VIA Mainboard VIA EPIA M-Series Mini-ITX Instruction Manual

Operating Guidelines
VIA EPIA M-Series Mini-ITX
Mainboard Operation
Guidelines
The Ultra Compact Motherboard Form Factor
From VIA Technologies

Operating Guidelines
Contents
•Overview
•Layout
•Specifications
•CLE266 Chipset Overview
•I/O Back Panel Layout
•Power Specifications
•DVD Playback Tests
•Power Consumption Tests
•FliteDeck –System Management Suite
•Smart5.1 –Intelligent 6 Channel Audio
•Contact

Operating Guidelines
EPIA M-Series Overview
The VIA EPIA M-Series Mini-ITX Mainboard is a revolutionary, ultra-compact x86
platform optimized for today’s killer digital applications. At just 17cm x 17cm, Mini-
ITX is the world’s smallest native x86 mainboard platform, and is fully compatible
with Microsoft® and Linux Operating Systems. Available with an embedded VIA
Eden™ ESP processor core for fanless systems with ultra low-power requirements, or
an embedded VIA C3™ E-Series processor for more demanding digital multimedia
applications, the EPIA M-Series is the perfect platform for a whole range of small
form factor, low-power digital media devices and home entertainment centers.
EPIA M-Series Layout
Embedded VIA C3™ -E or Eden™
ESP processor
VIA Apollo CLE266 North
Bridge, featuring int. 2D/3D
graphics 1 x DDR266DIMM
2
x IDE Ports ATA/133/100/
Support
1 PCI Slot
VIA VT8235 South
Bridge
10/100 Ethernet
TV-OUT IEEE 1394
USB 2.0
Audio Jacks / VIA Smart5.1
Surround Sound

Operating Guidelines
EPIA M-Series Specifications
Processor -VIA C3/Eden EBGA Processor
Chipset -VIA CLE266 North Bridge
-VT8235 South Bridge
System Memory -1 DDR266 DIMM socket
-Up to 1GB memory size
VGA -Integrated CastleRock graphics
Expansion Slots -1 PCI
Onboard IDE -2 X ATA 133/100/66 Connectors
Onboard Floppy -1 x FDD Connector
Onboard LAN -VIA VT6103 10/100 Base-T Ethernet PHY
Onboard Audio -VIA VT1616 6 channel AC’97 Codec
Onboard TV Out -VIA VT1622M TV out (Optional)
Onboard 1394 -VIA VT6307S Firewire
Onboard I/O
Connectors -1 USB connectors for 2 additional USB 2.0 ports -2 1394 connectors for 2 1394 ports
-Front-panel audio connectors (Mic and Line Out)
-CD Audio-in connector
-FIR connector
-PS2 connector
-Wake-on-LAN, Wake-on-Ring
-CPU/Sys FAN/FAN3
-System intrusion connector
-1 I²C connector
-1 connector for LVDS transmitter module (Optional)
-Serial port connector for second com port
Back Panel I/O -1 PS2 mouse port
-1 PS2 keyboard port
-1 Parallel
-1 RJ-45 LAN port
-1 Serial port
-2 USB 2.0 ports
-1 VGA port
-1 RCA port (SPDIF or TV out)
-1 S-Video port
-3 audio jacks: line-out, line-in and mic-in; can be switched to 6
channel output with Smart5.1
BIOS -Award BIOS
-2/4Mbit flash memory
System Monitoring &
Management -CPU temperature monitoring -CPU voltage monitoring
-Wake-on-LAN, Keyboard-Power-on, Timer-Power-on
-System power management
-AC power failure recovery
Form Factor -Mini-ITX (4 layer)
-17 cm x 17 cm

Operating Guidelines
VIA CLE266 Chipset Overview
Combining a fully integrated video processing feature set, 2D/3D graphics engine
and ultra efficient VIA DDR memory controller, the VIA Apollo CLE266 Chipset is
designed to enable high quality digital video streaming and DVD playback in a new
generation of fanless, small form factor PCs and IA devices. For more information on
the VIA CLE266 visit the VIA website at www.via.com.tw/en/apollo/cle266.jsp.

Operating Guidelines
EPIA M-Series I/O Back Panel Layout
PS/2 Mouse Connector
Parallel Port Connector
RJ-45 LAN Port
VGA Display Connector
COM
Line-In
Line-Out
Mic-In
2 x USB Ports
S-Video Port
RCA Video
or
S/P DIF Port

Operating Guidelines
Power Specifications
The EPIA M utilizes an industry standard 20-pin ATX main connector to the power
supply. Due to the EPIA M platform’s ultra low power requirements a 90 –120 Watt
ATX power supply is ample for even the heaviest of multimedia system applications.
1+3V 11 +3V
2+3V 12 -12V
3Gnd 13 Gnd
4+5V 14 PWR_ON-
5Gnd 15 Gnd
6+5V 16 Gnd
7Gnd 17 Gnd
8PWR_GD 18 NC
95V_SB 19 +5V
10 +12V 20 +5V
Note: NC = no connection
DVD Payback Test
The table below compares VIA C3™ processor and CLE266 chipset DVD playback
performance to that of a powerful Intel® Pentium 4 1.7 GHz and 845 chipset with
Leadtek Geforce 4 MX440 VGA card. Despite giving away 1.167 GHz of processor
speed and competing with Geforce4 graphics the VIA CLE266 platform delivers
equivalent performance at a fraction of the cost and required space and cooling. Note
that this is a comparison of only the DVD playback performance, not a of overall
system performance, as digital media performance is what counts for the lifestyle PC.
DVD Playback Performance
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
17
18
19
2010
Intel 845 with Leadtek
Geforce 4 MX440
VIA Apollo CLE266
Platform
29.968--2529.7810—12Windows ME
Frame
Rate
CPU Usage Frame
Rate
CPU usagePerformance
Player
Cyberlink
PowerDVD4.0-(DxVA)
Cyberlink
PowerDVD4.0-(DxVA)
Vendor
Intel® Pentium 4 1.7GHzVIA C3™ 533MHz
CPU

Operating Guidelines
Power Consumption Tests
Below is an extensive set of power consumption tests that clearly illustrate the ultra
low power consumption qualities of the EPIA platform. All tests were conducted
under the Microsoft Windows® 2000 operating system and include the entire
wattage consumed by the EPIA platform.
EPIA Series Platform Power Consumption
in Watts
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Playing DVD
Playing MP3
Network ApplicationsIdle
Office Applications
EPIA-M 9000 EPIA-M E6000 EPIA 800 EPIA 5000
26.4
22.3 22.2
14.1
53
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Watts
EPIA M9000 EPIA ME6000 EPIA 800 EPIA 5000 Intel 845-
based MB
Pentium 4 1.7G
Playing DVD

Operating Guidelines
22.7 20.4 18.4 13.4
39.3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Watts
EPIA M9000 EPIA ME6000 EPIA 800 EPIA 5000 Intel 845-
based MB
Pentium 4 1.7G
Playing MP3
16.7 16.2
10.7 9.6
24.3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Watts
EPIA M9000 EPIA ME6000 EPIA 800 EPIA 5000 Intel 845-
based MB
Pentium 4
1.7G
Idle
25.5 21.9 20 13.84
71.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Watts
EPIA M9000 EPIA ME6000 EPIA 800 EPIA 5000 Intel 845-based
MB Pentium 4
1.7G
Running Office Apps

Operating Guidelines
19.1 18.1 14.3 11.3
25.8
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Watts
EPIA M9000 EPIA ME6000 EPIA 800 EPIA 5000 Intel 845-
based MB
Pentium 4
1.7G
Running Network Apps
The following table is a comprehensive breakdown of the EPIA platform’s voltage,
Amp and Wattage values while running common system applications
EPIA M 9000 Playing DVD
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 3.38A 11.3906W
+5V 4.89V 2.52A 12.3228W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.51V 0.164A 2.0516W
Total Watts: 26.4678W Playing MP3
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.98A 10.0426W
+5V 4.89V 2.05A 10.0245W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.51V 0.162A 2.0266W
Total Watts: 22.7965W
Running Network Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.92A 9.8404W
+5V 4.89V 1.35A 6.6015W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.51V 0.161A 2.0141W
Total Watts: 19.1588W Idle
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.73A 9.2001W
+5V 4.89V 0.98A 4.7922W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.51V 0.161A 2.0141W
Total Watts: 16.7092W

Operating Guidelines
Running Office Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 3.12A 10.5144W
+5V 4.89V 2.51A 12.2739W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.51V 0.163A 2.0391W
Total Watts: 25.5302W
EPIA M E6000 Playing DVD
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 3.36A 11.3232W
+5V 4.92V 1.69A 8.3317W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.40V 0.164A 2.0336W
Total Watts: 22.3913W Playing MP3
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 3.06A 10.3122W
+5V 4.92V 1.50A 7.395W
5VSB5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.40V 0.164A 2.0336W
Total Watts: 20.4436W
Running Network Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.99A 10.0763W
+5V 4.92V 1.08A 5.3676W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.40V 0.163A 2.0212W
Total Watts: 18.1679W Idle
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 8.79A 9.4023W
+5V 4.92V 0.83A 4.0919W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.40V 0.162A 2.0088W
Total Watts: 16.2058W
Running Office Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 3.10A 10.447W
+5V 4.92V 1.77A 8.7261W
5VSB 5.02V 0.14A 0.7028W
+12V 12.40V 0.164A 2.0336W
Total Watts: 21.9095W

Operating Guidelines
EPIA 800 Playing DVD
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.43A 8.1891W
+5V 4.90V 2.07A 10.143W
5VSB 4.95V 0.52A 2.574W
+12V 12.54V 0.11A 1.3794W
Total Watts: 22.2855W Playing MP3
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 1.99A 6.7063W
+5V 4.90V 1.71A 8.379W
5VSB 4.95V 0.41A 2.0295W
+12V 12.54V 0.107A 1.3418W
Total Watts: 18.4566W
Running Network Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 1.88A 6.3356W
+5V 4.90V 1.13A 5.537W
5VSB 4.95V 0.23A 1.1385W
+12V 12.54V 0.105A 1.3167W
Total Watts: 14.3278W Idle
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 1.57A 5.2909W
+5V 4.90V 0.74A 3.626W
5VSB 4.95V 0.11A 0.5445W
+12V 12.54V 0.105A 1.3167W
Total Watts: 10.7781W Running Office Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 1.85A 6.2345W
+5V 4.90V 2.05A 10.045W
5VSB 4.95V 0.49A 2.4255W
+12V 12.54V 0.107A 1.3418W
Total Watts: 20.0468W
EPIA 5000 Playing DVD
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.43A 7.1781W
+5V 4.97V 1.21A 6.0137W
5VSB 5.04V 0.038A 0.1915W
+12V 12.28V 0.064A 0.7859W
Total Watts: 14.1692W Playing MP3
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.01A 6.7737W

Operating Guidelines
+5V 4.97V 1.15A 5.7155W
5VSB 5.04V 0.038A 0.1915W
+12V 12.28V 0.065A 0.7982W
Total Watts: 13.4789W
Running Network Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 1.80A 6.066W
+5V 4.97V 0.86A 4.2742W
5VSB 5.04V 0.038A 0.1915W
+12V 12.28V 0.064A 0.7859W
Total Watts: 11.3176W Idle
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V3.37V 1.64A 5.5268W
+5V 4.97V 0.63A 3.1311W
5VSB 5.04V 0.038A 0.1915W
+12V 12.28V 0.064A 0.7859W
Total Watts: 9.6353W Running Office Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.016A 6.7939W
+5V 4.97V 1.22A 6.0634W
5VSB 5.04V 0.038A 0.1915W
+12V 12.28V 0.065A 0.7982W
Total Watts: 13.847W
Intel 845 chipset-based mainboard -Pentium 4 1.8G
Playing DVD
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.82A 9.5034W
+5V 5.06V 0.77A 3.8962W
5VSB 5.04V 0.058A0.2923W
+12V 11.96V 0.179A 2.1408W
CPU12V 11.99V 3.10A 37.169W
Total Watts: 53.0017W Playing MP3
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.62A 8.8294W
+5V 5.06V 0.77A 3.8962W
5VSB 5.04V 0.058A 0.2923W
+12V 11.96V 0.179A 2.1408W
CPU12V 11.99V 2.015A 24.1599W
Total Watts: 39.3186W
Running Network Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.55A 8.5935W
+5V 5.06V 0.77A 3.8962W
5VSB 5.04V 0.058A 0.2923W
+12V 11.96V 0.18A 2.1528W

Operating Guidelines
CPU12V 11.99V 0.91A 10.9109W
Total Watts: 25.8457W Idle
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.53A 8.5261W
+5V 5.06V 0.76A 3.8456W
5VSB 5.04V 0.058A 0.2923W
+12V 11.96V 0.18A 2.1528W
CPU12V 11.99V 0.796A 10.9109W
Total Watts: 24.3608W Running Office Applications
Test Voltage Real Voltage Tested Amp. Watts
+3.3V 3.37V 2.61A 8.7957W
+5V 5.06V 0.77A 3.8962W
5VSB 5.04V 0.058A 0.2923W
+12V 11.96V 0.178A 2.1289W
CPU12V 11.99V 4.67A 55.9933W
Total Watts: 71.1064W
The system management suite from VIA Mainboard. FliteDeck empowers the user by
enabling full system control through an easy to use Windows® -based control suite.
FliteDeck comprises four utilities, SysProbe, MissionControl, JetStream, and FlashPort.
FliteDeck is a value-added accessory bundled with all EPIA M-Series mainboards.
Track and monitor mission critical system data such as voltage values, temperature,
and component speeds to maximize system life and minimize downtime caused by
system overloads and failure. MissionControl features remote system management
capabilities as well as local management.
Manage BIOS specification information, version backups, and flashing procedures
through FlashPort’s easy to use GUI interface. No more system restarts and DOS
mode operation when updating the system BIOS. FlashPort enables seamless Live
Windows®-based BIOS updates.

Operating Guidelines
Obtain comprehensive system hardware and software information quickly and easily
through SysProbe’s easy to navigate GUI interface. Information available at your
fingertips includes system capabilities as well as complete operational and
installation status of hardware system components.
VIA’s Smart5.1, a no-hassle, cost effective method of implementing 6 channels of
surround sound audio through a standard VIA Mainboard platform. In a nutshell,
Smart5.1 enables a mainboard’s standard three jack game/audio port to accept the
three speaker plugs that are required for 6 channel surround sound audio i.e. front
left/right, rear left/right, and center/subwoofer speakers.
Standard motherboard three jack game/audio port
Fig 1.1
Fig 1.1 above shows a VIA Mainboard with standard three jack game/audio port
configuration. The three jacks are dedicated to Line-Out, Line-In, and Mic-In usage.
The Line-Out jack is predominately used to plug in standard two channel speakers
while the Line-In jack can be used to transfer data from devices such as Mini Disks
to your PC. The Mic-In jack is used to plug in a microphone for online chatting or
conferencing. The additional onboard audio pin header is used to plug in an external
audio bracket which is the traditional method of implementing 6 channel surround
sound audio.

Operating Guidelines
Smart5.1 three jack game/audio port configuration
Fig 1.2
Fig 1.2 above shows VIA’s Smart5.1 technology implemented onboard. Smart5.1
requires no additional hardware to implement 6 channel surround sound audio on a
standard VIA Mainboard platform. With Smart5.1 implemented, the left jack
becomes the Front left/right speaker port. The middle jack is for Rear left/right
speakers and the center/subwoofer speaker plugs into the right jack.
The traditional method of implementing 6 channel audio
Fig 1.3
Fig 1.3 shows the traditional method of implementing 6 channel surround sound
audio by using a combination of the left Line-Out jack for Front left/right speaker and
the bottom two jacks on the audio bracket for Rear left/right and center/subwoofer
speakers. The downside to this method is the extra cost associated with the audio
bracket and the extra complexity associated with having the three audio jacks in two
separate places. The audio bracket also places serious restrictions on the design of
entertainment devices, especially small form factor designs because the audio
bracket needs to occupy a PCI bay at the back of a chassis.

Operating Guidelines
Smart5.1 -The Technology Behind The Feature
Implementing Smart5.1 on a VIA Mainboard is made possible through a combination
of hardware and software. On the hardware side, Smart5.1 circuitry has been
designed into the latest VIA Mainboards that utilize the VIA VT1616 six channel audio
codec onboard. The VIA VT1616 is a high performance six channel audio codec
designed to meet the demands of today’s PC-based multimedia entertainment
applications such as DVD audio, MP3s and computer gaming. The software that
enables Smart5.1 is embedded into the VIA audio driver so when a technician or
system integrator is setting up a VIA Mainboard he will simply choose to enable
Smart5.1 when proceeding through the driver installation and feature selection
process. To setup a set of six channel surround sound audio speaker system
becomes as seamless as plugging the three speaker plugs in the three jack
game/audio port on the back of a VIA Mainboard.
Contact
For more information on the EPIA M-Series Mini ITX Mainboard contact your sales
representative or visit our website at www.viamainboard.com
USA
440 Mission Court, Suite 220
Fremont, CA 94539
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Germany
Mottmann Strasse 12
53842 Troisdorf-Oberlar
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Taiwan
8F, 533, Chung Cheng Road
Hsin Tien, Taipei
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
China
6F, DAscom Tower
9 Shangdi East Road
Haidian District
Beijing, 100085
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]