Gigabyte brix bace 3000 review

Gigabyte is a leader in manufacturing high-performance motherboards, graphics cards, and peripherals. This time, he sent us the Gigabyte Brix GB-BACE-3000 entry-level mini PC to change a bit “the chip” with a braswell processor, a very interesting passive cooling system (without fan), compatibility with SO-DIMM DDR3L memory, Wifi 802.11 and Blueototh 4.0.

We appreciate the trust in Gigabyte Spain for the transfer of the product for its analysis. Here we go!

Technical characteristics

GIGABYTE BRIX GB-BACE-3000 FEATURES
Dimensions	56.1 mm x 107.6 mm x 114.4 mm
Base plate size	100 x 105 mm
Processor	Intel Celeron N3000 at 2.08GHz
Memory	1x SO-DIMM DDR3L 1.35V slot 1066/1333/1600 MHz Max. 8GB
LAN	Gigabit LAN (Realtek RTL8111H)
Audio	Realtek ALC255
Graphics and maximum resolution for HDMI and D-SUB (VGA).	Intel HD Graphics HDMI: 3840 × 2160 @ 30 Hz D-SUB / VGA: 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz
Expansion port.	- PCIe M.2 NGFF 2230 AE occupied by WiFi + BT card. - Supports 2.5 ”6Gbps SATA3 disks (Maximum one unit).
Front connections	2 x USB 3.0 1 x Micro SD card slot
VESA mount	75 x 75 and 100 x 100 mm
Supported operating systems	WIN7 64bit WIN8.1 64bit
Price	100 ~ 120 euros approx.

Gigabyte Brix BACE 3000

Gigabyte gives us a gala presentation with a compact box and full of information on all sides. Once we open it we find a very complete bundle:

• Gigabyte Brix BACE 3000. Power adapter with different plugs (European, UK…). Disc with software and drivers. Screws for installation to the built-in VESA mount.

The equipment has very compact dimensions of 56.1 mm x 107.6 mm x 114.4 mm and weighs less than 1 kg. In the upper area we have little to highlight as there is the power button, which once the Brix is ​​started is colored blue.

On the main front we have a microSD card reader and two USB 3.0 connections. When we turn left we see a VGA connection (D-SUB) and the audio input / output.

The other side has an area for the processor to breathe. While in the back area we have a power connection, a Kensington blocker, a Gigabit network card and two USB 3.0 connections.

The rear part already has four rubber feet and a handle to remove the rear cover, with the 4 main screws previously removed. When removing the base, we find an adapter for SATA III 6Gb / s 2.5 ″ drives.

It has an Intel Celeron N3000 processor based on Intel's Brasswell architecture, it is a 64-bit dual-core processor with frequencies of 1.04 GHz (base) and with turbo it goes up to 2.08 GHz, a TDP of 4W, supports up to 8GB of RAM and a 14nm manufacturing process.

If we look at the board we find a SATA connection for the hard disk with its power supply, a small slot for RAM and an M.2 connection. where the Bluetooth + Wifi 802.11 card is installed. I miss that it does not include a complete M.2 connection to install an M.2 disk… that is the ideal combination, since it makes a fairly high equipment, without any need.

The board only includes a DDR3L-1600 1.35v slot, in our case we have installed a Corsair Vengeance from 8GB to 1600 Mhz and a 250GB Samsung 830 EVO disk in the SATA connection. The combination is ideal and above all low consumption.

It also includes a set of screws and adapter to install VESA 75 x 75 and 100x x 100 monitors.

Experience

TESTING EQUIPMENT
Barebone	Gigabyte BRIX BACE 3000
RAM	1 x SODIMM 8GB Corsair Vengeance
SATA SSD disk	Samsung EVO 830 256GB

We have installed an 8GB Corsair Vengeance module and a 256GB Samsung EVO 830 SSD that we have in the test bench for these occasions. We have tested the machine with both Windows 10 and KODI (The new XBMC) and the results have been excellent in 1080p multimedia playback.

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Final words and conclusion

The Brix BACE 3000 is a very compact computer where, particularly, its most important characteristics are found in a low consumption, passive (zero noise) system and a very compact format.

It incorporates a 2 GHz Intel Celeron N3000 processor, the possibility of installing 8 GB of 1.35 DDR3L RAM and a mechanical SATA III disk or SSD. In our tests we have installed KODI and Windows 10 with very good results. Very fluid equipment and capable of reproducing multimedia content at 1080p with an average temperature of 50 to 55º degrees, that is to say half of what is supported as standard (100ºC).

I did not like that it does not incorporate an M.2 connection for SSDs, since it would avoid having an unnecessary thickness by eliminating the 2.5 ″ bay. For the rest of the components it seems to me a very successful system and with a great quality / price balance.

In short, if you are looking for a compact, low-power computer with a passive cooling system for housework or having a “Good, nice and cheap” HTPC, the Brix BACE 3000 is the perfect candidate. Availability and price are not yet known, but it is expected to be around 100 euros for its characteristics.

ADVANTAGE	DISADVANTAGES
+ COMPACT DESIGN.	- COULD INCLUDE AN M.2 CONNECTION. TO INSTALL THE NEW STANDARD OF SSD DISKS.
+ LOW CONSUMPTION EQUIPMENT.
+ ALLOWS TO INSTALL UP TO 8GB OF DDR3L SODIMM MEMORY.
+ HDMI AND D-SUB CONNECTION.
+ EXCELLENT FOR HTPC EQUIPMENT.

The Professional Review team awards him the silver medal:

Gigabyte Brix BACE 3000

Design

Components

Power

Price

7/10

HTPC GOOD NICE AND CHEAP.