July 23, 2025 – The compact PC world is buzzing today as Sixunited, a rising name in specialized motherboard design, has officially pulled back the curtain on its highly anticipated STHT1 mini-ITX motherboard. This isn't just another small form factor board; it's the world's first mini-ITX platform purpose-built to harness the raw power of AMD's next-generation Ryzen AI "Strix Halo" processors, promising a revolution in ultra-compact, graphics-intensive computing without the need for a discrete GPU.
For months, enthusiasts have been captivated by AMD's Strix Halo (codenamed "Sarlak") leaks. This isn't your typical mobile chip. Strix Halo represents a radical shift, packing desktop-class core counts and an unprecedented integrated GPU into a single package designed for high-performance laptops and, now, thanks to Sixunited, incredibly powerful mini-ITX systems. The STHT1 is the key to unlocking this potential in the smallest of cases.
Unleashing the Strix Halo Beast
At the heart of the STHT1 lies the FP11 socket, specifically designed for the Strix Halo APU. This chip is rumored to feature:
- Up to 16 high-performance Zen 5 cores (plus potential efficiency cores).
- A monstrous integrated GPU based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, boasting up to 40 Compute Units (CUs) – performance potentially rivaling mid-range discrete graphics cards.
- A massive 256-bit wide memory interface for the iGPU, demanding cutting-edge RAM.
The STHT1 is engineered to feed this beast. It features four onboard SO-DIMM slots, supporting the latest LPDDR5X memory. This high-bandwidth, low-power memory is crucial for maximizing the Strix Halo's integrated graphics performance, far exceeding what traditional desktop DDR5 on a DIMM slot could provide for the iGPU.
Designed for Density and Power
True to the mini-ITX form factor (170mm x 170mm), the STHT1 packs impressive connectivity into its tiny frame:
- Dual USB4 (40Gbps) Ports: Offering Thunderbolt 3/4 compatibility, high-speed data transfer, and single-cable power/docking for monitors and peripherals. Essential for a compact powerhouse.
- PCIe 5.0 x8 Slot: While primarily designed for the Strix Halo's potent iGPU, this slot allows future expansion, potentially for ultra-fast storage or specialized cards.
- Robust Power Delivery: A significant VRM section with large heatsinks is visible, indicating the board is built to handle the substantial power demands of the top-tier Strix Halo chips under sustained load.
- Comprehensive Cooling: The board features multiple fan headers and appears designed with ample space for substantial CPU coolers, critical for taming the Strix Halo's thermals in a small case.
- Networking: Includes 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet for fast wired connections.
- Storage: Includes M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs (speeds TBC).
Community Excitement and Early Verification
News and images of the STHT1 first surfaced through renowned hardware leaker and reviewer @9550pro
on X (formerly Twitter). Their post showed the board in the flesh, confirming its existence and key features, sending shockwaves through the SFF (Small Form Factor) community. @9550pro
noted: "Sixunited STHT1 mini-ITX motherboard is finally here. The first Strix Halo motherboard... Testing is in progress."
See the reveal and early photos directly from
@9550pro
:
https://x.com/9550pro/status/1947485774020284868
Target Audience: The Ultimate Compact Powerhouse?
The Sixunited STHT1 targets a specific but passionate niche:
- SFF Enthusiasts: Builders obsessed with maximizing performance in the tiniest possible volumes (sub-10L or even sub-5L).
- Emulation & Retro Gamers: Seeking massive iGPU power for demanding emulators without needing space for a dGPU.
- Content Creators on the Go: Needing significant CPU and GPU power in a highly portable desktop setup.
- LAN Party Warriors: Wanting a lightweight yet extremely potent gaming rig.
- Quiet PC Advocates: Eliminating the dGPU also eliminates a major noise source.
Availability and The Future
Learn more about the STHT1 directly from Sixunited:
https://www.sixunited.com/ZB_deatail/334.html
Specific pricing and exact availability dates are still under wraps, but the reveal is a major milestone. Sixunited is known for catering to specialized markets, and the STHT1 positions them at the bleeding edge of integrated graphics performance in the mini-ITX space.
The success of the STHT1 hinges heavily on the final performance, pricing, and availability of the AMD Strix Halo processors themselves. However, one thing is clear: Sixunited has thrown down the gauntlet. The STHT1 promises a future where building a truly high-end gaming or creative PC in an exceptionally small box, relying solely on integrated graphics, is not just possible, but potentially dominant. The era of the dGPU-less powerhouse mini-PC is dawning, and Sixunited's STHT1 is leading the charge.
Stay tuned for benchmarks and full reviews once Strix Halo CPUs and the STHT1 hit the market later this year.
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