DFI Unveils ATX Motherboard ICX610-C621A

[btarunr]

DFI, the global leading provider of high-performance computing technology across multiple embedded industries, unveils a server-grade ATX motherboard, designed for Intel Ice Lake platform, powered by the 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, and equipped with ultra-high speed computing that can support up to 205 W. ICX610-C621A also comes with built-in Intel Speed Select Technology (Intel SST), which provides an excellent load balancing between CPUs and multiple accelerator cards to effectively distribute CPU resource, stabilize computation loads and maximize computing power. As a result, it improves the performance by 1.46 times compared to previous generation.

Featuring powerful performance, the offers three PCIe x 16, two PCIe x8 slots and one M.2 Key and enables ultra-performance computing, AI workload and deep learning, specifically for high-end inspection equipment, such as AOI, CT, and MRI application. The ICX610 also supports ECC RDIMM up to 512 GB 3200 MHz enhances high end performance for advanced inspection equipment and improves efficiency.



Regarding the AI inference performance, with the boost from Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) and Vector Neural Network Instructions (VNNI), the inference for production line and medical inspection equipment has been improved by 1.56 times compared to the previous generation, producing more accurate and reliable automated inspection result.

Through the upgraded 10 Gbps high-speed network, large high-resolution images can be quickly transmitted, accelerating the communication and cooperation between machines (M2M).The ICX610-C621A can help equipment manufacturers and users to further realize true Industry 4.0 automation.

Highlight Features:
Main features of ICX610:

• The 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with the Intel C621A chipset
• Various expansion ports: 3 PCIe x16 (Gen 4), 2 PCIe x8 (Gen 4), and 1 M.2 M key

Main applications:

• Factory automation
  • AOI flaw detection
  • AI imaging
• Healthcare
  • Medical imaging
  • AI diagnostics and assistance

For more information, visit the product page.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Dragokar]

I wish they would come back to retail.....

 

[qubit]

DFI were a fantastic enthusiast brand and I still miss them. They got out of the market just as I was building my current 2700K rig in 2011 and choosing a motherboard, unfortunately. They were a bit like Abit with their unique features. Maybe they'll return one day, hopefully.

 

[jinxjx]

Yep, Dfi, this also reminds me of EpoX boards.......hey, im not that old......

 

[silentbogo]

I'm wondering if I'll ever see Lanparty reboot... It'd fit perfectly into my CM Cosmos, as soon as I "modernize" the front IO

 

[Jism]

DFI were a fantastic enthusiast brand and I still miss them. They got out of the market just as I was building my current 2700K rig in 2011 and choosing a motherboard, unfortunately. They were a bit like Abit with their unique features. Maybe they'll return one day, hopefully.

It was actually due to Intel and AMD that "stopped" third party makers like Nvidia to create AM2/AM3 chipsets and so on. Because of that the market pretty much collapsed.

These days a motherboard is only the interconnect(s). The CPU holds the chipset.

 

[qubit]

It was actually due to Intel and AMD that "stopped" third party makers like Nvidia to create AM2/AM3 chipsets and so on. Because of that the market pretty much collapsed.

These days a motherboard is only the interconnect(s). The CPU holds the chipset.

Yes, they took out the market for third party chipsets, but motherboards are still required and special features can still be added. Can't see this having been the reason why DFI pulled out.

 

[bug]

I wish they would come back to retail.....

Yeah, it's still hard to say just DFI, without immediately adding LanParty

 

[PLAfiller]

I have no knowledge of industrial, but why so many LAN ports? What's the plan for them?

 

[Chomiq]

I have no knowledge of industrial, but why so many LAN ports? What's the plan for them?

Redundancy.

 

[silentbogo]

It was actually due to Intel and AMD that "stopped" third party makers like Nvidia to create AM2/AM3 chipsets and so on. Because of that the market pretty much collapsed.

I don't think that has anything to do with that. Just a few years back I thought they were gone completely, but a few press releases later it appears that they are doing not just good but great. The only difference, is that they've switched their attention to 100% embedded and industrial after GE acquisition.

I have no knowledge of industrial, but why so many LAN ports? What's the plan for them?

It's essentially a server board. Servers need moar LANz. You have your typical 1xIPMI + 2x 1GbE, and since this is marketed for inference you get a dual 10GbE connection for all the visual data that'll be flowing in from all kinds of IP cameras, robots, or industrial inspection equipment.
And even beyond CV and AI, it's kinda becoming norm. My ISP friend now has identical LAN setup on most of his servers, after he bugged me for a couple of years to do gradual upgrades. 2x10G on dedicated SFP+ NICs for client traffic, 2x1G for internal network, and 10M IPMI is currently hanging cause his stupid and stubborn admin does not want to use it(even though it'll solve abouot 90% of hiccups they have with setup/maintenance tasks).
Also don't forget that those interfaces can be bonded, which basically means "moar LANz - moar speed!".
....or as one mysterious leather-jacketed guy used to say: "The more you buy..."

 

[bug]

I don't think that has anything to do with that. Just a few years back I thought they were gone completely, but a few press releases later it appears that they are doing not just good but great. The only difference, is that they've switched their attention to 100% embedded and industrial after GE acquisition.

AMD and Intel tightened the grip on mobo designs (rightfully or not, I do not know) and when they weren't allowed to customize as much, many makers saw their margins eroded. Some folded, some chose to focus on something else.

 

[silentbogo]

AMD and Intel tightened the grip on mobo designs

Yet, the likes of BIOSTAR, Elitegroup, and all-too-familiar MSI, ASUS and Gigabyte survived just fine doing the exact same thing they were doing 15 years ago.
I think the only one that crumbled at the time due to this particular issue were BFG, while all other players were in the deep wa-a-a-a-ay before Nforce was discontinued. That was the time when Foxconn were already pulling out of consumer segment altogether and focusing on just making stuff (ODM/OEM), that was the time when Epox and Abit were already irrelevant. Not sure if I forgot to mention some other notable companies, but I think that's all of them that matter for grasping the picture. Nforce got canned - but not much changed. Heck, my most favorite Lanparty boards don't even use Nvidia chipsets.

 

[bug]

Yet, the likes of BIOSTAR, Elitegroup, and all-too-familiar MSI, ASUS and Gigabyte survived just fine doing the exact same thing they were doing 15 years ago.

Yes, but these weren't the ones doing much customizing. The victims of that were Abit and DFI. Asus, Gigabyte and MSI were mostly meh at the time (also EPOX), with Biostar and ECS being regarded as Chinese wannabes.

 

[darksf]

Yep, Dfi, this also reminds me of EpoX boards.......hey, im not that old......

Epox RDA3 still rockin here with Barton 2400Mhz OC it runs the latest and greatest titles for 2004 without trouble Yeah not that old since we are not arguing can DX4 beat a Pentium , I believe we are still good

It was actually due to Intel and AMD that "stopped" third party makers like Nvidia to create AM2/AM3 chipsets and so on. Because of that the market pretty much collapsed.

These days a motherboard is only the interconnect(s). The CPU holds the chipset.

Nobody stopped anybody , last iterations of nForce from 400 to 900 series had some serious issues especially with the SATA that were never resolved like ever resolved if you want to use SATA II. This and other aspects was were the AMD chipsets beat them to death and had more stable drivers. There have always being some issues with VIA and nForce( except nforce 2) chipsets. VIA 133 - 133A and probably 266 and 333 didn't have a proper AGP port implementation making Savage S3 and other video cards unusable on them there was nothing like this on the Intel and the only AMD chipset of the time.

but yeah I miss DFI and Epox i still have their 20+ years old boards working and 2 death ASUSes with 990x and FX chipsets.