VERY nearly the perfect NUC-computer, at least to me. It has the 8-core Core i3 N300, a full PCIe 3.0 x4 slot for the M.2, and state of the art cooling. But that 8GB of LPDDR5 memory! As someone else here already reported, I really hope Zotac makes the 16GB model announced available as well.
It's could a be limitation of the cpu. I do feel the 8gb is deal breaker however the 7w tdp limit has me concern about the performance. I know the n300 is huge step up from the Celeron they previously offer this form factor. I hope Anandtech will review one this year.
There is no limitation. Alder Lake-N can support 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially (always single-channel).
As for the TDP, Intel didn't put out base/turbo TDPs for Alder Lake-N, unlike every other chip they have put out since Alder Lake, but it's known they can use more power than what is stated. If the AirJet cooling can "dissipate 10W", I'm not sure that it is the limit of what the CPU can use. 15-20W sustained could be fine, for example. That mystery can be solved by reviewers, and I assume there will be some high profile reviews given this is the first product using AirJet.
You're right. There are already geekbench6 results that uses 16gb to 32gb. https://browser.geekbench.com/search?q=i3-n300 The result from the Zotac pi-1338 which is I assume passively cooled is looking impressive. My 3570k @4.2Ghz result is SC: 700 MC:2100 If the Asus(1337/4437) results is an indication of what the max performance could look like the AirJet zbox could replace my desktop if it has 16gb.
I think they meant solid state cooling, vs spinning fans. It's definitely active. Unless they've found some crazy crystal that naturally resonates ultrasonic waves - I think Goop probably sells some with that claim.
As a lot of others have already pointed out, 8GB RAM is insufficient. 16GB would be a much better starting point. I feel like this undermines the unique cooling solution and discourages early adopter interest. Yes, I get by with 8GB just fine, but I think most people would be quite discouraged and avoid a purchase.
Airjet sounds great but why is the first adapter not a standard 15W notebook of the obvious intended market for this cooling solution? What are the current issues?
The issue is the performance for higher power CPU and maybe cost. AirJet mini is readily available now so it fits Zoctac mini PC perfectly. I'm sure laptop are being develop with air jet pro are in the work. I think they said at CES AirJet pro are still in development for mass product at later date than the AirJet mini.
I think it might have to do with designing a new PCB around Airjet. For a Mini-PC, all you have to do is design a new cooler and enclosure.
For a laptop, the existing PCB is not designed with Airjet cooling in mind. The PCB has a cutout for a blower type fan, and a spot for the heatsink fins at the end of a snaking heatpipe. 15W cooling would still require 3 Airjets, so I would guess that requires a complete redesign of the PCB and internal layout.
Because mini PCs have a smaller, more techy demographic, so if they end up not working so great, have a higher then expected failure rate, or the ultra sonic waves make your dog eat its own tail, they are out less money.
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meacupla - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
If they had equipped this with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, that would have been perfect.nandnandnand - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
It was previously reported that it would come with up to 16 GB. Maybe they'll make that model available later:https://www.pcmag.com/news/airjet-cooling-chip-com...
meacupla - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
Looking at the disassembled image, it looks like it only has 2 DRAM on the CPU side, and most likely another 2 on the underside.And since 4Gb chip density LPDDR5 is still in sampling, I would guess they can't make a 16GB version yet?
NextGen_Gamer - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
VERY nearly the perfect NUC-computer, at least to me. It has the 8-core Core i3 N300, a full PCIe 3.0 x4 slot for the M.2, and state of the art cooling. But that 8GB of LPDDR5 memory! As someone else here already reported, I really hope Zotac makes the 16GB model announced available as well.Techguy123 - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
It's could a be limitation of the cpu. I do feel the 8gb is deal breaker however the 7w tdp limit has me concern about the performance. I know the n300 is huge step up from the Celeron they previously offer this form factor. I hope Anandtech will review one this year.nandnandnand - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
There is no limitation. Alder Lake-N can support 16 GB officially, 32 GB unofficially (always single-channel).As for the TDP, Intel didn't put out base/turbo TDPs for Alder Lake-N, unlike every other chip they have put out since Alder Lake, but it's known they can use more power than what is stated. If the AirJet cooling can "dissipate 10W", I'm not sure that it is the limit of what the CPU can use. 15-20W sustained could be fine, for example. That mystery can be solved by reviewers, and I assume there will be some high profile reviews given this is the first product using AirJet.
Techguy123 - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
You're right. There are already geekbench6 results that uses 16gb to 32gb.https://browser.geekbench.com/search?q=i3-n300
The result from the Zotac pi-1338 which is I assume passively cooled is looking impressive.
My 3570k @4.2Ghz result is SC: 700 MC:2100 If the Asus(1337/4437) results is an indication of what the max performance could look like the AirJet zbox could replace my desktop if it has 16gb.
cbf123 - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
Correction, it’s not passively cooled. This is an active cooling element.PurposelyCryptic - Tuesday, October 24, 2023 - link
I think they meant solid state cooling, vs spinning fans. It's definitely active. Unless they've found some crazy crystal that naturally resonates ultrasonic waves - I think Goop probably sells some with that claim.PeachNCream - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
As a lot of others have already pointed out, 8GB RAM is insufficient. 16GB would be a much better starting point. I feel like this undermines the unique cooling solution and discourages early adopter interest. Yes, I get by with 8GB just fine, but I think most people would be quite discouraged and avoid a purchase.wr3zzz - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
Airjet sounds great but why is the first adapter not a standard 15W notebook of the obvious intended market for this cooling solution? What are the current issues?Techguy123 - Friday, October 20, 2023 - link
The issue is the performance for higher power CPU and maybe cost. AirJet mini is readily available now so it fits Zoctac mini PC perfectly. I'm sure laptop are being develop with air jet pro are in the work. I think they said at CES AirJet pro are still in development for mass product at later date than the AirJet mini.meacupla - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
I think it might have to do with designing a new PCB around Airjet.For a Mini-PC, all you have to do is design a new cooler and enclosure.
For a laptop, the existing PCB is not designed with Airjet cooling in mind. The PCB has a cutout for a blower type fan, and a spot for the heatsink fins at the end of a snaking heatpipe.
15W cooling would still require 3 Airjets, so I would guess that requires a complete redesign of the PCB and internal layout.
nandnandnand - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
It seems like it would be much faster to design a mini PC around fitting two of these cooling modules. And that's exactly what happened.PurposelyCryptic - Tuesday, October 24, 2023 - link
Because mini PCs have a smaller, more techy demographic, so if they end up not working so great, have a higher then expected failure rate, or the ultra sonic waves make your dog eat its own tail, they are out less money.Samus - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
How does it not collect dust?nandnandnand - Saturday, October 21, 2023 - link
They have dust guards, something only air-permeable I guess. It works because the pressure it generates is much higher than a fan.https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/23/23733592/frore-...
Samus - Monday, October 23, 2023 - link
Thanks for that link! There are some amazing physics at play here, 2kPa pressure is incredible.