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Computers & Hardware => PC Hardware => Topic started by: burakkucat on February 22, 2016, 12:29:44 AM

Title: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: burakkucat on February 22, 2016, 12:29:44 AM
Earlier this evening I was wandering around various websites and eventually found myself on chimpbox.us (http://www.chimpbox.us/).

Quote
Zero noise, small footprint and low power.
The ChimpBox is housed in the Industry's smallest universal enclosure, measuring 7.55in X 8.26in X 2.44in. (192x210x62) mm.
We now offer the Chimpbox with either a
AMD Quad Core 1.5Ghz. or Intel N3700 Quad Core 1.6Ghz.
The ChimpBox is assembled and tested to order.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience of these systems?

Do the specifications look reasonable?
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: Chunkers on February 22, 2016, 04:27:45 AM
The short answer is I don't.

But I DO have a very similar (and completely passive / silent Asrock Beebox (http://www.asrock.com/microsite/beebox/)) which is similar and also a an Asus Chromebox (https://www.asus.com/uk/Chrome-Devices/Chromebox/) which is not fanless but it virtually silent.

I use them both as media frontends / HTPC's, the Beebox runs Windows 10 and the Chromebox runs OpenElec.

IMHO the ChromeBox is the better bet - the passive cooling of the BeeBox makes it is pretty compromised and I wouldn't be surprised if the Chimpbox is similarly troubled.  With a tiny form factor you can only do so much heat transfer passively.

Chunks
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: roseway on February 22, 2016, 07:12:59 AM
I use an Asus VivoPC as a backup and media server, plus a variety of regular PC tasks, such as building the 32-bit Linux versions of DSLstats. I think it's this model: http://www.ebuyer.com/737630-asus-vivopc-vm60-nettop-pc-vm60-g195r but I've had it for some time and I'm not sure. I've installed Debian Linux on it. It does have a fan so it's not completely silent, but it only makes an unintrusive whispering noise. I would be happy to use it as my main (or only) PC if I needed to.
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: Al1264 on February 22, 2016, 11:51:59 AM
Quite an interesting selection of mini/pico itx based kit here: http://www.mini-itx.com/store/
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: guest on February 22, 2016, 03:10:30 PM
I've used kit from these guys before :

http://www.tranquilpcshop.co.uk/

Not cheap but their kit does what it says & support isn't a script.

The chimpbox looks overpriced to me.

I used that M350 case (from mini-itx) for an old media player in the living room back in 2010 or so and frankly its crap - its the dust trap from hell, the front panel has an incredibly annoying blue LED, there's little or no room to route cables without chafing & both front & back panels are prone to pop-off at the slightest touch when its warm/hot.
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: Dray on February 22, 2016, 03:20:06 PM
These look good value http://www.fit-pc.com
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: burakkucat on February 22, 2016, 03:54:42 PM
Thank you, all, for your comments. I don't, at present, have a need for such a device but I am interested to see the various similar systems that you have deployed.

Quote from: rizla on February 22, 2016, 03:10:30 PM
The chimpbox looks overpriced to me.

I used that M350 case (from mini-itx) for an old media player in the living room back in 2010 or so and frankly its crap - its the dust trap from hell, the front panel has an incredibly annoying blue LED, there's little or no room to route cables without chafing & both front & back panels are prone to pop-off at the slightest touch when its warm/hot.

They are useful comments -- both on the price and the case construction. Appreciated.  :)
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: guest on February 22, 2016, 06:11:33 PM
For fanless stuff (Intel 14nm cpus) these days you have two choices :

1) BIOS throttles cpu & gpu back if you max it out (AES instructions light up the i5-5200U in terms of temperature);
2) Slap a big heatsink (case) on it all & dissipate heat that way.

Don't touch AMD kit for this - much as I'd like to recommend them I can't.

Obviously there's a big difference between "slap a big heatsink on" and "design a solution" :)

Oh & I used blutack to "fix" the M350 case - blocked out all the blue light from the LED perfectly :D
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: phi2008 on April 08, 2016, 04:29:27 PM
Quote from: burakkucat on February 22, 2016, 12:29:44 AM
Earlier this evening I was wandering around various websites and eventually found myself on chimpbox.us (http://www.chimpbox.us/).

Quote
Zero noise, small footprint and low power.
The ChimpBox is housed in the Industry's smallest universal enclosure, measuring 7.55in X 8.26in X 2.44in. (192x210x62) mm.
We now offer the Chimpbox with either a
AMD Quad Core 1.5Ghz. or Intel N3700 Quad Core 1.6Ghz.
The ChimpBox is assembled and tested to order.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience of these systems?

Do the specifications look reasonable?

I have the exact same enclosure, with a mini-ITX board, pico power supply, SSD, no moving parts beyond the power switch - was used as a router(swapped mini-ITX boards and bought a bigger case to house a full size network card). The parts can be bought easily and cheaply from Amazon, ebuyer, eBay, etc. - no need to spend $385+VAT(if you were considering that?).
Title: Re: The ChimpBox Quad Core
Post by: burakkucat on April 08, 2016, 06:33:53 PM
Quote from: phi2008 on April 08, 2016, 04:29:27 PM
The parts can be bought easily and cheaply from Amazon, ebuyer, eBay, etc. - no need to spend $385+VAT(if you were considering that?).

No, I wasn't considering buying one. I was interested in what was provided and other members' comments on the hardware.  :)