Premium Phoenix in a Compact 4×4 Bundle

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 fashioned the spine of this phase within the preliminary years. The emergence of configurable TDPs for pocket book processors 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 Network Technology Co., has emerged as a well-liked UCFF system vendor within the final couple of years. After beginning off with methods based mostly on older processors, the corporate has moved on to introducing items carrying the newest and biggest from each AMD and Intel. The corporate has additionally been innovating on the form-factor facet with compact boards smaller than the normal 4″x4″ ones within the NUC clones. The GEEKOM A7 is one such system based mostly on AMD’s Phoenix lineup.

The system is on the market in two configurations – one with the Ryzen 7 7840HS, and the opposite with the Ryzen 9 7940HS. Each include 32GB of DRAM, however the former is bundled with a 1TB SSD compared to the 2TB one within the latter. The corporate despatched over the flagship configuration to place via our analysis routine for small form-factor computing methods. This evaluate explores the efficiency profile and worth proposition of the system, together with a dialogue of the trade-offs concerned in cramming a robust pocket book processor inside a system smaller than the normal NUC.

Introduction and Product Impressions

The times of cumbersome desktops are getting numbered for a lot of use-cases, with small form-factor (SFF) methods changing them. The speedy progress on this phase has led to the rise of many Asian distributors specializing in these methods. GEEKOM’s father or mother firm, Shenzhen Jiteng Network Technology Co., Ltd., is an OEM / ODM for small form-factor computing methods. The corporate manufactures each Intel and AMD-based methods. The personal label began off with a number of entry-level methods (such because the MiniAir 11) , however has since branched out to introduce machines with modern processors. We had reviewed the corporate’s Mini IT13 system final 12 months, with its declare to fame being the primary UCFF PC to ship with an Intel Core i9 processor. On the AMD facet, the corporate additionally launched the Phoenix-based A7 mini-PC a number of months after the Mini IT13’s market entry.

GEEKOM despatched over the flagship A7 configuration for evaluate. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS within the A7 evaluate system has eight high-performance Zen 4 cores coupled with a premium Radeon 780M built-in GPU based mostly on the RDNA3 structure. In comparison with the normal 117mm x 112mm x 37mm of the skinny NUCs and its clones, the GEEKOM A7 presents a extra compact appear and feel with a 112mm x 112mm x 37mm case with out skimping on the vary of obtainable ports. The brushed aluminum exterior additionally lends it a premium really feel.

GEEKOM’s bundle for the A7 is spartan – the primary unit is accompanied by a welcome card, an set up information, HDMI cable, and a comparatively compact 120W (19V @ 6.32A) FSP-branded AC adapter with a geo-specific energy wire. Curiously, there isn’t any VESA mounting bracket provided together with the unit (not like different GEEKOM methods we have now reviewed earlier than).

The system is equal to the slim NUCs when it comes to peripherals assist. There is no such thing as a assist for an inner 2.5″ drive, however there may be wealthy number of I/O ports out there – together with a full-sized UHS-II SD card reader slot on the facet. GEEKOM doesn’t promote barebones variations of the A7. A SSD, DRAM, and a pre-installed copy of Home windows 11 Professional are supplied. In step with the premium nature of the Ryzen 9 7940HS, the configuration with that CPU features a 2TB SSD and 32GB of RAM.

Regardless of the smaller dimensions, the board and chassis design are pretty easy and just like the NUCs.

The DDR5 SODIMM slots and the Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD slots on the motherboard are pre-populated within the GEEKOM configurations. The WLAN / BT M.2 2230 module is below the NVMe SSD slot (just like the mainstream NUCs). Entry to those is obtained by eradicating the screws below the rubber toes on the plastic underside. The WLAN antenna is affixed to this, as proven within the image under.

Beneath the plastic body is a metallic plate with an hooked up thermal pad that’s positioned instantly on prime of the M.2 2280 slot. This could be capable of deal with the thermal load of DRAM-less Gen 4 SSDs moderately properly, and we consider that additional down on this evaluate.

We discovered it a little bit of a problem to get the black pigtail get securely reconnected to the WLAN / BT module after the above ‘teardown’ course of (because of the dimensions of the system and the size of the pigtail itself). We might strongly recommend not taking place the disassembly for SSD / DRAM substitute route except completely important.

The total specs of the evaluate pattern are supplied within the desk under. The Ryzen 9 7940HS has a prompt TDP vary of 35 – 54W. As we will see in our detailed invesitgation into the thermal traits in a later part, the form-factor of the system and the notebook-style thermal resolution restricts the operation of the processor in a 35W cTDP mode below sustained loading situations.

Within the subsequent part, we check out the system setup and observe it up with an in depth platform evaluation.