MINI PC - MINISFORUM UM690 Slim Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Mini Desktop Computer, AMD Radeon 680M 32GB DDR5 1TB SSD, $616

davedrastic on 13/01/2025 - 14:00
Last edited 13/01/2025 - 14:00

Is the Minisforum a good / best option?

I was considering Bosgame P3 with similar specs for $629 but it is now $829. I can wait for a price drop or go for a similar model, i'm not in a rush.

The Minisforum has superior display port allowing for monitor daisy chaining which gives it the edge over 2x HDMI (Bosgame) but apparently there are some quality concerns and overheating concerns with the Minisforum. I don't need a mini pc to be supersmall and reliability is important as i'd likely use it for several years and then perhaps use it as a backup in some capacity. It would make sense to get a mini PC that is a little larger with more cooling or such

I like that the Bosgame has built in speakers too which i think would be handy from time to time

If Bosgame had display port I think that's the better option due to better build reputation and built in speakers, but it doesn't, so i'm not sure

MINISFORUM UM690 Slim Mini PC,AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Mini Desktop Computer,AMD Radeon 680M 32GB DDR5 1TB PCIe4.0 SSD, Support 8K@60Hz HDMI 2.1/DP1.4/USB4 Output,4xUSB 3.2 Type A,Wifi6E&BT5.3
https://www.amazon.com.au/MINISFORUM-UM690-Slim-Desktop-Comp…

Mini PC Ryzen 9 6900HX (Up to 4.9GHz, 8C/16T) BOSGAME P3 Mini Desktop Computers DDR5 32GB RAM 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD, Mini PC Windows 11 Pro Dual 2.5G RJ45 LAN, USB-C 4.0 WiFi 6E USB 3.2 Gen2
https://www.amazon.com.au/BOSGAME-P3-Desktop-Computers-Windo…

I am looking for Ryzen 9, 1 TB, 32gb ddr5 for around the $600 mark. I think these are the sweet spot specs but wouldn't mind 2TB. I will sync up to 2 monitors so I was happy with 2 HDMI until I learned that Display port is superior and allows for multi displays more easily. Not sure if the monitors i own have display port - they're low end 27" & 34" monitors about 5 years old maybe. I'm happy with PS4 level game graphics which both will handle and it will mostly be a business use PC. I'm getting 32gb because I have a lot of tabs open but think 64gb is overkill

Computing Computer Mini PC Minisforum

Comments

  • Ponsonby on 13/01/2025 - 15:15

    Can anyone with experience with this brand comment on spyware/malware risks (if any) of the installed Windows and other software
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/851899

  • davedrastic on 13/01/2025 - 15:30
    • I think I was wrong, I think the Bosgame does have 1 x HDMI and 1 DP 1.4 as well as USB-C which i believe means is virtually the same as the minisforum spec wise but has built in speakers as well as a headphone jack on the front, handy. I'm think Bosgame P3 is the one to get next time it drops to $630 or so
  • GordonD on 13/01/2025 - 16:19

    Display port is superior and allows for multi displays more easily. Not sure if the monitors i own have display port - they're low end

    Before you buy something based on DP giving you monitor daisy chaining you need to see whether you monitors support it. Both monitors need to support DP. Both monitors need to support MST (Multi-Stream Transport). And they need to not just have a DP In port, but also a DP Out port. That's not something low end monitors commonly have, even if they support DP.

    Alternatively they need to have DP over USB-C (DP Alt Mode).

    • davedrastic on 13/01/2025 - 17:51

      Thanks for that. I have 2 base model monitors and a fancy 34" Dell ultra wide which i think probably does have the DP out, but maybe note. Yes I think I don't really need to worry about that aspect

  • Noblejoker on 13/01/2025 - 17:42

    You don't need to daisy chain monitors - both options have multiple display options - 1 hdmi, 1 displayport and 1 usb C
    I would be surprised if your 34" doesn't support DP, then plus the 27" by hdmi - done

    Any speakers built into a desktop pc are probably rubbish, more so in such a small form factor - would only be good for error beeps

    Bosgame has 2 network ports, Mini PC only has one - Bosgame good for networking, homelab and stuff (above my pay grade, check old comments here)

    Build quality and rep is always worth a few bucks but I presume Amazon returns are doable on either

  • davedrastic on 13/01/2025 - 17:54

    If USB C port wasn't used for monitor, what would it be used for? I've never had a PC with USB C port. I do have a USB C USB hub which i got for my tablet. Pretty much all it's used for?

    Turns out the P3 doesn't have built in speakers, the Bosgame M1 does. I'd actually quite like that but not a big deal.

    Tempted to get the Minisforum now

  • mondocock on 15/01/2025 - 15:55

    Haha, just finished writing up a post to find that L Platers are prohibited from posting deals on Minisforum.
    Anyway, this is the body of what I wrote, useful for anyone considering a similar system:

    MINISFORUM UM760 Slim - Ryzen 5 7640HS - 760m iGPU - 16GB DDR5 RAM - 1TB SSD - $479.99 w/ $0 shipping @ Amazon AU
    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DFQ68LWQ

    Probably the best bang for buck Mini PC, or really any PC deal going at the moment, assuming you have modest graphical requirements.

    Was recently looking in to building a SFF PC for at home, mostly general office productivity and a bit of light gaming/emulation.
    Checked out the usual suspects, looked at building a Ryzen system on PCPartPicker, then came across a recent post on here mentioning a deal on the UM690 slim.
    After a quick search, found this on Amazon. Checked the benchmarks, crunched the numbers.

    Single core you're looking at a 6% improvement over the 6900HX, a 6% multi core deficit, and the 680m and 760m trade blows depending on the task/game.
    In the real world you can expect essentially the same performance with a slightly higher TDP on the 7640HS (54w vs 45w).
    Further, I had a look at a few of the more recent models from Minisforum, Beelink, GMKtec, Aoostar, etc.

    What you're looking at beyond this is an extra $300 or more to get something with a 7840HS or 8845HS and 780m or Oculink (GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus $784 @ Amazon).
    For comparison, the 7840HS has 3% worse single core, 20% better multicore. The 8845HS has 3% better single core, and 20% better multicore.
    In both cases, you can expect a roughly 20% improvement in GPU performance with a 780m in recent AAA titles, however this can be mitigated by lowering res, FSR, etc.

    Anyway, check it out, got good reviews, ordered one for myself. If you're in the market for a cheap and cheerful PC you really can't go wrong.

      • mondocock on 15/01/2025 - 16:09

        I'm actually the worst.
        Weird, I did a search for UM760 and nothing came up, but of course when you said it I did it again and hey presto.
        Ah well, hopefully those metrics are useful for someone, the other ad is listed as out of stock, and I'm unable to make a new post regarding Minisforum.

    • davedrastic on 17/01/2025 - 16:31

      The MINISFORUM UM690 is better - specs wise for not that much more dollar wise. I'm ordering one today. Nearly got the BOS but this one seems good and slightly cheaper than when the BOS was on sale, which it isn't anymore, although it seems inevitable that it will be on sale perhaps with limited supply before long

      Slim Mini PC,AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX Mini Desktop Computer,AMD Radeon 680M 32GB DDR5 1TB PCIe4.0 SSD, Support 8K@60Hz HDMI 2.1/DP1.4/USB4 Output,4xUSB 3.2 Type A,Wifi6E&BT5.3 $616 AUD

      I'm excited for the new PC but i'm annoyed that I have to pay $380 for a MS Office licence - I don't like 365 due to ongoing subscription cost & working in a browser, not as good as native apps. Still it is what it is and i'll be able to use the MS Office licence for several years to come

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