This is an embedded board, not a gaming rig or a Windows laptop motherboard. It still matters to Windows readers. It runs 64-bit Windows 11, and it shows how much of the Core Ultra 300 generation now fits into industrial and edge hardware.
What AAEON is shipping
The PICO-PTH4 comes in three processor configurations, according to CNX Software's spec list. Each is rated at 25 W processor base power.
| Processor | CPU layout | Graphics | NPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra 5 325 | 8 cores (4P + 4LPE), up to 4.5 GHz, 12 MB cache | 4-core Intel Graphics, 40 TOPS | 47 TOPS |
| Core Ultra 7 355 | 8 cores (4P + 4LPE), up to 4.7 GHz, 12 MB cache | 4-core Intel Graphics, 40 TOPS | 49 TOPS |
| Core Ultra X7 358H | 16 cores (4P + 8E + 4LPE), up to 4.8 GHz, 18 MB cache | 12-core Arc B390, 122 TOPS | 50 TOPS |
CNX adds that other SKUs are available on request. LinuxGizmos describes a four-option lineup. The Spanish outlet Geeknetic's spec table also lists a Core Ultra 5 338H, which does not appear in CNX's list. If you need a particular chip, confirm it with AAEON before you plan around it.
The 180 TOPS figure needs unpacking
The headline number is "up to 180 TOPS." AAEON gets there by combining the integrated Arc B390 GPU, the CPU and the NPU on the 16-core Core Ultra X7 358H. It is a platform total, not an NPU score.
The NPU on that chip is rated at 50 TOPS. The GPU contributes 122 TOPS. That leaves the CPU's share at roughly 8 TOPS, which is simple subtraction on my part and not a published AAEON figure.
Software has to be able to use all three engines at once to approach the total. On the Core Ultra 5 and 7 variants, the NPU rating is 47 to 49 TOPS and the GPU adds 40. Neither lands near 180.
Memory, storage and expansion
- Memory: up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X-7467, per CNX. AAEON's release gives it as up to 7,467 MT/s.
- Storage: one M.2 2280 M-Key socket with PCIe Gen 5 x4 for NVMe SSDs.
- Wireless: an M.2 2230 E-Key socket (PCIe 4.0 x1 plus USB 2.0) for optional Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Extra PCIe: an FPC connector with PCIe 3.0 x4.
One practical change from earlier AAEON boards is that this one has no SATA. AAEON's release says the PICO-PTH4 forgoes the SATA slot typically found on AAEON's Pico-ITX boards. LinuxGizmos makes the same point. If your design depends on a SATA drive, this board won't suit it without a workaround.
The memory is soldered LPDDR5X, so you can't add RAM later. Choose the capacity carefully when you order.
I/O for edge and industrial builds
- Two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports using Intel I226 controllers. AAEON says one of them supports PXE boot. CNX's spec list shows Wake-on-LAN and PXE support in general.
- One HDMI 2.1 output, up to 3840 × 2160 at 60 Hz.
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, plus two USB 2.0 connections on an internal header.
- Two RS-232/422/485 serial interfaces on a header. Geeknetic's table says the 5 V, 12 V and RI options are set by bill of materials.
- A 4-bit programmable DIO. A separate header offers SMBus, I2C or timed GPIO, with SMBus the default.
- TPM 2.0, a watchdog timer, AMI UEFI/BIOS, a 4-pin CPU fan connector and a front-panel header.
Geeknetic's spec table lists a single HDMI output and no audio codec, eDP/LVDS or SATA. That points to a headless or single-display design. If your project needs multiple screens or onboard audio, check before you buy.
Power, thermals and environment
The board runs from 12 V DC. The default input is a 2-pin Phoenix connector, with a lockable DC jack as an option. It defaults to AT power mode.
With the X7 358H and 32 GB of memory, CNX lists typical draw of 4.56 A at 12 V and maximum draw of 6.65 A at 12 V. By my arithmetic that is about 55 W typical and about 80 W peak at the board level. These are vendor figures and I have not seen independent measurements.
The listed operating range is −20 °C to 70 °C, with storage from −40 °C to 85 °C. Humidity is rated 0–90% non-condensing. The vendor's MTBF figure of 1,300,259 hours is a statistical specification. It does not mean a single board will last 148 years.
CNX says AAEON recommends buying a separate $33 CPU cooler for best performance. Plan for cooling and enclosure airflow from the start. A 25 W-class chip in a tiny enclosure at 70 °C ambient is a thermal engineering exercise, not a plug-and-play job.
Operating systems and software
CNX reports support for Windows 11 64-bit and Ubuntu 26.04 with Linux kernel 7.0.0. LinuxGizmos says AAEON's current datasheet gives the Ubuntu kernel as 7.0.0-14. AAEON's release headline says the board has both Windows 11 and Ubuntu support. CNX says the product page hosts a datasheet, user manual, BIOS and Windows and Linux drivers.
For Windows shops, the useful point is that you can run a standard Windows 11 image on a Pico-ITX-sized industrial board. Integrators should confirm which Windows 11 editions and servicing options AAEON's drivers cover. I could not verify that from the material available.
Price and availability
CNX and AAEON's own coverage say the board is in mass production. Reported eShop prices are:
- Core Ultra 5 325: US$1,288
- Core Ultra 7 355: US$1,456
- Core Ultra X7 358H: US$3,065
AAEON's eShop page for a related Pico-ITX board showed the PTH4 as "As low as US$1,288.00", which matches the entry tier. Pricing and stock can change, so check the eShop before budgeting.
CNX describes these as sample prices. The jump from the 355 to the X7 358H is steep, at roughly $1,600. You're paying for the 16-core CPU, the 12-core Arc graphics and the higher AI ceiling.
Who this is for
- Robotics and machine-vision builders who need local AI inference without a discrete GPU, and who are comfortable with the cooling this requires.
- Industrial automation teams that need serial, GPIO and I2C/SMBus alongside two 2.5GbE ports.
- Windows-centric embedded developers who want one x86 Windows 11 target at the small end of the board range.
It is a poor fit for anyone who needs SATA, replaceable RAM, several display outputs or onboard audio.
Bottom line
The PICO-PTH4 shows Panther Lake moving into the embedded market in a very small package. The best reading of the spec is a capable edge-AI board with real industrial I/O, Windows 11 and Ubuntu support, and a price that reflects it. Treat the 180 TOPS figure as a ceiling that only the top configuration reaches, and only when software can use the CPU, GPU and NPU together. Before you commit, check the memory capacity, the lack of SATA and the cooling plan.