DFI X6-MTH-ORN fanless Edge AI Box computer combines 14th Gen Intel Core Ultra SoC with NVIDIA Jetson Orin AI module

DFI X6-MTH-ORN is a fanless Edge AI Box Computer that combines an NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX/Nano AI module with a 14th Gen Intel Core Ultra “Meteor Lake-U” 15W processor for AI-driven applications leveraging GPU computing, machine learning, and image processing.

It’s a fully modular computer with an Intel COM Express Type 6 or Type 10 module, an NVIDIA Jetson Orin module, and five M.2 sockets for expansion. The fanless embedded system takes up to 64GB DDR5 RAM, supports M.2 NVMe and 2.5-inch SATA storage, offers seven video outputs (3x HDMI, 3x DP+, VGA), and six Gigabit Ethernet ports. The X6-MTH-ORN is designed for industrial applications and environments with serial interfaces, wide 9V-36V DC input, and an extended -20°C to 60°C temperature range.

DFI X6-MTH-ORN specifications:

Meteor Lake-U SoC (one of the other)
- Intel Core Ultra 7 165U 12-core (2P+8E+2LPE) processor @ 1.7 / 4.9 GHz with 12MB cache, Intel 4Xe LPG graphics @ 2.0 GHz, Intel AI Boost NPU; TDP: 15W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155U 12-core (2P+8E+2LPE) processor @ 1.7 / 4.8 GHz with 12MB cache, Intel 4Xe LPG graphics @ 1.95 GHz, Intel AI Boost NPU; TDP: 15W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 135U 12-core (2P+8E+2LPE) processor @ 1.6 / 4.4 GHz with 12MB cache, Intel 4Xe LPG graphics @ 1.9 GHz, Intel AI Boost NPU; TDP: 15W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U 12-core (2P+8E+2LPE) processor @ 1.3 / 4.3 GHz with 12MB cache, Intel 4Xe LPG graphics @ 1.85 GHz, Intel AI Boost NPU; TDP: 15W
- All model features Intel Arc graphics with AV1 encode/decode, H.265 (HEVC) 8-bit codec, DX 12.1, OpenGL 4.6, oneAPI
AI accelerator
- NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX up to 100 TOPS
- NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano up to 40 TOPS (optional Type-A MXM supported)
System Memory – Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 via 2x 260-pin SO-DIMM slot
Storage
- M.2 2242/2280 M-key socket on Jetson module (PCIe x4)
- 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1024GB onboard SSD (available upon request on MTH968)
- Optional 2x 2.5-inch SATA tray kit, RAID 0/1 supported
Video Output
- Stacked type VGA and HDMI ports from COM Express module’s eDP through ITE IT6564FN DP to HDMI/VGA converter
- 2x more HDMI ports on the rear panel including one HDMI from the NVIDIA Jetson module
- 3x DP++ ports
Networking
- 6x gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports:
  - 1x RJ45 GbE from COMe
  - 1x RJ45 GbE from Intel i210
  - 2×2 stacked RJ45 GbE ports from 4x Intel i210
- Optional 2x 15W PoE via X103-PE30-48 expansion board
- Optional WiFi and cellular modules via M.2 sockets and SIM card slot
- 6x antenna holes
USB
- 2 x USB 3.2 from Type 6 or 2x USB 2.0 from Type 10 COM Express module
- 2x USB 3.2 ports
- 2x USB 2.0 ports from NVIDIA Jetson module
- 1x micro USB from NVIDIA Jetson module
Serial
- DB9 RS232/422/485 port
- Combo DB-9 RS232/422/485/ CAN bus/ GPIO port
Expansion
- M.2 3042/3052 B key (PCIe x2) socket with micro (or nano) SIM slot
- M.2 2230 E key (PCIe x1, USB 2.0) socket
- 2x M.2 2242/2280 M-key (SATA 3 and PCIe gen3 x1 for NVMe) sockets
- M.2 A key socket for DFI OOB device monitoring and management module
Security – TPM 2.0 on COM Express module
Misc
- AMI SPI BIOS
- LED indicators – Power Status, HDD activity
- RTC Battery
Power Supply – 9V to 36V DC input via 3-pin power terminal block
Dimensions – 250 x 65 x 150 mm (Aluminum + SGCC)
Weight – < 3.5 kg
Temperature Range – Operating: -20°C to 60°C (SKU dependent); storage: -40°C to 85°C
Relative Humidity – 5 to 95% RH (non-condensing)
Shock
- Operation
  - IEC 60068-2-27 Test Ea: Shock test
  - Half-sine, 3G @ 11ms, 18 Shock ±X, ±Y, ±Z (each axis 3 times)
- Non- Operation
  - IEC 60068-2-27 Test Ea: Shock test
  - Half-sine, 5G @ 11ms, 18 Shock ±X, ±Y, ±Z (each axis 3 times)
Vibration
- Operation
  - IEC 60068-2-64 Test Fh: Vibration board-band random test
  - Random,2Grms @ 5~500 Hz, 30min.
- Non- Operation
  - IEC 60068-2-6 Test Fc: Vibration Sinusoidal Test
  - Sweep sine, 3Grms @ 10~500Hz, 30min.
Certifications – CE, FCC Class A, RoHS, UL 62368-1
IP Rating – IP20

The DFI X6-MTH-ORN Edge AI embedded box PC supports wall mounting using brackets and screws, and the company can also provide a DIN Rail mount. DFI provides support for Microsoft Windows 10/11 and Ubuntu 22.04 Linux.

Intel Meteor Lake processors can deliver up to 32TOPS of AI performance when combining the CPU, GPU, and integrated NPU (itself up to 11 TOPS), and some products – such as the UP Xtreme i14 SBC – are making use of the Intel SoC’s AI capabilities. The DFI Intel Core Ultra system is designed for applications that require more AI performance with the addition of an up to 100 TOPS NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX module although I can also see they offer the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano that delivers 20 or 40 TOPS (Sparse). That’s not much more than the Intel SoC, so software support may also be a factor here with NVIDIA providing a wide range of SDKs.

All specifications are preliminary, so the DFI X6-MTH-ORN does not seem to be available just yet and was announced earlier at Computer 2024. Additional information may be found on the product page and in the press release.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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.