Gigabyte has updated its BRIX range of mini-PC barebone systems to include the latest Intel 7th generation Core Processors. Customers who are interested in a new Kaby Lake BRIX can choose one of three processors in the 0.46L (34.4 x 112.6 x 119.4mm), or slightly taller 0.6L (46.8 x 112.6 x 119.4mm) chassis. If you opt for the taller (46.8mm) chassis you can fit both a 2.5-inch drive and an M.2 SSD. Users of the shorter (34.4mm) chassis can only fit an M.2 SSD.
The following are the new processor options; the Intel Core i3-7100U, Core i5-7200U, or Core i7-7500U processors. All these are 2C/4T processors. I've tabulated their base performance specs below.
|
|
Intel Core i3-7100U Processor |
Intel Core i5-7200U Processor |
Intel Core i7-7500U Processor |
|
Cores |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Threads |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Processor Base Frequency |
2.4GHz |
2.5GHz |
2.7GHz |
|
Max Turbo Frequency |
N/A |
3.1GHz |
3.5GHz |
|
Cache |
3MB SmartCache |
3MB SmartCache |
4MB SmartCache |
|
Bus Speed |
4GT/s OPI |
4GT/s OPI |
4GT/s OPI |
|
TDP |
15W |
15W |
15W |
All the above processors are equipped with Intel HD Graphics 620 with a 300MHz base freq, which can boost to 1GHz (1.05GHz for the i7). These systems support up to 32GB of DDR4 2133MHz memory (two SO-DIMM slots).
With compact systems such as these BRIX, the integrated graphics are extremely important. Intel's Kaby Lake graphics are said to provide about a 10 per cent uplift over the previous generation BRIX machines, plus the new HEVC 10-bit hardware acceleration for superior 4K playback and content creation could be an important consideration.
Gigabyte's VESA mountable BRIX offer a good selection of connectivity options such as; 1x USB 3.1 Type-C port, 1x USB 3.1 TYpe-A port, 2x USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, Dual Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Combo Audio jack.
Remember these are barebones machines so you will have to add your own memory, storage, and OS to make a complete working system.
