7P notes: Minisforum Neptune HX99G

Overview

As my primary desktop for "work" and for creating videos and doing art, I use a Minisforum Neptune HX99G that I bought in sale for $1,000 (normally is $1500).

Photos

These photos are from Minisforum. This is exactly how mine looks with one exception. Instead of 2 DisplayPort ports on the back, mine has two USB4 ports.

Specs

This PC is available in several configurations. Below is the configuration of the one I bought.

  • Model: HX99G

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX

    • 8 Cores/16 Threads

  • RAM: 64GB

  • Storage: 1TB SSD

  • GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6600M

  • Back I/O:

    • 2x HDMI ports

    • 2x USB4 ports

      • Dome versions of the HX99G have 2x DisplayPort ports instead of USB4

    • 3x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports

    • 1x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A port

    • RJ45 2.5 Gigabit ethernet port

  • Front I/O:

    • Microphone jack

    • Headphone jack

    • 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C port

    • 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port

Connections

  • one USB4 port is connected to a 43" 4K monitor via thunderbolt 3 cable

  • one USB4 port is has an 2 foot UseBean USB-C Extension cable (amazon) that runs from the back to the front. This makes it very easy for me to try out different pen displays.

  • one of the USBA ports on the back leads to 8 port USB hub placed near . This makes it easy for me to try different tablets and other devices

  • One of the HDMI ports is connected to a 32" monitor

  • I have it connected to a Rode RODECaster Duo for audio recording

  • I typically have it connnected to 3 displays simultaneously (2 monitors, and 1 pen display).

    • Although it can handle 4 separate displays, I've only used it that way very rarely.

How I use it

This is my every day “work” PC. All my major tasks are performed on this PC. These tasks include:

  • Creating my YouTube videos. This involves recording audio. Writing scripts. Creating PowerPoint slides. And audio and video editing.

  • Writing documents that I published my website

  • Creating artwork - mostly with clip studio paint and Krita

  • Photoediting - with Photoshop and Affinity Photo

  • Writing code using Visual Studio

  • I have not tried gaming on this PC.

Stability

VERY GOOD.

In the year I've been using it, there have been 2 times it froze up and required me to restart.

Occasionally when I am watching a YouTube video and I am doing something it can cause some stuttering for about 2 seconds and then goes back to normal. I don't know what the cause is, and it happens only about once a month.

Performance

For my needs has been excellent. I don't honestly feel like it has restricted me in any way to switch from a full desktop to this minipc.

Noise

Essentially silent. You would have to put your ear right next to the device to hear a slight hum.

Every now and then when I am exporting a video I might hear the fans ramp up loudly. But otherwise, I consider this mini-pc completely silent.

Why did I switch to this Mini PC

There were several reasons

  • I was looking for something quiet - silent if I can get it.

  • I wanted something more portable. I like rearranging my workspace a lot. The idea was to place a mini-pc on a desk that has casters. I keep the minipc on my desk and this lets me essentially roll the entire desk that carries my entire workspace into different places in my house.

Other options I tried

I had tried a Microsoft Surface Pro 8 to serve the role of a Mini-PC. This worked overall well, however:

  • The Surface Pro - for no clear reason- would randomly start aggressively spinning its fans loudly.

  • The Surface Pro didn't support as many connected displays as I wanted.

  • The performance was OK but I felt it struggled when editing videos

  • Only a few I/O options - even when used with the Microsoft Surface Dock

What could be better

  • I am looking forward to the possibility of ARM processors in mini-pcs. This might give me even more power with even less power consumption and fan noise.

  • I wish the stuttering I mentioned earlier did not happen. It's a minor irritation and only sometimes occurs for a few seconds, but it does mar an otherwise excellent experience.

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