Gigabyte Brix S GB-BSi5HT-6200 Ultra Compact SFF PC Review
Introducing The Gigabyte Brix S GB-BSi5HT-6200
As longtime enthusiasts, we tend to get most excited for the latest, big, bad, benchmark-busting specimens of PC hardware to hit the lab. However, there’s something about ultra-small form factor devices that’s intriguing as well. The focus on power efficiency and performance-per-watt from virtually all semi-conductor manufacturers over the last few years has enabled some pretty impressive hardware in fairly tiny form factors, and it’s now possible to have a fully-functional – and rather quick – desktop PC that literally fits in the palm of your hand.
Take the Gigabyte Brix S (model number BSi5HT-6200) we’ll be showing you here, for example. This tiny machine is packing a Skylake-based Intel Core i5-6200U processor with Hyperthreading support for four threads, dual DDR4 memory channels, built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, an M.2 slot, SATA support, Thunderbolt, and the list goes on. Yet, the Brix S measures only a few inches squared. There is some assembly and setup required with a system of this type, but when all is said and done, you can end up with solid performance in a minuscule form factor, without breaking the bank.
The Gigabyte Brix S BSi5HT-6200’s list of main features and specifications are detailed below. Take a look to get an idea of what makes this machine tick and then we’ll dig in further, build her up, and take her for a spin.
Take the Gigabyte Brix S (model number BSi5HT-6200) we’ll be showing you here, for example. This tiny machine is packing a Skylake-based Intel Core i5-6200U processor with Hyperthreading support for four threads, dual DDR4 memory channels, built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, an M.2 slot, SATA support, Thunderbolt, and the list goes on. Yet, the Brix S measures only a few inches squared. There is some assembly and setup required with a system of this type, but when all is said and done, you can end up with solid performance in a minuscule form factor, without breaking the bank.
The Gigabyte Brix S BSi5HT-6200’s list of main features and specifications are detailed below. Take a look to get an idea of what makes this machine tick and then we’ll dig in further, build her up, and take her for a spin.
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Dimensions | 46.8 mm x 112.6 mm x 119.4 mm (1.84" x 4.43" x 4.7") |
Motherboard Size | 105 x 110 mm |
CPU | Intel Core i5-6200U, 2.3GHz / 2.8GHz |
Memory | 2 x SO-DIMM DDR4 slots, 2133MHz, Max 32GB |
LAN | Gigabit LAN (Intel i219V) |
Audio | Realtek ALC255 |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 520 |
HDMI Resolution (Max.) | 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz |
Mini DP Resolution (Max.) | 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz |
Expansion Slots | 1 x M.2 slot (2280_storage), 1 x PCIe M.2 NGFF 2230 slot occupied by WiFi+BT card |
Front I/O | 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x head phone Jack, 1 x Mic phone Jack |
Rear I/O | 1 x HDMI (2.0), 1 x Mini DisplayPort (1.2), 1 x USB3.1 type C, 1 x RJ45, 1 x Kensington lock |
Side I/O | 2 x USB3.0, SD card solt |
Power Supply | Input: AC 100-240V, Output: DC 19V (4.74A) |
VESA | Bracket included, Supports 75 x 75 and 100 x 100 mm |
Wifi Card | Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 |
USB3.1 | Intel Thunderbolt ready |
Storage | Supports 2.5” HDD/SSD, 7.0/9.5 mm thick (1 x 6 Gbps SATA 3) |
Support OS | Windows 7 32/64bit, Windows 8 64bit, Windows 10 64bit |
Environment | System Environment Operating Temperature: 0°C to +35°C System Storage Temperature: -20°C to +60°C |
Pricing | Barebones $389, other configs available |
The Gigabyte Brix S BSi5HT-6200 is only 1.84" x 4.43" x 4.7"; and features a clean, streamlined chassis that’s outfitted with various ports and venting, but lacks any real stylized elements. Inside that chassis resides the aforementioned Core i5-6200U dual-core / quad-thread processor, with base and boost clocks speeds of 2.3GHz and 2.8GHz. The system supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM (at up to 2133MHz), and it can accommodate both M.2 and SATA storage solutions simultaneously, and there’s a mini-PCIe slot inside too, but it’s filled with and Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165. The system is also Thunderbolt ready, and has built-in Gigabit Ethernet and Realtek ALC255 audio. What you sacrifice with a system like this is any sort of internal expansion – there are no internal slots, ports, or headers, over and above what’s mentioned here. Which is one of the ways manufacturers are able to shrink down form factors. You could connect plenty of external devices to the Brix S BSi5HT-6200, however, thanks to its USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports.
Included with the Brix S BSi5HT-6200, is an external 19v / 4.74A power brick, a drive disc, a basic lit pack, a VESA mount, and a couple of packets of screws – one for said VESA mount, and one for mounting an internal 2.5” drive. What is not included with this particle model Brix S system, is system memory, storage or an OS.
Because the Brix S BSi5HT-6200 is a barebones system, buyers will have to supply their own memory, storage, and operating system. This may be an inconvenience for some but for those folks, fully assembled Brix systems are also available. However, we like these barebones systems because they offer additional flexibility to users to choose their own components and configurations.
For our system, we looked to Kingston for an M.2 Predator SSD and a 16GB dual-channel DDR4 SO-DIMM memory kit. The Kingston HyperX Impact DDR4 dual-channel kit you see here runs at 2133MHz (CL13) and requires only 1.2v. The Kingston Hyper X Predator SSD has been a very popular M.2-based PCIe drive that features a Marvell controller and transfer speeds up to 1.4GB/s.
Installing the RAM and M.2 SSD requires nothing more than removing the bottom panel from the system, and popping the RAM and SSD into their respective slots. There's also a small retention screw necessary to hold the M.2 gumstick in place.