The Element: Intel's curious computer with a PCIe interface that looks like a graphics card

Introduced by Intel the The Element system, a complete computer in graphics card format and with a PCIe interface.

Within the world of computing, we can find all kinds of solutions, depending on the user's needs. With the average user's needs in mind, Intel offers the NUCs , quite interesting compact systems. The company's latest solution is a prototype of a compact system called 'The Element'. A PCIe-based system that allows for the development of completely modular computing systems.

This solution from Intel is a prototype of a solution that you intend to commercialize in the future. A solution that would be connected to a motherboard, we do not know if it is special or any of the ones we find on the market. We see that it has an 8-pin PCIe connector for power and multiple connection ports.

The Element, the curious system developed by Intel

Although it looks like a graphics card with a blower fan, it's far from it. The Element has a processor (presumably with an integrated GPU), RAM, and a storage drive. This system also features two Ethernet ports, two Thunderbolt ports , four USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and even a headphone jack.

Excessive data has not been given regarding these systems, but it would be intended for ASICs, servers or for Artificial Intelligence.

Those who are developing 'The Element' are the engineers of the division of compact and small-sized systems. The idea they have is to break with the typical systems and do something different and striking.

The system called The Element has a BGA Xeon processor, of which nothing has been specified. This solution has two M.2 ports and two LPDDR4 SO-DIMM slots. Although the radiator of this system is very well hidden, we can see that it has a powerful blower fan. It has support for WiFi 6 and an internal Thunderbolt 3, in addition to the connectors specified above.

A modular and highly scalable solution

Intel hasn't specified the type of PCIe interface used, but this version looks like Gen3. Possibly we are far from a commercial version and work is already in progress on the PCIe Gen5 interface. Intel for PCIe Gen5 is developing CXL technology that will allow systems to be interconnected at high speed and operate as one. Some kind of NVLink but on steroids.

It's worth noting that Intel says the heatsink we see here won't be the one used in the final product. One of Anandtech's colleagues asked them about the possibility of a liquid cooling system. The company emphasizes that these will be customizable systems and that the cooling will be tailored to each manufacturer's needs.

The first commercial version of The Element (not its final name) would be for the first quarter of 2020. Possibly it will be delayed further and opt for 10nm processors and Intel Xe graphics. It will be a matter of waiting.