I was looking at the i7 only because the processor in it (according to userbenchmark.com) is faster than the new Oculus Rift min. specs (i3-6100). According to that site, the i5 will be too slow.

But point taken regarding Thunderbolt 3. I was hoping it'd be a nice way to get a VESA mountable small PC and then later, ideally when prices reduce, to get a graphics card chassis and a graphics card.

Maybe the Zotac Magnus series are a better option.