Lenovo ThinkCentre M80q Tiny Gen 3 Review 1L Mini PC

[@thatLion01]

Amazing review :) Thank you again, like how they keep on improving these machines

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Glad you liked it. Going live soon for everyone.

[@JibbaJabber]

@3:04 And just like your happy dog, it can wag its tail 😊

[@LasVegasVocalist]

Once again Patrick, Great Video!!! I love seeing these reviews on the 1L PCs.

[@pratikpramanik7782]

This rewind intro was so much better 👌

[@spiralout112]

Came sooo close to picking up a couple of these since I decided to sell the 24u rack with a handful of Dell R*20 servers. Ended up doing basically Wendell's Jonsbo N1 build instead since I could get things down to 1 host with those new 48gb dimms and the fact that I still can't find a decent way to stuff a bunch of disks into a external enclosure without needing a SAS card.

[@AB-80X]

Picked up an M90Q with a 12900 CPU. Installed an additional 16gb RAM and added a 1TB SSD that I closed. Then did a format of the stock 512gb SSD and run it as a secondary storage drive. A gem of a small format desktop.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Wow! Sounds like a great setup. I hope it works well for you!

[@Z-isuckatgaming]

I got a gaming monitor and doing homeschool do you think this little will be good for homeschool?

[@jonathanmarshall3974]

These can also be fitted out with dedicated graphics (obviously not this model). There are empty solder pads visible for 16x slot @ 06:37

[@yanmak2363]

I've just seen an Nvidia t1000 inside one. You need a riser for the x8 slot

[@jonathanmarshall3974]

@@kishirisu1268 That's incorrect. Yes you need a riser but you absolutely can get a T series Nvidia single slot GPU (or compatible AMD model) to fit.

[@denvera1g1]

Wait, it has 2 mounting locations for an RTC battery? 8:21(not populated) 8:50 populated I'd say it was just the back side but they dont look to line up through the PCB

[@DevilerGaming]

Great video! looking at some of these on sale, they seem like they might be good for some small server needs

[@GrumpyBearRawr]

I like the reviews but please don't do the let's back up intros. It's nicer when you jump right in.

[@NonchalantWalrusParty]

Also very much dislike it. Guess editor feels they need to justify their bill?

[@hachikiina]

i think it adds more character to the channel, it's just a few seconds honestly

[@therevoman]

Need you to do reviews of minisforum boxes. :D

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

We do. The last one we did a few weeks ago overheated on the RAM/ SSD side. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqbKpoiodpKfosk

[@jolness1]

They have but they haven’t been favorable. Glad they did because I considered them but now leaning toward something like this instead.

[@therevoman]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo awesome! And awesome review. If it work out could you put the minisforum NPB7 i7 ddr5 box on the list? It's $489 right now and I'd love to know if it will work as my single node kubernetes cluster (actuay OpenShift). ;)

[@luigiprovencher]

When did Lenovo start putting USB 3 in their tiny PC's and what model was it?

[@JasonsLabVideos]

Excellent video Sir, i see that its missing the PCI-e slot too :( NO more adding a 10gig nic or video card..

[@spewp]

+1 for gallows humor. More pls. Go full dark with it.

[@ErikHershey]

I know this is an old post but is there a way to add a 10gb nic?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

It is a bit harder, but I think there might be someone who has added an Aquantia NIC to this in the forums

[@ErikHershey]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo so the hp models are the easiest for internal 10gb nics?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

@@ErikHershey I think so. But we might have a video on a slightly larger one that might be better for this next week. If not next week, high probability the week after. Still waiting for testing to finish.

[@snoflahke6575]

missing a battery from the bottom of the machone next to the nvme slots? 8:19 time mark?

[@spiralout112]

Damnit Patrick you did it again!

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Oops I did it again?

[@spiralout112]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo made a vid of the nodes, now the prices are hiiiigh 😂

[@bmfairweather]

I really wish it had the option to add an additional nic(s)

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Well, you can add a 2.5GbE NIC in the flex slot

[@pbachmann]

The i9 version has really great performance! These boxes are great to buy relatively cheap computation power. You can even put two of those in one U in a rack.

[@falcon60]

How about converting this into a 8 bay NAS by using PCIE to 4 channel SATA expander with an external enclosure for HDD? The base might require some modifications to accomodate the cables but I think it will be a powerful home server.

[@wehooper4]

The HP Elite Mini G9 *DOES* support 2.5" drives, you need a tray and adapter for it though.

[@fredjones100]

Got a similar m90q (specced with the 12700T CPU) on order. Let's see if they actually build this one - I had the same thing on order ages ago and they just cancelled the order when the shipping date arrived. Very annoying, but none of the competition offer the storage options this one does so I've persevered so far...

[@TruckCentral]

*That Mac Mini in the background has entered the chat* 🤔

[@skaltura]

that intro where are MFG logos AND background of 1L units -> they are not ordered. Dell logo is on top of HP EliteDesks etc. :D

[@George.Gadgets]

The M2s are 2242 right? I wonder why nobody ever says what size are the M2's :(

[@MarcoPiscopo]

Hi, how does it handle temperatures?

[@mountainmonkey15]

Would make a powerful little Plex server.

[@Starlite123]

Does Levono provide the zip tie or is tha aftermarket?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Assuming that is the 2.5" tray zip tie that is standard to hold the SATA data and power cable in place

[@Jorvs]

is there any new generation thinkCentre that you can customize to add another network port?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Some folks have done this on the M90q, M920q, and ThinkStation Tiny's for Lenovo since they have PCIe slots. There is an option for an optional NIC instead of one of the optional DP's we are showing here. The HP Elite series is easier to add a second NIC to.

[@Jorvs]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo thank you

[@tamildesan837]

You can order the 80q tiny with additional 2.5G NIC for few more $. Please be aware that’s a Realtek one though. Pfsense picked up that model but not sure about other *nix flavors. M90q I didn’t see the addon NIC option in my country. YMMV.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

wonder why there are no KT skus.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Most of these are sold as corporate desktops so not many uses for overclocking. Plus, more impactful would be getting a 65w sku

[@denvera1g1]

7:40, should work without issue but there will eventualy be 64GB modules, and assuming there isnt an arbetrary limitation in the memory controller over how large each dimm cam be, this should support 128GB, though probably at most 4800mt/s The desktop processors are where i worry, Intel and AMD have in the past put limitations(either intentional or not) on the memory controllers that often did not allow you to use the maximum capacity. Even on some server processors, like my Dell C2100 could fit something like 288GB of DDR3, the most you could realistically install would be 192GB, and really it didnt like more than 144GB

[@mikelovesbacon]

Is there an option for another ethernet port in this? Specifically >=2.5Gb? With support for 64GB RAM, 2x NVMe, and a SATA bay for backups, this looks like an excellent VM server if it can have better networking. Actually, Lenovo's site doesn't even state if the built-in port is Gigabit or 2.5Gb

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Yes on 2.5GbE

[@yanmak2363]

Is it possible to add a discreet GPU to this ? I see the pcie slot, maybe with a riser you could upgrade to a better Graphics card?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

We have a version of this with a dGPU, but it needs the PCIe slot

[@milescarter7803]

IIRC 12th gen is the first generation with 4 display outputs for the iGPU

[@AngelaTheSephira]

My 11th Gen board from Erying has four display connections listed in Intel Graphics Control Panel.

[@pcislocked]

im keeping an eye on the second hand market to snatch one of the older 1l pcs for cheap for a mini server build. newer ones are even awesome-er I guess

[@i_Kruti]

3:12 We can understand PATRIC.....!!!🙃🥲😅

[@hieu.2024]

*9:01** Aluminum heatsink?* That's bad

[@ramosel]

What is with 1 Liter designation on a computer?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

It is a class of PC that is around 1L in volume

[@paolonervi2208]

I do not see the pci express slot as in the older M720Q..am i wrong? It would be useful to add a 10Gb NIC with a riser card..

[@J3assbox]

10:46 Core Voltage: 2,75V what ?

[@ronsafranic5177]

I noticed that the PCI Slot was unpopulated on the board. Do they still have a model that uses the slot with a riser?

[@jja2000]

Generally the higher tier systems (M90q I think) and the thinkstations do. Before the second nvme slot was unpopulated aswell between the thinkcentre's and the thinkstations.

[@thefreddit]

The M90q does and the workstation P360 tiny that uses the same chassis

[@jallen1227]

At $500, why the Lenovo or a Bellink or Minisforum with current gen / new components ?

[@Z-isuckatgaming]

Which one do you think I should get for homeschool

[@Teksers]

why not update the bios and then purchase a 13600T, 13500T or 13400T? 13th gen have both efficiency and performance cores.

[@AngelaTheSephira]

It's soldered... You can't replace the CPU.

[@Teksers]

@@AngelaTheSephira Your brain is soldered, look at minute 9:00 you'll clearly see a dekstop socket underneath the heatsink

[@suprerxero]

@@AngelaTheSephira this is desktop cpu not mobile you can replace cpu if bios supports it

[@Maiconnection]

Ik it’s off but the Lenovo Thinkcentre m90q tiny supports a gpu like T1000? The P360 and P3 both have option to buy with a t400 or t1000 but the m90q don’t

[@blahblahblahblah2933]

Unfortunate it doesn't have a 2.5Gb network interface. I guess if you get desperate you can substitute something in the wifi slot?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

There is a Realtek option instead of one of the rear optional DP we have in this one

[@spitsparrow]

much difference between this and M70 ? what does the number mean

[@tamildesan837]

The motherboard itself different. As he has highlighted it supports DDR 5 whereas the 70 is DDR 4. Additional nvme 2.x on 80 as well.

[@whothefoxcares]

Q: how loose was your dog's tail?

[@Cynyr]

tbh, 3 or 4 USB ports is plenty for me. however for $500 this doesn't make much sense for me, esp. with gigabit networking.

[@squishy.]

Can this game? Particularly just Valorant or LOL? I just need something portable I can put in my pocket to have a LAN parties with friends lol. I'm eyeing for this but still not sure about this 12th gen's IGPU. I think Iris XE is better and I'm thinking of i5 1235U instead.

[@denvera1g1]

I cannot wait for what i assume is going to be called the 7740G based M75Q-Gen3, though, will they finally give us an M95 with 2 M.2 slots, option for a multi-purpose PCIe slot? Heck the M75Q Gen2 has the through holes on the PCB for a 16x slot like the M90X or thinkstation tiny, it just isnt populated.

[@AB-80X]

Not sure what you mean. I have the M90Q Gen 3 I9 12900. That has twin M2 slots.

[@NerdyThrowbackTech]

Nice small PC

[@UnusialKirbyFan]

i had theese in my primary school

[@dareisaysneed]

this video is visible from the playlist

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

It is going live tomorrow and I am heading to Brussels then Prague right now with no WiFi on the plane. Hoping this all goes live tomorrow :-)

[@j.r.young2]

I really wish there was video of someone actually using these systems in a real world setting rather than running benchmarks which do not tell me how fast my email will load......

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

At this performance level, most will not perceive a difference in desktop apps. It has been essentially the same good experience since mid-2015 1L PCs or so for things like web browsing and e-mail. Video editing, gaming, and etc are the main desktop apps that stress a 1L PC these days, and there are different variants build specializing in those domains.

[@j.r.young2]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo Thanks for the info. I am looking to upgrade several machines at my small business and IF what you say was true, then I shouldn't see any slowdown of normal workloads. However, there is a bottleneck somewhere, but all I can find is benchmarks which don't really tell me what the every day usability of some of these machines might me. I have 8 year old machines, some are better than others, and I want to replace them all. Benchmarks do not tell the whole story.

[@Z-isuckatgaming]

​@@j.r.young2what mini PC should I get for homeschool?

[@szynap1]

For my Proxmox homelab Ryzen 3900 is enough. Less cores - less possibilities. User choice.

[@Charles-tq9tc]

If you loose the screw… you are screwed !

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Super!

[@Kayash_Kino]

I learned a lot from this video, like from others on STH, I don't have a good machine and am using a i5 3rd gen fujitsu laptop in bad shape, this machine is not available for 550$ on ebay, minimum 650$ Can you send me a good machine if you have so many spare?

[@pbrigham]

Nah, lost that Pice slot :( , no go for me.

[@bobcarpenter1551]

M90q will have the PCIe slot.

[@pbrigham]

@@bobcarpenter1551 Is too much work trying to find one with this generation only to find out that dosen't have the Pcie slot, Lenovo should have keep it simple, I will not risk it.

[@cranil]

quite an introduction 😂😂😂

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Ha! When I saw what Alex did, I laughed. At first I thought it was just going to be edited out

[@pcislocked]

3:06 💀

[@livingahumanlife2651]

Anyone?: I don't know much about pc spech... I'm looking for a pc for working in Lightroom and Photoshop, I'm just starting my business with photography. Sometimes I do huge panoramas. Will a M80q Gen3, i9-12900T, 64 GB DDR5-4800MHz be a good choice...?🤔✌🏼

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

That is a pretty good combination

[@livingahumanlife2651]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo thank you for the quick response. Very helpful channel you got!

[@olafschermann1592]

I wish there were some thinkstations out there with serious gaming cards, not just those old quaderos. In notebooks 3050s to 3070s do exist. Why must a gaming box be a bug fat tower when notebook gpus exist?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Hmm we have a HP with a 1050 Ti laptop GPU. New HPs have the GeForce RTX 3050 or something IIRC?

[@olafschermann1592]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo i only saw the HP Z2 mini G9 with GPU Options T1000 (very old) and A2000 (expensive and only GTX 1660 performance).

[@cldpt]

why da hell is Lenovo sponsoring a partnership with Ramaxel of all companies... They have this great product and decide to stuff it with the absolute shittiest NAND and RAM maker... Why!?

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

Good question.

[@VideogamesAsArt]

Hope you are taking good care of your dog Boomer :D

[@Clobercow1]

4800 is so slow... Everything can run 6000 easily.

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

If you saw our recent Minisforum review, that saw memory overheat and throttle with DDR5-4800 speeds

[@thbadmin7751]

1gb nic? Pass.

[@AmstradExin]

waaaaaait....10 gbits USB? :O

[@Raintiger88]

Mo ports, mo better

[@tubes9181]

Enough with the backing up

[@BOXabaca]

Ayy

[@nick92065]

Stay away from Lenovo. They have a major proplem with the NICs.

[@DavidM2002]

The fact that Lenovo is a Chinese company is enough to stop me from buying anything from that brand.

[@wocket42]

For the same reason I don't want to buy any U.S. owned brand.

[@lahma69]

​​@@wocket42 😂 Right, bc Chinese made products have a reputation for being SO much higher quality than American made ones. Gotta earn that 50 cents though, right?

[@wocket42]

@@lahma69 no, because US products are proven to have backdoors.

[@americomonteiroribeiro]

Hello Can my Lenovo M90q gen 3 (I5 12500) work with a wifi 7 card ? Intel BE200.NGWG.NV The 2230 m2 wifi slot is type E? Love your videos Thanks

[@ServeTheHomeVideo]

TBH we have not tried it.

[@americomonteiroribeiro]

@@ServeTheHomeVideo Thanks for the reply