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What is your experience using a compute stick ?

cucker tarlson

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I was wondering if those things were ever really usable for a home system.
 
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menis-legend

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cucker tarlson said:
I was wondering if those things were ever really usable for a home system.
Click to expand...

Personally i wouldn't get one. they are small (hard to cool when that small) some want you to run windows on a SD card and so low power CPU's.... if want something small why no look into a NUC as some are fair cheap and alot better in performance.
 
Bill_Bright

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It depends on what you want to use it for. If you simply want to connect it to the back of your TV and use it for streaming video, checking your social media, email, shopping, they work great. Heat has not been a problem as long as they are not stuck next to a heat source (like a hot spot on the TV) or where there is no ventilation. I note some even have tiny integrated fans (but I would not trust them to be, or remain quiet - and I hate fan noise). If you want to game or do other more demanding tasks, then I agree that a NUC or another small format computer might be better. That said, some NUC cases do a poor job of cooling too. And I really hate fan noise.

If a stick is for you, I would make sure it runs 64-bit Windows 10 and not the soon to be discontinued 32-bit.
 
dgianstefani

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Get a NUC instead.
 
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Bill_Bright said:
It depends on what you want to use it for. If you simply want to connect it to the back of your TV and use it for streaming video, checking your social media, email, shopping, they work great. Heat has not been a problem as long as they are not stuck next to a heat source (like a hot spot on the TV) or where there is no ventilation. I note some even have tiny integrated fans (but I would not trust them to be, or remain quiet - and I hate fan noise). If you want to game or do other more demanding tasks, then I agree that a NUC or another small format computer might be better. That said, some NUC cases do a poor job of cooling too. And I really hate fan noise.

If a stick is for you, I would make sure it runs 64-bit Windows 10 and not the soon to be discontinued 32-bit.
Click to expand...

Am not sure but can you help me a sec..... are you saying you love fan noise or hate it ? :laugh::roll::laugh:
 
newtekie1

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cucker tarlson said:
I was wondering if those things were ever really usable for a home system.
Click to expand...

That depends on what you consider usable. They are slow, there is no getting around that. Even though they have a "SSD" it is usually always an eMMC which is just a soldered SD card basically. Programs open slowly, there is a lot of lag but you can get basic office work done. You can watch 1080p content too.

I think they are good for traveling if you have to use them, but I would want to use one every day as my main PC.
 
Bill_Bright

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Vayra86

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cucker tarlson said:
I was wondering if those things were ever really usable for a home system.
Click to expand...

Bought an Intel NUC the other day. Hooked it up. Slow as molasses. I suppose it needs some work, but anyway... its not a performant machine. It will do your basic tasks and play video.

I bought a NUC6CAYH. Quad core celeron with good HTPC support and featureset. 175 euro, add storage and two sticks of 4GB DDR3L and you're set.

It is passive though. I think this is the bottom end for any half decent Windows based HTPC solution, wouldn't want to go with less.
 
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I've used them at work. The cheaper Atom-based ones are pretty slow, which doesn't make for an enjoyable user experience. The high end models are pretty great, but they are extremely expensive for what they offer, so unless you really want the tiny form factor, look elsewhere.
 
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Vayra86 said:
Bought an Intel NUC the other day. Hooked it up. Slow as molasses. I suppose it needs some work, but anyway... its not a performant machine. It will do your basic tasks and play video.

I bought a NUC6CAYH. Quad core celeron with good HTPC support and featureset. 175 euro, add storage and two sticks of 4GB DDR3L and you're set.

It is passive though. I think this is the bottom end for any half decent Windows based HTPC solution, wouldn't want to go with less.
Click to expand...


personally i'll got for the AM3 if there is any still around and get a Ryzen like a 3200G be amazing all around.... seen this amazing valuve for what getting. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QZJ1...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
 
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