Popular Post plissken Posted September 3, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2017 I have in a Beelink Mini Windows 10 system based in Intel's N3450 Quad Core CPU and integrated Graphics. It's passively cooled system driven by a 1.5 Amp SMPS. So you could easily drive this with a Pyramid 3 amp 12v Linear, Regulated supply from Amazon for another $34 or other. This system cost to my door was $170. I ordered it 8/17 and received it 9/2. CPU: Intel N3540 Quad Core Turbo up to 2.2Ghz RAM : 4GB DDR 3 Single Channel *8GB units are available* Storage: Onboard 64GB eMMC OS: Windows 10 Home 64 bit edition Connectivity: HDMI 3 X USB 3.0 HP/Mic jack (1/8th) DC 12 volt input 1000MB Ethernet RJ45 SD Card Slot Internal expansion via 1 X M.2 4424 slot Sorry no Kensington Security key-hole Build quality is solid. Thermal padding is 1.5mm so I have ordered 1.5 and 1.2 mm copper heatsink shims that I can apply thermal paste for better heat dissipation and longevity since the heat sink pads tend to dry out and become brittle over time. Will follow up with pictures of how that works out. I will get into this a bit more after parts arrive (including 128GB M.2 2242 drive). Let me know what you would like to see. Roon Core? Linux? etc.... wgscott and The Computer Audiophile 2 Link to comment
Jeremy Anderson Posted September 4, 2017 Share Posted September 4, 2017 Neat! I'm contemplating a new Roon Server box... either going to get a used Mac Mini or build a fanless PC based on something like this, so this is very timely. I'd be curious how well Win10 + Roon Server runs on an N3450-based system... especially with just 4gb of RAM. If you feel so inclined, please kick the tires and see how it fares. =^) The box I'm contemplating (if I go the DIY route) is a ZOTAC ZBOX CI327 NANO. Passively cooled, has a 2.5" bay, card reader, dual-NICs (for bridging a wired connection to something like a *Rendu)... most of the cheese. Wouldn't mind to see it have an M.2 key and (stretch goal) Optane support, but hey... can't win 'em all. There's a step-up model which has an I3, and then there's also the NUCs, which are not passively cooled (big tradeoff) but do have the M.2. Choices, choices... Link to comment
plissken Posted September 5, 2017 Author Share Posted September 5, 2017 I used 1.2mm copper shim and Arctic Silver Thermal paste for the CPU on each side of the shim. So this should I used Thermal Conductive Silicone: Assembled back together and running Prime95 to stress test the system for 24 hours. I don't know if the copper/thermal paste/aluminum will present a long term issue since they aren't electrically connected and the thermal paste is a barrier regardless. Link to comment
plissken Posted September 6, 2017 Author Share Posted September 6, 2017 Ran Prime95 overnight and system has been fine. Warm to the touch but that's about it. Will install Ubuntu 17.04 next. Link to comment
plissken Posted September 9, 2017 Author Share Posted September 9, 2017 No dice on getting Ubuntu 16 or 17 installed... Simply won't boot from the USB stick. Will boot from a Windows USB. Link to comment
RickB Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Will you be using the onboard audio chip or adding an external sound card? I'm new to this so not sure how all that works or if it matters much. I'm thinking of doing the MSI Cubi N-049US. It seems to check all of my boxes: $330 w/Win10 Pro, fanless, 32GB SSD, 500GB HDD, enough CPU and Ram. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073SX9J2C/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 But there's no M.2 or Optane option...following Imitche's Optane thread with interest. Link to comment
plissken Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 For simply doing audio the BeeLink is a better value. I've hand on with the MSI Cubi and both are good boxes. The Cubi does 2.5" with included bottom that you swap out with with what it ships with. SATA III, the BeeLink M.2 and has double the eMMC storage of the CUBI and includes 4GB RAM. Link to comment
plissken Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 The BeeLink also runs cooler than the MSI... Link to comment
plissken Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 For $380 you could do the BeeLink and something like the Presonus 2|6. Link to comment
RickB Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I went with the MSI. It does run fairly warm but ntb. A little bit faster processor than the BeeLink. For $330 it comes Win10 Pro (alone $190 on Amazon), inline LPS, 4GB Ram. I run it headless, wireless, remote desktop, Jriver from a laptop or Gizmo app. I've started a playlist running and disabled the wireless/bluetooth driver with no noticeable SQ difference so I guess RF interference isn't an issue. The only thing plugged into it is the included LPS and USB out. Pretty simple. How did you make out with your BeeLink? Link to comment
plissken Posted October 5, 2017 Author Share Posted October 5, 2017 You can get Win10 Pro for $70 OEM. As far as the BeeLink it's kicking ass. Great device and under normal operation it's barely warm and I added 128GB M.2 2242. What DAC are you using with it? Link to comment
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