Thursday, June 2nd 2022
Gigabyte's Aorus Model S 12th is a Compact Mini-ITX Gaming System That Doesn't Rely on Liquid Cooling
Gigabyte has tried its luck at building compact gaming systems in the past, mainly part of its BRIX family of mini PCs, but none really took off. Last year the company introduced the Aorus Model S, although it didn't seem to garner much traction either, but it seems like Gigabyte is ready to give it another try, as the Model S 12th was introduced at Computex last week. Unfortunately there was no-one at the Gigabyte booth at the time that could tell us anything about it, so we had to go and dig up some details on our own. The base model appears to come with an Intel Core i7-12700K processor, which is fitted to a Z690 based Mini-ITX motherboard, paired with 32 GB of DDR5 4800 MHz memory. There's also a GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card with 8 GB of memory and a 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.
However, what makes this system a bit special, is that it has a massive combined CPU and GPU cooler, with the entire system being cooled by one 120 mm and one 140 mm fan. The design is reminiscent of the Corsair One, albeit a bit more square and not quite as refined. The Model S 12th comes with all the features you'd expect from a higher-end PC these days, such as 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) port and a 750 W 80 Plus gold rated PSU. The system measures 190 x 189 x 400 mm (WxDxH) and has a volume of 14 litres. A decent, if not spectacular specification, although as we don't know the pricing, it's hard to say if it'll be good value or not.
Source:
Gigabyte
However, what makes this system a bit special, is that it has a massive combined CPU and GPU cooler, with the entire system being cooled by one 120 mm and one 140 mm fan. The design is reminiscent of the Corsair One, albeit a bit more square and not quite as refined. The Model S 12th comes with all the features you'd expect from a higher-end PC these days, such as 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) port and a 750 W 80 Plus gold rated PSU. The system measures 190 x 189 x 400 mm (WxDxH) and has a volume of 14 litres. A decent, if not spectacular specification, although as we don't know the pricing, it's hard to say if it'll be good value or not.
23 Comments on Gigabyte's Aorus Model S 12th is a Compact Mini-ITX Gaming System That Doesn't Rely on Liquid Cooling
A bit of a pity that they didn't bother to design a better looking wifi antena to fit the rest of the design, or even the video outputs for the GPU which look kind a cheap. Are they specked for hdmi2.1 at least?
That WiFi antenna is also a standard Aorus part.
So if it throttles we can get a full refund??
The standard GB antenna is actually excellent, well-built, great reception and 5GHz speeds, and magnetic base. Don't see that combination on many vendors these days. The antenna Asus ships for Wifi 6 frigging sucks ass
The whole point of this is to reduce the size but it's frickin' massive. 14L is well into mATX territory and air-cooled sub-10L mITX cases are plentiful now.
The other problem is that you're stuck with the components you get. The chances of dropping in a GPU upgrade a couple of years later are practically nil.
the GPU sitting directly on the slot with own cooling, without the need for PCIe extender cables. , that way it would be open for upgrade path for the GPU.
I would move all connectivity on the top of the case by tilting the system on its front, and using ITX GPU with short PCB, all PCB are short even on 3080 anyway, just avoid triple fans models, stick to under 250mm, that would define the height, instead of 400mm, and big 3 slot cooling with 120mm noctua type fans, one of those would be 1/2 pass through fan overhanging the PCB for better cooling.
The current way it is built now it must be scrapped, heat tunnel or cheminee is good, but its just wrong on so many levels overall.
Regarding the AIO: the cheapo asetek units really do last for longer than 3 years, in my experience, and they don't leak. They also allow you to cram a ton of cooling into a simple design... I've had issues with EK and some of the fancier ones but just the bog standard aseteks have been great (and cheap). Here's my 13.3L case (smaller than this case):
1. 280 mm aio and unrestricted bottom panel (325mm 3 slot gpu) that dumps heat out the side.
2. No PCIE risers
3. 2x120mm unblocked exhaust fans restricted.
The amount of heat, even with modest hardware and fairly tame temps, that this thing puts out is seriously impressive. The cat loves it. But there's no way this gigabyte isn't going full toaster oven with that cooling setup. Those DDR5 sticks will actually bake.
Cheers! :toast:
It's not that I'm against water cooling now but for my needs air coolers are just fine, especially my NH-D15. Dead silent and keeps my CPU much cooler than the H60 did. The NH-D15 was also easier than getting a new case that could fit a 240 or 280 AiO. I can't find a case that I like enough to bother.