Gigabyte Brix GB-BACE-3000 the smallest Raspberry Pi Alternative?

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by pg@petergamma.org

  • It has no problems with delivery.
  • It started selling from 50 euros.
  • It can be delivered tonight from Digitec to Zurich for 125 SFR:

https://www.digitec.ch/de/s1/product/gigabyte-brix-gb-bace-3160-intel-celeron-j3160-barebone-10148021?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrvvEgpvb_gIViLPtCh0_DwP-EAQYASABEgLD-fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

  • It is a barebone without memory and drive.
  • it is ranked at place 49 of barebones at Digitec:

https://www.digitec.ch/en/explore?recommender=ProductSalesRanking&productTypeId=16&productId=10148021

  • but it is the smallest barebone listed there.
  • The size is a bit bigger than two Raspberry Pi 4.
  • There is no drive included and no RAM included
  • it supports up to 8 GB
  • 4 GB are available used starting from around 14 Euros
  • 8 GB available used starting from around 28 Euros
  • m2 ssd is supported

For readers who do not speak German, here the written transcription for your translation:

  • There is no Windows licence included which is great for Linux users
  • The reviewer used Manjaro as lightweight OS since processor power is weak
  • The surf speed similar to Raspberry Pi 4.
  • It is completely silent since it has no fan.
  • The 7 year old Celeron processors slows the system down.
  • The processor runs only one at 1 Ghz, up to 2,1 Ghz in turbo mode
  • The CPU is only dual core.

issues:

  • the power draw is 2 x as much as from a Raspberry Pi
  • The use as a desktop is limited, even more limited than for the Raspberry Pi 4, since the 7 year old Celeron processors slow the system down
  • small case requires expensive SSD modules:

alternative Lenovo ThinkCentre M910q Tiny:

  • faster CPU
  • bigger SSDs which are more affordable can be used
  • But the device is not available anymore:

https://www.steg-electronics.ch/de/product/lenovo-thinkcentre-m910q-tiny-10mv-001n-21213332?ref=pcp&parnr=12834174