Miniaturization is a progressive trend - it is worth looking at the development of computers. Years ago, they took the form of huge boxes, then shrunk to laptops to eventually become smartphones. Nowadays, even desktop computers have become so small that you can hide them in your pocket. Such as, for example, Intel Compute Stick.
It is a miniature computer in the form of a USB flash drive. The device is packaged in a case made of durable and matte plastic. Parts of the case have holes through which the fan can be seen. On the case you can also find two full-size USB ports (one 3.0), a MicroUSB power port, an HDMI connector and a MicroSD card slot.
The equipment is quite large in size, namely 113 x 38 x 12 mm. For this reason, once you connect it to your TV, you will block the other HDMI input. But Intel took this into account, and the mini computer is equipped with an HDMI extender, which eliminates this problem. In addition, it allows you to hide the Intel Compute Stick behind your TV.
The Intel Compute Stick is a multimedia-enabled device. In practice, however, Windows 10 is difficult to control on a TV screen and the OS is not very user-friendly in this regard, even if you have a suitable multimedia keyboard with built-in touch panel.
The system interface doesn't look very good on a big screen. Individual components and system fonts are too small. On the other hand, using standard programs or a web browser on the TV screen is a tough test of patience.
This device admittedly can't handle the latest games, but is ideal for streaming when used at home. My desktop computer is located a few meters from the TV, in another room. For this reason, I have a PlayStation 4 in the living room, which is much more convenient to use.
With high-speed Wi-Fi 802.11 connectivity, Intel Compute Stick allowed me to enjoy the best graphics without having to carry a PC. This solution is much cheaper than PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
Bottom line
The Intel Compute Stick is a device that will work great in many situations, but will be useless in most others. Except that you don’t need to carry your computer and connect it to an external screen in a hotel. I prefer to have a laptop, which I use in any situation.
The Intel Compute Stick is a great solution for streaming games to another screen, in excellent quality.
Such equipment is characterized by low productivity, but quite sufficient for office work. And given that the processor power is still too low, you can always wait a few weeks for the next version of the Compute Stick to be released, equipped with a powerful Intel Core M processor. Unfortunately, its price will likely be noticeably higher than $200-$250.
There are different types of microcomputers - really “micro” and slightly larger, not very productive and generally not suitable for anything other than Internet surfing. Today this species includes a whole mass various devices with different capabilities and purposes, but among the apparent diversity it is not easy to find a model powerful enough in its class. It is even more difficult to find such a PC in Russia. The models that are on the market today are, for the most part, only suitable for Internet surfing and watching movies with far from the best high resolution. Intel itself decided to rectify the situation by releasing a microcomputer based on a hardware platform of its own design. We are talking about the Intel Bay Trail platform in the Intel Bay Trail-T version, intended primarily for tablet computers, but successfully used in many other devices. The new microcomputer has everything from Intel - both design and hardware. Well, who, if not Intel itself, knows better in what form factor and with what functionality there must be a device on the hardware Intel platform?
⇡ Contents of delivery
The device comes in a compact cardboard box, corporate blue for Intel. Inside, in addition to the microcomputer itself, the following accessories were found:
- HDMI cable;
- USB ↔ Micro-USB cable;
- power adapter with a set of four plugs of different standards;
- quick printed user guide;
- activation card for an annual subscription to McAfee antivirus.
We will get to know the purpose of the accessories in more detail a little later, but for now let’s look at the technical characteristics of the new product.
⇡ Specifications
| Intel Compute Stick | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Atom Z3735F, 4 × 1.33 GHz (1.83 GHz), 2 MB L3 |
| Graphics controller | Intel HD Graphics |
| RAM | 2 GB DDR3L-1333 (667 MHz) (soldered on board) |
| Storage System | 1 × eMMC 5.0 32 GB, Samsung MBG4GC |
| Flash card connector | microSDXC |
| 1 × USB 2.0 type A 1 × Micro-USB (power supply only) 1 x HDMI 1.4a |
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| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 |
| Sound | Intel High Definition Audio |
| Nutrition | Power adapter 5 V, 2 W; Via USB |
| Size, mm | 104 × 38 × 13 |
| Weight, g | 54 |
| operating system | Windows 8.1 with Bing 32-bit |
| Official manufacturer's warranty, months. | 12 |
| Approximate price*, rub. | 10 500 |
* average price according to Yandex.Market at the time of writing.
The microcomputer is available in two versions - with different OS: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and Windows 8.1 with Bing. We got the second option for testing. Interestingly, the Intel Compute Stick version of the microcomputer Ubuntu management the manufacturer slightly deprived it by supplying it with smaller volumes random access memory and disk subsystem and, accordingly, making it cheaper. As for the second version of this device, which came to our test laboratory, its OS has a 32-bit kernel. But the word Bing in the name means little to the user, except that this not the most popular search engine is built into Internet browser Explorer. If you want, use it, if you don’t want, use any other.
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Processor and Chipset Information |
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As mentioned above, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer is based on the Intel Bay Trail-T platform with the quad-core Intel Atom Z3735F, which already belongs to the second generation of processors for this platform, released last spring and developed on the 22-nanometer Silvermont architecture. This processor is one of the most inexpensive in the line, and therefore has a minimum clock frequency, which in nominal operating mode is 1.33 GHz and can be increased to 1.83 GHz in turbo mode. The volume of the second level cache is 2 MB. The processor is a very economical model. The SDP (Scenario Design Power) indicator, that is, the level of average power consumption during everyday use, is only 2.2 W. Obviously, most often an active cooling system is not required for this processor, but in the case of the Intel Compute Stick it is still implemented.
In general, there are many much more interesting models in the Intel Bay Trail-T processor family. It is not clear why the manufacturer chose the Intel Atom Z3735F, which has a number of serious limitations regarding RAM, video output and other interfaces. Most likely, this was done for economic reasons, because a more productive device will cost more, which means the consumer circle will be completely different.
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Memory information |
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One of the most important limitations of the Intel Atom Z3735F processor is that it has a single-channel RAM controller, the maximum volume of which is not four, like other processor modifications, but two gigabytes. This is exactly how much is soldered onto the Intel Compute Stick motherboard. The DDR3L-1333 module is used, that is, the maximum possible frequency for the Intel Atom Z3735F. The microcomputer has a small amount of RAM, but its modification with Ubuntu has an even smaller value - only 1 GB.
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Information about the integrated video adapter |
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The Intel Atom Z3735F processor has integrated Intel HD Graphics with four execution units, running at a base clock speed of 311 MHz and can be overclocked to 646 MHz if necessary. We have already become acquainted with this video adapter more than once, but different processors it has different operating frequencies, so we can only talk about the performance and capabilities of Intel HD Graphics after testing. Let us only add that in this case the video adapter operates with a resolution of no higher than 1920 × 1080 pixels, that is, Full HD, while other processors of the Intel Bay Trail-T family can output images with a resolution of 4K.
The disk subsystem of the microcomputer is represented by a Samsung MBG4GC eMMC module with a capacity of 32 GB (29.0 GB available). The disk is represented by one working partition with a capacity of 22.55 GB, on which the operating system is installed. The rest of the volume is allocated for service information and the recovery section. As in the case of RAM, there is a strong desire to increase the capacity of the built-in disk subsystem of the Intel Compute Stick at least twice, but, alas, this is not possible. Well, the modification of the microcomputer with Ubuntu has an eMMC module with a capacity of only 8 GB. In this case, nothing but a video player and a couple more utilities will simply fit on this disk. You will have to use flash cards, because the Intel Compute Stick has a microSDXC reader on board.
To connect external drives and other devices, there is a single USB port on board the microcomputer. The fact that there is only one port is easily explained by the lack of free space on board the new product. In addition, the manufacturer has placed not a smaller, but a full-size version of the Type A USB port. If necessary, you will have to use a USB hub, which, by the way, can be the video panel itself, to which the Compute Stick is connected. But the fact that the USB interface of the Intel Compute Stick has a specification not 3.0, but 2.0, should be considered one of the shortcomings for which the processor used is again to blame. While other models in the Intel Bay Trail-T family have a built-in USB 3.0 controller, Intel processor Atom Z3735F differs in working only with the 2.0 bus.
The Intel Compute Stick has a standard set of wireless communications. A Realtek RTL8723BS module is installed on board, providing Wi-Fi communications standard 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. As for the sound, the new product is broadcast via the HDMI interface - there are no separate connectors in the device. Power is supplied via USB, for which there is an additional Micro-USB port on board, which can be connected either to one of the USB ports of the video panel, or to the power adapter included in the package.
⇡ Appearance
The Intel Compute Stick looks like a regular flash drive, only not too compact and with an HDMI interface instead of USB. The device fits into your pocket without any problems, so if you want, you can use one computer at work, at home, at the dacha, and with friends. It’s just that you won’t be able to work with it on the road - you can’t also carry a monitor with you.
The body of the new product is made of black plastic and consists of two halves. The lower part and side edges have a rough surface, but the top panel is varnished. Naturally, it instantly attracts fingerprints and dust, and then the first scratches will appear on it. The user can compensate for the extremely impractical solution of the manufacturer only by not removing the protective plastic film from the gloss or by sticking his own.
The main interface of the device - HDMI video output - is located on one of the narrow side edges. Since the microcomputer case is still not exactly “micro,” connecting it to the video panel without the short extension cord included in the package can be quite problematic.
All other Intel Compute Stick interfaces are located on the long side edges. On one side there are USB 2.0 and Micro-USB ports, a power control button, as well as a loop for attaching some kind of lanyard or cable that ensures the safety of the device if the video panel with it is placed in a public place. On the other side of the case there is only a microSDXC memory card reader. As for the top lacquered panel, it houses a blue LED power indicator and two large ventilation windows, behind one of which a miniature fan is visible. Small ventilation holes are also located on the side edges.
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The manufacturer does not assume that the user will open the plastic case of the device, since there are no replaceable parts inside it. Nevertheless, disassembling the new product was not difficult. The entire internal space is occupied by the motherboard, covered by a composite aluminum radiator. Huge port USB type But here it looks like something from another world - strange and archaic. However, its presence is an undoubted advantage of the design, so there is no need to find fault.
The compact fan is mounted on the case cover and connected to the connector on the motherboard with a long and very thin wire. The fan housing has blank walls on the three sides that abut the ribs of the cover. And only that side face that faces the radiator, as well as the lower plane, are open for the intake of heated air.
⇡ Testing
To compare the performance of the Intel Compute Stick, we used the test results of one of the contemporaries of this device that visited our laboratory - the ECS LIVA X model. This is not so compact, but still a mini-PC, which is based on the Intel Bay Trail-M platform with a dual-core processor Intel Celeron N2808, operating at a frequency of 1.58 to 2.25 GHz. It has 4 GB of DDR3L-1333 RAM soldered on the motherboard and the same integrated Intel HD Graphics graphics core as the Intel Compute Stick, with only one difference - the maximum core frequency is not 646, but 792 MHz. The disk subsystem of these PCs is also similar. In ECS LIVA X it is represented by a Toshiba THGBMBG9D8KBAIG eMMC module with a capacity of 64 GB.
⇡ Performance
Unfortunately, it is not possible to conduct full testing using our traditional method in the case of the Intel Compute Stick. The thing is that some test packages, such as CINEBENCH R15 or the fpFlac encoder, are designed to work only in a 64-bit environment, and our microcomputer has a 32-bit version of Windows 8.1 installed. Testing in Adobe Photoshop CS6 could not be completed due to insufficient disk space, although the Intel Compute Stick has enough resources for the program to function. However, to evaluate performance, the part of the tests that completed successfully is enough.
Despite the lower clock speed of the processor and half the amount of RAM compared to the ECS LIVA X, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer demonstrated performance almost identical to the capabilities of its larger competitor. In some tests the ECS LIVA X minicomputer took the lead, and in others it was slightly ahead of the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer, but this difference is completely insignificant. But the dimensions of today’s guest of the test laboratory are several times smaller than those of the ECS LIVA X, which in itself gives reason to think.
In general, the performance and capabilities of the new product are sufficient both for solving office tasks and for creating a home entertainment center based on this device, allowing you to watch movies in Full HD, listen to music and even work with various multimedia programs. The only disappointment is the critically small amount of RAM, which simply physically does not allow the user to work with several programs at the same time. One can only imagine what this tiny device could be capable of if it had a slightly more powerful processor from the same Intel Bay Trail-T family, which works with 4 GB of RAM in dual-channel mode and allows displaying images with a resolution of up to 4 K.
Of course, the capabilities of the integrated Intel HD Graphics video adapter are completely insufficient for gaming. Due to the slightly lower operating frequencies of the graphics core in the 3DMark test, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer fell slightly behind its larger competitor. Let's return for a moment to the previous "if...": older versions of Intel Atom Z37x5 processors have an integrated video adapter with a core frequency of up to 792 MHz, like the ECS LIVA X processor, which would give a microcomputer from Intel the opportunity to equal the results, and maybe even break out forward. But it is what it is. However, the gaming capabilities of both ECS LIVA X and Intel Compute Stick are still only suitable for sitting through simple Internet strategies or some digital board games - and nothing more.
In addition to tests using the traditional method for laptops and PCs, we conducted several additional studies for the Intel Compute Stick. The first concerns its disk subsystem, represented by the eMMC 5.0 module. Test results in specialized programs ATTO Disk Bemchmark and CrystalDiskMark differ, but not much. The drive demonstrates not fantastic, but quite decent performance for its class, which is significantly higher than most 2.5-inch drives. hard drives, but lower than modern SSD modules.
An important role for such a compact device with a small disk space and without wired network adapter plays speed wireless transmission data, and therefore we decided to test the performance of the built-in Wi-Fi module. The testing involved a dual-band Netgear WNDR3800 router connected via a wired gigabit interface to test stand with the Atheros AR8151 controller serving as the endpoint. Testing was carried out within one room. The data transfer speed was 45-60 Mbit/s, which can be assessed as a completely acceptable result. This performance is sufficient not only for simple data transfer, but also for streaming video.
⇡ Cooling system
As a rule, microcomputers, and most other devices based on economical Intel Bay Trail processors, have a passive cooling system, but Intel decided to do it differently. The Intel Compute Stick model has its own active system with a miniature fan and an aluminum radiator that covers most of the electronic components on the motherboard. When the processor and video core are slightly loaded, the fan remains at rest, but even when it is running, no noise is heard. It’s difficult to say what will happen after a year of active use, but while it’s new, this fan can be called one of the quietest.
The efficiency of the cooling system was assessed using stress tests of the AIDA64 package. During testing, the device was placed on the monitor wall in a room with a temperature of about 21 °C. The processor demonstrated stable operation, although it was not possible to see the maximum frequency - 1.83 GHz. The highest recorded frequency was 1.58 GHz, and the operating temperature did not exceed 65 °C. No throttling was observed when loading all systems.
⇡ Pre-installed software
The microcomputer is supplied without any pre-installed proprietary software, except for drivers and utilities for hardware components. As for the Bing search engine, as mentioned above, the user is still free to choose which search engine and which Internet browser to use, so the word Bing in Windows versions 8.1 is not worth it.
⇡ conclusions
On the one hand, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer sets new level performance for devices of this type. On the other hand, the potential of the hardware platform embedded in it is not fully realized in the device. In fact, the level of performance and capabilities of the new product could be even higher, but for economic reasons, obviously, the manufacturer decided to limit itself to a not the most powerful processor from the very extensive Intel Bay Trail-T family.
Of course, Intel Compute Stick is not alone in its kind, and anyone can find a dozen Chinese analogues on well-known trading platforms if they wish. But don't make a mistake when choosing! There are microcomputers on various low-performance platforms, and there are on Intel Bay Trail, which includes the hero of our today's review. Despite its modest dimensions, the Intel Compute Stick has the same capabilities as an entry-level laptop or desktop PC. Among the shortcomings, in addition to the already repeatedly mentioned processor with limited functionality, we can note the small volume of the built-in eMMC drive and the completely impractical varnish coating of the upper part of the case.
Despite the existing shortcomings, the new product makes a very pleasant impression and makes you think about the future of the PC as a whole, because the Intel Compute Stick is a full-fledged Windows PC with a very wide range of uses. Thus, the new product can be successfully used as a home multimedia center without complaining about excessive slowness during operation. You can purchase it as a PC for presentations and various types of on-site sessions. Well, for completely undemanding users who need a full-fledged, but not productive PC, the Intel Compute Stick model can become the main device, which can also be carried in your pocket without any problems.
Lenovo Ideacentre Stick 300, Archos PC Stick, ECS PCoS and others, the cost of which promises to be 20-40% less than the Intel Compute Stick. At the same time, the hardware component of these microcomputers absolutely completely repeats the one we met today. You should not expect that after going online Russian market For all of the above-mentioned pocket PCs, the cost of the Intel Compute Stick will drop to six thousand rubles (that’s exactly what the Archos PC Stick is planned to sell for), but if it drops by at least one and a half to two thousand, it won’t be bad.
Last year we met a couple of very interesting devices - Intel Compute Stick and Modecom FreePC microcomputers, which appearance They resemble either very large “flash drives” or CDMA modems with a USB interface. Despite their unusual nature, these products are full-fledged PCs that run the familiar Microsoft Windows operating system and are designed to perform a wide range of everyday tasks that are not resource-intensive. Meanwhile, despite the bold idea, both of its practical implementations that we examined were not without drawbacks. It is not surprising that the founder of this class of devices is Intel company introduced a new version of the Compute Stick STK1AW32SC microcomputer based on the Atom x5-Z8300 single-chip system.
Compared with the previous generation product STCK1A32WFC new model received a number of improvements, including expansion capabilities, but retained the same attractive retail price. Whether the newcomer managed to get rid of the “bottlenecks” of its predecessor, we will find out during today’s review, but for now I suggest you familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the devices.
| Model | Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC | |
|---|---|---|
| Official product page | intel.com | intel.com |
| CPU | Intel Atom x5-Z8300 (1.44 GHz, 2 W SDP, 4 cores, 4 threads) | Intel Atom Z3735F (1.33 GHz, 2.2 W SDP, 4 cores, 4 threads) |
| RAM | 2 GB DDR3L-RS SDRAM 1600 MHz | 2 GB DDR3L-RS SDRAM 1333 MHz |
| Video card | Intel HD Graphics | Intel HD Graphics |
| Disk subsystem | eMMC 32 GB, 1x microSDXC UHS-I (up to 128 GB) | |
| I/O Ports | 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | 1x HDMI 1.4a, 1x USB 2.0 |
| Sound subsystem | Intel HD Audio | Intel HD Audio |
| Communications | 1x Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n+ac, Bluetooth V4.0) | 1x Realtek RTL8723BS (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth V4.0) |
| power unit | External 15 W (5 V, 3 A) | External 10 W (5 V, 2 A) |
| Dimensions, mm | 113x38x12 | 103.4x37.6x12.5 |
| Pre-installed OS | Windows 10 Home | Windows 8.1 with Bing (free upgrade to Windows 10) |
| Recommended price, $ | 139 | 139 |
Contents of delivery
The Intel Compute Stick that arrived at our test lab turned out to be an engineering sample intended for demonstration. technical capabilities product. Therefore, the design and shape of the cardboard box intended for transporting the device may differ significantly for retail copies.
On the reverse side instead technical characteristics a description of the main advantage of the Compute Stick is given: the ability to use it to transform any monitor or TV with an HDMI input into a full-fledged, ready-to-use personal computer.
In addition to the device itself, the package includes:
- user guide;
- network adapter;
- HDMI extender.
In general, the newcomer’s set of accessories is not much different from that of last year’s model, with the only difference being that the included WA-15105R network adapter, which provides power output 15 W (5 V, 3 A), equipped with a non-removable cord with a micro-USB type “B” connector, whereas in the previous generation product the cable was supplied separately from the power supply.
Design
The 2016 Intel Compute Stick, like its predecessor, is made in HDMI Dongle format, that is, the device is installed in a free HDMI connector of a digital monitor or TV, but power is supplied from an external network adapter. If the TV is located close to the wall, the included HDMI extender will come to the rescue. The microcomputer case is made of plastic, its dimensions are 113x38x12 mm. Compared to the 2015 model, the height and width have not changed, while the length has increased by 10 mm. On the top cover of the device two groups of ventilation holes are visible, through one of them a miniature fan of the active cooling system is visible. There is also a power indicator and the Intel Inside logo.
On the reverse side there is a place for a sticker, on which retail copies will have service information, including the name of the model and its serial number, as well as a hole plugged with a rubber stopper. Under it there is a screw that holds the halves of the case together.
At one end of the miniature PC there is an HDMI 1.4b connector, designed to output images in 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second. There is no official support for 4K, which is due to hardware limitations of the platform used.
On the right side of the device there is a microSDXC memory card slot that supports UHC-I flash drives up to 128 GB, and a pair of small ventilation holes.
The left side of the newcomer carries USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 type “A” connectors, a micro-USB port for power supply, a power button and slots for supplying fresh air to the cooling system.
After opening the case, the internal structure of the Compute Stick becomes visible. Most of the surface area of the printed circuit board is occupied by a heatsink that removes heat from the single-chip system.
The efficiency of the cooling system was a pleasant surprise; in the maximum simultaneous load mode on the processor cores and the built-in video card, the temperature did not exceed 81° C, no signs of overheating or the inclusion of clock skipping mode were noticed. The noise emitted by the cooler can be described as insignificant and does not stand out against the general background of the living room.
Under the heatsink lies the “heart” of the microcomputer - SoC Intel Atom x5-Z8300, which is one of the versions of the economical Braswell platform, which has found application in nettops and budget-class embedded solutions. This single-chip system, manufactured in compliance with 14-nm production standards, has four computing cores built on the basis of the energy-efficient Silvermont microarchitecture. Among the expansion capabilities of the Intel Atom x5-Z8300, support for USB 3.0 and PCI buses Express, which the Atom Z3735F, which is the basis of the previous generation Compute Stick, could not boast of having. But, as in the case of its predecessor, the maximum amount of RAM of the new product is limited by the capabilities of the platform, which is why the microcomputer is equipped with only 2 GB of DDR3L-RS RAM, operating in single-channel mode at a frequency of 1600 MHz. If we compare the computing capabilities of the Atom x5-Z8300 and the Atom Z3735F, then with the exception of a more subtle technological process in the first, the difference between them is very small. The volumes of cache memory of the first and second levels have not changed, the clock frequency Turbo Boost remained at the same level of 1840 MHz, while in normal mode there was a noticeable increase from 1330 to 1440 MHz. Both SoCs support SIMD instruction sets SSE4.1, SSE4.2, 64-bit computing, AES encryption acceleration and VT-x hardware virtualization. As for energy efficiency, the SDP parameter, which characterizes power consumption in typical user scenarios, for the Atom x5-Z8300 is only 2 W, not least thanks to the EIST technology, which reduces the clock frequency and voltage during idle moments.
Much more significant changes have occurred in the integrated Intel HD Grahics graphics card. For the Atom x5-Z8300, the number of executive units (EU - Execution Units) has tripled compared to the Atom Z3735F video subsystem - from four to 12 pieces, and the EUs themselves have received an 8th generation microarchitecture. API DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.2 are supported, and the clock frequency, depending on the load, can range from 200 to 500 MHz.
As for accelerating video decoding, the hardware processing unit supports most popular formats, including VC-1, H.264 and HEVC in resolutions up to 4K inclusive. This information is fully confirmed by the DXVA Checker diagnostic utility, and in practice, the Intel Compute Stick 2016 turned out to be capable of playing video in a resolution of 3840x2160 at 60 frames/s.
SoC support PCI interface Express 2.0 x1 made it possible to equip the device with high-speed wireless Intel adapter Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265, providing networking Wi-Fi standards IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n+ac and Bluetooth protocol V4.0. This allowed us to double the throughput network connection: from 6 to 12 MB/s.
Bandwidth wireless connection Wi-Fi Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC (left) and Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC (right)
The disk subsystem is represented by a SanDisk DF4032 SSD with a capacity of 32 GB, connected to a single-chip system via the eMMC 5.0 interface. As for the speed characteristics, in comparison with the Samsung MBG4GC SSD, which was equipped with last year's Compute Stick, the difference is small: the newcomer is slightly faster in linear read and write operations, while its predecessor has a slight advantage when working with small files.
Disk performance Intel systems Compute Stick STK1AW32SC (left) and Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFC (right)
Thus, the main improvements in new version The Compute Stick features a wireless adapter and built-in graphics subsystem, as well as the appearance of an additional USB 3.0 port. We will find out very soon how the use of the new single-chip Atom x5-Z8300 system affects the performance of the Intel microcomputer, but now let’s take a look at the UEFI Setup and bundled software for the newcomer.
UEFI Setup
Despite its miniature size, Intel Compute Stick STK1AW32SC is equipped with a full-fledged UEFI Setup. The setup menu is clear and simple GUI, and the number of options available for change is reduced to a minimum. IN Main section information about the version of the control microcode, the SoC model and its operating mode is displayed, and the date and time are also set.
The System Identification Information submenu displays detailed information about the device, including its name, serial number and hardware version.
The Configuration tab is responsible for the activity of additional controllers and expansion ports, as well as boot parameters, including managing the Secure Boot function.
Finally, in the Exit section you can apply the change UEFI settings Setup and restore default values.
As you can see, the Intel Compute Stick firmware is completely devoid of any performance control options, but it offers all the necessary capabilities for administration and basic settings microcomputer.
Bundled software
As for the software component of the Intel Compute Stick, there are two versions of it: STK1A32SC without an operating system, and STK1AW32SC, equipped with 32-bit Windows 10 Home, which was in our test laboratory. Alas, the system had problems with activation, which is quite acceptable for a pre-sale engineering sample, especially since this fact did not in any way affect the stability and efficiency of its operation.
Meanwhile, the presence of an operating system made it possible to evaluate the use of disk space, which is especially important with such a small amount of SSD with which the device is equipped. As it turns out, out of the 27.8 GB allocated for the system partition, Windows 10 Home along with a set of drivers takes up 10.2 GB, so a modest 17.6 GB remains available to users.
However, even these turned out to be enough to install an office suite and a set of test software, and if necessary, the Compute Stick can be equipped with a micro SDXC memory card or connect an external drive with a USB 3.0 interface. And, of course, there is always the possibility of using network storage, for example, cloud service Microsoft OneDrive, which offers 15 GB free to every registered user.
Besides necessary drivers Compute Stick offers only one thing, but very useful application- Intel Remote Keyboard, which significantly improves the usability of the microcomputer. This program allows you to turn a smartphone or tablet running Android or iOS operating system and located with a Compute Stick into one Wi-Fi networks V touch keyboard and a mouse.
To work on your mobile device you will need to install a special application from Google Play or App Store, go through the pairing procedure, after which you can enjoy full control of the microcomputer without using a traditional keyboard and mouse.
In general, there are no questions about the software component; in any case, the Intel Compute Stick microcomputer is not overloaded with unnecessary software, which only takes up precious space on the system disk, and the only third party program— Intel Remote Keyboard is really useful and easy to use.
Test results
In performance tests, the Intel Compute Stick competed with the previous generation device. Such a comparison will answer the question: is the difference in performance significant and is there any point in hunting for a new model? Before testing OS Microsoft Windows 10 Home on both microcomputers was brought to the initial state, after which no performance adjustments were made. The following software was used to evaluate operating speed:
- Futuremark PCMark 8 v2.5.419;
- TouchXPRT2014;
- WebXPRT 2013 ( Microsoft Edge);
- Futuremark 3DMark v1.5.915.
Each test was repeated at least three times, based on the results of which the arithmetic mean was calculated. If any of the results was noticeably different from the other two, testing continued. For convenience, in the graphs the new STK1AW32SC model is designated as Intel Compute Stick (2016), and the previous generation product STCK1A32WFC is designated Intel Compute Stick (2015).
Testing in the popular comprehensive benchmark Futuremark PCMark 8, which allows you to evaluate the overall level of performance in basic user scenarios, was carried out in Accelerated mode, which allows you to use OpenCL acceleration. The 2016 model showed noticeably better performance in the Home and Creative scenarios, obviously due to a more powerful video core, while in the Work subtest the situation was exactly the opposite: the newcomer was noticeably behind and the reason for this was the low results in the LibreOffice program, apparently due to incompatibility with Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor.
Unlike the previous benchmark, the TouchXPRT2014 test package is more focused on measuring productivity when performing multimedia tasks: processing digital images, converting Full HD video content, mixing audio tracks, and creating animated presentations. In this case, the clock frequency of the computing cores plays a key role and, since it is equal for both participants, their identical results were not surprising.
To assess the speed of working with web applications in Microsoft browser Edge, which is the main one for Windows 10, ran the online benchmark WebXPRT 2013. In this case, Compute Stick 2016 turned out to be noticeably faster than its predecessor.
In the Futuremark 3DMark gaming test package in the Sky diver scenario, thanks to one of the main advantages of the new Intel microcomputer - a powerful graphics subsystem - the average score exceeded the previous generation model by more than twice, and when accelerating physical effects using the computing cores, the advantage was reduced to 20%.
In the Cloud gate subtest from Futuremark 3DMark Compute Stick 2016 also outperformed its ancestor, although the victory was not as impressive as in the previous case. The gain ranged from 60% overall to 100% in graphics subsystem scores, while in the Physics test track both devices showed very close results.
conclusions
As you would expect, the 2016 Intel Compute Stick turned out to be much more interesting than the previous generation product, primarily due to the use of an advanced Intel Atom x5-Z8300 single-chip system. The improvements affected the increase bandwidth a wireless adapter, which became possible thanks to the SoC’s support for the PCI Express 2.0 bus, and an increase in the speed of the graphics subsystem, which should now be enough not only for casual projects, but also for games that were 5 years old. Also, one cannot help but note the appearance of a second USB 3.0 port for connecting various peripherals, which significantly enriches the expansion capabilities of the device. The most pleasant impression was also left by the well-thought-out cooling system, which does not allow the processor to overheat even under the most intense load. As for power consumption, no measurements were taken, but we can say with confidence that the updated Intel Compute Stick fits within the 15 W provided by the included power supply. In a word, in some aspects progress is evident, which cannot but rejoice.
However, compared to its predecessor, the volume of the built-in storage and the size of RAM have not changed, and the long-awaited support for 4K image output has not appeared. However, there is a reasonable explanation for this: in an effort to ensure a low recommended price, which for the 2016 Compute Stick is set at $139 for the version with Windows 10 Home, the manufacturer is forced to use a budget SoC with limited capabilities and severely save on other components. But even in this configuration, the microcomputer is perfect for use as a home multimedia entertainment center, and in business, the Compute Stick can be used for organizing an information board, a self-service kiosk, as well as a thin client or an entry-level workstation. So, there is no need to demand anything more from a microcomputer. And for those who still want to get the performance of a full-fledged PC in the HDMI Dongle form factor, Intel has prepared a real gift: they will soon introduce a Compute Stick based on energy-efficient Skylake processors with double the amount of RAM and solid state drive. But that's a completely different story!
Intel Compute Stick Review | PC with very limited capabilities
Intel recently announced a micro PC Intel Compute Stick with Windows OS. At official Intel dealers its price will be $150, while the version based on Ubuntu Linux, with slightly modified characteristics, should sell for $110.
Intel Compute Stick is not a desktop replacement. A “PC flash drive” is positioned as an additional computing module that connects to a TV or display via an HDMI connector. Intel Compute Stick designed to handle simple tasks, including editing simple documents, watching videos or just talking with friends via Skype. The device has dimensions of 114x38x13 mm. It is equipped with a module wireless communication, USB 2.0, Bluetooth, video and audio controllers.
Intel Compute Stick available with two OS: Windows 8.1 and Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. The Windows version (STCK1A32WFC) appeared at the end of April, while the Ubuntu version (STCK1A8LFC) should be released in June.
Intel Compute Stick Review | Specifications
| Intel Compute Stick Specifications | |
| operating system | Windows 8.1 with Bing 32-bit Ubuntu (Linux) 14.04 LTS 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Atom Z3735F, 1.33 GHz, 2 MB cache, fan cooling |
| BIOS | FCBYT10H.86A.0018.2015.0330.1117 (3/30/2015) |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics with driver v.15.33.27.3910 |
| System memory | Single channel DDR3L-R-S @ 1.35 V, 1333 MHz Windows: 2 GB Ubuntu: 1 GB |
| Storage device | Built-in Samsung MGB4GC eMMC Windows - 32 GB, Samsung Ubuntu - 8 GB SDXC v3.0 slot with UHS I support |
| Periphery | Integrated 802.11bgn Wi-Fi controller USB 2.0 Bluetooth 4.0 MicroSD slot |
| Net | Integrated 802.11bgn controller |
| Audio | Intel HD Audio over HDMI with multiple channel support |
| Power Requirements | Adapter for power supply 5 V, 2 A |
| Case size | 103 mm x 37 mm x 12 mm |
Intel Compute Stick Review | First impressions
At first we thought that Intel Compute Stick It's perfect as a portable PC, capable of turning any HDMI-enabled TV into a work computer, although it would require you to carry around a keyboard and mouse. But then we adjusted our opinion. The device can turn a large TV into a working computer, allowing you to surf the Internet, chat on Skype or work with email, all through your usual Windows interface. A potential problem, in our opinion, is the lack of processing power and RAM when working with multiple programs. There should be no problems with single applications.
Despite small sizes, one of the main problems Intel Compute Stick is his external shape. With a device length of 103 mm, there should be enough space for installation behind the TV. Some TVs have HDMI connectors on the side of the display, but there are models that are very close to the wall; install them in such TVs Intel Compute Stick It's unlikely to work without an HDMI adapter cable.
Our review sample included a 20cm HDMI extender, but we used the 90cm extender to Intel Compute Stick was in front of the display, making it easier to access USB port and the power button. Intel Compute Stick Light enough that you can leave it hanging from the 20cm extension behind the screen if you wish.
Speaking of USB ports. Depending on how many devices you want to connect to Intel Compute Stick, you may need a USB hub, especially if you don't have a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. According to Intel representatives, to install additional USB ports in Intel Compute Stick lack of internal space. Besides, prerequisite To operate the device, you must have a TV with HDMI support. The company also confirmed that Intel Compute Stick will only work with HDMI direct input (no adapters).
Intel Compute Stick Review | External description
Intel Compute Stick has a minimal external set of interfaces and controls. One USB 2.0 slot is available for additional devices, and a microSD slot is provided for storage expansion. We installed a 32 GB card into it without any problems. Intel Compute Stick also equipped Bluetooth module 4.0, so if you have a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse, you can go wireless and leave the USB port free.
For the most part, the Bluetooth keyboard worked well. There were no problems with the Logitech Folio. But when we connected a cheaper RockSoul Bluetooth keyboard, we noticed frequent connection dropouts that required us to constantly re-pair it. Intel Compute Stick. In this situation we are not inclined to blame Intel Compute Stick, since the Folio worked without problems, but the functionality of the keyboard under the RockSoul brand is still in question.
External components of Intel Compute Stick
The power button is located on the side next to the HDMI connector, which is not very convenient. When disconnecting or setting up the device, you have to take it very carefully so as not to accidentally press this button. We hope that this flaw will be corrected in later versions.
Included Intel Compute Stick There is a 90 cm power cable. One of its connectors is inserted into the power socket on the device, and the USB connector is inserted into the 5 V socket.
For physical security, instead of a Kensington lock, Intel Compute Stick two interconnected recesses are used on the sides of the body. A thin metal cable is threaded through them, which is then crimped. This type of lock is typical for industrial type products.
Intel Compute Stick Review | Internal organization
Intel Compute Stick is equipped with a quad-core Atom Z3735F processor, belonging to the Intel SoC family based on Bay Trail architecture. This 64-bit SoC was introduced in early 2014. It has a 2 MB L2 cache and operates at a base frequency of 1.33 GHz (1.83 GHz in boost mode). The RAM is a single-channel DDR3L memory with a frequency of 1333 MHz and a capacity of 2 GB.
For working with graphics Intel Compute Stick uses GPU Intel HD Graphics integrated into the Atom Z3735F processor. With the Intel HD Graphics Control Panel, users can adjust general image output settings, manage power settings, and create custom profiles that allow them to save video settings for different applications.
It's easy to open the case, but all the most interesting things are under the radiator
The data storage system is represented by Samsung MBG4GC eMMC flash memory with a capacity of 32 GB. It is intended for mobile devices and uses high-density MLC NAND memory chips with an MMC controller. Of the 32 GB indicated on the box, Windows Disk Management shows that 23.04 GB is under the root file system, 5.86 GB is for the recovery partition, and the remaining 100 MB is allocated for the EFI System Partition.
Single-band is responsible for wireless communication Wi-Fi module Azurewave AW-NB177NF M.2. It supports 802.11 b/g/n standards and operates in the 2.4 GHz band while providing Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. At a nominal speed of 150 Mbps, performance is comparable to Wi-Fi adapter N150, which is significantly slower than modern Wi-Fi AC devices.
Intel Compute Stick Review | Exploitation
The very first thing we wanted to check was how Intel Compute Stick copes with online video playback. To our surprise, watching movies and shows on Netflix and Hulu was quite comfortable. The YouTube video played without delay. Streaming is smooth and built-in Intel Compute Stick the audio controller outputs quite clear sound to the TV speakers. When playing videos on Netflix, there was a slight delay when moving the mouse across the screen, but this did not affect streaming content. This problem usually occurs when the mouse is used further than three meters from the PC. But in our case, there was about 2.5 meters from the display to the mouse.
We also tried using Remote Desktop on Intel Compute Stick and connect to your computer via Wi-Fi. There was some delay when connecting and logging into the computer for the first time. Typically, when using Remote Desktop, such a delay is not observed, but taking into account that the Wi-Fi module Intel Compute Stick doesn't support 802.11ac and that we're running an SoC, a Remote Desktop session might be too taxing for the device. But after the first session, the time to start the program decreased. However, by connecting an 802.11ac USB network adapter to Intel Compute Stick, we did not notice any difference in response.
Intel Compute Stick Review | Equipment
In the box with the sample that we received for testing, we found the following components:
- Intel Compute Stick with pre-installed Windows 8.1 Bing 32-bit;
- USB power adapter alternating current, 5V, 2A;
- USB cable for power adapter, 75 cm long;
- HDMI extension cable 20 cm long;
- adapters for power sockets of different standards.
According to Intel, the retail version Intel Compute Stick will have the same equipment, plus instructions and user manual.
Intel Compute Stick Review | Additional accessories
Since in the Windows version you will get only 32 GB of storage, you should not ignore the possibility of expanding it using microSD cards. The device supports cards up to 128GB, which is worth taking advantage of. The built-in flash memory won't last long, especially if you save files locally, so extra storage space won't hurt.
In addition, you can use cloud storage. Considering that Intel Compute Stick Runs Windows 8.1, there are many options available for cloud storage. For example, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive They provide free storage of a certain capacity, but you will have to pay extra for additional space on such a disk.
Accessories for Intel Compute Stick
Using a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse makes sense because it allows you to keep the only USB port free. Wireless technologies Intel Compute Stick frees the user from wires dangling on the floor. If it is not possible to use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you can buy wireless USB a keyboard with a trackpad or a set consisting of a keyboard and mouse with a common USB receiver.
Also not out of place on the list would be a USB hub with external power supply, which allows you to connect devices, especially peripherals, with a power consumption of more than 500 mA. Because the Intel Compute Stick only supports USB 2.0, a corresponding hub will be inexpensive. USB 2.0 hubs are great for USB card readers, keyboards, mice or webcams. If the speed of the built-in wireless module is not enough for you, you can install a wired USB controller or a faster USB Wi-Fi adapter.
list of tested compatibility with Intel Compute Stick peripheral devices can be found at intel.com.
Intel Compute Stick Review | Testing methodology
For testing Intel Compute Stick we had to borrow a few techniques from reviews of tablets and networking equipment. It was also necessary to take into account the low performance of the device. We understand that this is not a gaming system or a workstation, so we have set appropriate expectations. In addition to performance, we are interested in functionality Intel Compute Stick as an additional computing resource for a TV or monitor.
To test the processor, graphics and storage, we connected Intel Compute Stick to a 24-inch Asus VS247 monitor with an HDMI port.
Web tests were conducted on the same Asus monitor, and to analyze network throughput at different distances between two-way Asus router RT-AC66U with an ASRock VisionX mini-PC connected to it via Ethernet (Core i7-4712MQ, AMD HD8850M GPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD and 2 TB HDD) we used a small cart.
The Atom z3735F quad-core processor was tested using Primate Lab Geekbench 3. Geekbench is a cross-platform benchmark designed to test CPU and memory performance. One of the main advantages of Geekbench is access to a large database of Primate Labs tested devices, including Windows, iOS and Android platforms. Today we are interested in single-core and multi-core tests using integer and floating point calculations, as well as tasks that load RAM.
We will check the speed of sequential and random I/O operations on the Samsung integrated drive using CrystalDiskMark.
The PassMark Advanced Networking module allows you to test end-to-end transmission speeds over Wi-Fi. The program is installed on each computer in a client/server configuration. On one it runs as a server, on the other - as a client. To test TCP traffic from Intel Compute Stick On ASRock Mini-PC we used the standard fixed block size of 16384 bytes. Test results show received and transmitted data, average speed in kbps and processor load. Considering that Intel Compute Stick only supports 2.4GHz transmission, we limited other devices in our network comparison tests to the same range.
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