The ASRock DeskMini 110 platform debuted at the end of June, and its reception has been excellent. Being a "barebones" system, the user must add other components like memory, storage, and the processor. That last one is what brings us here. Thanks to a new BIOS update, the DeskMini 110 and its H110M-STX motherboard are now ready to receive the upcoming Intel Kaby Lake processors on the LGA 1151 socket.
We all know that computer sales are declining due to several factors. The advance of mobile devices, longer hardware lifecycles, and stagnation in terms of performance top the list. We also notice decreasing flexibility in certain models, though this can be avoided with a classic resource: building our own computers. But we no longer see ivory towers. Performance enthusiasts choose their components carefully, but overall size is a very relevant detail for many users. That's when solutions like the ASRock DeskMini 110 come in.
Micro-STX and Connectivity
The official page describes a computer based on the Micro-STX form factor, also known as "Intel 5 x 5", a midpoint between the Intel NUC and the classic Mini-ITX. The DeskMini 110 achieves greater integration through M.2 slots, one E-2230 key for WiFi and Bluetooth modules, and another M-2280 key with PCIe x4 interface for solid-state drives. Additionally, there are two 2.5-inch bays in the case, VGA, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, several USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, including one Type-C, and two SO-DIMM DDR4 slots with a maximum combined support of 32 gigabytes. The power supply is 120 watts (external), but the maximum TDP recommended by ASRock is 65 watts for the processor.
Kaby Lake Support
Which brings us to the latest news. The DeskMini 110 motherboard accepts Intel processors under LGA 1151 socket, so its current ceiling is the Core i7 6700 chips from the Skylake architecture. However, with the help of a recent BIOS update (the latest version is 1.50), the DeskMini 110 is in an ideal position to receive the Kaby Lake processors that Intel should launch during the first quarter of next year. The average price of the DeskMini 110 is 170 euros.
