I will show how efficient is small PC with big screen, which you can still extend, e.g. RAM to 12GB or screen from HD to WQHD (2560×1440), good alternative for Laptops and PC Tower.

More about PC Gigabyte GB-BSi3-6100

Contents

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5694&kw=GB-BSi3-61001.0#ov

Features Latest Intel^® 6^th generation Core Processors
Ultra compact PC design at only 0.46L (34.4 x 112.6 x 119.4mm)
1 x M.2 SSD (2280) slot
2 x SO-DIMM DDR3L slot (1600MHz)
Intel^® IEEE 802.11 ac ,Dual Band Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 4.2 NGFF M.2 card
HDMI plus Mini DisplayPort Outputs (Supports dual displays)
Intel^® HD Graphics 520
4 x USB 3.0
Intel Gigabit Lan
Handset and Microphone jack
VESA mounting Bracket (75 x 75mm 100 x 100mm)

Hardware

http://www.gigabyte.de/Mini-PcBarebone/GB-BSi3-6100-rev-10#ov

Windows Configuration

In Windows 10 Virtual Memory is disabled

ok, lets start

http://www.passmark.com/baselines/V9/display.php?id=69879054752

Memory test

What with increasing the Memory RAM?

after changing one piece RAM from 4GB to 8GB, with the same parameters and producer CRUCIAL

current is 12GB (8GB 4GB), let’s start test:

How we can see, test results are bit better.

Now with System Monitor we can see usage of RAM memory, in system are just 2 app working Monitor and Browser:

With starting Docker is 2.5GB Free Memory less:

With all applications for development is just 1.5GB Free Memory (from 12GB)

DELL P2416D 60,5 cm (24″) 16:9 WQHD-IPS-Monitor

http://www.dell.com/ed/business/p/dell-p2416d/pd

Screen size: 23.8 inches

Panel type: AU Optronics M238DAN01 AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle) LCD

Native resolution: 2560 x 1440

Typical maximum brightness: 300 cd/m²

Colour support: 16.7 million (6-bits per subpixel plus dithering)

Response time (G2G): 5ms

Refresh rate: 60Hz

Weight: 6.5kg

Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 (20m:1 Dynamic Contrast’)

Viewing angle: 178º horizontal, 178º vertical

Power consumption: 35W typical

Backlight: WLED (White Light Emitting Diode)

more about single monitor usage.

With a single screen, I eliminate decisions. I don’t waste time deciding where to drag windows or fiddling with where to place a given window. I maximize the app I’m working with to block out all other distractions…and get to work.

Summary

it small PC, with enough performance for local development, with one big screen instead 2 HD/FullHD

saving place for hardware in office
easy to move (flights)
fast and enough with: CPU i3, RAM 12GB, SSD 128GB
can be integrate with Monitor on backend
as second PC for dev
saving energy: only 30-40 Watts with monitor DELL 24′

Questions

Have you any experiences with some hardware changes for PC DEV?
What are you thinking about MINI PC?
Which experiences have you with 12GB RAM it is enough or still not too much?

About
Latest Posts

Tom Sapletta

Embedded System Software & Hardware Developer at API foundation

I connect the expiriences with new ideas.

I have been passionate about computers and programming for 10 years.
My first (micro) computer was ZX-Spectrum and the programming language was Basic.

Since 2010, I have been programming professionally, objectively and functionally in monolithic and micro-service architectures.

I am currently creating an ecosystem architecture at API foundation.