Credit card sized PC, how realistic and powerful?

[CluelessOne]

Looking at the launch of Radeon Fury, how realistic and powerful would a credit card sized PC on today technology would be? There are stick PC available already so I think this can be done.

Let's say we take the max size to be AMD Fiji sized interposer +/- 1100 mm2, keep the 4 GB HBM RAM, add 64 GB SSD, wifi and bluetooth, and MHL chips, then add the CPU. A true SoI (System on Interposer) . Packaged in BGA.

Put that on a PCB with a cutout in the middle of Chip Package so the chassis can press on the chip on both sides of Package and act as a giant heatsink.
Let's say we make the chassis 30 mm thick.

So what is the most powerful CPU can we get on that system? Atom class with no active cooling? Core-i class with active cooling?

This is just a fun thought exercize, so please don't be too passionate on the CPU selection. It's not like I can build this thing.

 

[NTMBK]

It's pretty feasible The ZBox Pico is the size of a deck of cards:

http://www.zotac.com/en/z-zone/zbox-pico.html

 

[CluelessOne]

Wow, didn't know that. So atom class cpu? I was hoping something with more grunt.

 

[Fox5]

Wow, didn't know that. So atom class cpu? I was hoping something with more grunt.

The NUCs may be twice the footprint of a credit card, but they fit full blown core i7s. You really need high levels of integration to shrink down computers passed a certain point, and neither AMD or Intel makes high end APUs that are entirely system on chips.

 

[Yuriman]

I don't think I've seen Core in anything significantly smaller than Intel's NUC.

It's about the size and shape of 2 slices of sandwitch bread, and can be had with a Broadwell i7 + Iris Pro.

 

[TeknoBug]

I have an i3 4010U NUC and it's fantastic. I've looked at that Pico but the specs turned me off a bit, the network is only 10/100 and USB is 2.0 to top it off.

 

[Lil'John]

How about this little guy:

The windows 8.1 version has 2GB RAM and 32GB "hd". Linux is 1GB and 8GB.

I'm looking at windows version converted to OpenElec plus a NAS for a cheap movie watching setup.

One of the big complaints I read was the wireless is a little under powered.

And yup, I've done NUCs(Haswell and Broadwell i3s) along with a Gigabyte Brix Projector(Haswell i3)

 

[dark zero]

And how about the Fitlet A (AMD A10 Micro)

 

[sm625]

You can never really have a card size PC because the I/O ports need a certain amount of depth. That same depth level should allow for 10W of passive cooling. But there isnt much point in going smaller than the 100mm x 100mm VESA mounting hole dimensions. At that size you can easily dissipate 30 watts passively.

 

[Nashemon]

You can never really have a card size PC because the I/O ports need a certain amount of depth. That same depth level should allow for 10W of passive cooling. But there isnt much point in going smaller than the 100mm x 100mm VESA mounting hole dimensions. At that size you can easily dissipate 30 watts passively.

Cable specifications can always change. Standard USB ports are based on an old design, and are much bigger than is necessary, but continue to be that size for compatibility purposes. All we need is a new standard that's the size of Lightning, or Micro USB, or even wireless everything, and smaller will become a reality. Haven't we learned to never say never with technology?

 

[Rakehellion]

How about a computer that's literally a credit card? https://www.plastc.com/card


Aside from that, many smartphones could be thinner if they didn't have internal batteries or displays. Or take something like the Apple Watch that's even smaller than a credit card.

 

[ButtMagician]

And how about the Fitlet A (AMD A10 Micro)

Ooh, fanless. I approve, that's the way to go with these things.

Atom is a terrible CPU, by the way. I replaced my Atom N2600 fanless PC with one running a Celeron N2930 after the former burned out (running near 100% CPU utilization 24/7 will do that I suppose). The new one is a lot faster, cooler, and still uses about the same power (7W-9W for the whole system). CPU utilization rarely goes above 50%. Atom is just pointless, can't even run Windows 7 without lag and no power savings to speak of.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ooh, fanless. I approve, that's the way to go with these things.

Atom is a terrible CPU, by the way. I replaced my Atom N2600 fanless PC with one running a Celeron N2930 after the former burned out (running near 100% CPU utilization 24/7 will do that I suppose). The new one is a lot faster, cooler, and still uses about the same power (7W-9W for the whole system). CPU utilization rarely goes above 50%. Atom is just pointless, can't even run Windows 7 without lag and no power savings to speak of.

I don't quite understand your rant. Celeron N2930 IS an Atom. Just a 22nm Atom. If you wanted to make the comparison between the "old" Atom, and the "new" (22nm, OoO) Atom, then feel free.

I just recently purchased a Celeron N2830 (Atom) dual-core laptop, and I don't find it too slow for Windows 7 64-bit at all. Then again, I replaced the slow platter drive with an SSD.

 

[DrMrLordX]

CC-sized PC would require mostly wireless outputs, since the connectors have dimensions that would not play along well with such a form factor (as has already been mentioned in this thread). I see no reason why it couldn't happen.

 

[Blue_Max]

I don't think I've seen Core in anything significantly smaller than Intel's NUC.

It's about the size and shape of 2 slices of sandwitch bread, and can be had with a Broadwell i7 + Iris Pro.

I'm a big fan of Intel's NUC. If they can bring down the cost of their Iris graphics, it'll be one small unit that can do anything - even some half-decent gaming.

 

[hemedans]

I'm a big fan of Intel's NUC. If they can bring down the cost of their Iris graphics, it'll be one small unit that can do anything - even some half-decent gaming.

You can get nuc i5 4200u barebone for around $350. 4200u has same price as 5350H (with iris pro) of $289 per tray. Lets hope Intel release Nuc barebone and price it around $400

 

[tweakboy]

Nice coffee mug !

 

[Roland00Address]

Cedar Trail is going to be the official Intel Core M Compute stick designed directly by intel and not a 3rd party ODM. Here is the leaked roadmap for the upcoming official intel compute sticks.

The video I am going to link below is another core m stick, but it is not the official intel designed one. It is a prototype a prototype made by the ODM designer Quanta., the final design will not look like this. About 50 million laptops are expected to be manufactured by Quanta, they are either designed by Quanta but then rebranded by the OEMs such as Acer, HP, Dell, etc or they are designed by another the OEM itself but Quanta is the people who do the actual manufacture.

Lets see if Core M makes a good compute stick, or if its not worth the extra premium. I would love for a Core M based chormebox/android device with some form of pentium based broadwell m, but to my knowledge Intel has not yet announced cheaper core m products without the "core" in the name.

 

[CluelessOne]

Thanks guys. I'm know of the intel stickPC, but the other NUC like designs I wasn't aware.

Yes, I know that current connector tech will restrict this to smartphone-like thickness (10mm or so). But that is OK.

Regarding the VESA dimension, what I was thinking was of a PC that I can take with me around. So VESA dimension is not a consideration. I was dreaming about a PC in my wallet / pocket.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Here is the leaked roadmap for the upcoming official intel compute sticks.

My Westinghouse 24" HDTVs that I'm using as monitors, don't seem to have an MHL port, only HDMI. However, they do have a USB port, for flash drives and viewing JPGs and stuff.

So, will the 1st-gen Intel Compute Stick, have a micro-USB for power? I could probably still plug it into my monitor. That would be amazingly sweet! I assume that they have at least one USB2.0 full-sized host port, to plug in a Logitech wireless keyboard / mouse Nano-receiver dongle?

How about this little guy:

The windows 8.1 version has 2GB RAM and 32GB "hd". Linux is 1GB and 8GB.

Yeah, that. Looks like it does use micro-USB for power. Unfortunately, the power specs call out 5V 2A , which may be too much for my HDTV's USB port. Not to mention, where do you plug in the webcam? I see a demand for wifi / BT webcams, for these compute sticks.

http://www.intel.com/content/dam/ww...iefs/compute-stick-product-brief.pdf#zoom=100

 

[Lil'John]

Yeah, that. Looks like it does use micro-USB for power. Unfortunately, the power specs call out 5V 2A , which may be too much for my HDTV's USB port. Not to mention, where do you plug in the webcam? I see a demand for wifi / BT webcams, for these compute sticks.

Good points.

On the "charging", I can see wanting the TV to charge it. OTOH, too often most TV centers have the 6+ plug surge protectors behind them.

Not sure on the webcams... on the other hand, I'm not overly social:hmm:

My use for something like this is to plug an external HD into it and use it for movie play back on a hi-def tv and maybe netflix streaming. Not much for gaming, etc.

 

[NTMBK]

Be warned that the Intel Compute Stick has a whiny little fan inside it, which will spin up as soon as you start doing anything even vaguely taxing. A lot of the reviews have complained about it. Not really ideal for a media streamer! You'd be better off with a passive box on the VESA mounts.

 

[exar333]

Be warned that the Intel Compute Stick has a whiny little fan inside it, which will spin up as soon as you start doing anything even vaguely taxing. A lot of the reviews have complained about it. Not really ideal for a media streamer! You'd be better off with a passive box on the VESA mounts.

This!

Just ordered a 5th-gen i3 NUC that will go behind my display as a second computer. Another great use for VESA mounts!

 

[sm625]

Cable specifications can always change. Standard USB ports are based on an old design, and are much bigger than is necessary, but continue to be that size for compatibility purposes. All we need is a new standard that's the size of Lightning, or Micro USB, or even wireless everything, and smaller will become a reality. Haven't we learned to never say never with technology?

Yeah but micro usb is garbage. You bump the cable a tiny bit and it loses connection. If you bump a standard USB Type A cable, it will just laugh at you. Standard HDMI is not as secure as it should be, and micro HDMI is so far beyond junk its not even funny. I dont know about lightning, except that it is expensive.

 

[TeknoBug]

Yeah but micro usb is garbage. You bump the cable a tiny bit and it loses connection. If you bump a standard USB Type A cable, it will just laugh at you. Standard HDMI is not as secure as it should be, and micro HDMI is so far beyond junk its not even funny. I dont know about lightning, except that it is expensive.

Never really liked micro USB, however that dual micro USB (found on Samsung phones and USB3 external HDD enclosures) are great. Mini HDMI is actually pretty sturdy, it's slim and goes deep into the socket, micro HDMI I agree, what a piece of crap and breaks easily and mini DP is better. Lightning will never be standardized, it'll just be Apple exclusive and maybe even come and go like Firewire did.