I don't see the point of this. Not good enough for fhd gaming, too expensive and power hungry for a HTPC. As for HTPC duties, what about testing 4K@60 and FHD@60 (both with H.265)? Not really needed now, but I would rather get something future proof, especially for this kind of money.
I totally agree. My (Desktop-grade) Haswell Core i5 with 750 Ti OC uses less in Idle and only slightly more under FurMark load yet is a completely different beast allowing for Full HD gaming despite running very quietly and staying cool.
I honestly believe that Carrizo, is going to be the greatest HTPC/MiniGamingPC APU when it comes out and probably the first AMD processor that is worth purchasing since the Phenom II. Granted, they aren't going to release a Desktop version strait away if ever, and instead are releasing a Kaveri update, which is, meh, imo, but whatever...I'm just waiting for Zen to shock the world with it's Intel dominating performance, until Intel copies it, puts more money into it, and produces a better performing product, as they always have.
yes - this is pretty neat, but you can get a laptop with better specs at this price, and inlcudes a screen and it portable. This system doesn't really need such a high end processor.
I'm guessing this would actually be decent at FHD gaming, just not at the presets/detail settings that are used for AT's testing. I would really like to see a second detail setting for FHD be tested, as just because it fails at ultra settings doesn't mean it would at high/medium.
I definitely want lot's of 4K goodness! I don't care if it makes it bigger use heat radiators and lose the fan. Offer a black model to match my other HT equipment as well. Offer a model without a disc player as I'm only using this to stream from a server.
According to the manual on ASrock's site, yes it is an MXM card and it can be changed. The real question is what MXM cards are readily available to put into that system.
Not just available; but unless you mod the cooling, suitably low TDP. The R9 M270X's TDP isn't public; but is probably a bit under the similar (except for higher clocks) 50W M275X.
I got excited for a bit thinking I finally found a nice controller for a kinect powered robot I have... but then I read the review and saw it's pretty much useless... Guess I have to wait for the 960 / 970m powered Brix....
Nice toy have but as others have mentioned, it is too expensive. What can we build using a mini-itx board for that price? If size didn't matter, this is a mid-range gaming system from its cost.
How are we suppose to watch a bluray using this machine as an HTPC? For that price and the fact it's marketing towards the HTPC market, they dropped the ball on that one
This current build is a joke, looking at price and temperatures it reaches. 90c in such small form factor and small fan must make this machine incredibly noisy and annoying after short period of use.
This thing just screams for Broadwell and $500 price tag including OS.
I think they have lost the plot with these. I bought a lot of the original Atom ION version of this box and at the time it really was something. Perfect for office use and also not too bad as a home PC for general duties. Pretty cheap and well featured. Also all of them are still working perfectly, some have even had SSD upgrades. This just seems way over the top in comparison.
I would rather get rid of the mobile gpu, reduce the cost and swap out the dvd drive for a blue ray. $1000 for a SFF pc aimed at HTPC with a dvd and not blueray doesnt make sense. Seems like they arent sure who they are targeting with this configuration.
I would be very interested in one for a HTPC provided it supported 4K@60, needed NO fans (fine if they make it bigger and wider with radiator fins in the back and sides. I really don't need a disc player.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
30 Comments
Back to Article
Zizy - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
I don't see the point of this. Not good enough for fhd gaming, too expensive and power hungry for a HTPC.As for HTPC duties, what about testing 4K@60 and FHD@60 (both with H.265)? Not really needed now, but I would rather get something future proof, especially for this kind of money.
Daniel Egger - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
I totally agree. My (Desktop-grade) Haswell Core i5 with 750 Ti OC uses less in Idle and only slightly more under FurMark load yet is a completely different beast allowing for Full HD gaming despite running very quietly and staying cool.heffeque - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
If you want hardware h.265 4K60p, you'll have to wait until Carrizo comes around.MLSCrow - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
I honestly believe that Carrizo, is going to be the greatest HTPC/MiniGamingPC APU when it comes out and probably the first AMD processor that is worth purchasing since the Phenom II. Granted, they aren't going to release a Desktop version strait away if ever, and instead are releasing a Kaveri update, which is, meh, imo, but whatever...I'm just waiting for Zen to shock the world with it's Intel dominating performance, until Intel copies it, puts more money into it, and produces a better performing product, as they always have.baii9 - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
I believe Intel had the lead on hardware 4k decode for a while, so stick with igpu? :)kmmatney - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
yes - this is pretty neat, but you can get a laptop with better specs at this price, and inlcudes a screen and it portable. This system doesn't really need such a high end processor.britjh22 - Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - link
I'm guessing this would actually be decent at FHD gaming, just not at the presets/detail settings that are used for AT's testing. I would really like to see a second detail setting for FHD be tested, as just because it fails at ultra settings doesn't mean it would at high/medium.boe - Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - link
I definitely want lot's of 4K goodness! I don't care if it makes it bigger use heat radiators and lose the fan. Offer a black model to match my other HT equipment as well. Offer a model without a disc player as I'm only using this to stream from a server.Rafterman - Saturday, February 21, 2015 - link
H.265 not really needed now, I would dissagree. AFAICS H.265(HEVC) is fast replacing AVC.ToTTenTranz - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
The GPU's PCB seems to be risen above the motherboard's level.Is the M270X a MXM module? Can it be changed?
Kevin G - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
According to the manual on ASrock's site, yes it is an MXM card and it can be changed. The real question is what MXM cards are readily available to put into that system.Samus - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
Quadro's. lol.DanNeely - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
Not just available; but unless you mod the cooling, suitably low TDP. The R9 M270X's TDP isn't public; but is probably a bit under the similar (except for higher clocks) 50W M275X.basroil - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
I got excited for a bit thinking I finally found a nice controller for a kinect powered robot I have... but then I read the review and saw it's pretty much useless... Guess I have to wait for the 960 / 970m powered Brix....nos024 - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
Weak. For that price, you can build a system that is much better with the Raven RVZ01 case. WTH are these companies smoking?iniudan - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
That raven case is like 5-6 time the volume of this, that not a proper comparison.boe - Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - link
I'd rather they had their own version of the Heatsync 7000 so the unit required no fans.zodiacfml - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
Nice toy have but as others have mentioned, it is too expensive.What can we build using a mini-itx board for that price?
If size didn't matter, this is a mid-range gaming system from its cost.
baii9 - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
a mini PC review with no word on dimension or any size comparison , just great.mostlyharmless - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
Still hoping for a mini-PC stackable module standard that would reduce the tangle of cables to a manageable few.weez82 - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
How are we suppose to watch a bluray using this machine as an HTPC? For that price and the fact it's marketing towards the HTPC market, they dropped the ball on that oneMvoigt - Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - link
Bluray drive on the usb maybe.... just an suggestion like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Sub...FelixDraconis - Monday, January 26, 2015 - link
This looks pretty awesome for when it is discounted to $399!milkod2001 - Tuesday, January 27, 2015 - link
This current build is a joke, looking at price and temperatures it reaches. 90c in such small form factor and small fan must make this machine incredibly noisy and annoying after short period of use.This thing just screams for Broadwell and $500 price tag including OS.
juhatus - Friday, January 30, 2015 - link
Maybe put an AMD CPU APU in it and it will be ~400ish..boe - Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - link
Agreed - a fanless case design is what I'll want if I build a HTPC.jabber - Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - link
I think they have lost the plot with these. I bought a lot of the original Atom ION version of this box and at the time it really was something. Perfect for office use and also not too bad as a home PC for general duties. Pretty cheap and well featured. Also all of them are still working perfectly, some have even had SSD upgrades. This just seems way over the top in comparison.aj654987 - Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - link
I would rather get rid of the mobile gpu, reduce the cost and swap out the dvd drive for a blue ray. $1000 for a SFF pc aimed at HTPC with a dvd and not blueray doesnt make sense. Seems like they arent sure who they are targeting with this configuration.meacupla - Friday, January 30, 2015 - link
If only it packed in a GTX970M or GTX980M...M270X? really?
boe - Tuesday, February 3, 2015 - link
I would be very interested in one for a HTPC provided it supported 4K@60, needed NO fans (fine if they make it bigger and wider with radiator fins in the back and sides. I really don't need a disc player.