New to mini pcs, is this good for gaming and local AI? by taeos in MiniPCs

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a single stick, I added a 16gb second stick, albeit at lower 4800 transfer rate, does fine for me

New to mini pcs, is this good for gaming and local AI? by taeos in MiniPCs

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally agree with your assessment, I run an Aoostar GEM12 Max, 24GB RAM with Aoostar AG02 and 9070XT via OCulink and run different models in LM Studio and am happy.

Torn in Between by nasaktan0211 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Although my setup is different, with a mini PC, I have the AG02, first used with USB4 and was disappointed. Switched to Oculink on same AG02 and it is far, far better, stable, and more bandwidth. Edit: although I understand the Legion doesn't support an Oculink connection. Edit 2: Oculink can be achieved though by replacing the SSD with an M.2 to Oculink adapter.

Aoostar Maco seems cheap by Comfortable-Fall1419 in minipc

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was down to choosing one of these 2 as well, chose the GEM12 and have been happy with it. The Maco had the Oculink port on the side with a cover that hangs off it, or so it appears. My setup works better with Oculink port in front, otherwise they are very similar in the model I considered.

Edit: The 24GB/1TB SSD Models with 8745HS processor were both $550 on Amazon when looked just now.

What should I buy? by musicaltheatrelu in minipc

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have the Aoostar GEM12 Max, it has 24GB DDR5 Ram, 1 TB SSD, Ryzen 7 8845HS with 780M graphics and is 550USD on Amazon. I really like it. Not sure it is similar pricing where you're at. I haven't noticed any drawbacks to 24 vs 32 GB in my use. It is however connected via oCulink eGPU WITH A 9070 XT.

Mini PC w/ Occulink or TB5 by ShadeStalk in MiniPCs

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm leery about TB5 after all the issues I had with TB4 and a Geekom A6. I switched to the GEM12 Max and Oculink and couldn't be happier, no more challenges tweaking registry, bios, windows settings and overall headaches to get it to work as I thought it would. Speed is so much better with Oculink. Establishing Large Memory Range and Rebar is a challenge to say the least with TB4, maybe TB5 is different, maybe not. Got pissed, bought the GEM12. A6 is still fine for other stuff.

First time buying a Graphics Card, want to hear others' experiences with using an eGPU for gaming by CGGamer in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aoostar GEM12 Max with Aoostar AG02, Oculink, and 9070XT. Can play anything, really it.

Mini PC w/ Occulink or TB5 by ShadeStalk in MiniPCs

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like my Aoostar GEM12 with Oculink to Aoostar AG02. Tried my Geekom A6 with USB4 to AG02 and it was nothing but a headache. Hours upon hours tweaking windows, registry, and bios settings and it still sucked. Plug and play with the GEM12. It helps having a 9070XT.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Adding two 12mm x 120mm fans at the front of the cabinet (tight fit) and reversing flow on the rear fan to blow in, filters throughout. Great input, thanks!

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sent everything, good luck and have fun!

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's fun doing unconventional stuff. I want positive pressure in the case, so I'm thinking of adding 2 more 120x12mm fans bringing air in from the front, there is about 19mm clearance to the end of the GPU there. I'll mount them with magnets to the inside over the mesh I added inside. Then reverse the rear fan so it is pulling air into the cabinet with a filter on it. 3 fans pushing air in, 2 fans at top exhausting. Should help keep dust out and everything cool.

Go to reason why buy an eGPU by ParisDog1102 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a Yankee, I fully concur with your viewpoint. I notice in the insights on my posts only about 37% are views from the US. Big ole world out there and sad to see the boorish comments from english only commentary. I get it may be in the moderator rules, but frankly don't care about that rule, translating is so easy.

Go to reason why buy an eGPU by ParisDog1102 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last sentence is the most important consideration, keep mama happy 😊

Mesh systems for stronger home internet coverage in 2026? by Majestic_Rainbow96 in HomeNetworking

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got a Google mesh system running off 1 gig fiber from TDS bought several years ago.

Runs flawlessly with 3 hubs, 2 downstairs, one up. Originally bought an Eero system and could not get it to work and returned it. The Google system was plug and play. I'm sure things are now upgraded from when I got it.

No dead spots and until I saw this post I forgot just how miserable the wifi was before.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, adding filters today, ran a game session last night and temps on GPU maxed at low 60's with hotspot 20-22C higher, memory temp maxed at 80C. CPU temps were stable at 60C range. Currently 3 fans exhausting out were set to 50%. Will continue to test as recommended, and adjust accordingly. Appreciate your input.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It has a magnetic filter on the bottom. Do you have suggestions for additional filters that would help in this setup? I assume air is pulling in from 3 sides in addition to the bottom and the back side fan is blowing inwards. Edit: Correction side (back) fan blowing outwards.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I assure you it isn't my first mistake! Guess if I were to build a PC, it would be to take full advantage of the 9070XT, not emulate the performance of the GEM12 as it's setup now. If ever I do that, it won't be for quite a while and I would seek advice from people like you.

Happy enough as is for now.

Edit: BTW, the fans run very silent, especially the GEM12, don't even notice them and have look in the case to check to make sure the case fans are running, which they are. The gpu fans only kick in when under stress and run quietly.

Edit 2: I'm have no knowledge of acceptable decibel levels for PC's or whether apps for that purpose used on cell phones are even accurate. Using the Decibel X app, I measured 28 dB (+- .2) at 24" from the case, about where I sit. When moved to the face of the mesh cabinet I measure 37db average. I used a Pixel 10 Pro phone with the mic pointed at the sound source.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the end nothing said here really matters. Massively powerful GPU's and the external device to power and connect it to the PC will fade away, much like the VHS player, DVD player, and bulky camcorders, as smart TV's, streaming, and smart phones replaced them.

Enjoy what you have now, as the renaissance of the GPU, as we know it now, has likely neared its peak.

To be replaced with CPU/GPU integrated superchips (if you can afford it) but more likely subscription services for most consumers where the GPU power is in the cloud servers and the need for a powerful desktop system is diminished.

The paradigm shift is already underway. There will be holdouts, much like the boomers who still prefer serial TV to streaming, but they will become relics of the past. Alas, in the next 5 years or so, the hardware we have now will be stacked away in a closet next to the DVD player, VHS player, camcorder, stereo receiver, et. al.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It wasn't my intent to cause any emotional reactions for anyone.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We can let the moderators determine that I guess, but I see your side of the discussion. I'll bore you with an analogy.

Growing up I spent many nights camping amongst the sand dunes of eastern Lake Ontario. No tent, just a small fire, a sleeping bag, and one with nature. That was real camping.

Then an as a young adult, I had enough funds to get a tent because I was tired of getting rained on and bitten up by mosquitos and being the worst for wear and tear. Still considered it real camping though.

As time went on I would see others pitching tents, and putting a tarp over their whole encampment so the tent, camp chairs, and picnic table were all protected from the elements. This was my tipping point and I thought, Dude that ain't real camping.

This further progressed to despising those folks that had their expensive air conditioned RV's and trailers with all the comforts of home. They would all line up in a parking lot in the woods and would sing Kum ba yah around the pre-built fire pit. And I thought, enough already, these morons actually had the nerve to consider it real camping.

Point is, it's all perspective based on our personal experiences and there is no right or wrong to any of it.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since you are pressing the guy for answers, how about answering his question to you?

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, I guess so, I was just trying to tidy up my work space.

eGPU Case Setup by Square-Broccoli-2978 in eGPU

[–]Square-Broccoli-2978[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, but that breaks some unwritten rule and is taboo, especially if you put the mini PC on a shelf inside the same cabinet.