Gigabyte's new "gaming" PC is smaller than an Xbox controller?

[naca1227]

So Gigabyte's new Brix 2 "Gaming PC" is smaller than an Xbox controller. It's using an integrated GPU from Intel's new Iris line of iGPUs? I hadn't even heard of those before now. The one that the Brix 2 uses is supposedly as powerful as a GT650m from Nvidia. 

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/11/4718084/gigabytes-tiny-new-gaming-pc-is-smaller-than-an-xbox-controller

 

I love mini PC's but I don't think a HTPC/Mini gaming PC will ever need to be smaller than the current consoles, with a bit more room I am sure you could get better hardware, or atleast better cooling.

[CoolBeans]

That would be awesome but doubt it will ever happen

[Culligan Man]

but can it run Star Citizen?...no but really if it can run BF4 and if it has a upgrade-able GPU count me in. 

[M-ursu]

Why to have small when you can have big?

#MyComputerIsBiggerThanDiskwasher

[silencerbob]

Yay 18 fps playing battlefield 3 at lower settings at 720p............

[YeroJero]

I actually thought it was a typo. "Smaller than the controller? yeah right..." and then I clicked the link.

[JAKEBAB]

Gt650m is terrible I have one in my laptop and it can't run game dev tycoon when u get the last office

[Ethnod]

More on this. I have to admit that it looks ok and the specs seem decent. The price though.....
 

3
inShare

It used to be difficult to find a computer that could play games and still fit underneath your TV. Now, devices like the Alienware X51, Falcon Northwest Tiki, and Digital Storm Bolt can handily fill that role. But what if you want a gaming PC that can fit in your hand? That's where the Gigabyte Brix II comes in: it's both cute and powerful. Earlier this year, the company introduced the Brix lineup of tiny barebones computers that fit potent laptop processors in incredibly small cases, just 4.5 inches on a side. Now, the company's updating the lineup with new Haswell processors — and one with Intel's Iris Pro graphics inside.
IRIS PRO: REDEFINING THE GAME CUBE
As we've explained, Iris is Intel's new integrated graphics brand, but it's a good bit more advanced than the lackluster integrated graphics you've probably used before, and the particular 65W chips Gigabyte is using include the very best Iris Pro graphics that Intel has to offer. The company likes to say they're on par with Nvidia's GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics chip, and while we can't definitively test that claim, it means that Gigabyte's managed to squeeze a pretty incredible amount of power into a tiny package. We tried out Dirt II at the 2013 Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco this week, running on Gigabyte's diminutive cube, and it looked and played fantastic at 1080p. According to an Intel rep, the system can even play Crysis 3 to some degree. Just don't expect it to be on par with a system housing a beefy GPU.
For somewhere in the $499–$599 range, the Brix II comes with HDMI and Mini DisplayPort output, four USB 3.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, built in Wi-Fi, and a 3.5mm audio jack in the front. But here's the catch: since it's a barebones system, you have to supply your own memory, 2.5-inch hard drive, and operating system before you can obtain a Steam Box worthy of the designation. Intel says the system should ship this December.
 


GIGABYTE BRIX II HANDS-ON PICTURES


VIEW FULL GALLERY

Previous
 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Next


If you like the Brix form factor but don't need potent graphics, the company has a whole lineup of similarly sized Brix computers on tap, starting at just $199. There are versions that offer solid-state storage, fanless models that are basically a hefty aluminum heatsink, and even a version with a built-in projector for $699. See them in our gallery above.

 

Source:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/11/4718084/gigabytes-tiny-new-gaming-pc-is-smaller-than-an-xbox-controller

[Qpm5]

Its running intergrated graphics which will be unaplayable in most games without turning down the res and settings though so i do not really like them.

[crystal6tak]

If the gpu does manage to be on par with the 650m then it's pretty good actually! A 650m easily manages 60+ fps on Battlefield 3.

[GoodBytes]

This is actually pretty awesome for people that require or wants assured smooth computer experience no mater what they do for many years to comes, and aren't actual gamer, or just a casual gamer.

Another purpose could be a mini console like device for TV.

 

In any case, what surprised me the most, is that it's smaller than a GameCube.

[heineygoat]

No one ever includes the external power supply in the actual unit size. Thats cheating 

[silencerbob]

Show me a Brix or a NUC with a blu ray drive ( bigger enclosure than 2.5") and I think I might get one.

[SkilledRebuilds]

Their IGPU IRIS, can play GRID2 with acceptable performance @ 1080p

Plus this is probably their best IRIS chip their using also....lots of performance considering.

I see it as a good thing, but not for my needs.

[theroflcopta]

its using the 5200 iris pro graphics which anad did review of. 

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6993/intel-iris-pro-5200-graphics-review-core-i74950hq-tested

 

The gaming results are actually quite surprising. It trades blows  with the 650m and according to other benchmarks around the web is a bit better than the 5800k. So this isn't a bad little machine actually. And for that price and what you're getting seems pretty reasonable IMO.

[bcredeur97]

when we can do better than the new consoles in something this small, ill buy one.

[GoodBytes]

when we can do better than the new consoles in something this small, ill buy one.

 

That is impossible, unless Microsoft and Sony decides that game play and unique experience goes before specs, much like Nintendo.

But then you'll say that this computer is too expensive compared to the console that would be in the range of 250-300$.