TDP)

The Celeron B810E and Core i3-2310E are teamed with the HM65 (block diagram), while all the other CPUs come with the QM67 chipset (block diagram), according to MSC. In every case, memory expansion up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM is supported via the module's two SODIMM sockets, and a bootable 8GB flash drive is an available option, the company adds.

While the Intel chipsets mentioned allow devices to feature two 6Gbps SATA ports and four 3GBps SATA ports, the MSC CXB-6S is only said to include the latter, as well as a PATA interface. The module also provides eight USB 2.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, and HD audio, according to MSC.

Expansion — all, of course, via the module's two COM Express headers — consists of six PCI Express x1 lanes, one PCI Express Graphics x16 interface, PCI, and LPC. As for graphics, VGA and LVDS interfaces are included, and SDVO/HDMI intefaces are multiplexed on the PEG signals, MSC says.

According to MSC, the CXB-6S includes an Infineon TPM (trusted platform module). Power consumption of the module is said to range from 35 Watts up to 60 Watts, and operating range is from 32 to 140 def. F, the company adds.

Finally, MSC promotes two baseboards that are apparently compatible with the CXB-6S as well as the company's other COM Express modules. The CX-MB-1P1 is a Mini-ITX format board that provides one PCI slot, one PCI Express x1 slot, one MiniPCI slot, and a variety of coastline connectors. The CX-MB-EVA2 is a vast (14.5 x 10 inches) board with six PCI Express x1 slots, four PCI slots, and a PCI Express Graphics x16 slot, according to the company.

Specifications listed for the CXB-6S by MSC include:

• Processor:
  • Celeron 827E (1.4GHz clock speed, one core, 1.5MB of cache, 17-Watt TDP)
  • Celeron B810E (1.6GHz clock speed, two cores, 2MB of cache, 35-Watt TDP)
  • Core i3-2310E (2.1GHz clock speed, two cores, 3MB of cache, 35-Watt TDP)
  • Core i5-2515E (2.5GHz clock speed, 3.1GHz TurboBoost frequency, two cores, 3MB of cache, 35-Watt TDP)
  • Core i7-2610UE (1.5GHz clock speed, 2.4GHz TurboBoost frequency, two cores, 4MB of cache, 17-Watt TDP)
  • Core i7-2655LE (2.2GHz clock speed, 2.9GHz TurboBoost frequency, two cores, 4MB of cache, 25-Watt TDP)
  • Core i7-2715QE (2.1GHz clock speed, 3GHz TurboBoost frequency, four cores, 6MB of cache, 45-Watt TDP)
• Chipset — Intel HM65 (on Celeron B810E and Core i3-2310E versions) Intel QM67 Express on others
• Memory — up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM via two SODIMM slots
• Storage — 4 x 3.0Gbps SATA ports
• Expansion:
  • 1 x PCI Express x16
  • 6 x PCI Express x1
  • PCI
  • LPC
• Networking — gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • VGA
  • LVDS
  • SDVO, DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI multiplexed on PEG signals
  • 8 x USB 2.0
  • HD audio
• Power requirements — from 35 to 60 Watts depending on processor
• Operating range — 32 to 140 deg. F
• Dimensions — 4.9 x 3.7 inches

Further information

According to MSC, the CXB-6S is available now, starting at $259 for high-volume quantities. It supports Windows 7, Windows XP Embedded, and Linux, the company says.

More information may be found on the CXB-6S product page.

Jonathan Angel can be reached at [email protected] and followed at www.twitter.com/gadgetsense.

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