Reasonably priced Cezanne Zen 3 at 35W

The introduction of the Intel NUC within the early 2010s kickstarted the ultra-compact form-factor (UCFF) pattern for desktop methods. Processors with TDPs starting from 6 – 15W shaped the spine of this phase within the preliminary years. Intel and AMD have been formally permitting configurable TDPs for his or her pocket book phase choices for just a few years now. This has prompted some distributors to introduce UCFF methods with common 45W TDP processors (albeit, in cTDP-down mode).

GEEKOM, the personal label model of Shenzhen Jiteng Community Know-how Co., has been on a roll these days with the introduction of a number of UCFF methods within the final 12 months. The model has grow to be an avenue for the corporate to market extra stock from their OEM / ODM manufacturing runs. Consequently, we’re seeing the introduction of totally configured methods primarily based on older CPU generations, however at extraordinarily engaging worth factors. The GEEKOM A5 is one such product.

The system is out there in just one configuration – a Ryzen 7 5800H CPU together with a 512 GB SSD and 32 GB of RAM. The corporate despatched that over to place by our analysis routine for small form-factor computing methods. This overview explores the efficiency profile and worth proposition of the system, together with a dialogue of things which may tempt shoppers to go for it regardless of the usage of a processor from early 2021.

Introduction and Product Impressions

Small form-factor (SFF) methods are changing cumbersome desktops for a lot of use-cases. The speedy development on this phase has led to the rise of many Asian distributors specializing in these methods. GEEKOM is a personal label model of Shenzhen Jiteng Network Technology Co., Ltd. – an OEM / ODM for small form-factor computing methods. The corporate manufactures each Intel and AMD-based methods. The personal label began off with just a few entry-level methods (such because the MiniAir 11) , however has since branched out to introduce machines with modern processors. We just lately took a take a look at their Raptor Lake-H-based Mini IT13, however the focus right now is on the GEEKOM A5. This method is supplied with a comparatively previous AMD Cezanne SoC from early 2021.

The Ryzen 7 5800H within the GEEKOM A5 has eight cores and sixteen threads, with a Radeon RX Vega 8 built-in GPU. It’s fabricated in TSMC’s 7nm processor. On the time of its introduction within the 2021 CES, the SoC was slotted proper within the center in AMD’s Ryzen 5000 Cellular H-series lineup.

In an effort to make up for the usage of an previous processor, GEEKOM is being very liberal with DRAM capability (32 GB of DDR4-3200) and has additionally used a comparatively high-performance DRAMless Gen 3 SSD (512GB of SK hynix 176L 3D TLC behind a Maxio SSD controller within the Lexar NM620). Your complete bundle is being marketed with a sub-$400 worth level – basically lower than half of what such an UCFF system would have price, had it been bought in 2021.

GEEKOM’s bundle for the A5 is spartan – the principle unit is accompanied by a welcome card, VESA mount with related screws, an set up information, HDMI cable, and a 120W (19V @ 6.32A) AC adapter with a geo-specific energy twine.

The principle unit clocks in at 117mm x 112mm x 49.2mm. The system is sized to simply accept a 2.5″ drive. The case design is actually the identical because the Mini IT13. The shape-factor is supposed to ship performance just like the full-height mainstream NUCs. The bigger dimensions permit for a greater variety of ports within the methods in comparison with common UCFF methods that forego the two.5″ drive assist.

GEEKOM doesn’t promote barebones variations of the A5. A SSD, DRAM, and a pre-installed copy of Home windows 11 Professional are additionally offered.

In contrast to the opposite AMD-based GEEKOM system we had reviewed before, the board and chassis design are pretty easy and just like the NUCs.

The DDR4 SODIMM slots and the Gen3 x4 M.2 SSD slots on the motherboard are pre-populated within the GEEKOM configuration. The WLAN / BT module is underneath the NVMe SSD slot (just like the mainstream NUCs). There’s a steel body that’s constructed across the 2.5″ drive slot, and a thermal pad is affixed to it to supply warmth switch assist from the M.2 2280 NVMe SSD. Our overview configuration was outfitted with 2x Shenzhen Wodposit Tech. WPBH32D408SWM-16G DDR4-3200 SODIMMs and a Lexar NM620 (2023 mannequin) Gen3 x4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD. Home windows 11 Skilled got here pre-installed.

The complete specs of the overview pattern (as examined) are summarized within the desk beneath. The Ryzen 7 5800H has a TDP of 45W, and a minimal energy (cTDP-down) of 35W. As we will see in our BIOS choices evaluation and detailed investigation into the thermal traits in a later part, the form-factor of the system and the notebook-style thermal answer restricts the operation of the processor to a 35W cTDP mode.

The subsequent part particulars the the assorted BIOS choices and follows it up with an in depth platform evaluation.