Industrial motherboards feature a simpler and more efficient design, making them easier to use and eliminating unnecessary additional components found with commercial motherboards. Furthermore, due to their design and standard form factor, industrial motherboards have a lower overall cost in the long run, making them easier to upgrade and maintain.
This is because they are designed specifically for industrial applications, and therefore versatility and durability are taken into account during design and manufacturing, so that their reliability and durability are sufficient to last for many years.
Here are some common differences between industrial and commercial motherboards.
Versatile and compatible inputs or outputs
For industrial applications, having the latest I/O configuration isn't always the best choice. One drawback of commercial motherboards is that they only focus on the latest I/O trends, such as adding a large number of USB Type-C inputs. However, in industrial applications, computers and machines often need to support a variety of I/O options that support legacy technologies.
Legacy technology support is crucial because it reduces upgrade costs and addresses compatibility issues in industrial systems. Therefore, industrial motherboards can be configured to support a variety of I/O options for legacy technologies that are typically not supported by commercial motherboards.
Industrial motherboards still support these traditional I/O inputs, including DIO, GPIO, VGA, DVI, PCI slots, ISA slots, COM ports, serial ports, etc.
Furthermore, the industrial motherboard also supports connectivity features through upgrades such as adding Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and 5G connectivity via external cards through Mini PCIe slots, which are routed to onboard SIM card slots. This demonstrates the versatility and compatibility of the industrial motherboard in industrial applications.
Industrial motherboards have a longer lifespan
Unlike typical commercial motherboards, industrial motherboards are constructed from durable and reliable industrial-grade components to extend their lifespan. All parts used in the manufacture of industrial motherboards are carefully selected, including specific capacitors, resistors, reactors, and many other items.
Even when deployed in harsh environments, industrial motherboards offer superior electrical performance and more stable system performance. Therefore, by using industrial-grade components, industrial motherboards can last up to 5 to 7 years. These additional steps help reduce RMA (Recovery Cost of Ownership), extend product lifecycles, and lower the total cost of ownership.
Can be used within the extreme temperature range
To survive in the harshest environments, industrial motherboards can withstand extreme temperatures. Extremely low and high temperatures are a concern for conventional commercial motherboards because their construction cannot withstand such thermal stress.
In contrast, industrial motherboards can be deployed in cold winters with temperatures as low as -40°C and can also survive in hot environments up to 85°C. To ensure their durability, industrial motherboards are tested in controlled equipment temperature and humidity testing chambers to ensure they are not limited by extreme temperatures and humidity.
Conformal coating enhances motherboard durability
Some industrial motherboards can also opt for conformal coatings to increase their durability and lifespan. A conformal coating is a method of applying a thin polymer film to the PCB to enhance the protection of printed circuit board components.
This coating enhances the motherboard's resistance to dust, moisture, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Conformal coatings on motherboards are only necessary for specific applications and deployments, as doing so can be costly.
