Awesome SFF RTX 3070 & RTX 3060 Gaming PCs!

[@Techtablets]

More info & pricing: bit.ly/3d2pEns 00:00 - Intro & key specs 00:54 - What's in the box 01:49- Design, ports, and internals 05:08 - Bios settings available 06:53 - Windows 11, devices, 4k playback, and benchmarks 13:38 - Gaming & thermals 14:46 - 4k video editing and export times 16:40 - Linux Manjaro test 16:58 - Final words with Pros and Cons

[@dastrangle]

Hi techtablets, first time on your channel.. is that an Australian accent I detect? Just wondering if you tested any faster RAM. I heard the NUCXi7 doesn't support XMP, is this true?

[@1110111011101110]

I'm guessing the Integrated Intel GPU is disabled because on other computers I notice that CPU graphics limits the HDMI port to 2.0. So since the 3070 discrete GPU is pretty powerful that can limit some games that could otherwise do 4k at higher than 60 FPS, since HDMI 2.0 is limited to 4k 60Hz. Newer CPU with integrated graphics are coming out with HDMI 2.1 support and I notice that this limitation has gone away.

[@Carboxylated]

these are very intriguing. I actually might pick one up and sell my XSX. this is exactly what I have ben looking for in a NUC platform. Basically a gaming laptop without the keyboard and screen and I LOVE IT! Great review dude.

[@Techtablets]

Yes, I like the idea and many years ago I running gaming laptops via HDMI with external keyboards and this is basically the same thing.

[@SRC267]

7 years too late, back then I wanted a small form factor PC with decent hardware. Options were limited and I settled for a Syber Vapor PC, small like an OG xbox but still a chunky boi.

[@Techtablets]

Yes this a few years back would have been amazing

[@Gunbardo]

You also forgot to mention that for the performance output of this class, the nucxi7/i5 is at least half of what a gaming laptop would cost... That is the biggest selling point of this product.

[@Gaijin101]

looks like a laptop without the inputs and monitor :) interesting idea. Reminds me of server blades resold as gaming mini pcs.

[@Techtablets]

It is as mentioned in the review. You can see on the motherboard the plugs for touchpad, keyboard, display, and then the battery connector. Repurposed laptop living a new life as a SFF PC!

[@JohnLawrence-ej2fs]

Excellent review. Mainly want this for 4K Video editing but now wondering what you have mentioned about integrated graphics. Great review. Thank You.

[@change2023now]

This really missed the mark. It should have focused on providing spare HDD space especially considering the case isn't exactly small. Many 15.6 laptops with space for a spare 2.5 and additional nvme. It even has space just not efficiently used. Great review as always 👍

[@Xfade81]

There's a spare m.2 slot. You'd be hard pressed to find a recent laptop which supports 2.5" hdd's. Not as common anymore.

[@seansmith6473]

Yes needs 2.5" drive but it has nvme pcie 4.0 spec looks like itnat least 🤔

[@torpedospurs]

If it had come out 1.5years ago it would've been great. Now, with Intel 13th gen looming, and the huge performance gap between 11800H and 12700H? Not so much. I do like the form factor. Keeping the footprint and wattage down by using a laptop chassis is a great idea to me. Not everyone needs 850w PSU's heating up the room, and not everyone needs to game on the go.

[@Techtablets]

I'm sure next year will have an updated model with 12th gen 12700H at least but by then 13th gen will be out.

[@TheJohn8765]

Those power limits are weird. Your GPU clock was bouncing around a fair bit in the W3. I'm sure they are leaving a fair bit of performance on the table, annoyingly. And the thermals were quite good which indicates room for improvement (as you said). Hopefully they fix that.

[@Techtablets]

I hope they do as the GPU and even CPU could be pushed harder.

[@karstenberg3954]

Purchased the i7/3070 variant. Cant' wait to get my hands on it.

[@Techtablets]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@BAdventures]

Shame they didn't leverage the compact tower PC design. The whole advantage is better cooling, more power and storage. Good honest review 👍

[@gloomyvale3671]

Your missing the point of why this is this sleek, it’s designed to be set up on a cabinet next to a tv, that’s its whole point, otherwise you might as well get a laptop if your going to sit it on a desk with keyboard and mouse, I am buying this to be a steam gaming device I can plug into my tv, it would be pointless to buy otherwise.

[@delpinsky]

I have to admit this is an interesting solution.. the discount pre-sale price of the Core-i7 is a nice price indeed, even with 32GB and 1TB SSD! Too bad for the 11th gen CPU, but it's not a big deal. I will surely consider this solution next year, when I think I'm going to change my 8 years old PC. Since I have 2 3.5" HDDs, then I need a NAS with 2-bay, or, considering the price of a diskless NAS, maybe I need to buy a 8TB external disk desktop and transfer everything there.

[@Techtablets]

Yes, 12th gen would have been the icing on the cake, but even so the 8 core 11800H still is quite the performer.

[@ultimategohan1551]

The 11th gen cpu(at least for laptops) is actually pretty good and nice step up from 10th gen.

[@BAdventures]

Minis Forum also announced the HX90G, all AMD CPU and GPU mini PC. Look forward to your review.

[@Techtablets]

Working on it now

[@TrueVisionPk]

I love your reviews. They are thorough, and the best with precise details.

[@Techtablets]

Thanks for watching 🤩

[@kiraitachi]

Hey mate do you know if the thunderbolt port allows to power on the device? Or only the DC power port? Thanks in advanced!

[@NexusFantismo]

This is actually pretty cool. Wonder how loud those fans get and, more importantly, what kind of customer service is offered to US customers in case something goes wrong.

[@Techtablets]

It has really good cooling so they are surprisingly quieter than the typical gaming laptop

[@NexusFantismo]

@@Techtablets very nice. This may work in the living room. I have been holding out for a PS5, but since they increased the price of the system and are releasing some of their best IP to PC anyway I may just buy this instead. Great review, as usual

[@Techtablets]

@@NexusFantismo Thanks for watching!

[@Ordinary_Peasant]

Would be interesting to see a Ryzen version. Also a lack of ports is a con right? compared to a standard desktop tower

[@Techtablets]

Still has thunder bolt 4, sd card reader and those USB ports. Not really lacking maybe an extra HDMI but we have TB 4 for 3 display outs. unless you wanted 10 USB type A’s 😂😅

[@shadow19121]

I would honestly prefer this over my current custom itx desktop and even my MSI desktop replacement I had prior. Most gaming oriented laptops just don’t have proper cooling or quiet acoustics. If I can get good performance with good acoustics then this would be on my desk for the next 3-4 years minimum. This is also what I wanted in a console emulator replacement for my old consoles. What are the decibel readings under full load?

[@Techtablets]

Yes I was surprised a bit to see the cooling as actually pretty good considering how slim it is dB readings around 36 max I think it was

[@woodybg]

Thanks for the awesome review once again, Chris. I am wondering if they are using cheaper binned Intel chips with issues with the integrated GPU and that's why they've disabled it. Or they were worried of eventual thermal issues.

[@Techtablets]

Could be this, but I just think it's a bios setting. The are not QS or ES chips but final versions and the thermals are good pretty good for 8 cores 16 threads.

[@woodybg]

@@Techtablets Yeah, you are probably right, they could fix this with BIOS update.

[@Techtablets]

I hope so because to some of us it's really useful.

[@rameshravikumar9515]

@@Techtablets that sweet intel qsv which is more powerful than nvenc.

[@alvindanica]

This is same as looking a gaming laptop without the monitor screen that is why they can maintain the thickness. But actually this good replacement for consoles really especially if you want to plug-in to 50" TV or shift to desktop and plug to 27" screen. Hope the price is reasonable less the cost of monitor

[@rajgill7576]

Looks to be using mobile cards, right? Gonna run into the same performance/heat issues as on my laptop. It can heat my room lmao

[@isaacolukanni]

I've been waiting for thiss! Great video!

[@Techtablets]

Great! Thank you!

[@TheJohn8765]

I'm sure they're going to get a nasty letter from Intel for that logo. Curious choice on Minis' part. I think I'll build a real sff PC for my own use but I appreciate the reviews. I really like how you review most any techy products (including vacuums and ebikes). And you're honest in your reviews-- I've bought several products based on your reviews (including a minipc for my mum which she really loves) and I have yet to be surprised by using said devices. Your pros AND cons are accurate (rare in this space, frankly). Keep it up and I'll keep watching!

[@Techtablets]

Yes, this is exactly like my Intel NUC Extremes logo! Thanks for watching my reviews, yes I like to review many tech products including the vacs and ebikes as if I stick to just laptops, mobiles or mini pcs I get bored testing out different new products makes it interesting.

[@Mister-Wabbit]

what is the best mini pc for gaming at 1440p so i can jsut have it on my living room?

[@zodiacfml]

don't tell me this is more expensive than a gaming laptop with similar specs.😅😅 in fairness, the laptop im looking at does not have TB4

[@catluvr8875]

the laptop could end up cheaper since they are sold in much bigger numbers and can find some great sales

[@NexusFantismo]

Came back after the NVIDIA livestream to say that they lost their minds with that pricing (especially with a massive recession incoming)

[@Techtablets]

Yes the new 4000 series proxies 😱🤯

[@CrazyBlueTv]

Would be nice if you state it a bit more clearly that the manufacture send them both to you. Its like you said just a Laptop board put into a shell. All the disadvantages of a laptop without any benefits of a mini PC. They didn't even add additional display outs or USB. A Laptop with i5-11400H, 16/512GB and RTX 3060 is like 700- 800€ and you get a 144 Hz display, battery, keyboard and stuff with it while the MINISFORUM lacks it all and costs almost 200€ more.

[@Techtablets]

Didn’t I say Minis forum sent them to me at the start? If I didn’t I apologise. Yea it’s a repurposed laptop motherboard in a Mini PC you can see the connections on the board for things like the battery, touchpad keyboard and display. What’s annoying is the iGPU is disabled for some reason which makes no sense.

[@siyzerix]

The reason its not pulling max wattage is because of dynamic boost. It basically means your 3070 is 125w + 15w of shared power between CPU and GPU. That 15w gets transferred to the CPU when the CPU is using above 20w or more (which it almost always does). Same with the 3060. To actually bypass this dynamic boost, you have to do the IMON tweak which has the CPU under report its TDP, and that will let the GPU use its full TDP and CPU will use its full TDP. I have no idea why nvidia even bothered with dynamic boost, it just degrades performance. And the bios isn't exactly ''unlocked''. If it was you'd be seeing WAY more options. If you can somehow get an actual unlocked bios then you can do the IMON tweak and you should see a 5-10% boost, especially in the 3070's case where it should hit 140w more regularly. And thats the issue with these repurposed gaming laptops. They're not really cheaper, or faster or even more featureful. Why aren't they cheaper when they're dropping the display, battery, keyboard, trackpad, etc.?

[@lyonscultivars]

They could have so easily made larger cooler with better larger fans. Great looking device nor the less

[@mironescu28]

How long do they actually take to arrive? Because I have ordered one as well 😂

[@Techtablets]

About 2 weeks

[@rrvillareal2011]

Can you do an overclock of the gpu if your can get it to 140w

[@mukhammadsoliusmanov8913]

The PCB looks exactly like intel nux x15. Basically they removed the 93 Wh/h battery and packaged it in a screenless-chassis. Better buy Nuc x15 based laptops. In Europe you can get XMG Fusion 15 M22. Moreover, those laptops have a way better BIOS. Please review XMG Fusion 15/Maibenben x568 from china.

[@Techtablets]

No plans to buy those to review sorry.

[@throwbackglitcher]

Would it run at 4k and always above 60fps

[@garrukthewildspeaker262]

Where can I buy one? On hte website they're not available

[@ZephyrDavid]

This could have been a little bit narrower. In the front there are a lot of unecessary unused space.

[@Techtablets]

Yes or give us room for a 2.5” drive.

[@ZephyrDavid]

@@Techtablets Exactly. Or maybe they thought about putting a battery in it, seeing that it has a laptop motherboard.

[@kodaph]

It's also worth noting that RTX 3000 series that comes with laptops mostly has 128-bit as compared to Desktops which Got 512-bit above. No wonder it's underperforming as you'd expected it. Not all will be able to tell, average consumers won't be, or wouldn't mind at all. Then, slapping Adobe Premier for example only to be disappointed later on. It's really important one should take note if considering buying a laptop thinking it has RTX 3000 series graphics in it. OEMs market this as revolutionary yet it isn't much. One must get a Desktop PC with a dedicated graphics card in it instead. Coz there's not much to expect in laptops in terms of graphics.

[@Techtablets]

Still I have a MSI GE66 and the GPU pulls the full wattage it’s rated at, but here it doesn’t for some reason. Bios updates needed maybe 🤔

[@smalldeekgeorge]

They disabled integrated graphic because so many games and software have problems because widows would force integrated gou as default even if you change it to dedicated. Saw this problem on so many laptops. Also windows is very bad at gpu scaling especially when you have both integrated and dedicated gpu working at the same time. My friend needed to disable integrated gpu so he can avoid errors in games

[@Techtablets]

That might be it yes. But still for video encoding the intro graphics comes in very good tospeed things up.

[@HumanThords2]

bro because your setting on premiere is VBR 1 pass which is it will slow your rendering, I'm using SER5 32ram and i been using it for rendering 4K 150mbps h264, 1hr length the no problem, smooth, you need to tweak some of the settings in rendering, should use a media encoder for rendering your video

[@Techtablets]

It's because I always use that same yt preset for testing PC tech for encoding performance. It's across all them so not going to change it now. But thanks!

[@ingusmant]

So basically laptops without keyboard, battery or screen, but is it cheaper?

[@Techtablets]

It is cheaper than what I see locally.

[@EcksGamer]

Id like to know if you did this if it is simple to replace the thermal paste on the system because with me i like to replace the default paste they would have in the system with something a little higher in quality because i do get a little anal when my temps is too high to my liking also id most likely end up using HoloISO (Steam 3.0 OS) on the system since it has Nvidia support now and also for the 3060 model might perform a little better.

[@TBMartin]

I've had mine on order for over a week now, getting slow in your old age Chris? lol In all seriousness, I have not seen the video yet but still great to get your opinion.

[@Techtablets]

They send them to me well ofter after the others nowadays it’s the order of things. Besides I’ve been on vacation for the last 3 weeks according to KZbin notifications 😅😂

[@TBMartin]

@@Techtablets I hope it was lovely and enjoyable lol I went for the i7/3070 version and got it mainly for 4K emulation so hopefully its going to be perfect for me.

[@TheDuzx]

I wonder what the arangement for these are. It's clearly just a laptop board and I understand that Nvidia probably wouldn't want these chips in mini PCs. So is Minis Forum partnering with a Chinese laptop maker to just give them some boards on the side or what?

[@Techtablets]

Hi, it would seem that way yes. Using up their older stock.

[@AD-zc2ug]

It supports VR ?

[@FlightSimCasual1915]

honestly this is a cheaper optio n than a laptop that is if u have keyboard mouse, monitor

[@dzundzaviktr]

That r/w is close to my mbp 2017 year, poor😂

[@edsedseds]

In my country laptop with same specs cost same as this gaming PC, so I see no point to buy it for this price.

[@Techtablets]

That’s good as here I can’t find one with this spec and price for a 3070 gaming laptop. Maybe in the US?

[@edsedseds]

@@Techtablets MSI Katana GF66 11UG-872XPL ~1400 EUR . There is no way I can avoid 21% VAT for imported goods and USD is not cheap as it used to be.

[@smalldeekgeorge]

It cost almost 300 less for i7 version

[@Techtablets]

Well worth it. I hope later we see 12th gen versions

[@MegaRyan123456]

Pity not a 12th gen system

[@chainsapphire9526]

So slim for powerful spec

[@Techtablets]

It sure is.

[@realityboy7869]

So how much?

[@Techtablets]

Link in the description for the prices.

[@mindphaserxy]

I've got an MSI laptop with 11800H and 3070. It's 80W version of the 3070 and does well enough. I'm able to run games at 1080P or 1440P with high details.

[@Techtablets]

This a good card for 1080p and 1440p for sure! I had this spec in my MSI GE66. Thanks for watching.

[@TJ-hs1qm]

laptops with no screens 🙂 DPC latency is very poor though

[@lefteris19]

dead on arrival. they just launched the 4000 series

[@SRC267]

4000 prices are no good, not DoA

[@Techtablets]

This

[@nikatapi]

Lol, these are perfectly capable, especially for their pricepoint.

[@NexusFantismo]

Not everyone needs the latest and greatest either. You can play the same games on this that you can play on the 4000 series. Sure, you won’t get the most frames or RT cores, but you aren’t paying the premium either

[@seansmith6473]

So basically they took old gaming laptops and put in a case 🤔 🙄 better to just buy a gaming laptop then bro and cheaper?

[@Techtablets]

Depends on the prices btu yes it's a gaming laptop internals reproposed.

[@Litu_ck]

nice..

[@Techtablets]

Thanks

[@arico7923]

This is just a 3060 and 3070 gaming laptop without speakers, high refresh rate screen, battery, keyboard and track pad. Better to get a 3060 or 3070 gaming laptop instead.

[@arico7923]

@John Doe seems you didn't see this year's black Friday deals. There was a 140w 3060 Acer predator Helios 2022 with 12th gen i7 CPU for $999. There was a 3070 Lenovo legion 5 pro 2021 with Ryzen 7 CPU for $1100. There was a 6800m Asus for $1099

[@arico7923]

@John Doe including 12th gen i7(12700h)? I doubt Intel will remove a feature in both 10th and 11th gen in newer 12th gen. Even if 12th gen i7 doesn't, it's way better than the 11th gen i7(11800h

[@arico7923]

@John Doe just checked and saw Intel 12th gen i7(12700h) has thunderbolt 4. You should check your facts before stating them boldly Edit: also just confirmed Acer predator Helios 300 2022 model with 12700h has thunderbolt 4 and it was just $999 this year's black Friday with rtx 3060 mobile GPU

[@arico7923]

@John Doe dude, you are just trying your best to defend minisforum. Alright. There is a gigabyte aorus laptop with 12700h and 3070(130w) for just $1099 this black Friday. Prove that price deal for a laptop isn't better than minisforum 11800h with 130w 3070. Remember that the laptop also has a 144hz display with 99% color accuracy, speakers, keyboard and track pad. Minisforum is just scamming you bro. You can get better laptop deals if you check Edit: go to Amazon right now and check gigabyte aorus 15p XD with 11800h and 3070. It's $1250. That's the price right now

[@arico7923]

@John Doe just be patient and you will definitely get a good deal. Good luck. Edit: forgot to mention minisforum mini pc doesn't even have an inbuilt battery

[@gloomyvale3671]

Why a monitor? The whole point of this is to be a console type of device, to play games on steam, this would be pointless to put this on a desk next to a monitor, it’s more designed to be next to a TV hence the sleek design otherwise just get a laptop.

[@Techtablets]

Well my monitor is actually a TV, 48" LG CX.

[@recode8453]

It's a laptop without screen and battery 😂

[@Techtablets]

Yes as mentioned in the video 😂😂

[@308_Negra_Arroyo_Lane]

It's a stripped down laptop.

[@sbx369]

Internal cable management is horrible and also that plastic, hyper Chinese build.

[@cybermxsp]

there is a term to define acute idiocy, buying a notebook without a screen and trying to make people believe that this thing for the price sold is really worth the price charged