Topton N18 is a mini-ITX motherboard powered by either an Intel Processor N150 Twin Lake CPU or a Core i3-N305 Alder Lake-N SoC, and suitable for NAS and networking applications with six SATA ports, a 10GbE RJ45 port, and two 2.5GbE jacks.
The motherboard also features a DDR5 SO-DIMM socket for up to 64GB memory, two M.2 PCIe sockets for NVMe SSD storage, HDMI and DisplayPort video output, and up to eight USB ports via ports and internal headers.
Topton N18 specifications:
- SoC (one or the other)
- Intel Processor N150 quad-core Twin Lake processor @ up to 3.6 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel UHD graphics @ 1.0 GHz; TDP: 6W
- Intel Core i3-N305 octa-core Alder Lake-N processor @ up to 3.8 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 32EU Intel UHD Graphics @ 1.25 GHz; TDP: 15W
- System Memory – Single-channel DDR5 SO-DIMM slot fitted with up to 32GB RAM; upgradeable to 64GB with compatible module
- Storage
- 2x M.2 Key-M PCIe sockets for M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs (up to 2TB)
- 6x SATA III 6 Gbps ports
- MicroSD card slot
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort; dual independent display support
- Audio
- Realtek HD codec
- 1x Line-out jack, 1x Mic-in jack
- Audio header and amplifier header
- Networking
- 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 port via Intel i226-V controllers
- 10GbE RJ45 port via Marvel AQC113C controller
- Optional WiFi and Bluetooth via M.2 CNVi module
- Optional 4G LTE cellular connectivity via M.2 socket and SIM card slot
- USB
- 2x USB 2.0 ports
- USB 3.0 port
- USB Type-C port
- 2x USB 2.0 interfaces via internal header
- 2x internal USB 2.0 Type-A ports
- Serial – COM port header
- Security – TPM connector
- Misc
- 4x LAN LEDs
- Front panel connector
- CPU fan connector
- System fan connector
- CMOS coin-cell battery
- Power Supply
- 24-pin ATX connector – 300W PSU or greater recommended
- 4-pin ATX connector
- Dimensions – 170 x 170mm (mini-ITX motherboard)
- Temperature Range – Operating: 0°C ~ 60°C; storage: -20°C ~ 70°C
The SATA III and Marvell AQC113C 10GbE controllers are both fitted with a heatsink for cooling, and the Intel CPU is cooled with a fansink. The company only mentions Windows 10 and Linux support, but it’s clear Windows 11 should also be supported on modern Alder Lake-N/Twin Lake SoCs. Since it looks especially well-suited as part of a NAS setup, operating systems like TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, or Unraid should also work well. The platform would also be a suitable candidate for a multiple OS setup through Proxmox VE, as we’ve done with the iKOOLCORE R2 max mini PC.
The silkscreen on the mini-ITX motherboard reads “MW-N100-NAS”, and it appears to have been available since last year with the Intel N100, before being upgraded to the Intel N150 and Core i3-N305 CPU. How long exactly? At least a year, as I’ve just realized I wrote about the MW-N100-NAS motherboard last July…
It’s now available under the Topton, Kingnovy, SZBOX, and other brands on AliExpress for $139 and up, but the N100 model is indeed gone, and only the N150 and Core i3-N305 variants are up for sale. I could also find the N150 model on Amazon for $195. As a side note, it looks like a perfect fit for the Auriga 6-Bay NAS mini-ITX chassis pictured below and sold for about $145 on AliExpress.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress. We also use affiliate links in articles to earn commissions if you make a purchase after clicking on those links.
