Base Unit | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:25:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Base Unit | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Intel NUC 12 Extreme (Dragon Canyon) Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/intel-nuc-12-extreme-dragon-canyon-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/intel-nuc-12-extreme-dragon-canyon-review/#respond Thu, 24 Feb 2022 17:20:44 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=551435 Leo checks out the latest generation of the Intel NUC, sporting an i9-12900 and RTX 3070

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It may come as a surprise to you that this Intel NUC 12 Extreme packs a fully fledged Core i9-12900 desktop CPU as that marks a change from the laptop Core i9-9980HK processor that Luke encountered in his review of the Ghost Canyon NUC 9 Extreme. Then again, if you are familiar with Mega-Epic NUC mod performed by James where he installed a full custom loop cooling system, it is quite likely that nothing could surprise you ever again.

Features

  • 12th Generation Intel Core i9-12900 8P+8E (65W)
  • The CPU is pre-installed featuring the LGA 1700 Socket vPro platform
  • Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32EU)
  • 32 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-3200 MHz memory (supports up to 64GB)
  • Support for PCIe Gen5 x16 Graphics Cards
  • Backwards compatible with PCIe Gen4 and Gen3
  • Support for up to 3 PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSDs
  • 2x PCIe Gen4 from PCH, 1x PCIe Gen4 from the CPU.
  • User Addressable RGB lighting around the system and front logo plate. The logo plate itself is also swappable should an end-user or channel customer like to personalize the system further.
  • Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4.0 Type-C) ports
  • Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 + Bluetooth v5.1
  • Intel i225-LM 2.5gbe Network adapter
  • 10Gbe Network based on Marvell AQtion AQC113
  • Triple 92mm fans in roof
  • Power supply FSP SFX 650W Gold model FSP650-57SAB-A.

The barebones NUC kit consists of a case, power supply and compute unit and does not include a graphics card, memory or storage. The big change in Dragon Canyon is the move to a hybrid CPU that combines Performance and Efficient Cores and which you can learn about in our launch review of the Core i9-12900K HERE.

As you would expect in such a small form factor, the Core i9-12900 CPU uses significantly less power than the K version as a means of reducing the level of heat that need to be exhausted. While the nominal CPU power limit is 65W Intel offers you a number of options in its NUC Software Studio. The four power modes are:

Low Power PL1 35W, PL2 109W, Tau 28s
Balanced PL1 55W, PL2 109W, Tau 28s
Max Performance PL1 65W, PL2 109W, Tau 28s
Custom PL1 up to 65W, PL2 up to 221W, Tau up to 28s

 

At the heart of the Dragon Canyon Barebones system we have the new 12th Gen Eden Bay Compute Element that supports a Socketed 12th Gen CPU with Hybrid P- and E-cores. In addition we have a number of other features that are a significant change over the previous 11th Gen Beast Canyon NUC.

  • Dragon Canyon supports up a graphics card up to 12-inches in length with a PCIe Gen 5 interface where previously it was Gen 4.
  • There is support for up to three PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSDs and support for SATA SSDs has been dropped.
  • Dragon Canyon has Dual Ethernet with 10Gbit Aquantia and 2.5Gbit Intel

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Intel unveils NUC 12 Extreme ‘Dragon Canyon’ with up to Intel 12th Gen Core i9 processor https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/joao-silva/intel-unveils-nuc-12-extreme-dragon-canyon-with-up-to-intel-12th-gen-core-i9-processor/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/joao-silva/intel-unveils-nuc-12-extreme-dragon-canyon-with-up-to-intel-12th-gen-core-i9-processor/#respond Sun, 09 Jan 2022 12:22:51 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=545732 During CES 2022, Intel unveiled the successor to the NUC 11 Extreme compute module. Codenamed Dragon Canyon, the new NUC 12 Extreme will be powered by a 12th Gen Core i9 processor, bringing Alder Lake to Intel's extreme computing module. Cassandra Bodzak, Intel's marketing specialist, presented the NUC 12 Extreme and its specifications (via FanlessTech) …

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During CES 2022, Intel unveiled the successor to the NUC 11 Extreme compute module. Codenamed Dragon Canyon, the new NUC 12 Extreme will be powered by a 12th Gen Core i9 processor, bringing Alder Lake to Intel's extreme computing module.

Cassandra Bodzak, Intel's marketing specialist, presented the NUC 12 Extreme and its specifications (via FanlessTech) during the Intel client collaboration experience at CES 2022. The computing module was dismantled and presented on a wall, showcasing its components and core specs.

From the outside, not much has changed since the NUC 11. However, looking at its components, we see Intel is moving from the 11th Gen Core KB-series CPUs to the 12th Gen Core i7/i9 chips. That means that the socket was also replaced, in this case, with the LGA1700 desktop socket. In addition, the NUC 12 Extreme packs up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 memory and has up to 3x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, Thunderbolt 4 support, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, customisable RGB lighting on the front panel and 10G LAN, HDMI and USB 3.2 Gen2 ports.

Bodzak didn't mention the GPU options featured in the NUC 12 Extreme, but we expect Intel Arc GPUs will be on the list. The Intel NUC 12 Extreme is expected to release during this quarter.

KitGuru says: Considering the early specifications, the NUC 12 Extreme is looking like a highly capable mini PC. Would you consider using one of these as your main system? 

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Lenovo P620 Threadripper Pro 3975WX Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/luke-hill/lenovo-p620-threadripper-pro-3975wx-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/luke-hill/lenovo-p620-threadripper-pro-3975wx-review/#respond Mon, 26 Apr 2021 08:13:06 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=512747 Got 6 grand lying around and want to buy a workstation? The Lenovo P620 could be for you

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AMD's Threadripper consumer HEDT processors continue to be praised strongly for their excellent compute performance and connectivity options. But what if you want more than 256GB of memory? What if you want your RAM to run in 8-channel mode? What if you want more than 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes? Well… that's where Threadripper Pro comes in.

Video Timestamps:

00:00 Start
00:15 Some details/pricing
01:15 Star of the show – Threadripper Pro 3975WX
03:20 The CPU cooler
03:46 Memory setup / weird plastic shrouds with fans
05:27 AMD Radeon Pro W5700 GPU
07:00 Motherboard
08:55 Storage options
09:41 1000W PSU (Platinum) and custom setup
10:32 Luke's thoughts and I/O panels
11:22 The Chassis
11:40 Cooling and tool less design
12:35 Summary so far
14:02 Performance tests
16:49 System temperatures, power and noise testing
19:05 System under idle conditions – ‘rumbling’ noise we experienced
19:22 Pros and Cons / Closing thoughts

Primary Specifications:

  • 32-core AMD Threadripper Pro 3975WX processor
  • 128GB of 3200MHz ECC DDR4 memory in 8-channel mode
  • AMD Radeon Pro W5700 graphics card with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
  • WD SN730 256GB NVMe SSD
  • 1kW 80Plus Platinum PSU

We are examining the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 workstation that is built around Threadripper Pro and its 8-channel memory support. There are a few options for the base processor on Lenovo's website including 12, 16, 32, and 64 core options. Specifically, we are looking at the 32-core Threadripper Pro 3975WX chip and we are hoping that Lenovo can keep it running at the rated 3.5-4.2GHz speeds beneath that modestly sized CPU cooler.

Partnering this 280W TDP monster with its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes is 128GB of 8-channel DDR4 3200MHz ECC memory. While a 128GB installation is merely small-fry for Threadripper Pro, the 3200MHz modules running in 8-channel mode should allow for some excellent results in bandwidth-intensive tasks. Plus, you get a 1600MHz Infinity Fabric link for the Zen 2 cores.

I will, however, emphasise my dislike for Lenovo decision to deploy a 40mm fan and shroud to cool each DIMM bank. This seems unnecessary for a 128GB installation and merely adds additional noise and points of failure. Metal heatspreaders on the DIMMs would have been better, if enhanced cooling is deemed necessary.

Graphics comes in the form of an 8GB Radeon Pro W5700 blower-style card which we have already reviewed on KitGuru. That makes this an all-AMD system as far as the key components go. Another key benefit is ISV certification for the Lenovo P620. That point will be music to the ears of system buyers in a business environment with users who run software on the guaranteed support list.

Another point that will garner particular attention from prospective buyers is the display output connectivity. On its ‘pro-grade' card, AMD deploys five Mini-DisplayPort 1.4 connections and one USB-C port. That gives you convenient access to six total display outputs which is super. As highlighted in our review of the Radeon Pro W5700, you can power five 4K monitors or three 5K alternatives, making this an excellent workstation proposition.

Lenovo uses its own WRX80 motherboard to house the sWRX8 Threadripper Pro CPU. The power delivery solution looks competent and Lenovo's use of proper finned VRM heatsinks with passive cooling is to be commended. Six total PCIe Gen 4 slots are provided by the motherboard – four x16 bandwidth and two x8. However, only two x16 slots remain usable due to the slot spacing, and the top one will likely interfere with the RAM fan's header.

It is actually disappointing to see Lenovo offering up sub-par expansion slot capability. There is no clear way to use the 128 lane capability from Threadripper Pro. That is especially disappointing to users who will want multiple graphics card alongside high-bandwidth networking and storage devices. However, the limited expandability is a clear compromise from Lenovo's use of a compact chassis with just a couple of 80mm fans for intake and exhaust airflow.

At least you do get dual, cooled M.2 slots on the motherboard. One of those is occupied by a 256GB WD SN730 SSD in our install. Clearly, most users will want to adjust the storage configuration. But this is clearly a very subjective requirement, so I respect Lenovo for offering a basic, cheap drive for the baseline configuration.

Power is delivered by a 1kW 80Plus Platinum unit. Lenovo highlights 92% efficiency on the configurator page, but this is likely a mistake for 230/240V UK customers given the more stringent 80Plus Platinum requirements for those operating voltages. The PSU's tool-less design is absolutely superb and works very well; a single connector port feeds power from the unit through the motherboard where it is then distributed accordingly, including via break-out cables for PCIe and SATA connectors.

Connectivity for the system is just ‘OK‘. You get 10GbE Aquantia AQC107 networking onboard, but a secondary network adapter is disappointingly omitted. I would have liked to see a few more USB ports on the rear IO, including some in Type-C form and preferably 20Gbps high-speed rated. However, the front IO is excellent with four 10Gbps USB connections, two of which are Type-C. I also appreciated the system's included audio speaker when using the unit without a proper set of speakers.

The chassis build quality is good and feels very well-built given its compact form. Man-handling the hefty system is easy thanks to the front handle. And the internal tool-less design is excellent. Lenovo's configurator gives an option to upgrade to a side panel with key locking to prevent unauthorised access, which is good to see.

With that said, cooling certainly looks to be limited with just two 80mm intake fans on the chassis. The graphics card, CPU, PSU, and (annoyingly) RAM also have fans to take care of their own cooling. If you are thinking of adding a second high power GPU, though, the internals are likely to get very toasty.

Priced at around £5.5-6K inc. VAT in the UK (depending on the graphics card situation given current shortages), we are keen to see how Threadripper Pro performs in this reasonably compact workstation.

Detailed Specifications

  • Processor: AMD Threadripper Pro 3975WX (32 cores/64 threads, 3.5/4.2GHz, 280W TDP, 144MB L2+L3 cache, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, up to 2TB 8-channel DDR4-3200 ECC memory support)
  • Motherboard: Lenovo WRX80 Threadripper Pro Motherboard
  • Memory: 128GB (8x16GB) SK Hynix 3200MHz C24 ECC DDR4, Octa-channel
  • Graphics Card: 8GB AMD Radeon Pro W5700 (RDNA/Navi GPU, 36 compute units, 2304 stream processors, 205W TDP, 1183MHz base clock, 1750MHz GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus for 448GBps bandwidth)
  • System Drive: 256GB WD SN730 PCIe NVMe SSD
  • CPU Cooler: Lenovo dual-tower heatsink with 2x 80mm fans
  • Power Supply: 1000W 80Plus Platinum PSU
  • Case: Lenovo Thinkstation P620 Workstation
  • Networking: Aquantia AQC107 10GbE onboard
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Pro

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ASRock DeskMini H470W Review – 100C VRMs https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/asrock-deskmini-h470w-review-100c-vrms/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/asrock-deskmini-h470w-review-100c-vrms/#respond Wed, 17 Feb 2021 10:00:39 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=504203 Anyone looking for a barebones system to build a highly integrated Windows 10 PC may find themselves considering the ASRock DeskMini H470W. For just over £200 you get a tiny STX chassis and motherboard along with an external power supply of the type used with a laptop. You need to supply a 10th Gen Intel …

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Anyone looking for a barebones system to build a highly integrated Windows 10 PC may find themselves considering the ASRock DeskMini H470W. For just over £200 you get a tiny STX chassis and motherboard along with an external power supply of the type used with a laptop. You need to supply a 10th Gen Intel CPU, DDR4 SODIMMs and an SSD and could have your PC up and running for somewhere around £500.

Specification

  • Supports Intel 10th Gen LGA1200 processors, up to 65W
  • Dual DDR4-2933MHz SODIMMs, up to 64GB
  • Multi Video Outputs: 2 x DisplayPort, HDMI & D-Sub
  • 1x Alternate Mode USB Type-C
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C port
  • 1x Ultra M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 Slot
  • 2x 2.5-inch HDD/SSD Tray with RAID 0/1
  • 1x M.2 (2230) Wi-Fi Slot

 

As you will see in our video, once we had installed an Intel Core i5-10600 CPU we considered using a Silverstone NT08-115XP CPU cooler but were unable to proceed as the 80mm fan clashed with the ASRock STX case. As a consequence we followed ASRock's advice and used a stock Intel cooler for the first time in many years. Another point we mentioned during the build is that our 1TB WD Blue M.2 SSD was left uncovered and did not have the benefit of a heatsink. We made the build slightly more complicated by installing two 2.5-inch SATA SSDs on the underside of the motherboard tray, which led to a bit of fiddling around with the combined power and data cables.

Sliding the motherboard assembly inside the chassis is a simple procedure however we were grateful we were not using any of the optional accessories that provide RGB lighting, extra USB ports at the front or an extra audio jack at the rear. That would involve screwing the mounting bracket to the case, attaching the header to the motherboard and then trying to keep the cable(s) away from the fan on the CPU cooler.

Testing and Performance

System specification

  • Barebones: ASRock DeskMini H470W
  • Motherboard: H470M-STX
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-10600
  • Memory: 16GB Samsung DDR4-2133MHz SODIMMs
  • SSD: 1TB WD Blue M.2

We tested with the BIOS on default settings so our 65W CPU initially boosted to 75-80W and ran at 4.4GHz on all six cores before pulling back to 65W and 4.0GHz on all cores. CPU performance was snappy and responsive in day-to-day tasks such as using a browser, however you will have seen and heard in our video how the system struggled to cope with Adobe Premiere.

As we pointed out, the integrated Intel HD 630 graphics are low end and while they can handle video decoding they are of little use when it comes to gaming or other graphics-related tasks, and of course the ASRock DeskMini H470W does not support the use of a graphics card. This puts the emphasis on the CPU which is perfectly fine, until you start to stress the system with an intensive workload such as Blender.

Testing and Performance Overview

This creates a clear dividing line between customers who are perfectly happy paying £500-£600 for a tiny Windows PC that will only ever be used for light duties such as creating spreadsheets and presentations. On the other hand we have students who are trapped at home under lockdown and who find it impractical to create projects for school or university using a smart phone. That latter category will likely have found that a Chromebook lacks the grunt to power their applications and the next step is a cheap but fully featured Windows PC.

Unfortunately the ASRock H470M-STX motherboard has a rudimentary power delivery system that is based on a 3+1 configuration with Vishay SiC654A DrMOS 50A power stages. When we stressed our Core i5-10600 we were able to push the VRMs to an internal temperature of 100 degrees C which is somewhat disturbing.

This system supports 65W CPUs up to ten cores and it feels like ASRock would have been well advised to either include more power stages or to reduce support to 35W CPUs. The fact the heat sink on the VRMs is tiny merely demonstrates that power delivery was not a key aspect of the design of this motherboard.

Closing Thoughts

We need to address the key point in this review which is that we judge the VRMs on the ASRock H470M-STX motherboard to be wholly inadequate. You might consider this DeskMini H470W would work perfectly well with a Pentium Gold G6400 or Core i3-10100 and that would make a good deal of sense to us, however ASRock has shot their own fox.

For one thing the CPU support list goes all the way up to Core i9-10900, which makes very little sense to us. Then we have the extensive BIOS which is loaded with options we simply did not expect to see. One is Base Frequency Boost which allows you to raise the power limit from 65W in 5W steps up to 90W. Another option is to enable Performance Mode in the BIOS, depending on the power supply that is driving the DeskMini H470W. Our 120W unit allowed the system to draw 105W at the wall socket so we can only speculate what might happen if you instead used the maximum supported 180W power supply.

And finally we have the presumed support for Intel 11th Gen Rocket Lake. The rear M.2 slot on the motherboard is not supported with the current 10th Gen CPUs so we assume it will burst into life when Intel delivers 11th Gen in March. The snag here is that we expect the new Cypress Cove cores in Rocket Lake will demand more power than the current Skylake technology, which sounds like the exact opposite of what we would hope to see.

When you take these points together you end up in a very peculiar place. On the face of it the ASRock DeskMini H470W should be aimed squarely at businesses who want to buy cheap PCs from System Integrators that will install hardware that will treat the power delivery system kindly. Balanced against that we have a BIOS that appears to be aimed at the enthusiast market who might dabble with overclocking, potentially with a Core i9 CPU. Quite who might buy the accessory RGB lighting strip is a question that we are unable to answer.

You can buy the ASRock H470M-STX from Newegg for £220 HERE.

Pros:

  • STX form factor takes up very little space on your desk.
  • The hardware is cheap.
  • Decent selection of I/O ports on the front and rear.

Cons:

  • The motherboard VRMs are barely up to the job.
  • Options for CPU cooling are very limited.
  • The BIOS looks complicated and confused.

KitGuru says: ASRock DeskMini H470W requires an extensive overhaul, starting with the power delivery system.

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Intel NUC 9 Extreme (Ghost Canyon) Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/luke-hill/intel-nuc-9-extreme-ghost-canyon-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/luke-hill/intel-nuc-9-extreme-ghost-canyon-review/#respond Fri, 22 May 2020 12:12:40 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=467762 Intel NUC 9 Extreme offers a high-performance system in a 5L chassis - but at what cost?

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Intel’s NUC 9 Extreme is a sub-5 litre small form factor system based around the new Compute Element card. Housing a sixteen-thread Core i9-9980HK, up to 64GB of DDR4, and a graphics card as powerful as an RTX 2070, does the NUC 9 Extreme usher in a new era of SFF computing?

There are two fundamentally new areas to review with the Intel NUC 9 Extreme.

First is the Compute Element card. This is Intel’s PC-on-a-card approach whereby a soldered laptop-style Core CPU is housed on a motherboard with two SODIMM slots and a couple of M.2 connectors. The entire card is connected to a PCIe slot daughterboard and can then be used as the base of an entire functioning system.

Next up is the NUC 9 Extreme itself. Built around the aforementioned Compute Element card, Intel also deploys a PCIe baseboard, a miniature chassis, and the relevant partnering hardware such as a Flex-ATX power supply and cooling.

Intel’s NUC 9 Extreme chassis measures in at 238 x 216 x 96 mm – a volume of just under 5 litres. Two cooling fans are deployed in an innovative cable-free approach and power is provided by a 500W 80-Plus Platinum PSU. The baseboard houses the Compute Element card and offers up PCIe x16 and x4 expansion slots in addition to a 4-lane M.2 connection.

Importantly, and this is where the NUC 9 Extreme differs to previous NUC systems, the chassis and underlying design allows for a discrete PCIe graphics card to be installed and used with the system. Currently, the most powerful graphics card that can be used in the 8-inch space is the ASUS Dual RTX 2070 Mini. That’s certainly a sizeable improvement over previous NUC systems’ graphics capability, though you can get comparable power from gaming laptops.

Let’s take a closer look at the Intel NUC 9 Extreme and the configuration as supplied to us.

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AMD Threadripper 3990X and Gigabyte Aorus Real-World Workstation Build https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/luke-hill/amd-ryzen-threadripper-3990x-and-gigabyte-aorus-real-world-workstation-build/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/luke-hill/amd-ryzen-threadripper-3990x-and-gigabyte-aorus-real-world-workstation-build/#respond Mon, 30 Mar 2020 15:00:18 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=459568 Today we build a high-end workstation system based around the 64-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master motherboard, and two Aorus Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics cards... see how this beast performs in the real world!

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Today we build a high-end workstation system based around the 64-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X, Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Master motherboard, and two Aorus Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics cards. Rendering, video conversion, and heavy multi-tasking – we put the system through its paces and are rather impressed by the results – to put it mildly!

For full disclosure, Gigabyte reached out to us with regards to this project and offered up hardware to put to use for the video and testing.

Specifications:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte TRX40 AORUS Master
  • Graphics Cards: 2x AORUS Radeon RX 5700 XT 8G
  • Memory: AORUS RGB Memory 3600MHz 32GB (4x8GB) with Demo Kit
  • SSDs: AORUS NVMe Gen4 SSD 2TB & WD Black SN750
  • CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 + NF-A15 Push-Pull
  • Chassis: Fractal Design Meshify S2 Tempered Glass White
  • PSU: Seasonic Prime TX-1000 1000W
  • Test Monitor: AORUS CV27F 165Hz Gaming Monitor

Core to the system is AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 64-core processor. This really is an obvious choice for any high-end workstation build for our typical consumer/prosumer use cases; the chip is significantly faster than its nearest competitors.

With a focus on efficiency, we’ll be running at stock 280W TDP operation and letting Precision Boost 2 (not Precision Boost Overdrive) modulate the clock speeds.

Gigabyte’s TRX40 Aorus Master motherboard forms the backbone of our system. We reviewed this motherboard recently and were impressed by the overall design as well as the superb VRM components with a true 16-phase PWM controller.

Memory comes in the form of 32GB of Aorus RGB DDR4-3600 RAM with the added Demo Kit dummy RGB modules. Though 32GB proved to be perfectly adequate for many rendering tasks in the likes of Blender and Cinebench, it is an area that I would be keen to increase to 64GB for heavy multi-tasking with this processor.

Cooling is a straightforward choice. The best cooler that we have tested for the Ryzen Threadripper 3990X is the IceGiant Prosiphon Elite, however, the on-sale version is not yet available. As such, we will use the second-best CPU cooler that we have tested with the 3990X – Noctua’s U14S TR4-SP3. An additional NF-A15 PWM fan is added for push-pull configuration.

A couple of Aorus Radeon RX 5700 XT 8G graphics cards are deployed with the focus being put on GPU compute. We are not running CrossFire as this is not primarily a gaming system. Instead, the dual GPUs can be leveraged for tasks whereby GPU compute proves worthwhile, such as rendering.

There’s also the opportunity to set one GPU to heavy compute work and then leverage the other for a spot of gaming while the workload completes.

The 2TB Aorus PCIe Gen 4 SSD delivers around 5GBps sequential read speed and is a good choice for our heavy data/scratch SSD. We also use a WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD for the OS.

Power is delivered by the 80Plus Titanium-rated Seasonic Prime TX-1000 1kW unit. With a couple of RX 5700 XT graphics cards and the 280W Threadripper 3990X, a high-quality 1000W unit is a sensible choice. We saw wall power hitting around 850W, meaning that we are keeping the PSU in its stable, cool, and quiet operation window. But we also have some more room for a little overclocking.

The chassis of choice is Fractal’s Meshify S2 tempered glass edition in white. I am personally very fond of this case and it fits the E-ATX motherboard and accompanying hardware with relative ease. Quiet included 140mm fans and front panel USB Type-C are also useful features.

We are happy with the outcome of the build. I personally like the contrast brought about by Noctua’s beige and burgundy fans while the sleek black appearance of Gigabyte’s Aorus hardware works very well.

The right-angled 24-pin power connector made cable management slightly challenging in our chassis, but the 90-degree entry point made for a clean connection with the fat power cable.

RGB lighting from the Aorus memory looks very good in my opinion. The glow is subtle and not overpowering and it links well with the partnering hardware which also has subtle lighting. Gigabyte’s OS software can be used to change or turn off all lighting with ease.

The system performed very well with CPU and GPU rendering and heavy multi-tasking. I was particularly happy with the ability to run consecutive Handbrake video conversion queues by leveraging the 64-core processor. This is an area where a system such as this would really benefit in our day-to-day video editing workloads.

Make sure you check out the full video for a deeper look at performance and more discussion on YouTube HERE.

KitGuru Says: This was an enjoyable project and certainly helped put into perspective the sheer might of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X processor when used for multi-tasking. Thanks to Gigabyte for supporting this project with a variety of Aorus hardware that delivered the goods effectively.

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Shuttle XPC Cube SZ270R8 Barebones Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/paul-afxendi/shuttle-xpc-cube-sz270r8-barebones-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/paul-afxendi/shuttle-xpc-cube-sz270r8-barebones-review/#comments Wed, 22 Nov 2017 11:01:41 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=353006 It has been a while since we looked at a Shuttle barebones. Is this one any good?

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Today I will be looking at the Shuttle SZ270R8 Barebones. As a barebones it already includes components pre-installed such as a power supply, motherboard and a CPU cooler. The question is, does it justify the £350 asking price?

Specifications 

Chassis: Black brushed aluminium chassis

Motherboard: Z270 proprietary form factor

CPU support: 1151 socket Skylake or Kaby Lake

Hard drives: 4 x 3.5 inch or 3 x 3.5 and 1 x 2.5

M.2 support:  2 x M.2 2280 or 1 x 2230 and 1 x 2280 Optane ready

Graphics card compatibility:  280mm x 120mm

CPU cooler: Integrated cooling engine 2 ( ICE 2 )

Power supply: shuttle form factor 500watt silver rated

For more details please go to link: http://www.shuttle.eu/products/mini-pc/sz270r8/specification/

The Shuttle chassis opts for a minimalist approach, no lights or tempered glass just plain black brushed aluminium. It is rather beautiful in its own way.

The only piece of plastic I could find was along the side of the front panel, but the overall build quality is excellent. Keeping the minimalist approach, the front inputs are concealed by a fold down door where you have the two 3.0 USB ports – alongside the audio jacks.

The only lights on the exterior of the case are the power and HDD indicators on the front.  On both sides of the case you have long dust filtered vents which should help with air flow. There’s also one more vent hidden in a groove along the front panel – it is well hidden and I didn’t even realise it was there until I opened the case.

Once the case is open there is a hard drive cage which you have to remove to get access to the processor and memory. This hard drive cage supports 4 x 3.5-inch hard drives or 3 x 3.5 and 1 x 2.5 drives. This hard drive cage does limit Ram height to about 42mm. Once removed you can see the 92mm intake fan at the front, so good to know there will be cool air entering this case.

Now the motherboard that comes included with this barebones is based on the Z270 chipset, which basically means you can put anything from a Skylake to a Kaby Lake in here.

The motherboard is packed with features such as two M.2 drives, 1Gbps Ethernet, support for DDR4 memory with support for Octane memory. Curiously the motherboard also has two PCI E connectors @ 1 x 16 x and 1 x 4x – keep in mind there are only two expansion slots so if you are planning on using a high end graphics card you will lose the 4x connection.

The motherboard is a proprietary design – imagine a ITX board but longer. The benefits ? It allows you to access everything quite easily because it utilizes the bottom of the case nicely which otherwise would have been wasted.

The down side is they could have made the case a little smaller if they had included a regular sized ITX board.  Another point to mention is the location of the CPU socket – it is not centred and is placed underneath the hard drive cage which will make installing your own cooler difficult and you will also be height restricted.

On the bright side the Shuttle does support a regular sized ITX board so you always have that option. Luckily you should not have to install another CPU cooler because this barebones incorporates one designed for the motherboard layout.

The included integrated cooling engine 2 (or ICE 2 for short) is an interesting design.  There are 4 heat pipes leading to a heatsink that is pressed against the rear vent of the case, then a separate shroud with a 92mm fan that you slide on top and secure with 4 thumbscrews from the rear.

Installation of the cooler is made easier by the push pins mounting that you get on Intel’s stock coolers, which means you don’t have to remove the motherboard.

The incorporated cooler design ensures that heat directly leaves the chassis, which is a good idea considering the chassis is quite small. The cooler has a sticker saying it has a limit of 95watts which in real world terms is anything from a Pentium to the i7 7700k. Overclocking should be avoided completely.

On the left side of the case we find the last inclusion of the system which is the power supply. Once again Shuttle has not opted for a traditional form factor (ATX/SFX) but more a server grade unit. The upside is that it remains hidden and out of the way for the most part. Technically sound, the power supply is rated for up to 500 watts with 80 Plus silver certification.

There are 4 x Sata, 2 x Molex and 2x PCI E power connections, 1x 8pin and 1x 6pin. Keeping within a 500 watt power limit is quite straightforward. The power supply cables are not sleeved, but once this system is built there are no windowed panels to admire the build anyway.

The major drawback of the power supply is the noise of the small cooling fan. It spins fast and the pitch is high making it unpleasant to deal with if the load gets high.

Building into this system was a breeze. All the components were easy to fit, including the graphics card. I used a Sapphire R9 285 ITX and there is plenty of space for a longer graphics card up to 280mm. Building into this system makes you realise that the unique selection of components has benefits.

Testing 

For testing I used Unigine heaven in combination with Aida 64  running a total of 10 minutes. I also used the thermal compound that comes included in the box. The system I used was the following  :

  • Processor: Intel Core I5 7400 ( stock speed, turbo boost, high performance power plan)
  • Motherboard: Shuttle with z270 chipset
  • CPU cooler: Shuttle ICE 2
  • Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2666MHz
  • Graphics card: Sapphire ITX Compact R9 285 2GB
  • Power supply: Shuttle 500W Silver
  • Storage drives: Drevo 240GB SSD
  • OS: Windows 10

Temperatures 

As you can see the temperature are not bad at all but I would definitely advise potential customers to stay away from overclocking their components.

The graphics card we used pumps a fair level of hot air into the case which means the processor cooler has to dissipate the heat for that as well. A blower style GPU cooler would make a lot of sense for this system. We noticed that when playing games for a while that the CPU cooler produced a fair amount of noise dealing with rising ambient temperatures.

Closing Thoughts

I like the look of the Shuttle SZ270R8 Barebones as build quality is high and its very understated and elegant.

I found building into this system was straightforward and you can create something very powerful as Shuttle incorporate a 500 watt power supply with a Z270 motherboard. The system works and performs as it should.

The SZ270R8 Barebones is obviously for someone who wants a small PC but if you are going to make proprietary components and use different form factors you should also perhaps take the opportunity to make a more portable design.

The Shuttle XPC Cube SZ270R8 Barebones is priced around £350 leaving you to buy ram, processor, graphics card and storage to get the system up and running. It could end up a rather expensive system if you opt for higher level components.

Cooling proficiency is actually quite good, as the i5 7400 we used remained cool at all times but if you are opting for something such as the i7 7700k then the cooler is going to be struggling at the limits of its proficiency. More ventilation at the front would help improve the situation as the fan struggles to suck enough cool air in.

If you want something unusual and like the idea of the barebones ethos then the Shuttle XPC Cube SZ270R8 bears some serious consideration. Its an attractive looking chassis that will appeal to the user base who are sick of RGB lighting and windowed panels.

Buy the barebones unit from iCubes in the UK for £320.72 inc vat HERE

Pros

  • Easy assembly.
  • Plenty of space for decent hardware.
  • Silver rated 500 watt power supply.
  • High build quality.
  • Packed with features.

Cons 

  • Components are not standard form factor.
  • Overclocking should be avoided.
  • It could have been made slightly smaller with some thought.
  • Can get loud under load.

Kitguru says: The Shuttle XPC Cube SZ270R8 Barebones is well built and will appeal to a niche enthusiast audience.

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ASRock shows off micro-STX DeskMini RX gaming system https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/jon-martindale/asrock-shows-off-micro-stx-deskmini-rx-gaming-system/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/jon-martindale/asrock-shows-off-micro-stx-deskmini-rx-gaming-system/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2017 11:45:52 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=317824 Long gone are the days where to have a powerful gaming PC you needed to have a full-ATX case, with screaming fans and a giant power supply. Today you can get by with something much more compact, like ASRock's new micro-STX DeskMini RX system, which packs high-end graphics with a powerful processor, in a tiny …

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Long gone are the days where to have a powerful gaming PC you needed to have a full-ATX case, with screaming fans and a giant power supply. Today you can get by with something much more compact, like ASRock's new micro-STX DeskMini RX system, which packs high-end graphics with a powerful processor, in a tiny system.

The micro-STX form factor sits somewhere between mini-ITX and Intels' NUC platforms, though it does feature a standard processor slot, so is entirely upgradeable. You won't need to do that with the DeskMini for a while though, as it comes pre-fitted with a powerful Core i7-7700k Kaby Lake processor.

While ASRock hasn't let slip what the new system will be sporting memory wise, we do know it comes equipped with an impressive AMD RX 470 MXM GPU. While that isn't likely to break any 3Dmark records any time soon, consider that this system is built into a chassis that is just 2.7 litres in size. That's a very small, but very powerful system.

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You can also change it up if you prefer, as this system can come fitted with a RX 480, RX 470 or RX 460. On the Nvidia side of the tracks, options include a GTX 1060 for now, though it may be that it also supports the 1050Ti in the future.

Storage space has a lot of potential. While it doesn't sound like the system comes pre-fitted with any drives, it can fit up to three Ultra M.2 storage drives, delivering high-end performance, again, in a compact package.

All of this is only possible because of the new ASRock Z270M-STX MXM motherboard which is the keystone of the whole system. It has a Thunderbolt 3 Type-C port, an M.2 WiFi slot, and support for Intel Optane.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: I think my next PC build will be something small and compact. Not this small perhaps, but I don't need a full ATX system any more. It just seems clunky. 

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Shuttle XPC Nano NC02U5 Barebones Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/dominic-moass/shuttle-xpc-nano-nc02u5-barebones-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/dominic-moass/shuttle-xpc-nano-nc02u5-barebones-review/#respond Mon, 05 Dec 2016 10:27:04 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=313292 Built around the Skylake Core i5-6200U processor, the Shuttle XPC Nano NC02U5 is perhaps most interesting because it supports a 2.5in disk drive. Whereas most barebones kits typically have just a single spare M.2 connector, the XPC Nano NC02U5 allows users to install any 2.5in drive of their choice – potentially greatly increasing the available storage …

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Built around the Skylake Core i5-6200U processor, the Shuttle XPC Nano NC02U5 is perhaps most interesting because it supports a 2.5in disk drive. Whereas most barebones kits typically have just a single spare M.2 connector, the XPC Nano NC02U5 allows users to install any 2.5in drive of their choice – potentially greatly increasing the available storage space.

Over the past few months, we have reviewed a number of mini-PCs. First there was the Gigabyte BRIX Gaming (review HERE), then the latest BRIX with a Kaby Lake CPU (HERE), and most recently a dinky Chromebox from ASUS (HERE). Today, however, we are look at a different option – the Shuttle XPC Nano NC02U5.

In this review, we put the XPC Nano NC02U5 through its paces, assessing build quality, performance and practicality before giving a final verdict.

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Specification:

Chassis

  • Dimensions: 142 x 142 x 42 mm (LWH) = 835 ml
  • Weight: 0.4 kg net, 1.2 kg gross
  • Includes vertical stand and 75 / 100 mm VESA mount

Processor

  • Model: Intel Core i5-6200U (ULV)
  • Clock rate: 2.3~2.8 GHz
  • L1/L2/L3 Cache: 128 kB / 512 kB / 3072 kB
  • Memory controller: DDR3L-1600 Dual Channel (1.35 V)
  • TDP wattage: 15 W maximum
  • Intel HD graphics 520 (Intel HD Gen. 9)
  • Supports simultaneous dual-display output

Power Adapter

  • External 65 W power adapter (fanless)
  • Input: 100~240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, max. 1.6 A
  • Output: 19 V DC, max. 3.42 A, max. 65 W

Memory support

  • 2x 204-pin SO-DIMM slot
  • Supports DDR3L-1600 (PC3-12800) SDRAM at 1.35 V
  • Maximum of 16GB per SO-DIMM, total of 32GB maximum memory supported

Connectivity

  • Supports one Serial ATA hard disk or one SATA SSD drive in 6.35 cm / 2.5″ format
  • Integrated SD card reader
  • M.2 Slot for SSDs (PCIe or SATA) (type 2242, 2260, 2280).
  • Gigabit LAN
  • Built-in M.2-2230-A/E WLAN card and internal antenna
  • Front panel connectors: USB 3.0 type A, USB 3.0 type C, SD card reader (supports SD, SDHC, SDXC)
  • Back Panel connectors: DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 1.4b, 2x USB 2.0, Gigabit LAN (RJ45), combo audio jack, DC input, 2x perforation for optional external WLAN antennas
  • Left Side connectors: Serial RS232 COM port (D-Sub, 9-pin)

RRP: £398.40 inc. VAT

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MSI Aegis Ti (GTX 1080 SLI) Gaming PC Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/leo-waldock/msi-aegis-ti-gtx-1080-sli-gaming-pc-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/leo-waldock/msi-aegis-ti-gtx-1080-sli-gaming-pc-review/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2016 13:52:37 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=311069 MSI appears to have delivered a new PC format with its Aegis Ti gaming system that we think of as Small-ish Form Factor. In appearance, Aegis Ti bears a strong resemblance to Aegis X. However, it is considerably larger and stands 51cm high. The big difference is that Aegis X measures 43cm x 38cm and …

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MSI appears to have delivered a new PC format with its Aegis Ti gaming system that we think of as Small-ish Form Factor. In appearance, Aegis Ti bears a strong resemblance to Aegis X. However, it is considerably larger and stands 51cm high. The big difference is that Aegis X measures 43cm x 38cm and has a volume of 19.6 litres whereas Aegis Ti comes in at 39 litres, which is double the volume. Stand Aegis Ti on your desk and you’ll know all about it as it requires a good deal of space.

On the other hand, if you place Aegis Ti on the floor you reduce the visual impact of the chassis. As you will see in our video, your reviewer was not won over by the looks of Aegis Ti which is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it thing. Let’s settle on the word ‘dramatic’ to avoid controversy. Aegis Ti looks dramatic.

Moving on to safer ground, Aegis Ti has a specification that is world class. Intel Core i7 6700K with dual GTX 1080 graphics cards in SLI along with SSD RAID and a bunch of DDR4 memory is a recipe for 4K gaming heaven.

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MSI Aegis Ti (GTX 1080 SLI) Specifications:

  • OS: Windows 10 Home
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz OC to 4.6GHz
  • Storage: 2x 256GB M.2 NVMe PCI-E SSD (2280) in RAID 0 + 2TB 3.5“ HDD 7200rpm
  • Memory: 32GB SO-DIMMs DDR4 2400MHz (Max. 64GB)
  • Graphics: GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X 2-Way SLI
  • Optical Drive: Slim Type (9.5mm) Slot-Load Super Multi
  • I/O (Internal): 1 x 10-pin ATX main power connector, 2 x USB 2.0 connectors, 4 x USB 3.0 connector, 1 x 4-pin system fan connector, 1 x Front panel audio connector, 1 x Clear CMOS jumper, 1 x WiFi/Bluetooth module connector
  • I/O (Front): 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A, 1 x Mic in / 1 x Headphone out, 1 x HDMI out (VR Link)
  • I/O (Rear): 5 x OFC Audio jacks, 1 x S/PDIF, 2 x WiFi Antenna connectors, 1 x RJ45 LAN, 4 x USB 2.0, 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x Gaming device port (PS/2)
  • Wireless LAN: Killer Wireless-AC 1435 & Bluetooth 4.1
  • LAN: Killer E2400 Gigabit Ethernet with Killer Shield
  • PSU: 850W 80 Plus Platinum
  • Dimensions: 510 x 195 x 506 mm (39 litres)
  • Weight: 14.3kg

Price for review system: £3,399.99.

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The biggest surprise we had with Aegis Ti came when we removed the panels from the sides, top and base (admittedly after a struggle) as they reveal the way the chassis has been constructed.

At first glance, Aegis Ti looks like a small case mounted at a jaunty angle on a base or plinth that goes heavy on styling and light on sophistication. In fact, the base is a housing that can accommodate extra storage in SATA bays that are wired for data and power and the innards of the main compartment are also pretty impressive.

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The main chassis has been divided into chambers that help the cooling air to flow where it is required so the Core i7-6700K and its liquid cooler are housed in one area and the dual graphics cards are situated in another.

Those GTX 1080s are clocked at 1,620MHz base and 1,759MHz boost with GDDR5X at 1,251MHz.

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There is a downside to the compact construction as the hardware is densely packed in the chassis. As you can see in our photos and video, two of the memory modules and the two M.2 SSDs are handily located behind one side panel. If you want to gain access to the other two memory modules, the CPU or the graphics cards, you will find you have a fair amount of dismantling and fiddling around to contend with.

Thankfully this isn’t a problem for us Brits as we are unlikely to want to remove the graphics cards. In other territories where Aegis Ti is offered as a barebones this sounds like it might lead to hassle.

Testing

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Cinebench R15 scores of just under 1000 points indicate good rendering performance from the overclocked Core i7 6700K CPU.

Testing – 3DMark

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Strong performance is shown in the 3DMark tests. A pair of GTX 1080s in SLI creates superb results.

Testing – Games

There was little point testing the dual GTX 1080 graphics cards in Aegis Ti at anything less than 4K resolution so we headed in to play some games and stress the system as hard as possible.

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Aegis Ti performed admirably and delivered a superb gaming experience. The single issue we had was with Deus Ex where the frame rate was only 24fps on average. We have previously seen 36fps on the same settings and expected at least 40fps. We are confident the problem lies with the GeForce 375.63 driver and that MSI is blameless.

You will see we tested both at stock clocks and using the Gaming App to overclock the CPU to 4.6GHz, however this made only a tiny difference to the test results.

Power Consumption

Power consumption of the Aegis Ti was around 100W whilst idling. Under 3DMark load, that figure increased to around 500W.

Cooling Performance.

Ambient = 19°C.

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MSI has employed four 120mm fans on the front and top edges of the case and divided up the main compartment with the result that Aegis Ti cools superbly well. One graphics card was consistently ten degrees hotter than the other under load which shows the limitations of air cooling in a small chassis.

Overclocking the CPU from 4.2GHz to 4.6GHz raised temperatures by a negligible amount.

MSI has done an excellent job here and deserves a hearty pat on the back.

Acoustics performance.

You can certainly hear Aegis Ti when it is working hard. However, it is impressively quiet by any standards. When you consider the compact nature of the chassis the low noise levels are a testament to the work of the development engineers.

You will have no problem with Aegis Ti positioned on your desk and are unlikely to annoy members of your family during a gaming session.

Closing Thoughts

We have an over-riding misgiving with Aegis Ti which is that the styling has been carried over from Aegis X for no clear reason. In Aegis X, the plinth houses the power supply and creates an air flow path from the lower section of the chassis. With Aegis Ti the cooling works in a completely different fashion, the power supply is significantly improved and the kicked-up angular styling is purely cosmetic.

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MSI could have simply used a conventional chassis containing the excellent cooling hardware but they have gone down their chosen route. The result is a superb gaming PC that some people will admire whilst other will find a little gaudy. The fact it is hard to work inside the chassis is a negative point.

We have to consider the one-off chassis design has added the best part of £500 to the cost of Aegis Ti. The total price is £3,399.99. Argos currently sells a model at £3,599.99.

Happily the end result of MSI’s labours is an excellent gaming PC that performs very well indeed. It has its quirks but if you keep your eyes on the screen we are confident you will be impressed by the experience. From a technical stance, the Aegis Ti is little short of amazing, which makes it all the more unfortunate the focus is on the styling, rather than the hardware.

Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

Pros:

  • Dual GTX 1080 graphics cards in SLI
  • Core i7-6700K with option for instant overclocking
  • Superb cooling
  • Low noise levels
  • HDMI pass-through for VR

Cons:

  • The styling is love-it-or-hate-it
  • MSI software tends towards bloat
  • High price

KitGuru says: Aegis Ti offers superb performance and eye-catching design.

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Shuttle SH110R4 Mini PC barebones review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/shuttle-sh110r4-mini-pc-barebones/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/shuttle-sh110r4-mini-pc-barebones/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:04:06 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=304261 The last time I saw a Shuttle barebones was back in 2009, at a time when LGA775 and Core 2 Duo were the flavours of the month. The Shuttle SH110R4 barebones we have on review today is bang up to date, sporting an Intel H110 chipset with support for a Skylake LGA1151 CPU and DDR …

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The last time I saw a Shuttle barebones was back in 2009, at a time when LGA775 and Core 2 Duo were the flavours of the month. The Shuttle SH110R4 barebones we have on review today is bang up to date, sporting an Intel H110 chipset with support for a Skylake LGA1151 CPU and DDR desktop RAM yet it looks pretty darn familiar.

The barebones consists of the chassis, power supply, motherboard and I.C.E.2 (Integrated Cooling Engine) CPU cooler with rear case fan. To complete the build you will need to provide a CPU, RAM, storage and an Operating System. You can choose to either use integrated graphics or to take advantage of the dual expansion slots to plug in a graphics card to give you a decent amount of gaming power, which means the specification and cost of your finished PC are somewhat up in the air.

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More on the Shuttle SH110R4 over HERE.

As you can see in our video and photos the SH110R4 barebones offers a curious mix of features. The motherboard is bang up to date with the latest CPU socket, support for DDR4, a pair of M.2 slots and both HDMI and DisplayPort on the I/O. By contrast the chassis is stuck in the dark ages and doesn’t have mounting holes for even a single 2.5-inch SSD, unless you buy a Shuttle bay adapter. This seems bizarre when you consider the drive bay is a single piece of aluminium that simply requires a few strategic holes.

Instead we installed an M.2 SSD in the appropriate slot on the motherboard.

We have no doubt that KitGuru readers might provide those holes but the power supply is a bigger problem as it is a 300W unit that is only rated 80 Plus Bronze. That is annoying as it seems reasonable to expect a Silver or Gold unit in 2016 but it also shows the age of the design as there is only a single six-pin PCI Express connector. Many graphics cards have an eight-pin connector, such as our Sapphire Compact ITX R9-285, so we used an adapter to covert the two four-pin Molex to a six-pin and then converted the two six-pins to an eight-pin.

While we are harking on the theme of olde worlde, the I.C.E.2 CPU cooler hasn’t received any obvious changes in a long while. Those three heatpipes and wide-spaced fins on the convection cooler look somewhat lightweight when you consider this barebones is specced for a CPU up to 95W.

The cost of a Shuttle barebones has fallen over the years from around £300 to a current price of £195. That may sound like a bargain but once you factor in £300 for the Core i7-6700K we chose to use, £80 for 16GB of Corsair DDR4, £80 for an SSD, £240 for a compact Sapphire graphics card and a license for Windows 10 you end up with a figure around the £1,000 mark.

Obviously we could have kept the cost down but equally we could have pushed the specification higher. Our point here is that the cost of the barebones is only one small part of the overall equation and the finished result is a fairly expensive mid-range PC.

Testing

To put this barebones through its cooling paces we will be using a test system consisting of an Intel Core i7-6700K, Radeon R9 285 and an SSD. This system allows us to produce a substantial amount of heat and effectively test the Shuttle SH110R4‘s cooling capabilities.

Test System:

  • Processor: 4.2GHz Intel Core i7-6700K
  • Motherboard: Shuttle with H110 chipset
  • CPU cooler: Shuttle ICE 2
  • Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2666MHz
  • Graphics card: Sapphire ITX Compact R9 285 2GB
  • Power supply: Shuttle 300W Bronze
  • Storage drives: Kingston 240GB SSD
  • OS: Windows 10

Ambient 23 degrees

Cooling Performance.

temps
The combination of Core i7-6700K and Shuttle I.C.E.2. resulted in CPU temperatures that were about ten degrees warmer both at idle and under load than we ideally like to see. This isn’t a cause for concern but more a reflection that the chassis is fairly small and the cooler quite rudimentary. It is our educated guess that a revision to the I.C.E.2. hardware would help temperatures significantly but as things stand you can happily use SH110R4 with a Core i7-6700K without any problems.

Acoustics performance.
You can hear low level noise from the 92mm cooling fan at the rear of the chassis at all times and the 50mm fan in the power supply is also audible.

As the CPU temperature rises above 40 degrees and then clicks upwards to 50 degrees the cooling fan at the rear of the chassis ramps up both in terms of speed and noise. It isn’t entirely fair to do a stress test on a Core i7 in the Shuttle but demonstrates this type of small form factor is not well suited for use as a video editing workstation where the CPU is hammering away with the result that the fan can get intrusively loud.

Closing Thoughts

It is surprising that Shuttle does not appear to have updated the SH110R4 for the modern era. Yes, the motherboard supports current hardware and you get two USB 3.0 ports on the front and two on the rear, however those are features of the motherboard, rather than the chassis. The absence of a 2.5-inch drive bay is a surprise as you really shouldn’t have to buy a Shuttle accessory to install a SATA SSD in 2016.

The inclusion of a 5.25-inch optical bay seems unnecessary in this day and age as it takes up so much space but there are a good few KitGuru readers who still love their DVD drives so we’ll let that one slide.

650PX1

The lowly rating of the power supply is a real problem, both in terms of its Bronze inefficiency and also in terms of the single six-pin graphics connector. Make it Gold with an eight-pin and we would be happy but as things stand this aspect of the hardware is woefully out of date.

When we first saw the Shuttle SH110R4 we felt a wave of nostalgia as it was so immediately familiar. In some respects this is a pleasant feeling, but perhaps it highlights the point that Shuttle would be well advised to give their barebones an overhaul and drag them into the modern era.

The Shuttle SH110R4 is available in the UK for around £210 inc vat. You can buy from eBuyer for £206.99 inc vat HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble as a PC.
  • Small form factor but with sufficient space inside.
  • Skylake socket with DDR4 support.
  • USB 3.0 ports front and rear.
  • Aesthetically pleasing.

Cons:

  • Power supply is rated Bronze and only has one six-pin graphics connector.
  • No 2.5-inch drives bays included.
  • Cooling fans can get noisy when they work hard.
  • The finished PC ends up quite expensive.

KitGuru says: The Shuttle SFF design is a modern classic that deserves an update.

WORTH CONSIDERING

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Syber Consoles offer easy to build option for Steam or Windows https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/andrzej/syber-consoles-offer-easy-to-build-option-for-steam-or-windows/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/andrzej/syber-consoles-offer-easy-to-build-option-for-steam-or-windows/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2015 15:22:19 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=273367 With Steam consoles nearing their launch date and VR almost ready to explode on to the scene, system maker Cyberpower is convinced that living room gaming will be a hot topic for 2016. David Scott explains his company's choice to opt for a self-assembly system using desktop parts – and then shows us how to …

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With Steam consoles nearing their launch date and VR almost ready to explode on to the scene, system maker Cyberpower is convinced that living room gaming will be a hot topic for 2016. David Scott explains his company's choice to opt for a self-assembly system using desktop parts – and then shows us how to build one.

The whole console vs PC gaming debate has been responsible for, shall we say, some tense discussions online, and lately, a lot of that focus has been on which is better for living room gaming. If you choose a PC-style unit, should you go with Windows or wait for Steam? Of course you could always build it yourself with desktop parts…

Cyberpower Guru David Scott believes it's the latter and was kind enough to drive five hours to the KitGuru studio in order to take us through his company's thinking.

Originally founded in the USA, Cyberpower today continues to own a sizeable chunk of the local market. Here in the UK, the company has manufacturing and warehousing in Gateshead and sells both direct to the public and through a series of retail partners.

One of the units that David brought with him was a barebones living room gaming console, that will be marketed under the brand Syber.  This unit will start around £249 and includes the chassis, PSU, mainboard and primary cooling. In the first part of the video, David takes us through a build that uses a Titan X graphics card and a ‘speed build' of the system itself, to show you how it's put together.

As well as from Cyberpower direct, you can buy and pre-order the Syber systems from the likes of Amazon, Maplin and eBuyer.

KitGuru says: The next couple of years could be very interesting for PCs and gaming as a whole. As the line begins to blur between consoles and PCs, could we see traditional consoles fall by the wayside? If you build a full gaming rig using Steam, then you don't have to pay for a Windows license and that money can then be invested in a better graphics card – potentially making your game play much faster/smoother.

But is that worth it? What do you think of these new Steam-PC-alikes?

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Intel to offer Pi-like Genuino 101 to schools, TV shows, everyone https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/jon-martindale/intel-to-offer-pi-like-genuino-101-to-schools-tv-shows-everyone/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/jon-martindale/intel-to-offer-pi-like-genuino-101-to-schools-tv-shows-everyone/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:16:49 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=271958 Although Intel took a long time to come around to the idea of ultra-small form factor computing, mobile CPUs and GPUs, over the past few years it's realised the potential goldmine that exists in mobile and wearable technology, so it's been launching its own micro-computers, like Edison, Curie and lately Genuino. That latter platform takes …

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Although Intel took a long time to come around to the idea of ultra-small form factor computing, mobile CPUs and GPUs, over the past few years it's realised the potential goldmine that exists in mobile and wearable technology, so it's been launching its own micro-computers, like Edison, Curie and lately Genuino. That latter platform takes thing in a new direction too, offering a simple, affordable way for children to practice hardware hacking and programming, much like the Raspberry Pi.

The Genuino 101 – known as Arduino 101 in the U.S. – uses Intel's Curie module that was showcased earlier in the year. The absolutely miniature computer system was originally designed with wearables in mind, but now looks set to help children and interested adults learn all about building their own electronics, with serious processing power.

genuino

Along with the Curie module, the Genuino sports an accelerometer, gyroscope and Bluetooth smart for remote on/off functions. Much like other Arduino platforms, Genuino will have access to a number of expansion modules and components to improve the functionality of the miniature system.

“Empowering budding entrepreneurs and young students has always been a priority for Intel, and by partnering with Arduino, we are bringing the power of Intel to a new generation of makers,” said Josh Walden, senior VP and general manager of Intel’s New Technology Group.

“With the advanced features of the Intel Curie module embodied in the Genuino 101 board, young learners as well as developers can now bring to life truly unique,smart and connected creations.”

curie01 curie02

To help promote this new platform and encourage its usage, a reality TV competition will be held in 2016 called America's Greatest Makers. While details about it are thin on the ground, it will be produced by Time Warner company, Turner Broadcasting. Genuino is also being included in the Creative Technologies in the Classroom Computing Course, which is currently deployed in some 300 schools in the U.S.

For those that want to buy one themselves though, Genuino 101 will be made available in Q1 of 2016 priced around £20.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Some of the really small form factor platforms are really very impressive. Have you started any homebrew projects with a Raspberry Pi or similar?

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4K streaming bolstered by new Roku 4 set-top box https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/jon-martindale/4k-streaming-bolstered-by-new-roku-4-set-top-box/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/jon-martindale/4k-streaming-bolstered-by-new-roku-4-set-top-box/#respond Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:22:22 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=270785 The world of streaming is in a bit of a quality no-man's land right now. While 1080p is a pretty solid standard for those watching content via services like Amazon Instant Video and Netflix, 4K is not so well grounded. Some have TVs that can support it, but there isn't much content and there's 8K …

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The world of streaming is in a bit of a quality no-man's land right now. While 1080p is a pretty solid standard for those watching content via services like Amazon Instant Video and Netflix, 4K is not so well grounded. Some have TVs that can support it, but there isn't much content and there's 8K looming already, which makes some wonder whether it will be worth the middle-ground upgrade. However 4K has received a nice nod from Roku this week, with the announcement of its first Ultra HD supporting set-top box.

It's called the Roku 4 (of course) and fully supports 4K content at up to 60 frames per second, which is more than both Apple TV and Amazon's Fire TV. It also has a revamped user interface and can be linked up with the Roku mobile app for added functionality. As Ars points out though, there aren't just software changes with this device, but hardware ones too. There's a new quad-core processor inside and the dimensions of the box have changed to one that's wider and flatter, with a big “4” on top.

roku4

There's a few other little noteworthy features too, like the ability to find the remote control by pressing a button on the top of the box. When doing so, a buzz is emitted from the controller. Content is also listed in easier to manage ways, with 4K content clustered together, and new powerful search features that makes finding what you want that bit easier.

The smartphone app has been beefed up too, with a new ability to operate as a second screen, letting your browse content and in the future you'll be able to take your Roku on the move using the app, watching content while out and about.

While no release date has been announced as of yet, the Roku 4 is expected to launch before the end of October, with a price tag around £100.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It's probably time I updated my set-top box. I'm still using a WD-Live one from years ago. Which set-top box do you guys use?

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Acer Revo Build: Inexpensive, stackable modular PC https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/acer-revo-build-inexpensive-stackable-modular-pc/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/acer-revo-build-inexpensive-stackable-modular-pc/#respond Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:15:48 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=266108 Small form-factor personal computers are gaining popularity these days. One of the drawbacks that modem SFF PCs have is poor upgradeability. Sometimes it is hard to get appropriate components and it is generally hard to install them into a tiny system. Acer Group proposes a stackable PC concept, which makes it easy to add capabilities …

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Small form-factor personal computers are gaining popularity these days. One of the drawbacks that modem SFF PCs have is poor upgradeability. Sometimes it is hard to get appropriate components and it is generally hard to install them into a tiny system. Acer Group proposes a stackable PC concept, which makes it easy to add capabilities to a small PC. While the concept looks good, it is not ideal and can hardly deliver decent performance.

The heart of the Acer Revo Build modular mini PC is a highly-integrated small form-factor system powered by Intel Pentium or Intel Celeron “Braswell” processor with built-in graphics adapter, 8GB of memory, a solid-state drive and so on. The base unit has a special set of pogo pins with magnetic alignment that let consumers to customize their computer without opening up the chassis. Different “blocks” can be stacked on top or below the base unit, adding functionality and/or performance to the Revo Build M1-601 desktop, which has 125mm*125mm footprint.

acer_revo_build_1

The add-on blocks for Acer Revo Build will be available from Acer and will include a 500GB/1TB hot-swappable hard disk drive, an external graphics processing unit, a wireless power bank for wireless charging, an audio block with speakers and so on. Acer did not disclose pricing of its stackable modules.

acer_revo_build_3

Acer does not reveal peculiarities of the proprietary bus it uses to connect stackable components, but it does not look like that bus has high bandwidth needed to connect high-performance peripherals, such as external GPU or an advanced solid-state drive. In fact, the choice of interfaces that “Braswell” system-on-chip supports is not really broad: PCI Express 2.0 x4, USB 3.0 as well as Serial ATA-6Gb/s interfaces. In theory, a proprietary bus could multiplex all three technologies to provide the best possible option for each type of components. Alternatively, Acer could just implement PCI Express-based Thunderbolt with a proprietary connector and then use appropriate bridge chips inside its stackable blocks. Nonetheless, it is obvious that PCI Express 2.0 x4 (up to 2GB/s bandwidth) is hardly enough to connect a high-performance graphics processor and another demanding peripheral, such as SSD.

acer_revo_build acer_revo_build_2

The Acer Revo Build M1-601 will be available in EMEA in October with prices starting at €199, and in China in December with prices starting at ¥1999.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The Acer Revo Build concept looks rather interesting. However, it is clearly not designed to offer high performance. Usage of Pentium and Celeron “Braswell” system-on-chips with “Airmont” cores (designed for ultra-portable devices like tablets or smartphones) helps to make the system affordable, but makes it impossible to use for demanding tasks. Moreover, potentially limited bandwidth of the proprietary bus that Acer uses to connect its modules will limit customization options. Keeping in mind that upgrade blocks will unlikely be available broadly (unless Acer teams up with other makers of SFF PCs and creates a new standard for modular stackable systems), it is highly unlikely that the Revo Build will become a game changer for SFF PCs.

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Intel pins a lot of hopes on small form-factor personal computers https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-pins-a-lot-of-hopes-on-small-form-factor-personal-computers/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-pins-a-lot-of-hopes-on-small-form-factor-personal-computers/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2015 03:06:22 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=265262 Even though the market of personal computers has slowed down in the recent years, the PC continues its rapid development. Not only PCs are becoming more powerful, but they also change their form-factors. According to market analysts, one of the most promising segments of the PC market is the segment of highly integrated small form-factor systems. Apparently, …

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Even though the market of personal computers has slowed down in the recent years, the PC continues its rapid development. Not only PCs are becoming more powerful, but they also change their form-factors. According to market analysts, one of the most promising segments of the PC market is the segment of highly integrated small form-factor systems. Apparently, Intel Corp. pins a lot of hopes on such computers.

When Intel ceased to develop its own PC mainboards several years ago, the company specifically said that it would continue to pursue promising new form-factors, such as NUC [next unit of compute]. Since then, Intel has introduced several other miniature PC standards, which can be used for desktop computers. For example, this year Intel rolled-out its 5×5 and compute stick form-factors in addition to the code-named “Mini Lake” reference design.

intel_sff_pcs

In fact, at present Intel promotes five small PC specifications, including mini-ITX, 5×5, NUC, “Mini Lake” and Compute Stick. All these form-factors address very specific segments of the market and in many cases probably overlap. That overlapping may not necessarily be a problem since broad choice of SFF types allows Intel to sell various microprocessors for such PCs, including ultra-low-power Atom system-on-chips, value Celeron processors, advanced Core i5 chips or high-end Core i7 central processing units.

intel_sff_pcs_3

International Data Corp. believes that total available market of mini PCs this year will reach six million units and will grow to eight million units in 2018, not a lot for Intel, which sells hundreds of millions of microprocessors per year. However, keeping in mind that the market of PCs in general is shrinking, it makes a great sense for the chip giant to offer CPUs for PCs, which sales are actually growing.

intel_sff_pcs_1

In addition, Intel believes that small form-factors allow it “take computing into new areas and usages not possible before,” the company revealed at the Intel Developer Forum earlier this month. Expanding total available market of PCs is something that is strategically important for the chipmaker.

intel_sff_pcs_2

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: In a bid to sustain its sales, Intel addresses niche market segments that previously were not considered to be viable. Does it make a lot of sense for the company? Only time will tell!

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Sales of PCs will fall by 8.7% this year – IDC https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/sales-of-pcs-will-fall-by-8-7-this-year-idc/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/sales-of-pcs-will-fall-by-8-7-this-year-idc/#respond Thu, 27 Aug 2015 02:55:07 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=265040 Virtually all high-tech companies who sell PC hardware or personal computers recently complained about poor sales of PCs in the past few quarters. While many expect their revenues to improve in the second half of 2015, analysts warn that factors, which negatively affect sales of PCs now, will continue to slow them down until 2017. International …

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Virtually all high-tech companies who sell PC hardware or personal computers recently complained about poor sales of PCs in the past few quarters. While many expect their revenues to improve in the second half of 2015, analysts warn that factors, which negatively affect sales of PCs now, will continue to slow them down until 2017.

International Data Corp. predicts that shipments of PCs will drop by 8.7 per cent in 2015 and will continue to decline through 2016. Only in 2017 shipments of personal computers are expected to resume growth. The market observers name three primary reasons for slow sales of PCs: global economic situation, large inventory of systems in the channel and free Windows 10 upgrades.

dell_computers

Due to severe constraints posed by the decline of major currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, personal computers got more expensive in the recent quarters and many people decided to wait with their purchases and are still reluctant to invest in new systems. As a consequence, there is a stubbornly large inventory of notebooks from prior quarters, which means that players in the channel just do not purchase new products as they need to sell off what they already have.

Since Microsoft offers Windows 10 for free to owners of up-to-date operating systems, customers are even more reluctant to buy new PCs since the new OS runs perfectly on computers released five or six years ago. Free Windows 10 will affect shipments of new PCs for about 12 months.

Man_using_HP_EliteBook_1020_in_the_office_verge_super_wide

IDC expects a modest recovery in 2017, when the prospect of the next refresh cycle and the cessation of a free Windows 10 upgrade should provide PC makers opportunities in notebooks and commercial segments. Nonetheless, the analysts warn that far not all types of PCs will recover.

“Although the shortcomings of the PC business are obvious, a silver lining is that the industry has continued to refine the more mobile aspects of personal computers – contributing to higher growth in Convertible & Ultraslim Notebooks,” said Jay Chou, senior research analyst at IDC. “The de-emphasis of touch on Windows 10 also paves the way for a more familiar experience and continuing unit growth on large-screen systems, particularly all-in-one PCs.”

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Tough situation in the market may catalyse certain PC makers to reconsider their product offerings in a bid to make their lineups more competitive. Intensified competition means better products, but it also means that some players may simply abandon the PC market.

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Intel readies ‘5×5’ upgradeable mini PC form-factor with LGA socket https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-readies-5x5-upgradeable-mini-pc-platform-with-lga-socket/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-readies-5x5-upgradeable-mini-pc-platform-with-lga-socket/#comments Sat, 22 Aug 2015 13:02:07 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=264564 Intel Corp.’s NUC [next unit of computing] small form-factor PCs offer decent performance and are rather small. Unfortunately, such systems come with limited choice of processors and cannot be upgraded. By contrast, mini-ITX systems support all types of CPUs, can be upgraded, but are considerably larger. In a bid to offer small dimensions and a …

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Intel Corp.’s NUC [next unit of computing] small form-factor PCs offer decent performance and are rather small. Unfortunately, such systems come with limited choice of processors and cannot be upgraded. By contrast, mini-ITX systems support all types of CPUs, can be upgraded, but are considerably larger. In a bid to offer small dimensions and a choice of CPUs, Intel proposes a new mini PC form-factor: 5×5.

Intel’s 5×5 is an all new form-factor for upgradable personal computers that has around 0.85 liters volume and around 39mm height. The core component of the 5×5 platform is a new mainboard with 140mm*147mm (5.5”×5.8”) dimensions, around 30 per cent smaller than mini-ITX, but considerably larger compared to motherboards inside NUCs. The mainboard has an LGA socket, two SO-DIMM slots, an M.2 connector for solid-state drives, a port to plug Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card, a SATA port, two USB 3.0 connectors, two HDMI outputs, Gigabit Ethernet and so on.

intel_5x5

According to Intel, 5×5 mainboards will support all processors with 35W and 65W thermal design power, which gives a broad choice of components to system integrators or end-users. Unfortunately, the Intel 5×5 platform does not support any PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards, unlike mini-ITX, which will prevent gamers from adopting such systems.

The newly-announced Intel 5×5 form-factor will require new PC chassis and new CPU coolers. However, it will provide PC makers and DIY end-users with a lot of flexibility in terms of possible configurations, something that NUC simply does not offer. It is unlikely that a lot of people upgrade SFF PCs in general, but an ability to install different processors is an important feature.

intel_5x5_1

At the Intel Developer Forum 2015 the chip designer demonstrated a prototype of a 5×5 mainboard equipped with an LGA1150 socket for “Haswell” and “Broadwell” processors. Commercial systems will likely feature LGA1151 sockets for higher-performing “Skylake” central processing units. Moreover, Intel might consider adding its “Alpine Ridge” controller to the design in order to enable USB 3.1 type-C and Thunderbolt connectivity. Such port could allow addition of ultra-fast solid-state drives and external graphics solutions, something that gamers and creative professionals will appreciate.

intel_5x5_hdblog_it
Intel 5×5 prototype mainboard. Image by hardware.hdblog.it.

Intel does not reveal when the first 5×5 systems are set to hit the market, but it is possible that the first PCs adopting the new form-factor will become available already next year if Intel starts to produce 5×5 mainboards itself or persuades makers of motherboards to make such products.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Intel’s 5×5 form-factor sits between mini-ITX and NUC. It is not as flexible as the former and is not as small as the latter. The only tangible benefit that the 5×5 has over NUCs is a wide choice of microprocessors, which is good, but is it enough for the industry to embrace a new standard? The new 5×5 platform makes a great sense from Intel's business point of view. The amount of Intel's content per one 5×5 box can be extremely high (an expensive LGA CPU with high-performance integrated graphics, an SSD, network and USB controllers [should Intel decide to integrate “Alpine Ridge”], etc.). Furthermore, inability to upgrade graphics sub-system will force consumers who demand better performance in video games to switch the entire box instead of just graphics adapter, which shrinks upgrade cycles. But will the industry bite? Only time will tell.

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Asustek: Free Windows 10 upgrades may be negative for PC makers https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/asustek-free-windows-10-upgrades-may-be-negative-for-pc-makers/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/asustek-free-windows-10-upgrades-may-be-negative-for-pc-makers/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2015 14:07:35 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=263649 Microsoft Corp. needs to install Windows 10 on as many devices as possible to capitalize on it in the coming years, which is why it made its latest OS available free of charge to existing customers. The approach makes sense for Microsoft. But is it good for the market in general? Jerry Shen, chief executive …

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Microsoft Corp. needs to install Windows 10 on as many devices as possible to capitalize on it in the coming years, which is why it made its latest OS available free of charge to existing customers. The approach makes sense for Microsoft. But is it good for the market in general? Jerry Shen, chief executive officer of Asustek Computer, is not so sure.

Historically, Microsoft Corp. as well as PC makers enjoyed upticks in sales of their products after the world’s largest software developer released its new Windows operating systems. Traditionally, people updated PCs after Microsoft updated its OS to get new features and capabilities. With Windows 10, the software giant changed its tactics in accordance with market realities. The new operating system is available free of charge to users of recent Windows OSes and for ultra-small devices (tablets, smartphones, etc.), but it is still sold to PC makers. Since many people can now enjoy all the benefits of Windows 10 for free, they are not inclined to buy new personal computers, which could hurt PC makers, according to the head of Asus.

“When people get free upgrades they may not have to need to buy a new product, free upgrades help Windows the most,” said Jerry Shen during the company’s earnings conference with investors and financial analysts.

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The CEO of Asustek Computer is conservative about the PC market performance in general this year. He noted that while many believe that Windows 10 will help to bolster sales of personal computers, there are also those, who believe that free upgrades to Windows 10 will have a negative impact on sales of PCs this year.

“Windows is capturing big data and capturing users, but for us, device manufacturers, free upgrades may not be a positive thing, not always,” said Mr. Shen.

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While Asustek’s notebook and desktop businesses may be hurt by free Windows 10 upgrades, the company’s components businesses may actually benefit from the new operating system from Microsoft.

Windows 10 introduces a number of new technologies that greatly improve gaming, multimedia and productivity experiences. For example, Windows 10 features DirectX 12 application programming interface designed to enable better utilization of hardware (i.e., processors and graphics cards), higher performance and improved image quality in games. The new OS also works better with ultra-high-definition displays. Windows 10 introduces universal Office apps that work on all kinds of devices (including smartphones, tablets and PCs). The latest operating system from Microsoft also sports virtual desktops and better multi-monitor support. Finally, Windows 10 is the first holographic computing platform – complete with a set of APIs that enable developers to create holographic experiences in the real world. This may not be important today, but eventually it will be.

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Improvements brought by Windows 10 can potentially catalyze many to upgrade to a multi-core microprocessor, buya  higher-performance graphics card, get a new UHD display or even acquire an additional device. Since Asustek is a major producer of mainboards, graphics adapters and gaming monitors, it can benefit from free upgrades to Windows 10. In fact, after seeing all the advantages that Windows 10 brings, many owners of outdated systems may decide to buy a new Asus PC. Moreover, support of things like holograms may enable Asustek to build all-new types of computing devices, a benefit for the long term future.

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Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: If Windows 10 alone cannot convince people to buy new PCs (like Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1 largely did not), then PC makers should probably innovate with hardware and think outside their products. Solid eco-system of software and hardware could help to boost sales of mobile devices. For desktops, one needs to offer something unique. But since desktops nowadays are all about high performance and style, there is a lot of room for innovation here. Asustek Computer is clearly a company that knows how to innovate.

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Intel divides desktop market into six segments https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-divides-desktop-market-into-six-segments-plans-to-offer-appropriate-solutions/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-divides-desktop-market-into-six-segments-plans-to-offer-appropriate-solutions/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2015 01:48:50 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=261565 In a bid to offer the right solutions for different classes of desktop personal computers, Intel Corp. recently presented its vision of desktop platforms to makers of PC components. Apparently, the world’s largest maker of microprocessors sees as many as six distinctive segments of today’s desktop market. Sales of personal computers have been declining for …

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In a bid to offer the right solutions for different classes of desktop personal computers, Intel Corp. recently presented its vision of desktop platforms to makers of PC components. Apparently, the world’s largest maker of microprocessors sees as many as six distinctive segments of today’s desktop market.

Sales of personal computers have been declining for a number of quarters already due to various reasons. As a result, in order to maximize sales of PCs, microprocessors and other devices, manufacturers need to offer tailored solutions that bring maximum value to the end-user. Intel believes that there are six segments of the desktop market that it needs to address with its current and upcoming microprocessors, reports DigiTimes.

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  • Enthusiast – PCs powered by Intel Core i7 processors and used for gaming, audio/video content creation and other tasks that require a lot of compute performance.
  • Mainstream – PCs based on Core i5 and Core i3 processors that offer great price-performance ratios.
  • All-in-one (AIO) – Systems featuring various energy-efficient processors and rich multimedia capabilities.
  • Mini PCs or NUCs [next unit of compute] – Small form-factor computers with low-power Atom, Celeron, Core or Pentium microprocessors. Such computers can be used for various purposes and can run Microsoft Windows 10 or Google Chrome operating systems.
  • Desktop replacement notebooks (portable AIO PCs) – High-performance personal computers in clamshell form-factors that are based on Core i7 or Core i5 microprocessors with 47W – 57W thermal design power.
  • Compute sticks – Ultra small form-factor personal computers based on highly-integrated ultra-low-voltage system-on-chips. Such devices may also use both Microsoft Windows 10 and Google Chrome operating systems

Intel already offers a broad portfolio of processors, core-logic sets and solid-state storage devices for each type of desktops. However, going forward the chip giant might decide to offer certain bundles in a bid to decrease prices of systems while ensuring its own sales.

It is interesting to note that Intel reportedly considers segments of advanced desktops, NUCs and compute sticks as the most promising in terms of growth.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Apparently, customers prefer either high-performance or miniature desktop PCs, meanwhile other segments are stagnating or declining. In fact, a rather surprising trend.

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Asrock Beebox: Intel ‘Braswell’ NUC with USB type-C and 4K video playback https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/anton-shilov/asrock-unveils-beebox-intel-braswell-nuc-with-usb-type-c-and-4k-video-playback/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/anton-shilov/asrock-unveils-beebox-intel-braswell-nuc-with-usb-type-c-and-4k-video-playback/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:36:23 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=252604 Intel Corp.’s ultra-small form-factor NUC [next unit of compute] desktops have become pretty popular on the market and many makers of mainboards, PCs and barebones are now trying to offer something similar. Asrock at Computex 2015 introduced its first NUC-like PCs that feature Intel’s new-generation ‘Braswell’ system-on-chip and boast with USB type-C connectors, 4K ultra-high-definition …

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Intel Corp.’s ultra-small form-factor NUC [next unit of compute] desktops have become pretty popular on the market and many makers of mainboards, PCs and barebones are now trying to offer something similar. Asrock at Computex 2015 introduced its first NUC-like PCs that feature Intel’s new-generation ‘Braswell’ system-on-chip and boast with USB type-C connectors, 4K ultra-high-definition video playback and rich I/O capabilities.

The Asrock Beebox systems are based on Intel Celeron/Pentium N3000-series microprocessors with two or four ‘Airmont’ cores as well as Intel’s eighth-generation integrated graphics processor (Gen8) with enhanced architecture, 16 execution units (EUs) and brand-new multimedia and video decoding engine that supports HEVC codec used to encode ultra-high-def video. The system-on-chips consume only 4W or 6W of power and do not require active cooling, which makes Beebox whisper quiet.

asrock_beebox

The Beebox computers from Asrock come equipped with 4GB of dual-channel DDR3L memory as well as a 128GB mSATA solid-state drive. Users who would like to have more storage space will have to buy a 2.5” hard disk drive with Serial ATA interface separately. The Beebox small form-factor PCs also feature Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi + Bluetooth 4.0 module, 8-channel Realtek ALC283 audio and so on. Asrock’s Beebox PCs have three USB 3.0 type-A, one USB 3.0 type-C, one DisplayPort and two HDMI connectors.

Asrock claims that dual-channel memory sub-system is compulsory for 4K UHD video playback, according to Leo Waldock from the fields of Computex 2015.

asrock_beebox_2

The Beebox computers are really small: their measurements are 110mm*118.5mm*46mm amid about 0.6 liters volume. The tiny PCs can be used as office machines (with up to three displays!), for simple games and for video playback. In a bid to make Beebox PCs living-room friendly, Asrock even bundles them with a remote controller. Unfortunately, the Beebox systems come without any optical disc drive and thus cannot be used as Ultra HD Blu-ray players.

Asrock’s Beebox barebones and complete systems without OS are expected to be available in black or white sometime in June. Later this year Asrock will also offer Windows 10-powered Beeboxes in addition to versions painted with golden colour. Prices are unknown, but they will depend on exact configurations.

asrock_beebox_1

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Asrock’s tiny Beebox systems look rather nice and should be great for media playback. Given that the PCs are based on relatively inexpensive processors, they should also be priced more or less moderately. Unfortunately, since the computers essentially use Intel Atom low-power SoCs, do not expect them to have enough performance for more or less serious tasks. However, if you just do not need a lot of compute performance, you should be quite satisfied with Beebox’s small form-factor, whisper quiet operation and multimedia capabilities.

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Asus VivoPC VM62B Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/asus-vivopc-vm62b-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/asus-vivopc-vm62b-review/#comments Tue, 26 May 2015 09:13:10 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=250947 Asus VivoPC comes in a number of versions. This model is the VM62B with a Core i3 processor and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics which puts it in the middle of the pecking order. You can also buy it with a Celeron 2957U (we prefer to avoid Celerons) or Core i5-4210U (gotta love that Turbo) …

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Asus VivoPC comes in a number of versions. This model is the VM62B with a Core i3 processor and integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics which puts it in the middle of the pecking order. You can also buy it with a Celeron 2957U (we prefer to avoid Celerons) or Core i5-4210U (gotta love that Turbo) but instead we have Core i3-4030U. You will note the CPU model code shows it is 4th Gen hardware at a time when Intel has rolled out low power 5th Gen and we fully expect to see 6th Gen later this year.

We are not quite sure why Asus has chosen older 4th Gen hardware, unless it is a simple matter of cutting costs, and on the face of it the MSI Cubi offers more bang for slightly fewer bucks.

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Specification:

  • Dimension 190mm x 190mm x 56mm
  • CPU Intel Core i3-4030U 1.9GHz
  • Memory 2 x SO-DIMM DDR3L-1600MHz slots (DDR3 1.35V)
    Max. 16GB
  • LAN Realtek Gigabit LAN
  • Audio Realtek with SonicMaster 2x2W
  • Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4600
  • Front I/O 2 x USB 3.0
    1 x head phone jack with mic
  • Rear I/O 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort
    4 x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
    1 x RJ45
    2x headset jacks, S/PDIF output.
    1 x DC-In
    1 x Kensington lock slot
  • Power Supply 65W
  • VESA Bracket included
  • Wi-Fi Card 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0
  • Storage Support 2x 2.5” HDD/SSD or 1x 3.5” HDD
  • Support OS Windows 7 32/64-bit
    Windows 8.1 64-bit

The barebones nature of the Asus VivoPC throws up a few options as you have to select memory and storage and then install an Operating System. Cubi uses mSATA storage so your options are quite limited while Gigabyte Brix S has the space for a 2.5-inch SSD so the amount of storage you choose is only limited by your budget. Asus goes a step further with VivoPC with its DualBay feature which is considerably more interesting than it first appears.

When you remove the lid from the VM62B you reveal a SATA bay that is filled with a drive caddy that is the same size as a 3.5-inch drive. You can simply remove the caddy and install a 3.5-inch desktop hard drive which gives you the ability to install many Terabytes of reasonably priced storage or you can open the drive caddy and install either one or two 2.5-inch drives. Mixing and matching SSD and HDD technology inside the DualBay means you can combine speed and capacity without breaking the bank.

Realistically you will end up spending £100-£150 on storage, however the form of that storage is a matter of personal choice. To put it another way, if you intend to build a compact small form factor PC with a single 2.5-inch drive then we really don't see why you would choose VivoPC over Cubi, BrixS or Intel NUC.

If, however, you want to install a 3.5-inch drive to provide 2TB or more of cheap storage then VivoPC is clearly something you should consider. Where things get interesting is when you use a combination of two drives such as a 250GB or 500GB SSD for Windows and applications and a 1TB laptop hard drive for storage.

This is the basis for a fully configured Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, and it also has a place as a media centre that sits under your TV but this is where the details start to get a little troublesome. All the ports and connectors – that's four USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, a card reader, audio and Ethernet – are arranged on one side of the chassis, along with the power connector. This makes it tricky to use on a desktop or under your TV as the power connector is bound to be at the back which means the USB ports will also be out of sight.

On the other hand if you install the VivoPC on VESA mounts on the rear of your monitor with the ports and connectors uppermost you are likely to find some of the USB ports are blocked when you connect devices and peripherals. There is also a concern that installing a 3.5-inch hard drive might make a relatively small and light display rather top heavy.

Performance
3dmark fire strike
pcmark 8
Although Asus has chosen 4th Gen Intel Haswell hardware the performance is barely any slower than 5th Gen Broadwell. On paper you would expect the Intel HD 4600 graphics to be slower than the newer HD 5500 but in practice there is little to choose between the VivoPC and, say, MSI Cubi.

You can use VivoPC for general day-to-day PC duties but have to draw the line at gaming and heavy duty tasks such as video editing. Apart from those considerations, this small form factor PC has enough grunt to perform satisfactorily and if you boot off SSD it is both fast and responsive.

Power and heat.
power consumption

You only need 11W to power the Windows desktop and the power draw rises to a mere 30W under the extreme load of 3D Mark. Those numbers are low but the comparable figures for MSI Cubi are 10W and 24W so it is clear that Broadwell is clearly more efficient than Haswell. No matter, the chassis remains cool to the touch and the CPU runs at 38 degrees when you watch videos and rises to 58 degrees under heavy load. By any standards those are low temperatures.

Acoustics Performance
The Core i3 hardware inside this VivoPC runs at a fixed clock speed so there is a steady load on the processor, however the PC is effectively silent when it is idling on the desktop. When the workload increases you can hear the cooling fan responding but it cannot be described as noisy. On the other hand the way the fan speed rises and falls does get slightly annoying, although you can only hear it in a very quiet room.

Closing Thoughts

The ASUS VivoPC VM62B is similar to a number of other mini PCs we have seen in recent times that rely on an Intel CPU with Intel graphics. The stand out feature in the VM62B is the Asus VIVO DualBay that accommodates either one 3.5-inch drive or two 2.5-inch drives. If you intend to use a massive 3TB or larger desktop drive then the VM62B is a decent choice however the exact way you use this VivoPC, either in VESA or on your desk, will affect your decision.

Things get more complicated if you want more storage than a single 2.5-inch SSD or hard drive but don't want to use a large and relatively noisy 3.5-inch desktop drive. As we mentioned earlier it is feasible to install a 250GB SSD and a 1TB data drive however it is less simple to decide who fits in this particular category. This mysterious person doesn't want to simply boot off a 1TB laptop drive, presumably because they like the speed of an SSD, however a 250GB or 500GB SDD doesn't provide enough storage capacity and a 1TB SSD costs too much.

No doubt someone out there recognises themselves from that description but it seems much simpler to plump for a small form factor with a single 2.5-inch drive and if you run out of space simply add a USB external drive.

You can buy the VIVOPC barebone from Ebuyer for £225 inc vat HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

Pros:

  • DualBay gives you the option of one 3.5-inch drive or two 2.5-inch drives.
  • You get the choice of DisplayPort or HDMI graphics output.
  • Decent array of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.
  • Driver installation and BIOS updating is quick and easy.
  • If you boot off SSD the VM62B has snappy performance.

Cons:

  • Supplied as barebones so you need to add memory, storage and Operating system.
  • More expensive than MSI Cubi.
  • All the ports and connectors are on one side so the card reader and USB are next to the power jack.
  • Relatively big and boxy for a mini PC.

KitGuru says: VivoPC VM62B differs from other small form factor PCs due to its use of DualBay which will be a key feature for a select group of PC builders.
WORTH CONSIDERING

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MSI Cubi Review https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/msi-cubi-review/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/msi-cubi-review/#comments Wed, 13 May 2015 07:34:04 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=249204 MSI is offering its Cubi Mini PC in four different specifications with varying levels of CPU grunt, depending on the price you pay. Cubi is a barebones design however the sample sent to KitGuru was fully built and ready to roll. If you buy a Cubi you will have to install RAM, storage and an …

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MSI is offering its Cubi Mini PC in four different specifications with varying levels of CPU grunt, depending on the price you pay. Cubi is a barebones design however the sample sent to KitGuru was fully built and ready to roll. If you buy a Cubi you will have to install RAM, storage and an Operating System (Windows 7 or 8.1) yourself, although this should only take you a few minutes.

Visit the official MSI Cubi webpage HERE.

VIDEO CORRECTION: We mention ‘M.2' in the video – we meant ‘mSATA‘.
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The tiny system is based around Intel's latest Broadwell technology which is more like a system on Chip than a mere processor. Our sample came with a Core i3-5005U and costs £129 inc VAT. Add £75 for a 128GB M.2 SSD, £25 for 4GB of DDR3L laptop RAM and a cheap copy of Windows 8.1 and you're looking at a total outlay of £340. The three alternative options for Cubi are Celeron-3205U at £99, Pentium-3850U at £129 and Core i5 for £249.

I shan't dwell on the details of the alternatives too much as we haven't had the four variants sat side by side however the Pentium and Celeron are dual core processors with low speed and feeble graphics. If you are confident you don't need much grunt then these cheaper options might appeal. Our experience with similar hardware is that it is best avoided, partly because more CPU is always good but also because the graphics in the new Core i3 are fairly impressive.

MSI hasn't told us anything about the specification of the Core i5 model, and if it wasn't for the fact that we have a price we wouldn't even know that it exists. We can expect that Core i5 will have a base clock speed that is similar to the Core i3 with a healthy amount of extra Turbo Boost speed, so the question is whether or not you fancy paying an extra £60 for more Megahertz.

As you can see in the video the tiny Cubi packs in a surprising number of ports and connectors as you get four USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and Mini DisplayPort outputs, a headset jack and Gigabit Ethernet.

Specification:

  • Physical Dimensions: 115 mm x 111 mm x 35mm (46mm with extension case)
  • Intel Core i3-5005U 2.0GHz
  • 2 x SO-DIMM DDR3L slots 1.35V up to 16GB, 4GB DDR3L-1600 MHz supplied
  • Realtek Gigabit LAN
  • Realtek ALC283
  • Intel HD Graphics 5500

Inside the casing there isn't a great deal to see apart from a tiny motherboard with a laptop style cooler on one side and the expansion slots on the other. There are two SODIMMS slots for DDR3L RAM, an M.2 slot that is occupied by a Wi-Fi card and mSATA for SSD storage. Our sample came with 4GB of DDR3L RAM and a 128GB SSD so our fully configured PC had a perfectly reasonable specification to drive Windows 8.1.

The interesting thing is that MSI includes an optional back casing for Cubi that provides a 2.5 inch drive bay and you also get a SATA cable that clips onto a header on the motherboard. 128GB SSD not enough? Simply add a 500GB laptop drive for £40.

Cubi can stand on your desktop or live under your TV but its natural environment is hanging off the back of your TFT on the supplied VESA mount. If you prefer the TV option you will naturally use the HDMI connection but for desktop duties the Mini DisplayPort output works well and avoids any unpleasantness scaling the displayed image.

Test Results
3dmark fire strike
pcmark 8
mediaespresso

The Intel HD 5500 graphics work well and the Core i3 processor does a decent job and you can happily drive along a Full HD or 4K picture, just so long as you forget about playing games. This is very much a PC for general Internet duties, photos and movies but most definitely not for games.

As you'll see in our test results the Cubi can produce decent results in PC Mark 8 but it starts to suffer in 3D Mark. The results in MediaEspresso 6.7 are not impressive but the thing to focus on is that the Cubi completed the jobs in hand without drama. Intel graphics are lack power but each successive graphics core makes a useful improvement on the previous generation and HD 5500 does a competent job.

Acoustics Performance
This is an absurdly quiet PC. You can hear the cooling fan when the system is working hard however it is quieter than a buzzing insect and more akin to a refrigerator in the next room. Mount the Cubi behind your display and you will probably be unaware it is even running.

Power Consumption
power consumption

The thermal performance of Broadwell is deeply impressive. Our Core i3 Cubi drew 10W idling on the desktop and required 13W to run PC Mark 8. Under extreme load running benchmarks the peak power draw was 24W which makes a nonsense of the 65W external power adapter. The tiny amount of power produces the bare minimum of heat.

Closing Thoughts

The MSI Cubi is tiny, cheap, low powered and does a decent job. It is good for general purpose duties but doesn't have the grunt of Gigabyte BRIX S.
msi cubi

No doubt the Core i5 version would be a close match for the Gigabyte but the system we had on test was much, much cheaper and in that context it does a fine job. If you were brave you might save more money and select the Pentium or Celeron version but we advise against that course of action.

It is deeply impressive to see a fully featured Windows 8.1 PC in such a tiny chassis.

Pricing is £189 barebones plus £75 SSD, £25 RAM and £50 or so for Windows 8.1 for a total of £340. For the latest prices visit our price engine over HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

Pros:

  • Low price
  • Tiny form factor
  • VESA mounts
  • Mini DisplayPort as well as HDMI
  • Four USB 3.0 ports
  • Very quiet
  • Low power draw and very little heat.

Cons:

  • Intel HD 5500 graphics are an obvious bottleneck in performance
    Core i3 will never produce the snap of Core i5 or Core i7.

KitGuru says: The only snags with MSI Cubi are the low power processor and graphics, but of course these are the central features of this tiny PC and allow it to work so coolly and quietly. It's a conundrum but Broadwell Core i3 is both the strength and weakness of this system.

WORTH BUYING

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Acer: We will not quit the PC market https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/%ef%bb%bfacer-we-will-not-quit-the-pc-market/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/%ef%bb%bfacer-we-will-not-quit-the-pc-market/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2015 02:29:26 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=247181 Acer Group used to be one of the world’s top PC makers half a decade ago, but in the recent years the company’s market share dropped rather dramatically. Acer announced major reorganization efforts in 2013 and while all of them yet have to prove their viability, the company is confident that it would not quit …

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Acer Group used to be one of the world’s top PC makers half a decade ago, but in the recent years the company’s market share dropped rather dramatically. Acer announced major reorganization efforts in 2013 and while all of them yet have to prove their viability, the company is confident that it would not quit PC market.

“Acer will compete [on the PC market] to the last through the continued improvement of our product lines to maintain competitiveness,” said Jason Chen, chief executive officer of Acer, reports DigiTimes.

In a bid to improve its sales this year, the company recently introduced a lineup of new hybrid 2-in-1 personal computers, gaming PCs as well as Chromebooks. Acer also plans to establish stronger positions on the market of smartphones.

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Acer commanded 7.2 per cent of the global PC market in the first quarter of 2015, according to Gartner. The company sold 5.183 million PCs, a decrease of 6.8 per cent year-over-year.

Despite of continuous declines, Acer does not plan to quit the market of PCs or refocus its business completely.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It is nice to see that Acer does not plan to follow Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and a number of other personal computer suppliers, who either ceased to make PCs, withdrew from certain markets or sold off their PC business units in the recent years.

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Windows 10 PCs may not hit the market in time for back-to-school season https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/windows-10-pcs-may-not-hit-the-market-in-time-for-back-to-school-season/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/windows-10-pcs-may-not-hit-the-market-in-time-for-back-to-school-season/#respond Wed, 29 Apr 2015 01:48:28 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=247173 Although Microsoft Corp. plans to make its Windows 10 operating system available to PC makers this summer, actual systems featuring the new OS will not hit the market ahead of the important back-to-school season, market analysts believe. Recently Lisa Su, chief executive officer of Advanced Micro Devices, said that Microsoft would launch its Windows 10 …

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Although Microsoft Corp. plans to make its Windows 10 operating system available to PC makers this summer, actual systems featuring the new OS will not hit the market ahead of the important back-to-school season, market analysts believe.

Recently Lisa Su, chief executive officer of Advanced Micro Devices, said that Microsoft would launch its Windows 10 at the end of July. Ms. Su implied that the launch of Windows 10 would be important for sales of personal computers this year during the BTS and holiday seasons. Microsoft did not confirm plans to release its Windows 10 in July and many analysts now believe that while the company will make the OS available to PC makers, it will not be available to general consumers this summer.

“I would be really surprised if channel product was on the shelf with Windows 10 in July,” said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, in an interview with ComputerWorld. “I was in OEM for 10 years and was the one who signed off on images [to be installed on PCs]. OEMs get a master [from Microsoft], but then build their images on top of that. Even the fastest OEMs might take one to two months, for some three to four months. I just don't know where they'll find the time to make back-to-school.”

microsoft_windows_10_for_all

Back-to-school season starts in late July and runs for about seven weeks. During the time it is pretty hard to substitute all of Windows 8.1-based products that are already available with new systems running Windows 10. As a result, it is highly likely that PC makers will have to wait for better timing.

“The challenge of a new OS is that they [PC makers] would want to do a general wholesale sweep, leaving one or two SKUs [stock keeping units] that are older and replacing everything else,” said Stephen Baker, an analyst with the NPD Group. “That is a real tough period of time trying to make a switch. Why spend money to disrupt the supply chain”

It hardly makes a lot of sense for Microsoft and PC makers to rush Windows 10-based systems to market as soon as possible. Windows 10 can run on current-generation hardware perfectly and Microsoft will upgrade all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 systems to Windows 10 free of charge. Therefore, it hardly matters for customers what PC to buy this summer as they will have a chance to upgrade.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While it makes perfect sense for Microsoft and partners to ensure that Windows 10 is stable and robust before releasing it to market, it should be kept in mind that the new OS is also a catalyst for new PC purchases. Therefore, it is still important to release the OS rather sooner than later.

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Intel to strengthen its mini desktop PC platforms – report https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-to-strengthen-its-mini-desktop-pc-platforms-report/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-to-strengthen-its-mini-desktop-pc-platforms-report/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:54:36 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=245963 Although sales of personal computers in general are declining nowadays, demand for inexpensive mini desktop PCs remains strong. As a result, Intel Corp. intends to strengthen its platforms for such systems, a media report claims. Among other things, the world’s No. 1 microprocessor supplier intends to improve performance of small form-factor (SFF) PCs. Intel has …

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Although sales of personal computers in general are declining nowadays, demand for inexpensive mini desktop PCs remains strong. As a result, Intel Corp. intends to strengthen its platforms for such systems, a media report claims. Among other things, the world’s No. 1 microprocessor supplier intends to improve performance of small form-factor (SFF) PCs.

Intel has a number of SFF PC platforms in its products portfolio, including mini-ITX mainboards, compute stick PC, NUC PCs, Mini Lake personal computer concept as well as sub-one-liter mini PC, reports DigiTimes. Since such systems are gaining popularity in Europe, Southeast Asia and Japan, Intel intends to strengthen its mini desktop platform research and development (R&D) and related marketing.

Thanks to low power consumption of its code-named “Broadwell” microprocessors, Intel intends to introduce ultra-small form-factor PC concepts featuring its Core i-series chips. As a result, the company’s SFF PC platforms will get performance and feature-set comparable to that of full-size desktops while consuming amount of power comparable to that of Intel Atom processors.

intel_nuc_core_i5

Increased spending on development of SFF PC concepts will help Intel to boost its sales, whereas the company’s partners will get an opportunity to create products that are more competitive. For example, PC makers could accelerate development of various special-purpose systems, such as home-theater PCs.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: The very reason why small form-factor PCs are gaining acceptance is because their performance is getting closer to that of fully-fledged desktops. If Intel plans to further improve performance and capabilities of such PCs, they will inevitably get even more popular among buyers of inexpensive systems. While desktop PCs will not cease to exist, their market share will likely drop significantly in the coming years.

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Nvidia Tegra X1 to power desktops, notebooks, tablets, portable consoles https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/anton-shilov/nvidia-tegra-x1-to-power-desktops-notebooks-tablets-portable-consoles/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/anton-shilov/nvidia-tegra-x1-to-power-desktops-notebooks-tablets-portable-consoles/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:38:01 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=243367 Unveiled early this year, Tegra X1 system-on-chip from Nvidia Corp. was positioned mainly for automotive applications. However, given rather serious processing horsepower it has, it can be used for many other devices. In fact, according to recent leaks and listings, Nvidia and its partners plan to use the Tegra X1 SoC for laptops, tablets and …

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Unveiled early this year, Tegra X1 system-on-chip from Nvidia Corp. was positioned mainly for automotive applications. However, given rather serious processing horsepower it has, it can be used for many other devices. In fact, according to recent leaks and listings, Nvidia and its partners plan to use the Tegra X1 SoC for laptops, tablets and even portable game consoles.

The Bluetooth SIG [special interest group] recently certified mainboards for previously unknown Shield Portable/P2523 and Shield Console/P2571 devices. Qualification tests took place in late January, hence, it is more than likely that the motherboards were powered by the latest Tegra X1 application processor from Nvidia. Recently the company officially refocused its Tegra business to gaming and automotive applications. Therefore, a portable game console and a gaming tablet sold under Nvidia Shield brand make perfect sense for the company.

Meanwhile, Google Chromium OS already contains references to the Nvidia T210 application processor, which is the internal name of the Tegra X1. Since Chrome OS is used primarily for laptops (called Chromebooks) and low-power desktops (called Chromeboxes), it is obvious that there are certain parties working on appropriate products powered by Nvidia’s Tegra X1. According to CNX Software, the platforms based on the Tegra X1 are code-named Smaug and Foster.

nvidia_tegra_x1

The Tegra X1 system-on-chips incorporates four high-performance ARM Cortex-A57 cores and four low-power ARM Cortex-A53 cores. The SoC also integrates advanced graphics sub-system powered by the Maxwell architecture that features 256 stream processors (two Maxwell stream multiprocessors), 16 texture units and 16 raster output pipelines that supports OpenGL ES 3.1, OpenGL4.5, DirectX 12.0 (feature level 11_3), and AEP application programming interfaces. The application processor’s memory controller supports up to 4GB of LPDDR3 or LPDDR4 memory, whereas the AP’s storage controller supports up to eMMC 5.1 interface with CMD queuing. All other I/O interfaces are also present (see the diagram below). The SoC features hardware decoding of video in all high-definition and ultra-high-definition (4K) formats at 60Hz, including VP9, H.265 (HEVC), H.264 and others.

Thanks to high performance and maximum level of integration, Tegra X1 can power almost any device. Unfortunately, its thermal design power (TDP) of up to 10W is too high for mobile electronics. As a result, it will not be that easy for Nvidia to squeeze the chip into tablets or portable game consoles without reducing its clock-rates as well as performance. Still, there are plenty of applications that Nvidia can address with its Tegra X1.

nvidia_tegra_x1_block_diagram nvidia_tegra_x1_cpu_configuration

Nvidia’s Tegra X1 already powers Shield game console for the living room.

Nvidia did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Even if Nvidia Tegra X1 is too hot for mobile devices, there are plenty of applications, where it can be used, including embedded electronics, drones, robots, set-top-boxes with gaming capabilities, Blu-ray 4K players etc. However, to enter these markets, Nvidia will need to develop appropriate software platforms…

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Intel publishes pictures of next-gen NUC 2.0 ‘Broadwell’-based systems https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-publishes-pictures-of-next-gen-nuc-2-0-broadwell-based-systems/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/intel-publishes-pictures-of-next-gen-nuc-2-0-broadwell-based-systems/#comments Sat, 13 Dec 2014 13:10:26 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=226219 Intel Corp. has published images of its forthcoming new-generation NUC (next unit of computing) small form-factor personal computers based in the Core i-series “Broadwell” microprocessors. The upcoming SFF PCs will be slightly smaller than existing NUCs and will support optional technologies that are not available today. Pictures of Intel’s new NUC 2.0 systems, which are …

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Intel Corp. has published images of its forthcoming new-generation NUC (next unit of computing) small form-factor personal computers based in the Core i-series “Broadwell” microprocessors. The upcoming SFF PCs will be slightly smaller than existing NUCs and will support optional technologies that are not available today.

Pictures of Intel’s new NUC 2.0 systems, which are expected to be introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show 2015 early next month, emerged on Intel’s own web-site, noticed ComputerBase.de web-site earlier this week. The images depict new code-named “Rock Canyon” and “Maple Canyon” systems designed for consumer and commercial markets, respectively.

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Intel NUC 2.o “Rock Canyon” systems

The NUC 2.0 “Rock Canyon” small form-factor PCs will feature 115mm*111mm dimensions and either 29.8mm or 48.5mm height, reports LegitReviews, which means that they will be slightly smaller than current-generation NUCs. The NUC 2.0 “Maple Canyon” are expected to be similar to current-gen commercial NUCs. All three types of systems will look just like today’s NUCs, no design breakthroughs from Intel.

The initial versions of NUC 2.0 systems will be based on Intel Core i-series 5000U-sequence “Broadwell” processors with two cores and Intel HD 5500 or 6000 graphics engines. The new SFF PCs from Intel will sport USB 3.0, HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity, M.2 slot for SSDs, 2.5” bay for HDDs/SSDs, built-in Ethernet (“Maple Canyon” only), 802.11ac WiFi (“Rock Canyon” only) and so on.

intel_nuc_2_1
Intel NUC 2.o “Rock Canyon” systems along with NUC 2.0 “Maple Canyon” thin client in the middle

The “Rock Canyon” designed for consumers and living rooms will feature optional NFC technology to connect to upcoming smartphones and tablets as well as wireless charging technology. Both types of systems will feature yellow USB 3.0 connectors that allow charging of devices while the systems are turned off.

The “Maple Canyon” for business customers will feature Intel’s vPro package, including Trusted Execution, Virtualization, Active Management and additional technologies designed to improve security, add remote management as well as other capabilities for the enterprise environments.

Intel did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Intel seems to believe that rather dull steel boxes of NUCs that lack any style will excite consumers in 2015. Perhaps, some end-users will be really impressed with performance of the new NUC 2.0 systems as well as their technical specifications. However, since NUCs have been on the market for over two years now, it is natural to expect Intel to make them aesthetically appealing. Unfortunately, style is a feature NUC 2.0 from Intel will just not have. Perhaps, Intel's partners will create something more beautiful.

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YOYOTech Black Box X99 systems are a popular choice claims MD https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/bill-smyth/yoyotech-black-box-x99-systems-are-a-popular-choice-claims-md/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/bill-smyth/yoyotech-black-box-x99-systems-are-a-popular-choice-claims-md/#respond Tue, 21 Oct 2014 22:41:20 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=217770 Whenever a new high end platform is launched, the early adopters (as the industry likes to call them) tend to go for fully laden systems – either because they are nuts for power or they are looking for a system that will last a good few years. With Intel's X99, we're past the initial splurge – …

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Whenever a new high end platform is launched, the early adopters (as the industry likes to call them) tend to go for fully laden systems – either because they are nuts for power or they are looking for a system that will last a good few years. With Intel's X99, we're past the initial splurge – with a much wider variety of systems coming to the fore. KitGuru casts an eye at the latest offering from YOYOTech.

Say ‘Black Box' to some people and they will be start humming ‘Ride on time'. Most, however, are likely to think about the rock solid data storage device that seems to survive even the harshest of high-speed accidental impacts.

According to Managing Director CK, in YOYOTech's case, the naming strategy actually started with the chassis, “My R&D guys look at a lot of components, continuously testing and retesting every combination you can think of – and they were really impressed with the SilentiumPC Aquarius case” he said. “Then we added their Fortis II cooler with 6 heatpipes and that was the framework sorted”.

“We worked hard to get a balance of components inside, working up from the MSI X99S SLi Plus mainboard and Intel Core i7 5820 CPU”, he explained. “It was important for us not to compromise”.

We asked CK to explain what he meant by ‘compromise'.

“Even though we've kept the target price our the entry level DB version of the Black Box to £999, we have still managed to include a Seasonic 620w PSU, 16GB of 2133MHz DDR4 memory and a Radeon R9 270X graphics card”, he told us. “I have seen low cost X99 systems with the latest Intel Core i7 processors coupled with something like a GeForce GT610 graphics card. It's crazy”.

That does sound remarkably unbalanced.

“While we're proud of the value we've managed to achieve with this system”, said CK. “We are also happy to make the DB4 available at £2,649 – which can also be upgraded!”.

YOYOTech-BlackBox-DB-System-KitGuru
Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.

KitGuru says: A little research using WayBackMachine to search pages from October 2004, revealed that 10 years ago we were all happy to pay £999 for a system with an AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor in it – alongside 1GB of 400MHz memory and an ATi X800 graphics card. Times have changed. 

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Weaker PC makers may have to leave the market, analysts claim https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/weaker-pc-makers-may-have-to-leave-the-market-analysts-claim/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/anton-shilov/weaker-pc-makers-may-have-to-leave-the-market-analysts-claim/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2014 19:39:36 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=215587 Global PC shipments will decline by several percent points this year, but will still total over 303 million units, according to Gartner. Therefore, many PC makers will enjoy great sales of personal computers this year and going forward. Unfortunately, profit margins of loads of smaller PC makers will decline so significantly that they will be …

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Global PC shipments will decline by several percent points this year, but will still total over 303 million units, according to Gartner. Therefore, many PC makers will enjoy great sales of personal computers this year and going forward. Unfortunately, profit margins of loads of smaller PC makers will decline so significantly that they will be forced to either leave the market, or significantly reorganize.

This week Hewlett-Packard decided to split into two companies: one will sell PCs and printers, another will deal with enterprise storage, servers and other products. Earlier this year Sony Corp. sold off its PC business, Samsung exited European PC market and Toshiba announced plans to focus on commercial PCs. All these companies made their decisions because they were unable to earn significant profits on the market of PCs. It looks like more PC makers will follow them with radical decisions, market analysts say.

“Acer and Asus are having immense challenges to the point at which the industry is challenging their viability,” said Pat Moorhead of Moor Insights, reports PC World. “Neither Acer or Asus have a broad commercial PC line, aren’t the low-cost leader, nor are they the brand leaders. It is a very challenging position to be in.”

lenovo_thinkpad_t430u

According to Mr. Moorhead, Dell and Lenovo are in good position nowadays since they have strong presence on the market, especially corporate PC market, which guarantees them not only sales, but sufficient profitability.

Bob O’Donnell of Technalysis Research believes that Acer and Asustek Computer will have to eventually merge their PC businesses, creating a stronger player on the market of personal computers. By contrast, Samsung is expected to completely withdraw from the market of PCs in favour of tablets. Many local PC makers with insignificant market share will also likely to exit the market of personal computers eventually.

Acer, Asus, Samsung, Toshiba and others did not comment on the news-story.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It will be interesting to see what happens to the market of PCs in ten years’ time. The number of PC makers has greatly shrunk since 2004 because of various reasons. Will this number drop to, say, five large global suppliers of PCs by 2024? We do not know for sure, but what we do know is that, for example, on the market of cars there are still tens of suppliers. Yet, there are large conglomerates who own multiple brands as well as ultra-large automakers with a limited amount of brands. Perhaps, something similar eventually is going to happen to the market of PC.

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