AMD Vega lives on: new NAS motherboard features Intel Kaby Lake-G with AMD GPU

An unusual processor repurposed for Network Attached Storage (NAS).

In 2018, something really interesting happened. Intel released its Kaby Lake-G processor, which was the only processor in the company’s history to feature integrated graphics from AMD. Not just any graphics, but the real RX Vega.

The Kaby Lake-G series featured as many as five variants, with the Core i7-8705 being the second SKU in the lineup featuring 4 cores and 8 threads up to 4.1 GHz. This was a 14nm processor designed for a 65W TDP.

Interestingly, the RX Vega M GL graphics that were added as a separate tile featured 20 Compute Units and, what’s even more interesting, HBM2 memory of 4GB . In fact, the package even had integrated Intel graphics (HD Graphics 630) with 24 Execution Units that used shared memory.

Topton N9 NAS Motherboard, Source: Aliexpress

Topton N9 NAS Motherboard Specs

• Ram : 2xSODIMM DDR4, max 64GB 2400MHz
• Storage : 1xM.2 2280 NVMe/SATA, 1xSATA3.0
• I/O : 8×2.5G RJ45 Intel i226-V, 3xUSB3.0, 1xType-C (data & display), 2xHDMI2.0, 1xAudio, 1xMIC, 1xDC-IN
• Pins : 2xUSB3.0 header, 2xDB9(RS232/422/485), 1xFront Panel, 1xAudio header, 1xM.2 2280 slot, 1x7pin SATA3.0, 1xM.2 2230 WiFi slot
• Radiator: 115X, 75 mm*75 mm(optional)
• Power supply :
  • 1. 1xDC-IN, 12-19V input, ≥150W recommended (not included)
  • 2. 1xATX CPU 4pins, 12-19V input
• Function : Support Auto Power on, Wake-on LAN, RTC, PXE etc

Topton N9 NAS Motherboard, Source: Aliexpress

In terms of specs, this processor is quite unconventional for NAS use. However, six years after its release, it might be precisely what some companies are seeking for affordable compute power.

The motherboard is specifically designed for a 17×17 ITX form factor and marketed as suitable for NAS, home firewalls, or routers. It supports the addition of two M.2 2280 drives and one SATA 3.0 device.

Onboard, there are eight Intel i226-V controllers for 2.5 Gbit networking . Users can also connect USB Type-C devices, two HDMI 2.0 monitors, and utilize an M.2 2230 slot for WiFi. It can be powered either through a DC 12-19 power supply or via an ATX 4-pin connector.

In terms of pricing, the barebone system without the fan retails for $289 , with the fan adding an extra $20 to the total cost.

Source: Aliexpress