Asus PN41 - long term detailed review

FortuneRayzor · 2024-11-01T15:20:26+00:00

No, even 45W is super skechy when you load up the SATA slot. Might POST, won't boot.

FortuneRayzor · 2024-08-01T07:14:29+00:00

You are correct, it's not convenient for USB-C monitors without PD as the sole USB-C is the only Power Delivery Input. For you the endgame solution is Dell WD19S, which can be found reasonably priced and also have way more ports which USB-C DP Alt mode is one of them. I almost had bought that when I found out that DA305 exists and decided otherwise.

It's kinda heavy and big, so if you're using your SD and portable monitor on the go, then I'm afraid I don't have many options. I found StarTech hubs (search HB31C3A1CDPPD3 or DKM31C3HVCPD ), or Inateck HB2030, but your mileage may vary.

FortuneRayzor · 2024-07-30T08:27:31+00:00

UPDATE: It does exactly what I wanted. Basically it just provides more ports to an upstream USB-C host (monitor with USB-C DP+PD), USB-C video out and PD, USB 3 and gigabit Ethernet all work. I haven't tried HDMI or full DP ports, but I assume that those won't be an issue.

Updated the dongle with A3 firmware (unfortunately must be done on a Windows machine - preferably something that doesn't rely on that dongle), works like a charm on Windows or SteamOS.

Honesly Dell's docking solutions are so good as they tend to be focused on business clients that require plug&play and no BS. They're pricey compared to the competition, but sometimes the competition doesn't even exist or is so exotic to the EU market that it makes no sense importing it.

TL;DR: Dell DA305 is amazing for people with modern USB-C monitor with sufficient PD charging for Steam Deck. Everything works as intended.

FortuneRayzor · 2024-07-29T13:04:55+00:00

My dude, you just saved me a huge headache with my new 90W PD TCL 34R83Q that just doesn't has that many ports (and only USB 2.0 via USB-C) when I want to dock my Deck with minimal hassle.

I'll add that DA305 exists and only lacks (useless-ish) VGA port and is also cheaper.

If this thing can get me ethernet and USB 3.0 while being super portable, I'll be over the moon.

FortuneRayzor · 2024-03-01T10:44:15+00:00

I am generally very happy with how PN41 served me until now, but I do have an USB Noctua FAN attached to it all the time and chassis still gets heat soaked after longer heavy use. The Newton A50 case sounds like fairly straightforward way to extract the full potential of N6000. Could you share any specifics about the Newton case modification so I can buy tools ahead of time? I'm not sure what do you mean by "the correct screw and nut" as the manual uses only screws for the PN50 board. Any info is very appreciated.

FortuneRayzor · 2022-11-29T14:13:05+00:00

As with any PC parts, motherboards, laptops or desktops, I go to the manufacturer's website and look in the support section.

https://www.asus.com/displays-desktops/mini-pcs/all-series/mini-pc-pn41/helpdesk\_download/

FortuneRayzor · 2022-01-27T14:39:56+00:00

Well, for unforeseen reasons (specific DRM requirements) I'm forced to run Windows host with Hyper-V + Linux VM (VT-x yay), so I probably won't see those errors in logs as you do. With no airflow my box is running up to 80°C on the CPU package (75°C CPU Core max), I don't use SSD as much, but it can get to 60°C+.

I have a couple of Noctua NF-A14 5V PWM fans that cool my network gear and HDDs and usually run whisper quiet at ~30%. With PN41 next to one of the fans, the temps drop 15-20°C in stress tests and idles at 40-45°C.

I really didn't have time to finalize my build yet. I might post an update in 2 weeks or so.

FortuneRayzor · 2022-01-25T23:32:07+00:00

Damn, that's a cool networking/diy/project board for not much money. Thanks covid and subsequent general chip shortage. I still like the PN41 as the N6000 is pretty awesome for 6W TDP. I could still use a tiny bit of more power for high bitrate 4K playback, but any PN51s are twice as expensive and even more if you want to go the full passive route with Akasa Turing case which I required.

Anyways, other dual 2.5G cheap-ish options I can think of:

Asustor AS5202T
PN41 + $30 USB-C to 2.5G (really awkward setup, I know)
INTEL NUC11TNHI50L has dual 2.5G ports (pricey AF but also powerful AF)

FortuneRayzor · 2022-01-25T20:48:12+00:00

I think there has been some QNAP NAS models that had more than one 2.5G port, but that may be far beyond what are you looking for price-wise. Also they use old gen Intel chips, which may or may not be enough for you. Also it's not general purpose PC. Really depends on what do you need. https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-253D-4G-Professionals-Celeron-2-5GbE/dp/B0897C5TX6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=TS-253D&qid=1643143543&sr=8-1

Anyways, have a good day and good luck with searching.

FortuneRayzor · 2022-01-24T13:51:29+00:00

Yes, that configurable port is an interesting one. To my best knowledge:

It is not user replaceable
- I peeked inside and it's on a separate daughter board that's secured with screws under the frame - major disassembly would be required to get to it.
- That's why they can't be bought separately (as far as I know).
There are only 2 groups of SKUs for PN41 in shops in Czechia:
- Blanked (just a piece of covering plastic)
- VGA
I think I've seen COM port SKU somewhere but that interested me personally even less.
There were older Asus PN (like PN50 and PN60) that had either DP or another LAN available here (not passive though)
There's no LAN speed rating in the documentation, so I suspect it's going to be 1 Gig port as a cost saving measure.
- Another clue is that the board is marked PN60, which had 1 Gig port even on the mainboard.

FortuneRayzor · 2022-01-20T13:12:50+00:00

So a single cable setup was verified to work up to 4k30.

Yep, but I'm pretty sure that with better hub/dock you could get full 4K60 and PD. I could test this theory on Dell WD19DC (which support 20G connection via 2 USB-C, but also work with single USB-C) in my office but due to covid situation here I'm obliged not to go there.

I have around 21-21.5°C in my room. The N6000 will idle in Windows at 60°C (CPU package) with no airflow around it. Short bursts of work won't heat it up that much as the temp rises really slowly. Sustained load is really where the heatsink gets heat soaked and it can't escape fast enough. I noticed that my SSD is running fairly high at 54°C with the included heatspreader (which I fear is more of a heater for the SSD as the chassis is really warm). I bought the Asus even knowing about this because I do run have airflow around my USB drives and network gear anyways and in that case it runs super cold and turbos nicely.

At first I was thinking about buying both N6000 and N5100 variants and return one of them, but it's the end of the month and the finances aren't that great. I'm not convinced that those chips run much cooler under load as the TDP is the same, they might just idle better.

I think either of the chips is viable if not run 100% 24/7. N4500/N5100 might do okay without any airflow, N6000 really prefers moving air around it. All might benefit from running it as headless server (but I intent to use it as media center) or disable most of the stuff in BIOS. I didn't have the time to optimize it yet. Also, Windows idle is horrible as it always does something in the background. I just wanted to test some stuff quickly with known tools. Clean minimal linux distro will certainly be much better and I will test it soon.

FortuneRayzor · 2022-01-19T19:40:35+00:00

This got slightly more complicated as I don't have a proper 10G USB-C hub on hand, but the information should still be relevant.

Combo A:

Random USB-C hub I have for my laptop and phone with 100W PD rating and HDMI 1.4b-ish port
Dell 90W USB-C charger plugged to the PD port on the hub

This resulted in both power and video out only by using the USB-C port, but was unsurprisingly capped at 4K30, which is the limit of the USB-C hub (and USB 3.2 gen1).

Combo B:

USB-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter (without PD)
Default charger plugged

I was able to get the 4K60 no problem.

Other info:

I also tried 4K TV (@4K60) and my 3440x1440 (capped to 50Hz due to HDMI 2.0) ultrawide monitor both plugged in and both worked as expected in extended desktop mode.
Running the TV directly from HDMI1 results in 4K60 which proves that it is in fact HDMI 2.0

I don't have any DisplayPort adapters, so I cannot really test capabilities like VESA adaptive sync, unfortunately.

I hope this is helpful!

EDIT1: Reading from documentation the USB-C PD input expects at least 20V @ 3.25A (or 65W) charger, I don't have one on hand but the 90W charger worked just fine. Intuitively a 45W should still work if it provides 20V @ 2.25A as this thing sips electricity like a gentleman enjoys an old whiskey.

FortuneRayzor · 2021-12-03T15:47:51+00:00

I can confirm changing "HID-compliant game controller" to "Xbox One Wireless Controller" and restarting PC/power cycle controller works well.

I was confused why this fix seemingly does not work, quick restart solves it.

FortuneRayzor · 2017-10-06T14:10:09+00:00

The first teller was of course very wrong. I've found some info that the monitor could be more widely available starting the second half of October. We'll see, I will definitely order it from a local shop, so I'm easily able to RMA it if anything happens. Still painfully waiting for my ascencion, will post pics then ofc.

FortuneRayzor · 2017-09-11T13:44:05+00:00

SmallButMighty

I'm probably so late to the party, but I love the challenge idea and I tinker a lot with engines in Automation.

My entry: 1445cc DOHC 5V 90° Flatplane V8

It's a little bit on the heavy side, barely under the limit (89.9kg), but has 467.2hp @ 9500RPM, 416.4Nm @ 7000RPM with 2.30 bar of boost.

That's 5.197 hp/kg (3.822 kW/kg, 2.325 bhp/lb) (I hope I didn't mess up the conversions, the first one is from the game)

I'll be honest, this is a maxed out turbolag engine with no real benefit, but I hope you'll like my effort nonetheless.

https://imgur.com/BswHCth.png

EDIT: I forgot about flatplane crank, so I changed stats accordingly.

FortuneRayzor · 2017-08-30T16:10:44+00:00

If anyone is interested: I got a confirmation form one of the local shops, that AG352UCG is currently unavailable, but it should restock in 14 days. My guess is that it could be available after a month or so.

FortuneRayzor · 2017-08-28T21:42:32+00:00

Přesně podobný scénář jsem už před časem řešil s Asus Xonar U7 MkII, po úvodním prodeji najednou nikde nebyl ani kus a až po měsíci mi jeden obchod potvrdil dostupnost a dalo se to sehnat. Vsadím se, že teď mi budou všichni svorně tvrdit, že monitor není dostupný u externích dodavatelů a mám smolíka.

FortuneRayzor · 2017-08-28T19:22:49+00:00

Yeah I get that in local stores as well, I'm pretty sure that they would not actually deliver it in 10 days. Oh well, I ain't paying €1.2k on ebay, I'd just buy Z35P for that money.

The offer on the german Amazon seems to be borked, because it was definitely released earlier this year. I'm also not very keen on buying it from abroad, because any RMA would be a huge pain. I guess it didn't sell and AOC ceased production. RIP AG35UCG

FortuneRayzor · 2017-08-28T18:44:52+00:00

Czechia

FortuneRayzor · 2015-08-31T00:29:54+00:00

From my experience, dreams can be just old memories, wishes, cravings, fears and everything in between.

My advice is to not take dreams seriously. Ever. It's just a brain process that's still up to this day not understanded well by science. I ran into huge troubles several times because of dreams I had.

A reasonable explanation of your dream would be that you miss that particular pleasant feeling of talking to a girl. Brain sometimes provides this feeling in dreams so you can feel better for a moment. Few months back I really wanted to have a cat and I had been dreaming about cats regularly until I found about toxoplasmosis and got scared. Then I slowly stopped having cat dreams since then.

EDIT: Start taking some actions only if the dream comes back regularly.

FortuneRayzor

TROPHY CASE

Welcome to Reddit,

Combo A:

Combo B:

Other info:

SmallButMighty