World’s first USB 3.0 Mini-ITX motherboard

Today we launched the world’s smallest desktop PC motherboard featuring USB 3.0, the H55N-USB3. This is quite remarkable because a mere two press releases ago we launched the world’s largest desktop PC motherboard featuring USB 3.0 when we announced the X58A-UD9. The size difference between these two form factor extremes (XL-ATX and Mini-ITX) is shown in the picture above where I’m holding them for comparison. I must say that the UD9 feels like it weighs ten times as much as the H55N-USB3 even though they both have 2oz copper PCBs.

The H55N-USB3 comes with all the bells and whistles that you’d expect from a high-end GIGABYTE motherboard including hi-def audio and video ports (video needs the correct Intel CPU with integrated graphics of course), all Japanese solid capacitors, Ferrite core chokes, Low RDS (on) MOSFETs, Dual BIOS, Smart 6, EasyTune 6 and 3x USB power. We expect this little baby to be popular in the DIY media center market where small size and high-def audio & video are important. Consider the inclusion of USB 3.0 for speedy transfer of large media files, and there is not better option for a living room PC!

While on the topic of extremes in the motherboard form factor spectrum, these niche products have never really been a focus for GIGABYTE until recently for a couple of reasons: the first is that we have grown our market share in the more mainstream segments considerably over the past 4 years since we first introduced solid capacitors on our mobos in 2006, and exploring new market segments is how we hope to continue growing our share; the second is that the Mini-ITX ecosystem is maturing to the extent where cases, power supplies, low profile CPU coolers and memory are readily available, so we expect to see good volumes for these products.

Stay tuned for more USB 3.0 news from GIGABYTE as we get ready for Computex 2010 next week.