Gigabyte’s BRIXÂ line of computers are small form-factor desktops that have historically been powered by Intel processors… with a few exceptions over the years that have featured AMD chips under the hood.
This year with the AMD and Intel duking it out in the power/performance/price race like never before, AMD seems to be hedging its bets. The company recently introduced several new BRIX PRO systems featuring 11th-gen Intel Core “Tiger Lake” processors. And now it looks like the company is also preparing to launch a new set of BRIX S mini PCs with AMD Ryzen 4000 “Renoir” chips.
Gigabyte’s new BRIX mini PCs with AMD chips come with a choice of Ryzen 3 4300U, Ryzen 5 4500U, Ryzen 7 4700U or Ryzen 7 4800U processors and a choice of two sizes:
- 4.7″ x 4.7″ x 1.4″
- 4.7″ x 4.7″ x 1.8″
The key difference is that while both versions have an M.2 2280 slot for solid state storage, the taller version also has room for a 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD and an RS-232 COM port on the side of the case.
Other specs are largely the same for all models, including:
- 2 x SODIMM slots for up to 64GB of DDR4-3200 RAM
- M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3 x4
- WiFi 6
- Bluetooth 5.1
- 1 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port
- 1 x HDMI 2.0a
- 1 x mini DisplayPort
- 2 x USB Type-C (with DisplayPort Alt Mode support)
- 5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports
- 1 x 3.5mm mic/headphone jack
There’s no word on pricing or availability for these new mini PCs yet.
Gigabyte’s new BRIX Pro systems with Intel Tiger Lake processors, take up a little more space, but they’re still pretty compact by desktop PC standards, measuring about 7.2″ x 5.5″ x 1.7″.
They’ll be available with three different processor options, and the model number of each BRIX Pro computer gives you a pretty good idea of what’s inside:
- BSi7-1165G7: 4-core/8-thread CPU up to 4.8 GHz, Intel Iris Xe 96EU graphics
- BSi5-1135G7: 4-core/8-thread CPU up to 3.2 GHz, Intel Iris Xe 80EU graphics
- BSi3-1115G4: 2-core/4-thread CPU up to 4.1 GHz, Intel UHD 48EU graphics
Each model features two M.2 2280 slots for storage, two DDR4-3200 SODIMM slots for up to 64GB of RAM, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and ports including:
- 4 x HDMI 2.0a
- 1 x Thunderbolt 4
- 6 x USB 3.2 Type-A
- 1 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 x RS-232 serial port
- 1 x mic jack
- 1 x headphone jack
Designed for commercial user, the BRIX PRO series also include TPM modules and work with an optional VESA bracket, allowing the computers to be mounted to the back of a display.
via ComputerBase.de and TechPowerUp
This article was originally published Nov 16, 2020 and last updated Nov 19, 2020.Â
Nice to see Mini-PCs with faster connections: both 2.5 Gbps Ethernet for NAS connections and Thunderbolt for local fast transfers are a bigger plus than the AMD Ryzen CPUs now on offer.
Still nicer these PCs would be when the could be driven with passive cooling. But I think that would be much more expensive compared to a cheap but loud fan cooling system.
Are any of these passively cooled?
My ZOTAC mini PC is passively cooled, and has been OK, but not without its issues. At some point I will want to upgrade and after my experience with the ZOTAC I’m not sure I’ll be buying another.
The cases look like fan cooled Intel NUX clones. Unfortunately
Brix have also historically been overpriced. At least in my opinion. 🙂
After my somewhat disappointing experience with my ZOTAC mini PC, I might be willing to pay a premium for a better built unit from another manufacturer.
I love these announcements but where is the “take my money” button?