Gigabyte is updating its BRIX Extreme line of compact desktop computers with new models powered by AMD Ryzen 7035U and Ryzen 7040U processor options.
The new models are similar in size to the BRIX GB-BRR models that launched a few months ago, but those mini PCs packed Ryzen 7030U chips with significantly less CPU and graphics horsepower. The new models should be better for people looking to squeeze a bit more performance out of a small desktop computer, particularly the top-of-the-line Gigabyte BRIX Extreme GB-BER7-7840, which is the only model to feature a chip based on AMD’s Ryzen 7040U “Phoenix” architecture.
Most of the new BRIX Extreme mini PCs feature AMD’s Ryzen 7035U chips, which are basically modest updates to last year’s Ryzen 6800U processors, featuring the same Zen 3+ CPU cores and RDNA 2 GPUs, but support for higher CPU frequencies.
But the Ryzen 7 7840U chip in the GB-BER7-7840 mini PC features eight AMD Zen 4 CPU cores and a 12-core GPU based on RDNA 3 architecture. It’s a 15-30 watt chip designed for laptops, but it’s also proven popular with handheld gaming PC makers. It’s less common to find it in mini PCs.
All of the new Gigabyte BRIX Extreme mini PCs with Ryzen 7000U series processors feature a set of ports that includes:
- 2 x HDMI 2.1
- 1 x mini DisplayPort 1.4
- 1 x USB Type-C (with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- 1 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet
All models support WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
Under the hood there are two SODIMM slots with support for up to 64GB of RAM (the Ryzen 7 7840U model support DDR5-5600 memory while other models top out at DDR5-4800).
Storage options vary by model. Gigabyte offers slim and tall versions of its BRIX Extreme mini PCs with Ryzen 7035 chips, with slim versions measuring 139.1 x 134.2 x 48.3mm (5.4″ 5.3″ x 1.9″) and tall models are 52mm (2″) high.
The extra height provides room under the hood for a 2.5 inch hard drive or SSD as well as an M.2 2280 slot for a PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD. Shorter versions have just the M.2 slot.
So far the only model available with a Ryzen 7 7840U chip is a slim model, which means that you have to choose between a 2.5 inch drive or a faster processor. But the company says it will also offer an optional upgrade kit that provides “an I/O expander for a second LAN connection, RS232 communication port, and an M.2 2280 slot.”
Gigabyte hasn’t announcing pricing or availability details yet.
| Model | GB-BER7-7840 | GB-BER5-7535 | GB-BER3-7335 | GB-BER5H-7535 | GB-BER3H-7335 | GB-BER5HS-7535 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU / Freq | AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, 8C, 16T, up to 5.1GHz, 15W | AMD Ryzen 5 7535U, 6C, 12T, up to 4.5GHz, 15W | AMD Ryzen 3 7335U, 4C, 8T, up to 4.3GHz, 15W | AMD Ryzen 5 7535U, 6C, 12T, up to 4.5GHz, 15W | AMD Ryzen 3 7335U, 4C, 8T, up to 4.3GHz, 15W | AMD Ryzen 5 7535U, 6C, 12T, up to 4.5GHz, 15W |
| Graphic | AMD Radeon RDMA3 780M | AMD Radeon RDMA2 660M | ||||
| Memory | 2 x SO-DIMM DDR5 5600MHz, Max. 64GB | 2 x SO-DIMM DDR5 4800MHz, Max. 64GB | ||||
| Storage | x M.2 – PCIe x4 | 1 x M.2 – PCIe x4 / SATA | 1 x M.2 – PCIe x4 / SATA 1 x 2.5″ HDD/SSD | 1 x M.2 – PCIe x4 / SATA 2 x M.2 – PCIe x1 / SATA 1 x 2.5″ HDD/SSD | ||
| Networking | 2.5G LAN Wi-Fi 6E / BT | |||||
| Graphic Output | 2x HDMI 2.1; 1x mini DP (DP1.4); 1x USB type C (with alt DP mode; DP1.4) | |||||
| USB | 3 x USB 3.2 gen2 Type A 1 x USB 3.2 gen2 Type C 1 x USB Type C/DP 2 x USB 2.0 Type A | |||||
Does it run fortnite smoothly?
Cool, I’ve been waiting for a mini / desktop based on the low power 7840u for a quiet music workstation and media center.
I really appreciate the work you put into your reviews! Could you please put the pricing info at the top of the articles instead of the bottom. I’m interested in things that I can purchase, not just specs in general. Thank you!
yea thats a good idea for once just put the price everywhere so we can decide if the e waste is worth it
This is the biggest problem with many of the product announcements here. 80+ percent of new products are released without pricing information. I got really enthusiastic reading the headline but without a price it will disappear somewhere in my head and be forgotten.
Not something Brad can help but irritating nonetheless.
Even knowing that there is no pricing info while I’m reading the article would be really helpful. Again, I’m super appreciative of the work that is being done and all the details that are being written – thank you!