Confusing and deceptive

ASRock's latest product launch is frankly misleading. This new Radeon RX 7900 Passive series is not really passive. Please don't use these graphics cards in fanless builds. These turbocharged 300W GPUs are clearly designed with active cooling in mind, think noisy server chassis.

Source: ASRock

Celeron J6412 in 2024 ?

Launched in 2021, the Intel Celeron J6412 is still a perfectly fine option, especially for $266. The 10W budget-friendly processor is designed for embedded systems but can handle tasks like basic computing, internet browsing, and running lightweight applications. Built on a 10nm architecture (4C / 4T up to 2.60GHz), the Elkhart Lake processor offers a balance of performance and energy efficiency. This complete Windows 11 system also features 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

Zalman TNN 500AF anniversary

The legendary Zalman TNN 500AF fanless case was released exactly 20 year ago. Nicknamed "Totally No Noise," the massive ATX chassis featured an impressive array of heat pipes to cool the computer's components instead of relying on fans (150W CPU / 75W GPU). The case was made of thick aluminum for durability and to block electromagnetic interference.

Installation tips for fanless PSUs

Courtesy of Cooler Master

The go-to fanless NUC

Simply NUC's Arena Canyon Porcoolpine is powered by the Intel NUC 13 Pro with 3 CPU options: i7-1360P, i5-1340P, and i3-1315U. The passively-cooled Raptor Lake mini PCs are fully configurable with up to 64GB of RAM and a whopping 16TB of SSD storage. Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB 3.2 ports and 2.5 GbE. Featuring an in-house heat sink case, the Porcoolpine is designed with silence and reliability in mind.

Source: Simply NUC

Singular Intel N200 solution

The recent (and unique) PCIe-ready SBC is now available featuring the more powerful Intel N200 processor from $299.99. The stylish system can be outfitted with DDR5 memory and an M.2 NVMe drive. Connectivity is surprisingly good with dual 2.5G LAN, and four video outputs.

Source: Amazon

ASUS NUC 14 Pro Plus review

Courtesy of WASD Benchmark

i3-N305 motherboard

The AIMB-219 provides a variety of SKU options, including Atom N-series, Atom x7000RE, and Intel Core i3 N-series processors. The Intel Core i3-N305, the most powerful processor in the Atom lineup, boasts a 2.5x improvement in computing performance over the processor in the AIMB-218. With up to 8 cores, a burst frequency of 3.8 GHz, and a TDP of under 15 W, it delivers exceptional efficiency. Additionally, it features Intel UHD Graphics based on Intel Xe architecture, with up to 32 EUs, offering double the 3D Mark performance and superior computational capabilities compared to the Intel Core ULT processor (i3-8145U).

Designed for space-constrained applications, the AIMB-219 integrates essential I/Os, including triple independent displays (1 x DP over USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI up to 4K, and 1 x LVDS or eDP), to enhance system configuration. This setup ensures excellent visual output across multiple screens, ideal for outdoor signage and kiosks. The platform also features abundant expansion options, including M.2 B-Key and E-Key for wireless connections, simplifying mobile device deployment, and ensuring seamless connectivity with 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 5 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB Type-C, and 6 x COM ports.

Source: TechPowerUp 

extremeEDGE Server 1000 Series

The 1000 series product offers the ability to place a powerful processing unit at the extreme edge while also allowing for the remote monitoring and management of the system. This is accomplished by way of the BMC / Baseboard Management Controller feature. These products can be powered by way of its PoE+ input . Additionally this series of products offer expandability, dense memory and storage configurations in a fanless enclosure.

The 1000 series thrives in edge computing applications where space is limited and on-site processing is crucial. Its ultra compact size brings powerful computing to the edge of your network, while remote monitoring and management capabilities enhance security and simplify control.

This fanless system operates silently and consumes minimal power – up to 28 watts under load, significantly less than a traditional server with a single CPU. This translates to lower energy costs and a reduced environmental footprint.

The 1000 series offers expanded connectivity These modules come configured with 3x RJ-45 (Copper) enabling high-speed data transfer up to 2.5Gb/s. With 1x RJ-45 enabled with BMC functionality for remote management and control.

https://edge.simplynuc.com/

Industrial Tiger

This versatile industrial computer packs a lot of performance into a small size. It features a powerful Core i7-1165G7 (Tiger Lake) that can deliver speeds up to 4.7 GHz when needed. It comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro operating system, 8GB of DDR4 memory and 128GB of NVMe solid state drive. In terms of connectivity, it has two COM RS232 ports, which are ideal for connecting to industrial equipment. It also has HDMI and VGA ports that support 4K resolution. Additionally, it has Gigabit Ethernet for wired networking, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1. The entire system is housed in a full metal case, making it durable and resistant to dust and other environmental factors. It's available for $446.