Which mini PC is "better"?

Playground Hardware
#1

Setting up a another CDVR server for a friend to try out, and have 2 mini PC's available to use.
Wanting peoples opinion on what is the "better" of the 2.
The cpus are basicly the same when i look at cpu compare sites.
Both have 32GB ram and m.2 ssd.

Lenovo ThinkCenter m910q
i5-7500T (4core/4thread) 2.7 - 3.3ghz
Intel® HD Graphics 630

Intel NUC7i7BNH
i7-7567U (2core/4thread) 3.5 - 4.0ghz
Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 650

The NUC's core count is lower, but has the same 4 thread count, and decent higher clock speeds.
Is higher clock speeds a big factor in performance?
It also seems to have slightly better GPU, but is that really a big factor?

Need fastest possible comskip, and support for multiple remote transcode streams.
(hence why not gonna use a Rpi)

Edit: Ended up using the Lenovo, as I already use it for hosting HomeBridge, Nextcloud, & WireGuard VPN. The NUC i like to float around as a "test" machine to try random setups or OS's before I deploy anything.
I am giving remote access to my CDVR for a few days, to a local-ish friend, and the Pi would not cut it. His family considering switching away from cable tv service, and wanted to give my kinda setup a try, but are not tech savy enough to set one up them selves.
Since migrating to the Lenovo mini pc, i recorded On Patrol Live last night, 3hr program, and com skip took 13min. That about 4min per 1hr. The Pi would take about 20min or so for a 1hr TVE program (i think, have not payed attention to it in some time).

1 Like
#2

Just got my hands on a mini PC for free. HP EliteDesk Mini with 8th gen i5 I think. Have to boot it up to see the full specs. Would love to throw you a donation @speedingcheetah to help me with the Linux configuration.

#3

Not sure what you mean by “linux configuration”. You mean setting that mini pc up same as mine with CDVR server? That is pretty easy as i just followed the steps on the Server install page for CDVR. And as for DietPi, that also a very easy OS to work with and has extensive documentation.

Other than that, my knowledge of linux in general is basic to semi-moderate depending on the distro. But would be willing to help advise if i can. Though, would be better if a more direct line of communication, say via Discord DM? If u are on Discord.

Edit: U sure that HP mini PC is not actually a Thin Client? Those also come in the same form factor but is a bit different than their normal mini PC lines.

#4

I have discord. I would have DM you here but your profile is private. DM me?

Also, to not detail the thread. I am in a similar situation. I got 2 of these for free.

HP ProDesk 600 G4 Mini (8th gen i5-8500T)
HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini 35W (7th gen i5-7500t vPro)

And am not sure which unit to keep for myself.

2 Likes
#5

Yea. Only difference in the cpu there, the 8th gen is 6core/6thread and slightly higher clocks.

I was looking at my local Microcenter, and they have OpenBox a Refurb Lenovo TC m720q with the i5-8500T cpu for $282. Also, i see a refurb HP ProDesk 600 G5 with a i5-9500T cpu for $369.
But, i don't got the $ to spend on that, and, it not really needed i guess. I would fell more comfortable with 6core, as the current 4 core does near max out at times, when certain things are happening on the device at the same time, is not often, but still. If i would put money into it, I would like to get current gen hardware, but, that is way to much $ right now.

Anyways, DM'd u.

#6

I'm not sure how small you need it to be, but I grabbed one of these about 18 months ago and couldn't be happier. I did throw a couple upgrades at it that I had laying around, and some new memory.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Aspire-Desktop-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-11400-6-Core-Processor-UHD-Graphics-730-8GB-DDR4-512GB-NVMe-M-2-SSD-Black-Windows-10-Home-XC-1660G-UW93/405376644