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.
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Looks like a competent enough piece of kit, but where do you get UEFI updates?
Exactly, and it’s the same for all these no-names. Cheap hardware, but limited (or no) software support for long term. I had a router-type minipc based on Intel E3845. I had to ask the seller for a BIOS upgrade via email and I downloaded it from gdrive or something…
Whenever possible, I would get a used micro/pico pc thingie from Dell/HP/Lenovo. Unfortunately, they’re focused on the office market, so for NAS/server stuff, one has to look elsewhere.
From what I’ve seen, with these qotom, topton and friends, it’s mostly a matter of luck: you can get a board that’s unreliable for reasons ranging from fan PWM thresholds to DRAM timings, but you can also get a very reliable one and regret not to have bought more at the same moment. For a home usage it can quickly become a bit expensive and troublesome if you’re unlucky, but for a business who needs 10s to 100s of these, it can be a nice cost saver that is worth investing some time.
My E3845 qotom-like router has been performing without any glitches until a power outage. After that, it wouldn’t start anymore. Not sure if it’s the PSU or something on the motherboard got fried. I just decided to get a Lenovo M720q as a replacement and used it in a router-on-a-stick setup together with a switch.
I’m not security obsessed, but if I was in a position to decide which devices to get for my company, I’m not sure I’d pick these types of products over the more established Dell/HP/Lenovo.
Looks like a good price for the features!
Radxa has teased the Radxa N150 and its IO board on X: https://x.com/RadxaComputer/status/1938208293803159821
It’s similar in a sense as it’s based on Intel N150 with six storage bays, but that’s for M.2 SSDs. Other features include 5GbE and 2.5GbE, HDMI and DisplayPort video outputs, and some USB ports.
It’s less flexible since the memory is on the CPU module itself and maxes out at 16 GB LPDDR5. No product page yet…
This would be great if the CPU had more PCIe lanes; the N series with it’s 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes looks a bit poor
It’s about time to start looking ahead to Wildcat Lake. There have been leaks and Intel code for it.
Actually, I didn’t realize it but we already have a leak for the lanes: PCIe 4.0 x6. Less lanes (unless there are additional), but the equivalent of PCIe 3.0 x12.
Intel Panther Lake and Wildcat Lake specs have been leaked: up to 16 CPU cores and 12 Xe3 GPU cores
Sound Open Firmware 2.13 Released With Intel Panther Lake & Wildcat Lake Support
I recently bought this board on Amazon. Does anyone know where to get BIOS updates? I contacted the seller trying to create a USB update disk. HKUXZR 1 * 10G 2*i226-V 2.5G 3LAN… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DX9JCCZT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I just bought the N305 version but I can’t get Proxmox current to recognise any of the NIC. Trying Debian, OMV and OPNSense to see if any of them work…
That’s odd. Those are basically the same chips (Intel i226-V and Marvell AQC113C) as on the iKOOLCORE R2 Max, and I had no problem when installing Proxmox VE: https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/12/17/ikoolcore-r2-max-review-10gbe-on-an-intel-n100-mini-pc-with-openwrt-qwrt-proxmox-ve-ubuntu-24-04-and-pfsense-2-7-2/#proxmox-ve-installation-and-configuration
Nevermind. It was me, or rather a slightly dodgy Rj45 connector (installed by myself on infrastructure cable, sigh) with one intermittent lane. In fact it all works fine.
I was able to get an updated BIOS via email thru the vendor. I had to build a AMIBIOS flash disk like this. https://gist.github.com/willglynn/b1204c593e96bdda5086597ee8a6db8d. I had to put the correct files in the folder locations on the drive. Also, was getting black screens in the BIOS which my be due to OMV using a intel driver that was not working. I updated the intel driver per this thread. https://www.reddit.com/r/MiniPCs/comments/1htxoi6/beelink_mini_s13_intel_n150_linux_driver_issues/
backports were already enabled, journalctl was not showing errors afterward like before.
ul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/adlp_dmc.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/adlp_dmc.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/adlp_dmc.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: Direct firmware load for i915/adlp_dmc.bin failed with error -2
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/adlp_dmc_ver2_16.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/adlp_dmc_ver2_16.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/adlp_dmc_ver2_16.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: Direct firmware load for i915/adlp_dmc_ver2_16.bin failed with error -2
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] Failed to load DMC firmware i915/adlp_dmc.bin (-ENOENT). Disabling runtime power management.
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: [drm] DMC firmware homepage: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_70.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_70.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_70.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_70.1.1.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_70.1.1.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_70.1.1.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_69.0.3.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_69.0.3.bin (-2)
Jul 02 10:16:18 pw-trunas kernel: i915 0000:00:02.0: firmware: failed to load i915/tgl_guc_69.0.3.bin (-2)