Mini PCs – Gigabyte Brix wants to compete with Intel NUC 11

After Intel released a mini-PC with the NUC 11, Gigabyte now releases the Brix with Intel’s 10 nm Pentium or Celeron processors. Overall, the Brix is even smaller than the competitor, which is also available with Pentium or Celeron CPUs.

Intel processors and low clock speeds

Gigabyte has now introduced budget models in the Brix series. These can be configured with Pentium and Celeron processors from Intel’s 10 nm production, which feature a low TDP of 4.8 to 10 watts. As an entry-level model, the Brix models feature a Celeron SoC with 4.8 watts and fanless cooling.

There are three different budget models in the Brix range, for one the GB-BMCE-4500C, the GB-BMCE-5105 and the GB-BMPD-6005. 10 nm CPUs in the 11th generation have been developed here especially for the budget sector, which in contrast to the predecessor use Tremont cores accelerated by 30 percent. The cheap two-core offshoots are the Celeron N4500 and the Celeron N5105 as well as the Pentium Silver N6005 with four cores, which are all soldered to the PCB.

All new Gigabyte Brix models work with comparatively low maximum clock rates of 2.7 GHz, 2.9 GHz and 3.3 GHz. Intel’s newly developed Xe architecture is not used, but the 11th generation of the older architecture. This reaches 32 EUs with a maximum of 900 MHz, depending on the performance class.

Case and ports

In width and depth, the case of the Gigabyte Brix is smaller than the competing model from Intel, but it has a bit more in height. The Brix comes to a dimension of 117 x 103 x 56 mm (W x D x H). Due to a higher build, an HDD/SSD in 2.5-inch format can be integrated alongside the M.2 SSD with a maximum length of 80 mm. The working memory takes place in an SO-DIMM slot and can have up to DDR4-2,933 with 16 GB.

On the Gigabyte Brix, image output can be done via two display outputs, either via Mini-DisplayPort 1.4b or via HDMI 2.0b. These are both specified for a maximum of 2160p60. In addition, the mini-PCs have four USB Type-C ports on the front, which offer USB 3.0 with a flow rate of 5 Gbit/s. There is also a Gigabit LAN port (Realtek 8111HS) at the back of the case. Otherwise, Wi-Fi 5 (WLAN 80.2.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2 can be used via the WLAN module.

Additionally, there is of course a jack socket for microphones and headphones. The external power supply, which has a nominal power of 65 watts, takes care of the power supply. The scope of delivery still includes a VESA-compliant kit for mounting behind TV or monitor.

Availability and prices

When and at what price the new Gigabyte Brix mini PCs will be released is currently not yet known.