no amd soc meets these soc as AVX2 and Intel® Quick Sync Video are pretty much a base requirement in 2014/15 for high quality video playback and real time video capture/streaming.
OC saying that , even this dual core/quad thread intel soc doesn't really cut it for me, i cant even remember the last dual core anything i bought, even with intel in 2014/15 even if the OEM's are buying loads of intel soc for the next mobile/static blitz this holiday season , im not interested in buying as an end consumer unless its got quad core, and the said AVX2+ and Quick Sync...
<blockquote>no amd soc meets these soc as AVX2 and Intel® Quick Sync Video are pretty much a base requirement in 2014/15 for high quality video playback and real time video capture/streaming.</blockquote>
BMNify, I'm not arguing against your love for AVX2 and Quick Sync. On the other hand, you've overlooked some details. Haswell is not an SoC. That honor belongs to the Saltwell based chips. Also, both AMD and nVidia have equivalents to Quick Sync, being VCE and NVENC respectively.
But AVX2 as base requirement? lol.. there are practically no programs for AVX2 because Intel decided to leave it out 70+% of all sold devices (Celerons, Pentiums). And QuickSync as "high quiality"? Have you even seen what blurry shit it makes?
That's just nonsense. You certainly don't need quicksync for even high-end video playback - a single CPU tends to be enough (and you've got more than one, right?). I suspect AMD has a "iGPU" accelerated playback mode too. Though again, you don't need it (and the quality of quicksync is inferior to that of software decoders/encoders).
AVX2 is neat, but similar truly not a requirement.
I recently got smoothvideo to run... smoothly on an ancient Q6600 with an ancient 9600GT card. I would certainly recommend more, but note: you really don't need quicksync.
I was going to say "wait for Carrizo", but that will likely be a 28nm part (at this rate), so I don't think they'll get their power/heat issues resolved. I like these little systems, but they are all just too weak in GPU power to justify moving away from my current setups.
Yeah, little systems attract me too. But I agree with subpar GPU performance. I still remember my netbook struggling to run a 1080p mkv file... *sighs*
You guys are forgetting that the NUC and related SFF PCs all use mobile chips. If you want a full Kaveri with 512 shaders, the FX-7600P has a 35W TDP. For something with similar TDP to the i5 U, there's the FX-7500 at 19W, although that only has 384 shaders.
Any chance that those Benchmarks find their way into Bench? I'd really appreciate some perspective of just how a dual core i5 fits into the full picture or how it compares to the 10W 4C/4T J1900 CPUs formerly known as Bay Trail, which also come with 9-19VDC adapters and are available as mini-ITX boards. With the piddly cooling system being the Achilles heel of these SFFs, some noise testing would be appreciated.
A Mac Mini is the same price... why do Mini's never make the "compared to" list? You can run MS & Linux as well as OSX on a Mini.... At the risk of being called a Fanboy (they're all JUST MACHINES). IMHO, I'd still opt for a Mini
PS: Sound is the only thing I see that may be better than a mini. Mini's have options for i7, 2 memory slots, so someone tell why this hardware set (or most of the others) are better?
The mini is lacking the newest Haswell chip, which should hopefully come soon. Should be an even better value proposition.
But people also didn't take into account that it comes with an OS, whereas the Zotac does not.
We often use Mac Minis for light servers and compile machines, as you can fit a whole bunch of them in a small space and span virtual screens with software. They're not amazing but they're solid and dependable and get the job done.
I used to use the AppleTax word myself. I used to build my own machines. Having two minis running 24x7 , the new one for 3 years straight, the old one 4 years. Thus, I'm over both of those habits. If you compare them side by side, spec by spec, you may see the so-called AppleTax is minimal at best. ....OBTW, it's just a machine, not a religion. Both of mine are buried in the behind all my other AV gear. I rarely touch them, they just work.
You are absolutely right. The mac mini was the first to create this form factor in 2005, It was Apple's strategy to sell frequency constrained mobile parts as silent and eco-friendly. From tablets, ultrabooks to NUCs it's all just uninspired imitation. Buying a laptop is also always the better choice (same parts after all), which is why the minis aren't all that popular in the apple camp either.
Thing is laptops can make great desktops or servers, but not vice versa. They don't look to shabby on the desk, the shelf or the living room either, and they come with an uninterruptable power supply build in. When everyone is on an electronic bugdet with almost omnipotent devices like smartphones, PCs, consoles all of which require replacement in perpetuity, is there room for a limited purpose blue skull, with a 281 $ Intel dual core?
There is a sensible TDP limit for eco-friendly PCs, but it ain't 15 W. There is also no pupose to cramming a stationarry PC into a little box, beyond "neat". "Neat" doesn't sell, either, or help anyone to improve their social status.
Laptops aren't designed for 24/7 usage, so no, they aren't great servers. Neither are they particularly expandable. Getting a few TB of storage into a laptop isn't cheap or easy. Neither is getting lots of RAM. As for desktops, sure, if you don't mind the premium. If you think the formfactor and screen come without a price, well... Lastly, laptops typically make more noise running full-tilt, or else they throttle. While this system probably doesn't run completely silent either, at least you don't pay the full laptop premium. The footprint is also smaller than a laptop (because laptops are low and wide, even when the volume is identical).
We deployed a number of the D54250WYKH units, and although the i5-4250U is not in the same league as the i7-4770R of the Brix, for standard office apps, they work well enough.
Apart from the usual "I like it but could I have a faster one" request, the wish-list feature that seemed to get the most requests was a QI charger built into the lid, so you can place your phone on the computer to re-charge - we have them sitting on the desk.
It seems that Intel are planning this for the next iteration, and personally, I can't see that working with a sphere.
Hmm, phones usually get a little warmer charging thru Qi, not sure I'd want that atop a small form factor case... Unless you're working in like a 3ft cubicle or something.
intel GPU 4400 on the 15W part so downscaled like hell in combo with a default HD... The kaveri a10-7300 with 19W and SSD for the same price would be awesome in that box.
same price since intel cpu are way more expensive.
It's nice to see something a little different, but I can't help but feel like they could have utilised the space better. For example, an internal PSU that occupies some of the extra internal space. I dunno, I just think it'd be more pleasing to have a unit that has nothing coming out of it besides a power cable and monitor cable, a brick kind of spoils that IMO. It also seems like it could have been a prime candidate for a passively cooled case, due to the sheer amount of surface area compared to the more compact, flat NUC systems.
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Sushisamurai - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
It would almost seem like a 65W Kaveri would have been a better fit in this system... Especially considering local file playbackSushisamurai - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
Oops, didn't notice this was a 15W watt part... Kaveri doesn't really fit then... Or does it ^_~BMNify - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
no amd soc meets these soc as AVX2 and Intel® Quick Sync Video are pretty much a base requirement in 2014/15 for high quality video playback and real time video capture/streaming.BMNify - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
OC saying that , even this dual core/quad thread intel soc doesn't really cut it for me, i cant even remember the last dual core anything i bought, even with intel in 2014/15 even if the OEM's are buying loads of intel soc for the next mobile/static blitz this holiday season , im not interested in buying as an end consumer unless its got quad core, and the said AVX2+ and Quick Sync...Assimilator87 - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
<blockquote>no amd soc meets these soc as AVX2 and Intel® Quick Sync Video are pretty much a base requirement in 2014/15 for high quality video playback and real time video capture/streaming.</blockquote>BMNify, I'm not arguing against your love for AVX2 and Quick Sync. On the other hand, you've overlooked some details. Haswell is not an SoC. That honor belongs to the Saltwell based chips. Also, both AMD and nVidia have equivalents to Quick Sync, being VCE and NVENC respectively.
xdrol - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Mobile Haswell _is_ an SoC.But AVX2 as base requirement? lol.. there are practically no programs for AVX2 because Intel decided to leave it out 70+% of all sold devices (Celerons, Pentiums). And QuickSync as "high quiality"? Have you even seen what blurry shit it makes?
emn13 - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
That's just nonsense. You certainly don't need quicksync for even high-end video playback - a single CPU tends to be enough (and you've got more than one, right?). I suspect AMD has a "iGPU" accelerated playback mode too. Though again, you don't need it (and the quality of quicksync is inferior to that of software decoders/encoders).AVX2 is neat, but similar truly not a requirement.
I recently got smoothvideo to run... smoothly on an ancient Q6600 with an ancient 9600GT card. I would certainly recommend more, but note: you really don't need quicksync.
Flunk - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
Gigabyte build a Brix based on AMD's last-gen Richland core. Now that a 45watt Kaveri chip is available they may decide to build one with that.For perspective the i7-4770R in the Brix Pro, which is both larger and runs hot is a 65watt chip so I can't see zotac fitting it in here.
nathanddrews - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
I was going to say "wait for Carrizo", but that will likely be a 28nm part (at this rate), so I don't think they'll get their power/heat issues resolved. I like these little systems, but they are all just too weak in GPU power to justify moving away from my current setups.Sushisamurai - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
Yeah, little systems attract me too. But I agree with subpar GPU performance. I still remember my netbook struggling to run a 1080p mkv file... *sighs*Assimilator87 - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
You guys are forgetting that the NUC and related SFF PCs all use mobile chips. If you want a full Kaveri with 512 shaders, the FX-7600P has a 35W TDP. For something with similar TDP to the i5 U, there's the FX-7500 at 19W, although that only has 384 shaders.Voldenuit - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
Needs copper foam afro.Bobs_Your_Uncle - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Given the spherical nature of this beast, maybe even a copper foam Goatee would be a stylish compliment to the fro action.( Scratching your head? => http://hexus.net/tech/news/systems/72569-silent-po... )
know of fence - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
Any chance that those Benchmarks find their way into Bench?I'd really appreciate some perspective of just how a dual core i5 fits into the full picture or how it compares to the 10W 4C/4T J1900 CPUs formerly known as Bay Trail, which also come with 9-19VDC adapters and are available as mini-ITX boards.
With the piddly cooling system being the Achilles heel of these SFFs, some noise testing would be appreciated.
Josh Peck - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
It's only the most sophisticated gaming experience ever created by humans.And it's spherical!
SPHERICAL!
arod916 - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
Looks like the design was ripped off from the Nexus Q. Google could sue them hmmm.M/2 - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
A Mac Mini is the same price... why do Mini's never make the "compared to" list? You can run MS & Linux as well as OSX on a Mini.... At the risk of being called a Fanboy (they're all JUST MACHINES). IMHO, I'd still opt for a MiniM/2 - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
PS: Sound is the only thing I see that may be better than a mini. Mini's have options for i7, 2 memory slots, so someone tell why this hardware set (or most of the others) are better?Iketh - Friday, August 1, 2014 - link
what's a "mac" ?FelixDraconis - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
The mini is lacking the newest Haswell chip, which should hopefully come soon. Should be an even better value proposition.But people also didn't take into account that it comes with an OS, whereas the Zotac does not.
We often use Mac Minis for light servers and compile machines, as you can fit a whole bunch of them in a small space and span virtual screens with software. They're not amazing but they're solid and dependable and get the job done.
wintermute000 - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9S...Do you call 729.95 the same price as 499?
To paraphrase a genius as yourself, IMHO I'd still opt for anything without the apple tax kthxbye
tim851 - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
599 at Apple.http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/mac-mini?product...
Has a better CPU and an internal PSU, which makes the form factor more convenient.
Glaurung - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
Huh. Newegg must be smoking something. The exact same machine goes for $599 on the Apple.com site: http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/mac-mini. And when they're in stock, you can get a refurbished one (identical to new except it comes in a plain white box) for $509: http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FD387LL/A/refurb...M/2 - Sunday, August 10, 2014 - link
I used to use the AppleTax word myself. I used to build my own machines. Having two minis running 24x7 , the new one for 3 years straight, the old one 4 years. Thus, I'm over both of those habits. If you compare them side by side, spec by spec, you may see the so-called AppleTax is minimal at best. ....OBTW, it's just a machine, not a religion. Both of mine are buried in the behind all my other AV gear. I rarely touch them, they just work.know of fence - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
You are absolutely right. The mac mini was the first to create this form factor in 2005, It was Apple's strategy to sell frequency constrained mobile parts as silent and eco-friendly. From tablets, ultrabooks to NUCs it's all just uninspired imitation.Buying a laptop is also always the better choice (same parts after all), which is why the minis aren't all that popular in the apple camp either.
Glaurung - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
"Buying a laptop is also always the better choice"Unless you're using it as a desktop or server and don't need or want to pay for the screen/keyboard/trackpad/battery.
know of fence - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Thing is laptops can make great desktops or servers, but not vice versa. They don't look to shabby on the desk, the shelf or the living room either, and they come with an uninterruptable power supply build in.When everyone is on an electronic bugdet with almost omnipotent devices like smartphones, PCs, consoles all of which require replacement in perpetuity, is there room for a limited purpose blue skull, with a 281 $ Intel dual core?
There is a sensible TDP limit for eco-friendly PCs, but it ain't 15 W. There is also no pupose to cramming a stationarry PC into a little box, beyond "neat". "Neat" doesn't sell, either, or help anyone to improve their social status.
wireframed - Monday, August 4, 2014 - link
Laptops aren't designed for 24/7 usage, so no, they aren't great servers. Neither are they particularly expandable. Getting a few TB of storage into a laptop isn't cheap or easy. Neither is getting lots of RAM.As for desktops, sure, if you don't mind the premium. If you think the formfactor and screen come without a price, well...
Lastly, laptops typically make more noise running full-tilt, or else they throttle. While this system probably doesn't run completely silent either, at least you don't pay the full laptop premium. The footprint is also smaller than a laptop (because laptops are low and wide, even when the volume is identical).
bobbozzo - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
Hi,1. How's the thermal performance?
We'd probably leave it running 24/7 with a larger-capacity HDD installed
2. I don't think 'Credentials' is the best word, in the title of page 4
Thanks!
ozzuneoj86 - Saturday, August 2, 2014 - link
They need to stop calling these things boxes if they're going to continue to make them spherical.Just sayin...
heffeque - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
Why weren't 2 slot memory + ssd benchmarks posted?biffzinker - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
The motherboard only has one slot, bandwidth to the CPU/iGPU is cut in half (out of 25.6 GB/s.)biffzinker - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
My bad it has two slots, so yeah why wasn't it tested with two sticks?ct909 - Sunday, August 3, 2014 - link
We deployed a number of the D54250WYKH units, and although the i5-4250U is not in the same league as the i7-4770R of the Brix, for standard office apps, they work well enough.Apart from the usual "I like it but could I have a faster one" request, the wish-list feature that seemed to get the most requests was a QI charger built into the lid, so you can place your phone on the computer to re-charge - we have them sitting on the desk.
It seems that Intel are planning this for the next iteration, and personally, I can't see that working with a sphere.
Impulses - Tuesday, August 5, 2014 - link
Hmm, phones usually get a little warmer charging thru Qi, not sure I'd want that atop a small form factor case... Unless you're working in like a 3ft cubicle or something.ct909 - Thursday, August 7, 2014 - link
Intel have this feature on the roadmap for the next version, so presumably it will be designed to manage any heat issue.duploxxx - Monday, August 4, 2014 - link
intel GPU 4400 on the 15W part so downscaled like hell in combo with a default HD...The kaveri a10-7300 with 19W and SSD for the same price would be awesome in that box.
same price since intel cpu are way more expensive.
Haravikk - Monday, August 4, 2014 - link
It's nice to see something a little different, but I can't help but feel like they could have utilised the space better. For example, an internal PSU that occupies some of the extra internal space. I dunno, I just think it'd be more pleasing to have a unit that has nothing coming out of it besides a power cable and monitor cable, a brick kind of spoils that IMO. It also seems like it could have been a prime candidate for a passively cooled case, due to the sheer amount of surface area compared to the more compact, flat NUC systems.briansmccrary - Tuesday, August 5, 2014 - link
fgfggfDoomtomb - Saturday, August 9, 2014 - link
Google Nexus Q much?