MSC Vertriebs has announced a COM Express module that employs Intel's recently announced, dual-core Celeron T3100. The MSC CXB-GM45-T3100 offers up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, supports dual independent displays, and offers four SATA-300 interfaces, the company says.

MSC Vertriebs' CXB-GM45-T3100 is actually a follow-on from an earlier COM Express module, the CXB-GM45 announced in March, and hasn't been changed drastically. However, Intel recently launched its Celeron T3100, a dual-core CPU with a 1.9GHz clock speed and a 1MB second-level cache, which MSC has now pressed into service.

Compared to the chipmaker's previous Celeron 575 processor, the T3100 has nearly twice the performance, according to MSC. However, with a TDP of 35 Watts, the T3100 consumes just four more Watts than the 575, the company adds.

The CXB-GM45 remains available with the 2.0GHz Celeron 575, the 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo P8400, or the 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo T9400. According to MSC, the module uses Intel's GL40 northbridge and ICH9M southbridge in its Celeron 575 version, whereas all other configurations get a GM45 northbridge instead.

MSC's CXB-GM45-T3100

Courtesy of the GM45, the CXB-GM45-T3100 gets Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD functionality. The GMA 4500MHD supports DirectX 10 and OpenGL 2.0, drives dual flat panel or CRT displays, and supports CRT resolutions up to 2048 x 1536 pixels, says MSC.

Dual SODIMM sockets on the CXB-GM45-T3100 support up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, according to MSC. Meanwhile, mass storage is catered for by four SATA-300 interfaces and an enhanced IDE port, the company says.

The CXB-GM45-T3100's other interfaces — all, of course, intended to reach the outside world with the help of a separately available baseboard — include gigabit Ethernet, eight USB 2.0 ports, and HD audio. The module also has bus interfaces that include 32-bit PCI, PCI Express, and PCI Express Graphics (PEG), according to MSC.

Finally, the CXB-GM45-T3100 includes an Infineon TPM (trusted platform module) and a watchdog timer. The Phoenix "SecureCore" BIOS allows booting over a LAN or using various USB devices, the company adds.

Features and specifications listed by MSC for the CXB-GM45-T3100 include:

• Processor — Intel Celeron T3100 clocked at 1.9GHz
• Memory — Up to 8GB of DDR2 RAM via two SODIMM slots
• Networking — 1 x gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 8 x USB 2.0
  • 4 x SATA-300
  • 1 x EIDE
  • CRT
  • LVDS
  • HD audio
• Expansion:
  • 5 x PCI Express x1
  • 1 x PCI Express x16 (PCI Express Graphics)
  • 32-bit, 33MHz PCI
• Power requirements — 12VDC, with optional 5VDC standby
• Operating range — 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 4.9 x 3.7 inches (125 x 95mm)

Further information

According to MSC Vertriebs, the CXB-GM45-T3100 supports Linux, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows Vista. Pricing was not released, but the module appears to be available now.

More information may be found on the company's website, here.

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