Aleutia H3: a Real Dual Core CPU, 4GB RAM, and One Fan…possibly passive.
A lot of applications can only use two cores and so it's better to have 2 fast cores (2 x 3.0GHz) than the four slower cores of our energy efficient H2 (4 x 2.33GHz). For the H3, we're using a new AMD processor (AM3 socket) as it offers better performance than the Pentium and Core 2 Duo processors. AMD is like Avis - they're number two, so they try harder.
Specifically, it's a Athlon II X2 250 (2 x 3.0GHz CPU). Unlike an Intel Atom 330 this is a real processor and more than capable for gaming or HD Flash playback.
We'd love to passively cool this but it's not possible in such a small case so we are shipping it with a large heatsink and single, slow fan (speed can be set in BIOS) that will be extra quiet. Drive options will be 40GB hard drive (7200RPM, quiet, and cheap) or 32GB SSD. 4GB of 1066MHz RAM (our fastest yet!) as standard.
We have been working on a Single Core AMD Sempron 140 solution as this is a 45W CPU and not a 65W CPU. And it's a beast (not your mother's Sempron!) but again it's too hard too passively cool as the video above shows. As soon as you remove the fan, temp jumps to 70 and then 80 C.
Our only hope is to use something like the Scythe Ninja, which is huge: 5 inches (or 120mm) cubed. So for now the spec is:
- Onboard Nvidia Geforce 8200 (1080p is no problem)
- H1/H2 Case
- AMD Athlon II X2 250 CPU
- 2 x 2GB 1066 MHz Kingston RAM
- 12V DC Input (PicoPSU)
- 102W External AC Adapter
- 40GB or 250GB 7200RPM SATA-II Drive or 32GB KingSpec or 64GB Kingston SSD
Amazon UK will be listing the 64GB Kingston Spec which will retail for £449 ex VAT or £516.35 with VAT and shipping in the UK.