AsRock E3C256D4I-2T Mini-ITX Server Motherboard

Overview

The AsRock E3C256D4I-2T is a single-socket LGA1200 Mini-ITX server motherboard built for compact server, network video recorder, and edge-compute builds where rack or enclosure space is tight but you still need server-class I/O. At 11.00 x 9.50 x 2.50 in and roughly 2 lbs, the E3C256D4I-2T fits into 1U short-depth chassis and small-footprint appliance enclosures that a full ATX or even Micro-ATX server board can't touch. This is a board for integrators building custom recording servers, VMS appliances, or edge analytics nodes who need dual 10GbE networking and server-grade reliability features in a mini-ITX footprint. The E3C256D4I-2T (often searched as E3C256D4I 2T) is manufactured in China and ships as a bare motherboard for system builders and integrators assembling their own chassis.

Key Features

• Single Socket LGA1200: accepts Intel's LGA1200 socket CPU lineup, giving you a straightforward upgrade and sourcing path when specifying processors for a recording server or edge-compute node — no exotic socket to hunt parts for.
• Mini-ITX Form Factor (11.00 x 9.50 x 2.50 in): the compact footprint means this board drops into short-depth 1U rack chassis or small fanless enclosures, which matters when your rack space or NVR appliance housing is already constrained.
• Dual 10GbE Networking (2T in the model name): onboard 10-gigabit ethernet ports remove the need for a separate add-in NIC card — a real advantage in a mini-ITX build where PCIe slot space is scarce and every expansion slot counts toward GPU, capture cards, or additional storage controllers.
• ~2 lb Board Weight: a light board simplifies shipping logistics and reduces stress on chassis standoffs during transport and field installation, a small but real consideration for integrators shipping pre-built appliances to remote sites.
• Compact 2.50 in Depth Profile: keeps the board clear of typical short-depth server chassis constraints, useful when retrofitting a mini-ITX server board into an existing enclosure designed around limited internal clearance.

Integration & Compatibility

The E3C256D4I-2T targets system integrators pairing it with LGA1200-compatible processors and standard Mini-ITX chassis and power supplies. Dual 10GbE onboard networking makes it a fit for bandwidth-heavy roles — recording servers ingesting multiple high-resolution IP camera streams, iSCSI storage targets, or edge nodes bridging to a 10GbE backbone switch — without consuming a PCIe slot on a NIC. If you're speccing a full recording appliance around this board, pair it with server-grade memory rated for your target CPU and verify chassis airflow, since Mini-ITX server boards run hot components in a small volume. For broader platform context when comparing server motherboard options, review the AsRock server motherboard catalog alongside a network video recorders category page if you're building a custom VMS or recording server around this board. A PoE network switches pairing is worth planning if the 10GbE ports will uplink to a camera network, and a VMS architecture buying guide is useful background before finalizing the rest of the build.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What CPU socket does the AsRock E3C256D4I-2T use?

A: The E3C256D4I-2T uses a single LGA1200 socket.

Q: What form factor is the E3C256D4I-2T?

A: It's a Mini-ITX motherboard measuring 11.00 x 9.50 x 2.50 in and weighing approximately 2 lbs.

Q: Does the E3C256D4I-2T include onboard networking?

A: Yes, the board includes dual 10GbE networking, reflected in the "2T" designation in the model name.

Q: Where is the E3C256D4I-2T manufactured?

A: The board's country of origin is China.

Q: Is the E3C256D4I-2T sold as a complete server or as a bare motherboard?

A: It ships as a bare Mini-ITX motherboard for integrators to build into their own chassis with a compatible LGA1200 CPU, memory, and power supply.

Marty Allison

I spec a lot of custom recording servers, and the E3C256D4I-2T's dual 10GbE onboard networking is the detail that jumps out first — on a board this size, that's real engineering discipline. The model number tells the story: E3C256D4I-2T, with the "2T" referring to the twin 10-gigabit ports built into the board.

Technical Highlights:

• Single LGA1200 Socket: straightforward, well-supported Intel socket for sourcing CPUs without chasing discontinued or exotic parts.
• Mini-ITX Footprint (11.00 x 9.50 x 2.50 in): fits short-depth 1U chassis and compact appliance housings where a full ATX server board simply won't physically fit.
• Dual 10GbE Onboard: frees up your limited Mini-ITX PCIe slot for a storage controller or capture card instead of burning it on a NIC.

Deployment Considerations:

• At roughly 2 lbs and a shallow 2.50 in depth, this board is built to drop into space-constrained enclosures — measure your chassis clearance before ordering a case.
• This ships as a bare board — budget separately for a compatible LGA1200 CPU, server-rated memory, chassis, and power supply before it's rack-ready.

I'd spec the E3C256D4I-2T for a compact VMS recording server or edge analytics box where you need 10GbE camera or storage bandwidth but only have room for a 1U short-depth chassis.