In what may be described as the boldest play yet in the world of small form factor computing, Iwill recently officially launched their ZMAXdp, a dual processor AMD Opteron based SFF system.

Starting as a mere rumor last summer, some thought that the ZMAXdp was simply a pipedream within the mind of Iwill?s engineers. After all, how could anyone manage to keep two server class Opteron CPU?s cool within the confines of a small form factor system? Further, was there even room on the motherboard for dual CPUs? But when pictures and news stories started to surface last fall, an engineering marvel became a reality.

After previewing two “engineering samples” and now reviewing the final shipping product, we can confidently say that the ZMAXdp continues to amaze us. As you?ll see later on during our environmental testing, not only does Iwill manage to keep these Opterons cool, but with an alarmingly low noise output. Combine that with server class performance and stability, and you?ve got one rock solid system.

The ZMAXdp is powered by dual AMD Opteron 200 series CPUs and sports the nVIDIA nForce3 Professional MCP chipset. The system requires ECC DDR400 or DDR333 SDREAM and supports up to 2GB of total system memory. With an 8X AGP slot, integrated 6 channel audio, built in gigabit Ethernet, support for a wireless via a mini-PCI slot, Serial-ATA with integrated RAID, and a massive 300 Watt PSU, there?s little more you could ask for.

Let?s begin with the overall system specifications.

Processor	Up to two AMD Opteron 200 Series CPUs w/ 800MHz FSB on 940-pin PGA Socket
Chipset	NVIDIA nForce3 Professional MCP
Memory	2 x 184 pin DDR ECC SDRAM up to 2GB at PC3200 (DDR400)
Audio	NVIDIA AC’97 v2.2 5.1 Channel Audio Controller + ALC655 Codec
LAN	NVIDIA MAC + Realtek RTL8110S Gigabit LAN Network Controller 10/100/1000Gbps
PSU	300W 110/230V AC
Dimensions:	350mm(L) x 210mm(W) x 222mm(H)
Parallel ATA	One UDMA-133 Dual Channel PATA Port
Serial ATA	nForce Serial-ATA Controller Supporting Two Ports With RAID 0/1
On-Board Video	None
PCI	1 x 33MHz
AGP	1 x AGP 4X/8X

Front Panel Connections

4 x USB 2.0 1 x Firewire 1394a (6-Pin) 1 x Mic In 1 x Headphone Out 1 x Power Button/LED

Rear Panel Connections

4 x USB 2.0 1 x PS/2 Mouse 1 x PS/2 Keyboard 1 x Audio Front Out 1 x Audio Rear Out 1 x Audio Center/Bass Out 1 x RJ45 LAN 1 x External Serial-ATA 1 x Serial (9-Pin) 1 x PCI Slot 1 x AGP Slot

Iwill has complemented the ZMAXdp with a typical lineup of accessories including dual Serial-ATA cables with right-angled connectors and a Molex power extension cable featuring dual Serial-ATA power connectors. Note, screws are mysteriously absent, make sure you have a full selection on hand from your components before you begin installation.

Documentation is more than adequate featuring a detailed User?s Manual, 802.11 wireless manual, and quick-start installation poster. This plus the ZMAXdp driver CD make for a complete package.

Before we see just what Iwill has hiding within the ZMAXdp, let?s take a closer look at the externals of this dual Opteron based SFF?

next > next > next > next > next > next > next > next > next >

---

• External Design (0 of 9)
• External Design Cont?d (0 of 9)
• Internal Design (0 of 9)
• Internal Design Cont?d (0 of 9)
• Thermodynamics and Cooling (0 of 9)
• Chipset & Bios (0 of 9)
• Testbench Setup (0 of 9)
• Benchmark Comparisons (0 of 9)
• Conclusion (0 of 9)