VIA Technologies VB8001 User manual

October 16, 2008 Version 1.0
Operating Guide
VB8001 Mini-ITX Mainboard

VB8001 Operating Guide
October 16, 2008 - i - Version 1.0
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................i
VIA VB8001 Overview...........................................................................................................1
VIA VB8001 La out ..............................................................................................................2
VIA VB8001 Specifications.....................................................................................................3
VIA VB8001 Processor SKUs ..................................................................................................4
VIA CN896 Chipset Overview .................................................................................................5
VIA VB8001 I/O Back Panel ...................................................................................................6
VIA VB8001 Dimensions........................................................................................................7
VIA VB8001 Height Distribution .............................................................................................8
Power Consumption..............................................................................................................9
VIA VB8001 ......................................................................................................................9
A. Pla ing DVDs with PowerDVD 5.0 .................................................................................9
B. Pla ing MP3s with Windows Media Pla er .......................................................................9
C. Running Network Applications - Cop ing Files.................................................................9
D. Idle State ..................................................................................................................9
E. Running C.C. Winstone 2004 ......................................................................................10
F. S3 Mode ..................................................................................................................10
Power Specifications ...........................................................................................................11
VIA VB8001 Microsoft and Linux Driver Support .....................................................................12
Microsoft Driver Support...................................................................................................12
Linux Driver Support........................................................................................................12
Contact ............................................................................................................................. 13

VB8001 Operating Guide
October 16, 2008 - 1 - Version 1.0
VIA VB8001 Overvie
The VIA VB8001 Mini-ITX Mainboard is an ultra compact native x86 platform optimized for entr
level s stems in embedded and productivit applications. The mainboard is based on the VIA
CN896 chipset featuring the VIA Chrome9™ HC IGP with 2D/3D graphics and video accelerators for
rich digital media performance.
The VIA VB8001 onboard VIA Nano 1.6 GHz NanoBGA2 processor is a powerful, secure, and
efficient processor with its included VIA Padlock Securit Engine, VIA CoolStream™ Architecture,
VIA StepAhead™ Technolog Suite, and VIA TwinTurbo™ technolog .
The VIA VB8001 includes sizeable support of up to 4 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 memor and native
support for SATA (3 Gbps) storage devices. The VIA VB8001 provides support for high fidelit
audio with its included VIA VT1708A High Definition Audio codec. High-bandwidth connectivit is
supported with the included two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet port, and COM port on the back
panel.
The VIA VB8001 can be implemented in a wide range of embedded and media applications with its
host of included onboard connectors. It supports for up to two SATA (3 Gbps) devices in RAID and
non-RAID configurations. The VIA VB8001 can be further enhanced with an external PCI Express
graphics card via its 16-lane PCI Express slot and a host of other expandabilit options.
The VIA VB8001 is compatible with a full range of Mini-ITX chassis as well as FlexATX and
MicroATX enclosures and power supplies. The VIA VB8001 is full compatible with Microsoft
®
and
Linux operating s stems and is available in a variet of configurations.

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VIA VB8001 Layout

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VIA VB8001 Specifications
Model Name VB8001
Processor VIA Nano 1.6 GHz NanoBGA2 processor with FSB 800 MHz
Chipset - VIA CN896 North Bridge
- VIA VT8237S South Bridge
System Memory - 2 x DDR2 667 / 533 DIMM slot
- Up to 4 GB memor size
VGA - VIA Chrome9™ HC Integrated Graphics with 2D/3D and Video Accelerators
Expansion Slots - 1 x 16-Lane PCI Express slot (Gen 1)
- 1 x 32-bit Mini PCI slot
Onboard IDE - 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 connector
Onboard LAN - VIA VT6130 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Onboard Audio - VIA VT1708A High Definition Audio Codec
Onboard Super I/O - VIA VT1211 LPC Super I/O
Onboard I/O Connectors - 2 x SATA connectors
- 2 x Fan pin connectors: CPU / S s FAN
- 3 x USB pin connectors for six additional USB 2.0 ports (one supports VIA
WLAN module)
- 1 x Serial port pin connector for COM2 (5V / 12V selectable)
- 1 x LPC connector
- 1 x CIR pin connector (switchable with KB / MS)
- 1 x FIR pin connector (IRDA 1.0)
- 1 x SMBus connector
- 1 x S/PDIF out pin connector
- 1 x Front Panel Audio pin connector (MIC and Line-out)
- 1 x Front Panel connector
- 1 x ATX Power connector
Back Panel I/O - 1 x PS2 mouse port
- 1 x PS2 ke board port
- 1 x Serial port
- 1 x VGA port
- 1 x RJ45 LAN port
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports
- 3 x Audio jacks: MIC-In, Line-In, and Line-Out
(with Horizontal and Smart 5.1 support)
BIOS Award BIOS, SPI 4/8 Mbit flash memor
Operating System Windows XP, Linux, Win CE, XPe
System Monitoring &
Management
- CPU/S stem voltage monitoring
- Watch Dog Timer
- Wake-on-LAN, Ke board-Power-on, Timer power-on
- AC Power failure recover
Operating Temperature 0°C ~ 50°C
Operating Humidity 0% ~ 95% (relative humidit ; non-condensing)
Form Factor - Mini-ITX (6-la er)
- 17 cm x 17 cm
Note: This specification is subject to change without prior notice.

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VIA VB8001 Processor SKUs
The VIA VB8001 is available in two speed grades as follows:
•VIA Nano 1.6 GHz NanoBGA2 Processor

VB8001 Operating Guide
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VIA CN896 Chipset Overvie
The VIA CN896 Chipset is designed to enable high qualit digital video streaming and DVD
pla back in a new generation of fanless, small form factor PCs and IA devices. The VIA CN896
North Bridge features the VIA Chrome9™ HC IGP with 2D/3D graphics and video acceleration,
DDR2 667/533/400 MHz support, motion compensation and dual displa support to ensure a rich
overall entertainment experience. Outstanding connectivit features include USB 2.0, Gigabit LAN,
SATA (3 Gbps), and ATA/133.
800 MHz FSB
Gigabit Ethernet
VT6130

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VIA VB8001 I/O Back Panel
The VIA VB8001 mainboard comes in the ultra compact 17 cm x 17 cm Mini-ITX form factor. Its
integrated design supports most of the standard legac x86 connectivit options including PS/2
mouse port, PS/2 ke board port, COM port, VGA port, RJ45 LAN ports, USB 2.0 ports, and audio
jacks.

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VIA VB8001 Dimensions

VB8001 Operating Guide
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VIA VB8001 Height Distribution

VB8001 Operating Guide
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Po er Consumption
Power consumption tests were performed on the VIA VB8001. The following tables are a
comprehensive breakdown of the voltage, amp and wattage values while running common s stem
applications.
VIA VB8001
A. Playing DVDs ith Po erDVD 5.0
Measured Voltage Measure Amp Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.350 1.145 3.836
Main Board +5V 5.039 3.268 16.467
Main Board 5VSB 5.014 0.048 0.241
Main Board +12V 12.136 0.209 2.536
Total Power Consumption 23.080
B. Playing MP3s ith Windo s Media Player
Measured Voltage Measure Amp Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.344 1.184 3.959
Main Board +5V 5.025 3.857 19.381
Main Board 5VSB 5.005 0.063 0.315
Main Board +12V 12.135 0.209 2.536
Total Power Consumption 26.192
C. Running Net ork Applications - Copying Files
Measured Voltage Measure Amp Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.354 1.151 3.860
Main Board +5V 5.040 3.365 16.960
Main Board 5VSB 5.017 0.047 0.236
Main Board +12V 12.139 0.206 2.501
Total Power Consumption 23.556
D. Idle State
Measured Voltage Measure Amp Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.365 1.145 3.853
Main Board +5V 5.069 2.322 11.770
Main Board 5VSB 5.028 0.049 0.246
Main Board +12V 12.129 0.215 2.608
Total Power Consumption 18.477

VB8001 Operating Guide
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E. Running C.C. Winstone 2004
Measured Voltage Measure Amp Watts
Main Board +3.3V 3.346 1.127 3.771
Main Board +5V 5.019 4.001 20.081
Main Board 5VSB 5.010 0.046 0.230
Main Board +12V 12.143 0.203 2.465
Total Power Consumption 26.547
F. S3 Mode
Measured Voltage Measure Amp Watts
Main Board +3.3V 0.001 0.038 0.000
Main Board +5V 0.097 0.040 0.004
Main Board 5VSB 5.044 0.248 1.251
Main Board +12V 0.006 0.016 0.000
Total Power Consumption 1.255

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Po er Specifications
The VIA VB8001 mainboard utilizes an industr standard 20-pin ATX power connector for
connecting to the power suppl . Due to its ultra low power requirements, a 90 – 120 Watt ATX
power suppl is ample for even the heaviest of multimedia s stem applications.
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1 +3.3V 11 +3.3V
2 +3.3V 12 -12V
3 Gnd 13 Gnd
4 +5V 14 PS_ON
5 Gnd 15 Gnd
6 +5V 16 Gnd
7 Gnd 17 Gnd
8 PW_OK 18 -5V
9 +5V_SB 19 +5V
10 +12V 20 +5V

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VIA VB8001 Microsoft and Linux Driver Support
M ICROSOFT D RIVER S UPPORT
The VIA VB8001 mainboard is compatible with Microsoft operating s stems. The latest Windows
2000 and Windows XP drivers can be downloaded from the VEPD website at
www.viaembedded.com.
For embedded operating s stems (Windows CE.NET and Windows XP Embedded), the related
drivers can be found in the VIA Arena website at www.viaarena.com.
L INUX D RIVER S UPPORT
The VIA VB8001 mainboard is highl compatible with man Linux distributions.
Support and drivers are provided through various methods including:
•Drivers provided b VIA
•Using a driver built into a distribution package
•Visiting VIA Arena website at www.viaarena.com for latest updates on a monthl basis
•Installing a third part driver (such as the ALSA driver from the Advanced Linux Sound
Architecture project for integrated audio)
For OEM clients and s stem integrators developing a product for long term production, other code
and resources ma also be made available. You can submit a request either through the
Developers portal at VIA Arena, or through our VEPD support contact. Alternativel , VIA can work
further towards providing additional drivers to fit our specific needs.

VB8001 Operating Guide
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Contact
For more information on the VIA VB8001 Mini-ITX mainboard contact our sales representative or
visit our website at www.viaembedded.com
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