12gen N-series Nas motherboard (topton, cwwk, ... )

[Steffe]

(example)

Motherboard core features
Inte® 12th Generation Alder Lake-N low-power processor
Standard 17x 17 Mini-ITX form factor compatible with market 115x series radiators
Dual M.2 NVMe x1 signal (PCle3.0) 2280 size
6 SATA3.0 onboard (JMB585 chip) 6Gbps high-speed hard disk interfaces
4 Intel i226-V 2.5G network card chips
1 SO-DIMM DDR5 4800 memory slot compatible with 5200/5600MHz
HDMI2.1+DP1.4b supports dual display 4K@60Hz
1 USB3.0+2 USB2.0+1 USB-C 2.0 signal
1 Realtek-ALC897 2-in-1 3.5mm audio interface
1 PCle x1 slot supports expansion cards (shares signal with the second M.2)

Specifications
Motherboard features: Matte black PCB
Processor: High-density moisture-free fiber 8-layer circuit board
Memory: full protection (supports all USB, audio sources, network interfaces)
Processor:
Intel Alder Lake-N N95 4 (Threads: 4) 6M Cache,Up to 3,4 GHZ
Intel Alder Lake-N N100 4 (Threads: 4) 6M Cache,Up to 3.4 GHZ
Intel Alder Lake-N N200 4 (Threads: 4) GM Cache,Up to 3.7 GHz
Intel Alder Lake-NI3-N305 8 (Threads: 8) 6M Cache,Up to 3.8 GHz
Memory:
Support notebook DDR5 memory technology
1*SO-DIMM DDR5 memory slot
Compatible with DDR5 4300/5200/5600MHz
Maximum capacity of a single memory: 32GB
TDP: 9-15W
Storage:
6xSATA3.0 6Gb/s interface
SATAI is native (2-6SATA interface is expanded by JMB585)
2*M.2 NVMe x1 signal 1*(2280)
Network card: 4*Intel i226-V2.5G RJ45 network port
Graphics card:
N95 integrates Inner Super Core graphics card; 16EU
N100 integrated Intel super calibrated graphics card; 24EU
N200 integrated Intel ultra-core core card; 32EU
i3-N305 integrated Intel UHD graphics; 32EU
HDMI2.1 interface supports 4K@60Hz
DP1.4b interface supports 4K@60Hz
Onboard interface:
1*FPANEL pin
1*TPM pin (compatible with 14-pin SPl ASUS TPM module)
1*USB2.0 pin
1*CPU_FAN CPU fan 4pin socket (with temperature control)
1*SYS_FAN system fan 4pin socket (with temperature control)
1*24+4 ATX power interface
1*USB2.0 socket (double-layer USB)
1*PCle x1 socket (the signal is shared with the second M.2, choose one of the two)
IO panel:
2*USB2.0
1*USB3.0
1*Type-C (2.0 rate)
1*HDMI
1*DP
4*RJ45 2.5G network port
1*AUDIO two-in-one 3.5mm audio interface
Structure:
MINI-ITX specifications; 6.7-in x 6.7-in, 17.0cm × 17.0cm
All solid capacitor design
Operating system:
Compatible with Microsoft@Windows 10/11 64-bit
Compatible with Linux
Only supports UEFI modlinks:

Links

CWWK N100/i3-N305 six-bay NAS monster board/4x 2.5G/6x SATA3.0/2x M.2 NVMe/115X radiator ITX board type motherboard

Motherboard core features Inte® 12th Generation Alder Lake-N low-power processor Standard 17x 17 Mini-ITX form factor compatible with market 115x series radiators Dual M.2 NVMe x1 signal (PCle3.0) 2280 size 6 SATA3.0 onboard (JMB585 chip) 6Gbps high-speed hard disk interfaces 4 Intel i226-V 2.5G...

cwwk.net

https://a.aliexpress.com/_ms6mb2G

Power consumption guesstimate
N305: idle 9-12, max 36 watts
N100: idle 10.5-12 max 23 watts

Jmb585: 2-4 watts

Ref: https://www.servethehome.com/almost...nless-intel-i3-n305-2-5gbe-firewall-review/4/ and https://www.servethehome.com/fanless-intel-n100-firewall-and-virtualization-appliance-review/4/



Performance

https://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_processor_n100-vs-intel_core_i3_n305

https://www.servethehome.com/almost-a-decade-in-the-making-our-fanless-intel-i3-n305-2-5gbe-firewall-review/3/

 

[HSM3]

I just stumbled across this board. I'm looking to replace my 5105 based NUC. Now I just need to decide between the N100 or n305. That or hold out for a ZimaCube

 

[youddha]

Thanks for creating that thread. I ordered one from cwwk store (on AliExpress) still waiting of course. On the other thread i saw someone asking about the "motherboard" version vs. the "NAS" version. It was also unclear to me so I asked CWWK. Basically the NAS version comes with a fan (115x) and the "motherboard" not - wordings might have change since. Both have the copper plate (according to vendor). I recently saw that other vendor are carrying the board with clearer options. On other vendor they give the choice between a generic fan/radiator or a jonsbo radiator. As far as i could search (dec 2023) no one propose to sell ram+ssd with it yet.

 

[Steffe]

What made you choose to buyfrom CWWK compared to TopTon? Is there any difference?

Edit: Dont think so apart from having more options on included fan.

 

[youddha]

When I ordered ,they were the only vendor to sell it on AliExpress, topton and kingnovy store have only recently added it to their store. Also I think that CWWK is the manufacturer and Topton is "just" a popular reseller. At least that's what I understood from reading about the n6005 board. It was not a real choice...

 

[Steffe]

For inspiration, my setup will be:
CWWK I3-N305 SIX-BAY NAS MONSTER BOARD/4X 2.5G/6X SATA3.0/2X M.2 NVME, JONSBO FAN (from cwwk.net - supposely ddp delivery and no tax for costumers)
Jonsbo N2 Mini-ITX Case - Black - Cabinet + Noctua fan
Chieftec Smart Series SFX-250VS 250 Watt
Kingston FURY Impact SO DDR5-5600 C40 SC - 32GB
6 cable SATA3.0, 0.5m, one end bend
1 cable SATA3.0, 0.5, straight (not sure if this is really necessary...)

 

[flobert]

Nice board. How was the power consumption of the N305 compared to the N100? Thinking of getting this board for my new unRaid server.

 

[Steffe]

From similar boards: https://www.servethehome.com/almost...nless-intel-i3-n305-2-5gbe-firewall-review/4/ and https://www.servethehome.com/fanless-intel-n100-firewall-and-virtualization-appliance-review/4/

N305: idle 9-12, max 36 watts
N100: idle 10.5-12 max 23 watts

 

[Dr.FrankenHouse]

From similar boards: https://www.servethehome.com/almost...nless-intel-i3-n305-2-5gbe-firewall-review/4/ and https://www.servethehome.com/fanless-intel-n100-firewall-and-virtualization-appliance-review/4/

N305: idle 9-12, max 36 watts
N100: idle 10.5-12 max 23 watts

Yesterday I bought the n100 model, but this data change everything! Does anyone have other comparison? Because if that data are confirmed I try to switch to the n305 (more power and less watts in idle it's a dream!)

 

[youddha]

"CWWK pc store" on Ali has a great offer right now (dec 2023) for the board: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EI7VDTL. "Great" compare to other resellers. 223€ for the N305 with the cheap[est] fan (after EU VAT price rebate). I haven't seen better elsewhere.
The seller is responsive in the chat.

 

[HSM3]

Does anyone know the model of the Jonsbo fan & radiator they are now offering in that link?

 

[Steffe]

Does anyone know the model of the Jonsbo fan & radiator they are now offering in that link?

Sure looks like 乔思伯JONSBO

 

[HSM3]

Sure looks like 乔思伯JONSBO

Thanks!

I've never ordered anything from Aliexpress. I'm in WA state. Think I'll have additional duty on top of that N305 $227 price?

 

[Steffe]

I don't know how it works in US. In EU they are adding it upon arrival. CWWK said that if I ordered from their website, then they would handle it. Well, let's see. I paid $289 so far. Normally they write an amount to be taxed that is much lower. It's a hit and miss.

 

[HSM3]

I don't know how it works in US. In EU they are adding it upon arrival. CWWK said that if I ordered from their website, then they would handle it. Well, let's see. I paid $289 so far. Normally they write an amount to be taxed that is much lower. It's a hit and miss.

Thanks! I have asked via chat on CWWK's site about the possibility of additional fees. No answer as of yet.

 

[jimbothigpen]

1*PCle x1 socket (the signal is shared with the second M.2, choose one of the two)

Would this PCIe slot have the bandwidth to support a 10gbe card? The lack of 10gbe is the only thing keeping me from building a 3-node cluster up around this motherboard.

EDIT: For instance, with one of these OWC PCIe 4 x1 10gbe cards: OWC 10G Ethernet PCIe Network Adapter
Which is actually x4 size, but only uses x1, so it'd also need an x1 to x4 adapter...

 

[Steffe]

10gbit = 1.250GB/s. So with pci 3.0 x1 =800GB/s something.

You will probably have a hard time finding such a card. Some have used adapters here: Using 10Gb adaptor in PCIe 1x slot (An Unraid 10Gb journey)

Here's a 4.0 x1 card, that will fit and maybe just run slower: OWC 10G Ethernet PCIe Network Adapter Expansion Card at MacSales.com

Just guessing here. I am not an expert on this.

(Imo going for 10gbe is really expensive and overkill for a homenas setup.)

Edit: corrected pcie to duplex.

 

[jimbothigpen]

Yeah, a bit more research on my part leads me to believe I can get a theoretical maximum 8gbps out of the PCIe 3 x1. I've found a super sketchy 10gbe M.2 card for $35, AQC107-based. Since it fits in an M.2 slot and doesn't require the PCIe slot, this could let me use the N5105/N6005 version of the NAS board, shaving a few more dollars off my setup, which I'll promptly spend on RAM (since the N5105/N6005 supports 64GB, as opposed to the 32GB on the N100/N305). Probably really pushing my luck with this, but what the hell, for the price of a night at the local, I'll give the M.2 card a chance, even if I can't push 10gbps through it.

I am curious about how they pull off the dual 10gbe on the motherboard described here: https://www.servethehome.com/new-4x...l-core-firewall-and-virtualization-appliance/ -- that has the 6 SATA ports on the motherboard, as well as 4 x 2.5gbe and 2 x 10gbe.

 

[Steffe]

Yes, Jasper lake has two DDR4 slots, each up to 32gb ram. Alder lake only one DDR5 which is a bit quicker and less power hungry. 32GB is the current maximum, but 64GB memory has been presented.

Saving the bucks for something else does make sense.

I am curious about how they pull off the dual 10gbe on the motherboard described here: https://www.servethehome.com/new-4x...l-core-firewall-and-virtualization-appliance/ -- that has the 6 SATA ports on the motherboard, as well as 4 x 2.5gbe and 2 x 10gbe.

Overall more powerful cpu with more pcie lanes and configurations: Intel Core I7 10510U And Core I5 10210U

Example Intel® Core™ i5-10210U Processor (6M Cache, up to 4.20 GHz) Product Specifications

 

[Rttg]

10gbit = 1.250GB/s. So either half speed bidirectional or slight below max speed one-directional.

FTFY - since PCIe is duplex, just like ethernet.