Intel Compute Stick with Core processor. We test the baby for distance
The first generation Intel Atom-based Compute Stick mini computers were available at the beginning of last year. At the same time, reports on their testing appeared on many specialized sites . The verdicts in most cases were similar: "interesting, but for an amateur and too weak hardware to be considered a full-fledged PC." Upon hearing the announcement of the new Compute Stick with Intel Core inside, I first thought: I must definitely check how the baby is doing now with performance? Did he get rid of his "childhood diseases"? If someone is waiting for a quick response, then he is purely positive. Well, the details are under the cut.
Unpacking and specifications
The Intel Compute Stick comes in nice, compact plastic packaging. A set of accessories: a power supply with various plugs to choose from, a short HDMI extension cable, and a power cable.
At the first acquaintance, the cable surprises with its thickness - more than 6 mm - and the corresponding stiffness. The fact is that, taking into account the experience of previous Sticks, the developers placed a USB hub connected to the device in the power supply, so the number of wires in the cable increased. Thus, USB ports have become more convenient to use - at the cost of a thick and noticeable cable.
New Intel Compute Stick Lineup Includes Three Models: two based on the Core m3 processor (with and without Windows 10) and one on the Core m5, without Windows. The Windows version fell into my hands, all the main characteristics, with the exception of the processor, are the same in the line.
CPU | Intel Core m3-6Y30 (2 cores, up to 2.20 GHz) |
Graphics subsystem | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
Onboard storage | 64 GB (Kingston M52564) |
Memory | 4 GB LPDDR3-1866 |
Video output | HDMI 1.4b |
Memory cards | MicroSDXC with UHS-I support |
Network interfaces | Intel Wireless-AC 8260 + BT 4.2 |
USB ports | 3 x USB 3.0 |
Compared with the previous generation, the Compute Stick “pumped” in almost all respects, which promised significant advances in performance. Premonitions are not deceived.
Performance testing
Getting started with benchmarks, I did not set myself the task of generating dozens of graphs and tables - most likely, the already mentioned above respected profile sites will do this soon. I was interested in one question: is the Intel Compute Stick a full-fledged PC or, like previous HDMI sticks, rather a set-top box with limited functionality. Therefore, I chose comprehensive tests to compare Stick with other categories of computers, including my ultra-transformer based on Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor, which I have no complaints about in terms of performance.
The first PCMARK 8 benchmark was launched(Home Accelerated mode). The result, as they say, is obvious: the increase compared to the ultrabook was almost 25%. I want to note that the result of the same test with the Compute Stick based on Intel Atom was only 1078 parrots - here the difference is already significantly.
The difference is especially great, as we see, was in the performance of the graphics subsystems. We know that Intel worked hard on the integrated graphics in the Core processors, and after three generations this should be clearly visible. I armed myself with the Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0 benchmark , and this is what happened.
Intel HD Graphics 515 | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | |
---|---|---|
Medium FPS | 7.0 | 2.3 |
Minimum FPS | 5.1 | 1.8 |
Maximum FPS | 12.5 | 4.2 |
Result | 176 | 59 |
Do not be confused by the scanty indicators of the frame rate - the test is really very difficult, in addition, it was performed at maximum quality settings. More important is the difference in the performance index of the two video chips. The dry digital is confirmed by the sensations of viewing HD video through the Compute Stick: no brakes were noticed.
To compare the Intel Compute Stick with other computers, the SiSoftware Sandra 2016 benchmark was used(comprehensive testing). According to the test results, Stick received 3.79 CBT (and my ultrabook - 3.4 CBT). Looking at the results plate, I found that this order of magnitude is typical for desktop PCs with third-fourth generation Core i5 processors with integrated or medium discrete graphics. In order not to be unfounded, I will give an example of a configuration that has exactly 3.79 CBT: ASRock H81M-VG4 R2.0 (Intel Core i5-4460 CPU @ 3.20GHz; 2x 8GB Kingston; WDC WD15EARS-22Z5B1; NVIDIA GeForce GT 610) .
Now I’ve finally made sure that the Intel Compute Stick with the Intel Core processor has a performance comparable to a regular home PC. Now it remains to understand how to adapt to its small size.
Intel Remote Keyboard
If you intend to use Stick as a home PC in full, most likely without traditional input tools, a mouse and a keyboard, you can’t do it - there’s a lot to connect them to. But for the lightweight option - viewing photos / videos, reeling on the Internet - there are more interesting ways to interact. I mean the Intel Remote Keyboard program .
The name of the program was chosen unsuccessful - in addition to the keyboard, it can be a remote touchpad and not only them. The client application can be installed on Android or iOS. The connection is via Wi-Fi, at startup, the client itself finds all available hosts and displays a list of them. When you connect for the first time, a QR code is displayed on the TV, on which you need to point the camera of the smartphone.
Frankly, I initially viewed the Remote Keyboard more like a toy, not very suitable in real life. However, after 5 minutes, I got used to it so much that I did not use any other controls. The touchpad from the 5.5-inch smartphone is spacious and convenient, and the time delays are small enough for comfortable work. On Google Play, in particular, you can read conflicting opinions about this application. Indeed, I admit, sometimes it is buggy. Once, when connected, the Stick simply turned off, and the next time, the program on the host froze tightly, preventing it from doing anything. In the application, the shutdown or restart buttons do not work at all. But overall, the impressions were positive. Overwrite files, install programs, change system settings - it turns out
Conclusion
Last year, in its report on testing the Stick’s previous generation , the THG website sadly remarked as a result: “don’t expect Intel Compute Stick and the like [in the near future] to replace your main PC.” If the venerable resource decides to test the new option, he will have to admit that he was wrong. They can, they can. Now it’s not a matter of performance, but of ease of use - various accessories can come in handy here.
Now let's talk about the shortcomings.
- Compute Stick is cooled by a fan; in advertising materials it is called “silent”, but we all know that a small fan cannot be silent. Under load in a quiet room it can be heard clearly. In idle mode - almost none.
- In general, the Stick heats decently, on stress tests - even hot. Of course, stress is bad, but there is still something to work on, given that the space behind a large TV in itself is not very comfortable in climatic terms.
- The power supply is also warming up, and it seemed flimsy to me, especially taking into account that USB devices are constantly stuck in and stuck out.
- If you want to use a USB hub, you will have to pull out the thick black cable, which I had in a prominent place. You can hide the PSU behind the TV, but then you won’t get to the USB ports.
But in general, I repeat, a full-fledged Windows-computer, which can be put in your pocket, really took place. True, you need to put the power supply in another pocket.