Key Takeaways
1. ASRock is expanding its DeskMini lineup with new Mini-STX systems that use compact motherboards, smaller than Mini-ITX.
2. The new Q870M-STX motherboards support powerful Intel Arrow Lake processors, like the Core Ultra 9 285.
3. The Mini-STX systems are compact, measuring 155 x 155 x 80 mm and having a case capacity of 1.92 liters.
4. Connectivity options likely include Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, and a 2.5 GbE LAN port.
5. Memory support includes up to 128 GB DDR5 RAM, and the system features RGB lighting for visual appeal.
ASRock is broadening its DeskMini lineup with new systems that feature Mini-STX motherboards. This Mini-STX standard is even smaller than Mini-ITX, and with ASRock’s newly designed Q870M-STX motherboards, it now accommodates robust desktop-grade processors from the Intel Arrow Lake series.
Impressions from Computex
The newest Mini-STX systems were highlighted at ASRock’s booth during Computex this week, and Winfuture.de was on the scene to capture some images and provide an initial look. From their photos, we see that the Q870 system is about the size of an ATX power supply, measuring 155 x 155 x 80 mm, while the overall case has a capacity of 1.92 liters. The demo version was equipped with a Core Ultra 9 285 desktop CPU that has 8 Performance cores and 16 Efficiency cores, totaling 24 threads with a peak boost of 5.6 GHz. This processor typically has a TDP of 65 W, with a maximum reaching 182 W, but the Mini-STX system can’t maintain this peak TDP since its external power adapter is limited to 120 W. The average power consumption appears to be around 43.9 W.
Connectivity and Features
While the official information on port selection hasn’t been released, it’s possible to determine some of the ports from the available photos. Since the Arrow Lake processor only includes an Intel Graphics GPU with 4 Xe cores, it’s likely that the Q870 mini PC features Thunderbolt 4 ports for eGPU support. In fact, we can spot two USB-C ports (one on the front and one on the back), with at least one supporting TB4 specifications. Other available ports consist of 3x USB-A 3.2, 2x DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, microphone and headphone jacks, and a LAN port (most likely 2.5 GbE).
Memory and Storage Options
The specifications sheet also indicates compatibility with advanced CSODIMM RAM modules. The demo unit showcased 32 GB DDR5-6400 RAM, but it can support up to 128 GB with two slots available. Interestingly, the storage was managed by an older MP33 PCIe 3.0 256 GB SSD from TeamGroup, although the motherboard likely includes at least one PCIe 4.0 X4 M.2 slot. As a visual enhancement, both the motherboard and the CPU cooler come with support for RGB lighting.
Currently, there is no price information available, nor any details regarding an AMD Mini-STX model.
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