Knowledge Summary Of Buying A Mini Computer

1. Confirm the style of the CPU processor

The CPU specification directly affects the operating performance of the system, and of course also determines the operating range of the computer.

(1) Due to the limited size and heat dissipation performance of mini computers, notebook-grade Intel Core i3 to i5 low-voltage CPUs are often used;

(2) Some brands have launched mini-hosts for e-sports or creators, with processors up to Intel Core i7 to i9, which can smoothly edit videos or play games.

(3) If you want to have a wider range of uses, it is recommended to choose at least a model with a processor level of Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen R5 or higher.

2. The number of cores that affect the processing performance: The number of CPU cores represents its multitasking processing capability. The more the number of cores, the more people can divide the work, and multi-party data operations can be performed at the same time.

(1) For the Intel Core series, from the i3 dual core to the 11th generation i7 and i9 eight cores, the more cores, the stronger the multitasking performance.

(2) For general daily use, it is more than enough to have four cores, but if there is a need for graphic design, it is recommended to choose six cores to make the work smoother

(3) In addition to the number of cores, CPU processing speed is another important performance indicator. The processing speed represents the operation cycle of the processor (common unit is GHz), and the higher the value, the faster the operation speed. Even if it is the same 11th generation i7 eight-core CPU, there will be performance differences between 1.4GHz and 3.6GHz according to product classification. These data will be clearly marked on the product specification sheet. As long as you master these key numbers when selecting, you will be able to A CPU with suitable performance can be selected.

3. The independent display card makes the screen operation smoother: the graphics card is a microprocessor for performing drawing operations, and it mainly displays the operation results of the system correctly on the screen, which can be divided into integrated display processors and independent display cards. Two categories.

(1) Common integrated display processors such as Intel UHD and Iris Xe series and AMD Vega 8, while the display chips on independent display cards are mainly from NVIDIA and AMD.

(2) If there is a need to play 3A games, 3D graphics or high-end creation, a separate graphics card is still required to have sufficient computing performance.

(3) High-end graphics cards often need to provide their own cooling fans for cooling, so they cannot be installed in a particularly small host.

(4) Models such as gaming or graphics that must use a discrete graphics card can only be reduced to a (relatively mini) size, so you need to consider the performance and the size of the host when purchasing.

4. Pay attention to the design of heat dissipation

(1) In order to save space, some mini-computers will adopt a fanless design and use low-heat components. The advantage is that it can be completely silent during operation. However, without the help of active heat dissipation, whether the passive heat dissipation design can effectively dissipate heat is very difficult. extremely important.

(2) Common passive cooling methods include adding heat sinks, adopting a porous design for the casing, and increasing the number of ventilation holes to help the hot air to be discharged as soon as possible, but these methods can only meet the needs of low-heat operation.

(3) If you choose high-standard components or perform complex computing operations, it is still recommended to choose a model with a cooling fan inside or in the case to ensure the stable operation of the system.

(4) Therefore, when purchasing, the heat production status of the internal components, its own heat dissipation design, and whether a fan can be installed should be considered for integration.

5. Confirm the type and number of ports supported by the body: Whether it is for work or entertainment, many people now use dual screens to improve efficiency. Whether the host can provide multi-screen output mainly depends on the specifications of the display chip or independent graphics card.

(1) Some computers provide Dual HDMI output, and there are also mDP plus HDMI configurations. Those who like high-definition screens must further confirm whether they support 4K image transmission.

(2) It has other common I/O interfaces, such as USB, Thunderbolt 3, RJ45, etc., which can increase the convenience of use.

(3) Generally speaking, the larger size can provide more types and quantities of connectors.