Friday, December 10th 2021
Gigabyte Launches the BRIX Extreme Powered by AMD Ryzen 5000U
Since the introduction of the NUC by Intel some years ago, the mini PC space has taken off and one of the more popular NUC alternatives has been the BRIX series from Gigabyte and the company has just announced the BRIX Extreme. This is Gigabyte's first BRIX series based on the AMD Ryzen 5000U series of APUs and three different options will be available, in the shape of the R3-5300U, R5-5500U and the R7-5700U. This translates to four, six and eight core CPUs with a 15 W TDP, although these are all Zen 2 based, rather than Zen 3, which is slightly disappointing.
This is also one of the first device we've seen that uses the new AMD RZ608 WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 module which was announced a little while back. Other features include 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, an M.2 PCIe 3.0 NVMe slot for an SSD, two HDMI 2.0a ports, a mini DP port port and a USB-C port with DP Alt mode, both supporting DP 1.4 and all display outputs can be used concurrently with four 4K displays. Gigabyte will offer the BRIX Extreme in a low profile chassis as well as a slightly bigger chassis that can either house a 2.5-inch SATA drive, or an optional expansion module.
The expansion module can either add a pair of M.2 NVMe slots, although they would be limited to PCIe 3.0 x1 or SATA, alternatively there's a module with a single M.2 NVMe slot with the same limitation, plus an extra Ethernet interface, plus an RS-232 interface via an RJ45 port. Gigabyte bundles a VESA mounting bracket, as well as a 135 W power adapter, which we were told would allow for optimal CPU and GPU boost speeds. Sadly we weren't given any pricing, but were told that it would be competitively priced compared to other similar products in the market. Retail availability is expected early 2022.
Source:
Gigabyte
This is also one of the first device we've seen that uses the new AMD RZ608 WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 module which was announced a little while back. Other features include 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, an M.2 PCIe 3.0 NVMe slot for an SSD, two HDMI 2.0a ports, a mini DP port port and a USB-C port with DP Alt mode, both supporting DP 1.4 and all display outputs can be used concurrently with four 4K displays. Gigabyte will offer the BRIX Extreme in a low profile chassis as well as a slightly bigger chassis that can either house a 2.5-inch SATA drive, or an optional expansion module.
15 Comments on Gigabyte Launches the BRIX Extreme Powered by AMD Ryzen 5000U
I do wonder why the 135W psu when these things are running 15w socs :confused:
First desktop device maybe. First device? Definitely not. Late by half a year there Gigabyte.
And chances are even if the processor is configured down to 15w(15-25w configurable) it still retains its boost capabilities and is capable of exceeding that. Notebookcheck measured up to 55w peak on their 5700U tests.
That is either a typo (35w is low but not impossible) or they had a discount on the heavy bricks. Or worse, given gigabyte's recent history with power supplies, they might just be full of shit with their numbers
They use a power brick like any other NUC or Brix for power.
They could even set power target for 5600H to be the same as 5600U and in effect get 5600U - that would not be a problem since they are using beefed up cooling and 135W power adapter.
www.asus.com/Displays-Desktops/Mini-PCs/PN-PB-series/Mini-PC-PN51/
And the 60w isn't actually wrong, its just speculation. Its 15w for the configurable 15w TDP (which it will exceed but to count with something), then its 900mA at 5v for USB ports, 7 of them so thats 31.5w. m.2 slots are specced at a max of 7w, with up to two of them. And that right there, is 60.5w just with those and nothing else.
Of course chances that all of those things are going at once isn't likely, but something one have to consider either way.
As said, even the 5700U has been spotted hitting up to 55w on its own, without monitor and such. So 135w really isn't really a stretch at all when you get the thing going, because it packs a lot of stuff in that little box.
Yes, they indeed annouced it ages ago, they even uploaded it at their official YouTube channel back in may 2021: Its annouced for Q3 2021
They named it first just: "Brix 2021" but its this: "Brix Extreme"
They promised the launch by end of Q3 2021, also "the most efficient, most powerful and most quiet" Brix to date............ Zen2 is sure not that, they even call it NOW the strogest mini PC in the world (hah good laugh), we all expected something like Zen3 - Ryzen 7 5800U (15 -35 W TDP) with atleast dual LAN, USB 3.2 2x2 with TypeC (true 20 Gbps) and all we got is this?
Man, im so damn frustrated, first the promise, long silence, delays after delays and now this dissapointment? And all that for (im sure) not so great price..... hah, a JOKE, isnt it?
IS THIS FOR REAL!?!?!?!?
BTW is it even confirmed that the USB C supports up to 3.2 2x2 with TypeC (true 20 Gbps)? No hope left........ whatsoever.
Its 2022, technological advancement, for real, yeah!!! Good start of the year.