ASRock Rack makes a video card with an M.2-2280 form factor. It is a GPU for servers, which must be placed in an M.2 slot. The module comes with a cable and bracket with VGA connection.
The module is called M2_VGA and is made by ASRock Rack, ASRock’s business unit that focuses on server components. The M.2-2280 plug-in includes a Silicon Motion SM750 controller. It has a simple GPU and 16MB DDR1 of vram. The GPU can handle a maximum resolution of 1920×1440 pixels.
ASRock includes a bracket with VGA connection, which is connected to the GPU via pins on the pcb. There are also pins on the module to connect a 5V power plug. According to ASRock, the M.2 video card consumes 1.49 watts.
The M2_VGA is intended for use in servers and embedded systems. Many server processors do not have a built-in GPU. Server motherboards are often equipped with a built-in GPU, with a similar controller to the one ASRock uses on the plug-in card. The M2_VGA module is useful for motherboards that do not have that. A suggested retail price of the GPU module has not been disclosed.
ASRock’s M.2 video card is not the first of its kind. Innodisk already presented a similar product at the end of 2018, but with the Silicon Motion SM768 controller with 256MB vram and support for a maximum 4k resolution at 30Hz.