Recommendation for desktop mini

[windwaver]

Hi folks, I'm looking for a desktop mini for WFH and preferably can hook up to 2 monitors.

Currently I'm using an aging mATX tower which I like because of it's flexibility.

Is there a compromise between an mATX and a desktop mini?

TIA

 

[NightRaven49]

u can get those smaller matx cases like the tecware fusion (sama quzao) or the sktc s200, comparable in dimensions to the nr200. otherwise u can get yourself a sff build with the 5600g if u want diy, or u can also get those nuc-like all in one mini pcs.

 

[wwenze]

I will find out whether a picoPSU is able to power a 5600g. Wish me luck.

 

[anthonygreenisreal]

Mac mini M1from Apple Refurbished store.

 

[wwenze]

Should be no issue with a 160 watt pico...but still requiring a power brick which essentially splits the PSU into 2 parts kinda defeats the purpose of going small

It's not so straightforward. The picopsu-160-xt has only 8A continuous on the +12V rail.

The 120w one I have is even worse, 6A continuous.

But I guess that's why forums are good so we can share these hidden things that only get revealed when actually doing it.

cTDP is going to be necessary to run 5600g at full load, which I already noticed a problem with the Aoris B550I, I can't find the eco mode setting in the BIOS. I guess I can still try Ryzen Master.

 

[watzup_ken]

Hi folks, I'm looking for a desktop mini for WFH and preferably can hook up to 2 monitors.

Currently I'm using an aging mATX tower which I like because of it's flexibility.

Is there a compromise between an mATX and a desktop mini?

TIA

I've been using the Maibenben PC25 MiniPC with Ryzen 5 2500U and 12GB of RAM for 3 months now. This is my primary WFH machine and it works very well for me. I can use it to drive 3 displays at one go, but generally I cap it at 2, unless I really need 3 for work. But current pricing of this system is quite high after a few price hikes. I got mine around 350 bucks from Lazada, and upgraded the RAM to 12GB with an extra 4GB SODIMM I have lying around.

 

[windwaver]

I've been using the Maibenben PC25 MiniPC with Ryzen 5 2500U and 12GB of RAM for 3 months now. This is my primary WFH machine and it works very well for me. I can use it to drive 3 displays at one go, but generally I cap it at 2, unless I really need 3 for work. But current pricing of this system is quite high after a few price hikes. I got mine around 350 bucks from Lazada, and upgraded the RAM to 12GB with an extra 4GB SODIMM I have lying around.

That's cool, I just did some research but what's the difference between Ryzen 5 2500U and Ryzen 3 2200U?

 

[watzup_ken]

That's cool, I just did some research but what's the difference between Ryzen 5 2500U and Ryzen 3 2200U?

Number of CPU vs GPU cores. You get less on the Ryzen 3, i.e. 2 CPU cores.

 

[windwaver]

That's cool, I just did some research but what's the difference between Ryzen 5 2500U and Ryzen 3 2200U?

Ah, the seller list wrongly, Ryzen 3 is 2 cores 4 thread only, not 4 cores 8 threads.

 

[Entry Level PC]

That's cool, I just did some research but what's the difference between Ryzen 5 2500U and Ryzen 3 2200U?

2500U = 4 Core 8 Thread
2200U = 2 Core 4 Thread

 

[Entry Level PC]

I've been using the Maibenben PC25 MiniPC with Ryzen 5 2500U and 12GB of RAM for 3 months now. This is my primary WFH machine and it works very well for me. I can use it to drive 3 displays at one go, but generally I cap it at 2, unless I really need 3 for work. But current pricing of this system is quite high after a few price hikes. I got mine around 350 bucks from Lazada, and upgraded the RAM to 12GB with an extra 4GB SODIMM I have lying around.

I using the same Maibenben PC25 MiniPC with Ryzen 5 2500U.
1) LAN Port DOA
2) Wifi/Bluetooth DOA
3) USB-C dies after 1 week

 

[watzup_ken]

I using the same Maibenben PC25 MiniPC with Ryzen 5 2500U.
1) LAN Port DOA
2) Wifi/Bluetooth DOA
3) USB-C dies after 1 week

I don't know what to make of this.

So far, its working fine for mine. Hope it last though. Only thing that I rarely use on this system is the Wifi/ Bluetooth card because I prefer it to run on LAN. The USB C in the front, I am using it to drive and power a portable monitor that I am using now. Otherwise, I generally don't plug any Type C device on it since I use it almost entirely for work.

 

[windwaver]

Oh my, now it's so expensive

 

[windwaver]

I using the same Maibenben PC25 MiniPC with Ryzen 5 2500U.
1) LAN Port DOA
2) Wifi/Bluetooth DOA
3) USB-C dies after 1 week

Oh my, I thought there's warranty provided?

 

[Entry Level PC]

Oh my, I thought there's warranty provided?

simi warranty?
i buy from Offical Maibenben Aliexpress Store for barebone unit @$280
SG Service Center No E-Mail No Contact Number.
I e-mail to maibenben with receipt no reply.

 

[windwaver]

It's running on laptop ram right?

 

[windwaver]

simi warranty?
i buy from Offical Maibenben Aliexpress Store for barebone unit @$280
SG Service Center No E-Mail No Contact Number.
I e-mail to maibenben with receipt no reply.

I see cos the one in Lazmall states 'Local Warranty'

 

[Entry Level PC]

I don't know what to make of this.

So far, its working fine for mine. Hope it last though. Only thing that I rarely use on this system is the Wifi/ Bluetooth card because I prefer it to run on LAN. The USB C in the front, I am using it to drive and power a portable monitor that I am using now. Otherwise, I generally don't plug any Type C device on it since I use it almost entirely for work.

no more MAIBENBEN from me.
unless they up their QC.

 

[Entry Level PC]

It's running on laptop ram right?

yes laptop ram.

 

[wwenze]

Your pico PSU is cutting it close. Anyway it should be under AMD overclocking menu in bios.

If you don't have the eco mode setting, you can set PBO mode to advanced and that enables manually setting the CPU power limit (PPT). Setting that to 61W is functionally the same as eco mode IIRC, though this lets you test out arbitrary numbers.

Under PBO advance mode
45W eco mode set
TDC=45A EDC=65A PPT=60.8W

And btw for Ryzen master to show eco mode you need to enable PBO in bios fyi. HTH, good luck!

Well, PBO set to 45W, apparently the motherboard doesn't give a s***

Lowering TDC and EDC did the trick tho. Now I have to worry about the SOC. Oh well baby steps.

Glad I do testing with a normal PSU first