Mini PCs 2023 - any good?

[laksa2003]

Just got a Beelink GTR5 but the HDMI connection to my Denon X3700H AVR doesn't seem stable (keep dropping PCM/digital connection). My older mini PC can work though so dunno the issue. Tried 2 HDMi cables so far and purchasing another better cable to try again. Will try to return if doesn't work...

how about
a) Other HDMI output to denon to test if its denon issue
b) GTR 5 hdmi to another device to confirm its really GTR issue

 

[Vodkilla]

how about
a) Other HDMI output to denon to test if its denon issue
b) GTR 5 hdmi to another device to confirm its really GTR issue

a) ya tried another HDMI input to denon and still doesn't work. same HDMI input works for my other mini PC
b) hdmi works on other device 1080p 144hz etc (PC monitor) but not on my AVR to my 4K TV (eARC)

 

[laksa2003]

a) ya tried another HDMI input to denon and still doesn't work. same HDMI input works for my other mini PC
b) hdmi works on other device 1080p 144hz etc (PC monitor) but not on my AVR to my 4K TV (eARC)

sounds like a denon issue to me, not gtr5 issue

 

[watzup_ken]

It's also why in the market there is laptop stand with fan. Compare laptop and desktop, you should know which life span is better. Laptop for mobile and I don't think you want to bring a desktop move around. Shape of laptop still better than mini pc in term of hot air circulation.

Most external laptop cooling fan does nothing meaningful to cool a laptop. It helps only because the laptop is propped up so that the internal fans which are usually weak, to suck in cool air easier. These external cooling fans are generally too weak to do much.
Mini PC depending on the design may not have such an issue if the intake is at the top. There are some where the air inlets at at the bottom (which gets blocked when you install a SATA3 SSD) and few side vents. These Mini PCs will run hotter.

 

[alex22]

Think beelink or custom on taobao

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

If you want small size PC, at least go for ITX. Those mini pc air flow is not good. Heat is the killer unless you plan for short term. I had Beelink mini s with low wattage processor but for media center connect my nas. If you use for handbrake or photoshop, temp will shoot pretty high. When idle usually already 40 to 50 Deg.

ITX type too expensive... too big also... smaller is better... I don't lack space... but I just want to free up more space... less to clean and dust...

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

I will get a mini-pc with:

• 2 NICs: Can repurpose as a mini-server or as a router if I am not running it as a desktop
• GPU: Radeon 680M
• 8C/16T
• 32GB DDR5 memory
• Can install NVMe on your own
• USB-C which support ext-GPU

Wah so cheem... not for me lar... I simple use only... cheap cheap can already...

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Most external laptop cooling fan does nothing meaningful to cool a laptop. It helps only because the laptop is propped up so that the internal fans which are usually weak, to suck in cool air easier. These external cooling fans are generally too weak to do much.
Mini PC depending on the design may not have such an issue if the intake is at the top. There are some where the air inlets at at the bottom (which gets blocked when you install a SATA3 SSD) and few side vents. These Mini PCs will run hotter.

The Beelink GTR 5 & SER 5 both have top fan inlet vents... so I guess cooling isn't any issue...

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Mini PC is good to have if u have limited space in ur room. The only bottom neck is the upgradability of the system in the future. And normally comes with onboard GPU with no expansion for a GPU card.

Nowadays, all the SSD and RAM all look alike... just plug a small circuit board in only... upgrade I think not an issue... expansion would be... but then I didn't buy this for expansion... I have 3 other HDDs, prepared to buy a HDD enclosure and connect via USB3.0 or change to SSD and connect via USB 3.0 or PCIe bus if possible... has to be external lar...

 

[watzup_ken]

The Beelink GTR 5 & SER 5 both have top fan inlet vents... so I guess cooling isn't any issue...

I've not tried Beelink Mini PCs before, but my few experiences with mini PCs do show that they can run hot. But that is normal because the fan(s) are small and by design the CPU/ APU will push as much as they can with the available power limit and thermal headroom. But I feel their cooling are still better than laptop since there is more room for bigger heatsink(s). So usually they boost longer/ higher.

 

[watzup_ken]

Mini PC is good to have if u have limited space in ur room. The only bottom neck is the upgradability of the system in the future. And normally comes with onboard GPU with no expansion for a GPU card.

I feel that is the trade off for its small form. People buying a mini PC should be aware of the limitations. If the mini PC have a Thunderbolt 3.0/4.0 connection, it is possible to run a dedicated GPU with an external dock. But I generally won't recommend because it severely gimps the performance due to the limited bandwidth. Plus, it cost a lot.

 

[ronnie_gogs]

I only need to surf internet, watch YouTube, edit some photos using Photoshop CS 5, use Handbrake to re-compile videos, that kind of stuff...

A mini PC is perfect for your needs. Since you are coming from DDR3 computer a AMD Ryzen mini PC will be a significant upgrade. Surfing net, youtube, photo editing and handbrake will work in super fast. You mentioned no gaming so no need to consider external GPUs. Mini PCs are usually APU with some coming with dedicated GPU chipsets. These are pretty powerful for basic gaming and perfect for emulation gaming if you are into that.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

A mini PC is perfect for your needs. Since you are coming from DDR3 computer a AMD Ryzen mini PC will be a significant upgrade. Surfing net, youtube, photo editing and handbrake will work in super fast. You mentioned no gaming so no need to consider external GPUs. Mini PCs are usually APU with some coming with dedicated GPU chipsets. These are pretty powerful for basic gaming and perfect for emulation gaming if you are into that.

Thanks! That's what I thought... I don't even do basic games now... used to have Need for Speed and a force feedback steering wheel and pedals and would fire it up occasionally for a spin... but that's like 7-8 years back... sold my wheel and games... not going back... heh!

Don't want a laptop cos wasting money paying for a screen and keyboard I won't use...

 

[watzup_ken]

Thanks! That's what I thought... I don't even do basic games now... used to have Need for Speed and a force feedback steering wheel and pedals and would fire it up occasionally for a spin... but that's like 7-8 years back... sold my wheel and games... not going back... heh!

Don't want a laptop cos wasting money paying for a screen and keyboard I won't use...

There are pros and cons with getting a laptop. Like you said, it comes with everything that you need to use a PC, so you can bring it around. However if you are going to leave it stationary on the desk, it is actually not that small as compared to a mini PC. The cost is actually not that high, but yes, you still pay for it.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

There are pros and cons with getting a laptop. Like you said, it comes with everything that you need to use a PC, so you can bring it around. However if you are going to leave it stationary on the desk, it is actually not that small as compared to a mini PC. The cost is actually not that high, but yes, you still pay for it.

I really don't bring my PC along... a phone will do... if a bigger screen is required then I have a 11.5" tablet... so that's that... now will wait for the right time to pull the trigger... my desktop still working fine... just that sometimes the screen just shows garbled graphics - likely my RAM or graphics card got problem... and the case fan is super noisy but suddenly goes off after a while... and often after going to sleep (on its own) cannot wake up... always got to press the reset button and everything will be ok... and still stuck on Windows 10, can't upgrade to 11 cos processor too old to support Windows 11... oh well...

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Anyway, just want to ask...

I have 3 additional hard disks which are used as storage devices for my photos, back up my files and documents... I think they're 3 TB, 1 TB & 1 TB respectively... porting over a mini PC is not possible... I actually have a 4-HDD bay enclosure at work... so technically I could simply pop them in and plug in to my mini PC via USB 3.0... using CrystalDisk to check the health, they are all good at present...

But I was thinking of switching over to SATA SSD instead... right now 1 TB SATA 3 SSD costs about $90... but a 3 TB SATA SSD is pretty expensive... are there even external SSD enclosures like for HDD? I thought if got it would be nice cos it will be really small... probably smaller than the mini PC footprint?

Just wondering if I should bite the bullet and make the switch? Or use the HDD until end of life... cos the HDD won't all die at the same time and I would have a mixture of HDD and SSD and I wonder how to put all together in one enclosure if that's even possible...

 

[limcc]

You could consider Minisforum HM90:
https://store.minisforum.com/collections/amd-®-ryzen-®/products/hm90

Minisforum DeskMini HM90

AMD Ryzen ™ 9 4900H, 8 Cores/16 Threads
(Total L2 Cache 4MB , Total L3 Cache 8MB , Base Clock 3.3 GHz , up to 4.4 GHz)

Supports a maximum of 64GB(32GB x 2) of DDR4

M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD
Storage Expansion
2.5 inch SATA HDD Slot x 2(SATA 3.0 6.0Gb/s), maximum thickness 7mm
Wireless Connectivity
M.2 2230 WIFI Support (Wi-Fi 6，BlueTooth 5.2)
Video Output
① HDMI (4K@60Hz)
② DisplayPort (4K@60Hz)
③ USB-C 3.0 Port(4K@60Hz , In Front)


Ports & Buttons
1 * RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Port
1 * RJ45 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Port
4 * USB3.0 Port Type-A (The Back)
2 * USB3.1 Port Type-A (Gen2 , In Front)
1 * USB-C 3.0
1 * HDMI 2.0
1 * DisplayPort

All the features an average user would need. I bought the HM80 with 4800u for under S$400, Went for the barebone--no RAM or storage. Cinebench R23 was better than R5 3600

edited:
HM80 is still available from CN site:
https://minisforum.hk/products/elitemini-hm80
No idea about shipping, I bought from US site.

 

[yusoffb01]

Anyway, just want to ask...

I have 3 additional hard disks which are used as storage devices for my photos, back up my files and documents... I think they're 3 TB, 1 TB & 1 TB respectively... porting over a mini PC is not possible... I actually have a 4-HDD bay enclosure at work... so technically I could simply pop them in and plug in to my mini PC via USB 3.0... using CrystalDisk to check the health, they are all good at present...

But I was thinking of switching over to SATA SSD instead... right now 1 TB SATA 3 SSD costs about $90... but a 3 TB SATA SSD is pretty expensive... are there even external SSD enclosures like for HDD? I thought if got it would be nice cos it will be really small... probably smaller than the mini PC footprint?

Just wondering if I should bite the bullet and make the switch? Or use the HDD until end of life... cos the HDD won't all die at the same time and I would have a mixture of HDD and SSD and I wonder how to put all together in one enclosure if that's even possible...

just buy 8TB and keep everything in.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

just buy 8TB and keep everything in.

I thought splitting into 3 drives was safer? Then won't lord everything at one go? 8TB how much now? Ha Ha...

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

You could consider Minisforum HM90:
https://store.minisforum.com/collections/amd-®-ryzen-®/products/hm90

All the features an average user would need. I bought the HM80 with 4800u for under S$400, Went for the barebone--no RAM or storage. Cinebench R23 was better than R5 3600

edited:
HM80 is still available from CN site:
https://minisforum.hk/products/elitemini-hm80
No idea about shipping, I bought from US site.

Thanks!

Ryzen 9 4000 series better or Ryzen 5 5000 series? Totally confused with numbers that don't seem to make sense...