Outside of the Box (opens like a gift box) |
First thing you see |
Next Layer: Instructions, Screws, VESA Mount, Driver CD |
FSP Group Power Adapter, 19V 3.42A |
Other half of the power cable |
Better shot of the screws and documentation |
Brix vs Magic Trackpad |
Bottom Panel |
Front Ports |
Rear Ports |
The screws that hold the bottom panel on. |
The Brix opens up in a similar way to the box, the bottom becomes the top. |
Ram Slots and motherboard model |
2.5 |
Be sure to not be a moron and attach the connector before attaching the caddy to the bottom plate. |
Properly connected. |
RAM |
Full Height |
Angle |
So after a couple weeks of searching for the right tiny box to replace my ThinkStation S20, I've settled on the i3-based Gigabyte Brix. The Brix is an interesting little box, and comes in four forms; Intel or AMD-based, a version that uses standard-height 2.5in drives, and one that requires mSATA/PCI-e SSD's. There is no difference between the 2.5" drive and the mSATA versions except for the fact that one does not have a SATA connector and space for a 2.5" drive. More on this fact later.
This review is for the Intel i3-based 2.5" drive model. There are models all the way from the Intel Celeron to the Core i7-4770R, as well as an AMD A8 version. The gaming version uses desktop processors, while many of the "regular kind" use the low-voltage or mobile version.
=Model=
Model:GB-BXI3H-4010
MSRP: $279.99
=Parts Added=
1x Intel 530 Series 240GB SSD
-$135
1x Intel 510 Series 120GB SSD
-Free
1x Intel 7260 Wireless-AC 7260 Dual Band 2x2 + Bluetooth
-$30
1x Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 204Pin LV
-$67
1x Windows 7 Ultimate
-167.99
Total Price As Configured:
$679.99
=Specs=
CPU:
Intel i3-4010U "Haswell"
-Dual Core w/ Hyper Threading Technology 1.7GHz, 3MB Cache, 15W Maximum TDP
-CPU is soldered in place/non-upgradeable
Chipset:
Intel HM87 chipset
Storage:
1x mSATA connector
1x proprietary SATA/Power cable
RAM:
2x 204-pin DDR3 SODIMM
-Maximum 16GB capacity (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333/1600MHz Non-ECC, un-buffered, 1.35V Low Voltage
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 4400
-Dual Display Capable
-Mini Displayport
-HDMI
Audio:
-Realtek ALC269 Chipset
-1x 3.5mm front panel connector, dual stereo/SPDIF optical
Ethernet:
-Realtek RTL8111G
Wireless:
-Included Mini-PCIe Card
-Dual 802.11n/Bluetooth adapter
-Conflicting reports as to single band/dual band as some models come with 802.11AC cards
I/O:
-Rear
1x 19V DC-IN
1x HDMI
1x Mini DisplayPort
1x Gigabit LAN
2x USB 3.0
1x Kensington security slot
-Front
2x USB 3.0
1x Stereo OUT / S/PDIF Optical OUT
Dimensions: 1.69"H x 4.24"W x 4.5"L
