Brix Pro GB-BXi5-4570R

[funtasticguy]

(02-28-2014, 11:51 PM)Theron Wrote: 2xIR, 2xAA, 2xAF, v-sync enabled runs the games I've tried at 60FPS.
Maybe I could use a higher IR by reducing the other settings, but it looks great as is on my 42" 1080p monitor.

EDIT - 3xIR plays fine after turning off v-sync, and 4xIR didn't seem to improve quality. I didn't see any noticeable tearing without v-sync enabled. I think I can bump up the AA and AF a little more as well.

CPU temps are around 70C during HTPC duties and 90C running dolphin.

Contrary to some reviews, I can't ever hear the fan unless I put my ear next to the case. Very quiet, even during emulation or doing Windows updates.

Boot time with a Samsung EVO mSATA SSD is about seven second from the Brix Pro logo to a loaded desktop.

Had I known it would be this quiet, I may have gone with the i7-4770R, but for HTPC and occasional Dolphin use, the i5-4570R is going to be fine. I have a feeling the Skylake versions of these packages are going to be awesome for SSF systems.

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Next to the Wii U and Xbox 360.

Thanks so much for your mini-review. Your results are absolutely encouraging. With all the negative reviews out there about the fan noise and heat, I had pretty much given up on the Brix Pro. Perhaps the i7-4770R generates more heat and noise due to its hyper-threading. Even some professional reviews complained about the fan noise and heat (reaching consistently to 97C+ when it played games). Anyway, it looks like the i5-4570R is the way to go!

You didn't by any chance try out PCSX2 on your Brix? I'm just curious how well it plays games with that emulator.

Thanks again for sharing (including your pic)!

[admin89]

Stock thermal compound sucks ! Just grap an Arctic MX-4 to replace the stock one , the temp will drop dramatically

[Theron]

I may consider it, but I will rarely be pushing the system. I wonder how hard it is to remove the heatsink and fan.

After more testing, I did notice some tearing, so I went back to the original settings of 2xR, 2XAA, 2XAF and v-sync enabled. I think that's the best compromise.

The fan did kick in pretty high occasionally during longer gaming sessions. Kinda like a hair dryer in low. With game sounds, it isn't an issue, but it would suck for office work next to your ear. During HTPC/normal use the fan never ramps up.

Funtasticguy - If gaming and emulation are your primary needs, I would not recommend this system. Get a dedicated GPU and an over-clockable CPU. If size is an issue, I highly recommend it. I needed a small PC that fit into the spot next to the Wii U and wanted something with more power than the NUC.

[admin89]

It uses the same cooler as laptop . It won't be hard to remove since you can open the case easily unlike laptop

[Theron]

I changed my mind about the settings again. I now prefer to use 3xIR with v-sync enabled and leave most everything at default except Scaled EFB Copy. I think it looks better without that box ticked. I was getting random crashes due to the backend audio. I changed it to LLE on dedicated thread and DSound and haven't had a crash since. Temps after a few hours of continuous emulation are still in the high 80s with a 93C peak. Fan is inaudible over the game sound at moderate levels unless I sit next to the unit. I'd say it's very similar to the fan noise from my PS3.

[funtasticguy]

(03-01-2014, 11:48 AM)Theron Wrote: I may consider it, but I will rarely be pushing the system. I wonder how hard it is to remove the heatsink and fan.

Funtasticguy - If gaming and emulation are your primary needs, I would not recommend this system. Get a dedicated GPU and an over-clockable CPU. If size is an issue, I highly recommend it. I needed a small PC that fit into the spot next to the Wii U and wanted something with more power than the NUC.

Theron, does it look like it's hard to remove the heatsink and fan? If we can indeed apply the Arctic MX-4, that might bring down the temp some 10-20C and make a huge difference.

It turns out that I have a dedicated Alienware X51 in the living room (which I love), but wanted a spare mini computer for the bedroom so that my kids can use that one to watch their movies or play games when mom and dad are watching a movie in the living room.

Thanks again for your input.

[Theron]

The video on YouTube makes it look like it may just be a few screws. I haven't looked at the underside of mine.

My CPU is maxing around 90C and I think it's safe up to 100C according to Intel.

The SSD above the Wifi/BT NIC did almost reach its operating max of 70C when both Wifi and BT were being used but the fan was still at idle speed. I turned off BT and SSD temps dropped 8C. The BIOS must just be monitoring the CPU and iGPU to control the fan, and I think there is no way to control it manually as of now. Windows was running scheduled maintenance when I noticed the high SSD temperature reading as we'll, so that may have been contributing. I'll keep an eye on it and see if I can find out something more definite.

[admin89]

Nah , Safe temp for Intel CPU : <85C
Keep in mind that i5 4570R is soldered to the mobo (BGA) . Too much heat will melt the solder

[Theron]

On one of the tech sites they said that Intel told them under 100C was in operating range in the Brix Pro review. I'll try to post a link if I can find it.

http://www.legitreviews.com/gigabyte-brix-pro-review_136711/8

"Intel says that 100C load temperatures are within spec, but many of our readers will end up avoiding this system due to the temperatures and fan noise."

EDIT - During emulation, the CPU stays locked at a constant 3GHz. I would assume that means it is fine around 90C, or wouldn't it revert to the 2.7GHz stock or lower? I am not knowledgeable in these things, so I could easy be off.

My fan never goes above 2600RPM, but I think the reviews of the i7 version say it goes up to 4000RPM.

I probably will end up putting some Arctic MX-4 on someday.

The SSD seems stable at 64C with wifi and BT active (mid 50s when not active) and the fan at idle speed. When the fan kicks up to 2500RPM, the temp drops to 58C. Perhaps it was the maintenance that kicked up the temp before.

[NaturalViolence]

funtasticguy Wrote:. With all the negative reviews out there about the fan noise and heat, I had pretty much given up on the Brix Pro. Perhaps the i7-4770R generates more heat and noise due to its hyper-threading. Even some professional reviews complained about the fan noise and heat (reaching consistently to 97C+ when it played games). Anyway, it looks like the i5-4570R is the way to go!

They have the exact same TDP.

admin89 Wrote:Nah , Safe temp for Intel CPU : <85C

Depends on the cpu. The lower the voltage and clock rate are the higher you can push the temperature. This is why laptop cpus for example tolerate higher temperatures than desktop cpus.

admin89 Wrote:Keep in mind that i5 4570R is soldered to the mobo (BGA) . Too much heat will melt the solder

Most solders do not melt until around 200C. If there was any risk of it melting under normal operating temperatures Intel and AMD certainly would not be using it in almost every laptop.

Theron Wrote:On one of the tech sites they said that Intel told them under 100C was in operating range in the Brix Pro review.

"Within the operating range" just means that it won't immediately die. It doesn't mean that it's safe long term.

Your temperatures and fanspeeds seem fine. But they're pretty close to the threshold which means if the intake begins to clog with dust in the future it could start to overheat and/or get loud. I would replace the thermal compound. There is no reason not to even if it isn't "needed".