ASRock Industrial introduces Compact Mini-PCs Empowered by Ryzen 8040

ASRock Industrial, a leading manufacturer of industrial computing solutions, has recently launched its latest innovation in the form of the 4X4 BOX 8040 Series Mini PCs and 4X4 8040 Motherboard Series. These devices are powered by the AMD Ryzen 8040 Series APUs and are designed to deliver exceptional performance and AI capabilities.

The 4X4 BOX 8040 Series Mini PCs boast up to 8 “Zen 4” cores and 16 threads, along with AMD Radeon 700M graphics. With the integration of AMD Ryzen AI featuring 16 NPU TOPS, these Mini PCs offer a remarkable 1.6x increase in AI processing performance compared to their predecessors. Furthermore, with support for dual-channel DDR5 5600 MHz memory up to 96 GB, these devices provide a seamless and efficient user experience.

In terms of connectivity, the 4X4 BOX 8040 Series Mini PCs offer a range of options. They support 4K quad-display outputs, thanks to two HDMI 1.4b and two DisplayPort 1.4a ports. Additionally, users can benefit from five USB ports, including two USB4 ports, accommodating dual storages, and dual LAN up to 2.5G. Wi-Fi 6E support ensures high-speed wireless communication.

One of the standout features of the 4X4 BOX 8040 Series is its significant speed boost coupled with lower power consumption. This makes it an ideal choice for accelerated generative AI workloads, as well as various applications such as content creation, gaming, entertainment, office productivity, and commerce.

ASRock Industrial offers versatile selections within the 4X4 BOX 8040 Series, including the 4X4 BOX-8840U and the 4X4 BOX-8640U. These models are powered by the AMD Ryzen 8040 Series, specifically the Ryzen 7 8840U and Ryzen 5 8640U, respectively. With the integration of CPU, GPU, and NPU, the AMD Ryzen AI delivers impressive performance, reaching up to 1.6x surge in AI processing and a notable 40% speed increase in running AI LLM models compared to previous-generation AMD APUs.

The 4X4 8040 Motherboard Series, also powered by the AMD Ryzen 8040 Series APUs, offers a compact form factor in a 4X4 size. Key features include support for two SO-DIMM DDR5 5600 MHz memory modules up to 96 GB. The series is equipped with reliable communication options, including one 2.5G LAN and one 1G LAN, as well as wireless capabilities through one M.2 Key E (2230) with PCIe Gen4x1. With AMD Radeon 700M Graphics, the motherboard series supports stunning visuals with 4K quad-display outputs.

Dual storage options are available with one M.2 Key M (2242/2280) and one M.2 Key M (2242) with PCIe Gen4x4 for SSD. The motherboard series excels in I/O connectivity and expansions, offering two USB4 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen2 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and one COM (TTL-3V) connector. With a wide range of operating temperature and flexible power input, these motherboards are optimized for various use cases.

The arrival of the 4X4 BOX 8040 Series and 4X4 8040 Motherboard Series powered by AMD Ryzen 8040 Series APUs brings AI PCs to the forefront of computing. With enhanced computing speed, graphics performance, and AI processing power, these devices provide an ideal platform for generative AI applications and workloads. Whether it’s for home, business, or embedded use cases, the 4X4 BOX 8040 Series and 4X4 8040 Motherboard Series offer unparalleled performance and capabilities. For more detailed information, please visit ASRock Industrial’s product pages.

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Background Information

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About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About ASRock: ASRock is a important player in the computer hardware industry, particularly known for its wide range of innovative computer products. The company specializes in manufacturing motherboards, graphics cards, and mini-PCs that cater to diverse user needs, from gaming enthusiasts to professional content creators. ASRock's commitment to quality and technology has earned it a solid reputation among PC builders and users alike. With a focus on delivering high-performance components and reliable solutions, ASRock continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of computing technology.

  

Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

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DisplayPort: DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is primarily used to connect a computer to a monitor or other display device such as a television. DisplayPort is capable of delivering high-resolution video and audio, as well as providing power to connected devices. It is also capable of daisy-chaining multiple displays together, allowing for a single connection to multiple monitors. This makes DisplayPort a popular choice for gamers, video editors, and other users who require multiple displays. DisplayPort is also used in many laptops and tablets, allowing for a single connection to a monitor or other display device. It is also used in many modern TVs, allowing for a single connection to a computer or other device.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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LLM: A Large Language Model (LLM) is a highly advanced artificial intelligence system, often based on complex architectures like GPT-3.5, designed to comprehend and produce human-like text on a massive scale. LLMs possess exceptional capabilities in various natural language understanding and generation tasks, including answering questions, generating creative content, and delivering context-aware responses to textual inputs. These models undergo extensive training on vast datasets to grasp the nuances of language, making them invaluable tools for applications like chatbots, content generation, and language translation.

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M.2: M.2, also known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a computer expansion card format that is designed to replace the outdated mSATA standard. It is thinner and longer than mSATA, which gives it a much higher data transfer rate. The M.2 format measures 22mm in width and can measure up to 110mm in length. It uses the M-key and B-key connectors to interface with PC host systems, and can connect to both SATA III and PCIe for data transfer. Due to its small size, M.2 is often used for ultra-slim laptops and netbooks, as well as in embedded SSDs for tablets and other mobile devices. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the desktop computer industry, thanks to its compactness and fast transfer speeds. This makes M.2 ideal for gaming PCs, workstations, and other demanding applications that require high levels of data throughput.

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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Radeon: AMD Radeon, a product line by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), consists of graphics processing units (GPUs) recognized for their strong performance in gaming, content creation, and professional applications. Powered by innovative technologies like the RDNA architecture, Radeon GPUs deliver efficient and powerful graphics processing. The brand also supports features like FreeSync, enhancing visual fluidity and reducing screen tearing during gaming. Moreover, AMD Radeon GPUs embrace real-time ray tracing for heightened realism in lighting and reflections. With a balance between price and performance, Radeon competes with NVIDIA's GeForce graphics cards and remains a popular choice for a wide range of users.

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SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation

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Wi-Fi 6E: WiFi 6E is the latest iteration of the WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and improved performance. It is designed to take advantage of the newly available 6GHz frequency band, which is much less congested than the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This means that WiFi 6E can provide faster speeds and more reliable connections, even in crowded areas. It is also more secure, as it uses the latest encryption standards. In the computer industry, WiFi 6E can be used to provide faster and more reliable connections for laptops, tablets, and other devices. It can also be used to provide better coverage in large buildings, such as offices and universities. Additionally, it can be used to provide better connections for streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, as well as for gaming.