ASRock’s New Mini-PCs Target Workstation To NAS Users And Everyone In Between
ASRock recently announced its strategy. Partnership with Topfeel Produces several lines of mini PCs for different market segments. The result of this collaboration is six new product lines: DeskMix, DeskMff, DeskNAS, DeskMic, DeskAIO and DeskMax.
The DeskMix and DeskMax series cater to workstation users, while the DeskMic and DeskMff are designed for mainstream consumers. On the other hand, DeskAIO and DeskNAS are specifically targeted at HCI (Human Computer Interaction) and NAS (Network Attached Storage) groups respectively. New Mini PC (via) momomo_us) is available for Intel and AMD processors. They come in a base configuration and minimal presentation, allowing consumers to customize the device to their specific needs.
DeskMix is powered by the Intel H610 chipset and supports Intel 12th Gen Alder Lake and 13th Gen Raptor Lake processors. There are two standard DIMM memory slots for DDR4-3200 memory modules and one M.2 interface running at PCIe 3.0 x1. The device includes space for two 2.5-inch drives and one full-height, single-slot discrete graphics card. DeskMix comes with a 1U Flex 250W power supply and supports CPU air coolers with a maximum height of 1.6 inch (40mm).
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Desk Mff(X300) | Desk mom (H610) | Desk microphone (X300) | Desk microphone (H610) | Desk mix (H610) | Deskmax (A620) | Desk Max (B660) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| processor | AMD 3000/4000/5000 | Intel 12th/13th | AMD 3000/4000/5000 | Intel 12th/13th | Intel 12th/13th | AMD 3000/4000/5000 | Intel 12th/13th |
| memory | 2x DDR4-3200 SODIMMs | 2x DDR4-3200 SODIMMs | 2x DDR4-3200 SODIMMs | 2x DDR4-3200 SODIMMs | 2x DDR4-3200 DIMMs | 2x DDR5-5600 DIMMs | 2x DDR5-5600 DIMMs |
| M.2 slot | PCIe 3.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4, M.2 SATA | PCIe 3.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4, M.2 SATA | PCIe3.0×1 | PCIe 4.0 x4, PCIe 3.0 x2, PCIe x2 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SATA port | 1 x 2.5 inch | 1 x 2.5 inch | 1 x 2.5 inch | 1 x 2.5 inch (can be changed to 2) | 2 x 2.5 inches | 2 x 2.5 inches | 4 x 2.5 inches |
| Discrete GPU support | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | full height, single slot | Full height, dual slot (240mm) | Full height, dual slot (310mm) |
| power supply | Standard DC 5525 120W | Standard DC 5525 120W | Standard DC 5525 120W | Standard DC 5525 120W | Standard 1U Flex 250W | special effects | special effects |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6 + Bluetooth | WiFi 6 + Bluetooth | WiFi 6 + Bluetooth | WiFi 6 + Bluetooth | N/A (USB WiFi available) | WiFi 6 + Bluetooth | WiFi 5 + Bluetooth |
| size | 210×199×56mm | 210×199×56mm | 210×190×90mm | 210×190×90mm | 260×248×90mm | 270×260×140mm | 225×320×140mm |
| CPU cooler height | 33mm | 33mm | 55mm | 55mm | 40 mm | 55mm | 55mm |
| USB port | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
DeskMax, on the other hand, is on another level. Consumers can choose between the AMD A620 chipset or the Intel B660 chipset. The former will support AMD Ryzen 3000, 4000 and 5000 series processors while the latter will support Intel Alder Lake and Raptor Lake chips. Both models feature two of his DIMM slots for DDR5-5600 memory modules. However, the storage capacity varies greatly.
DeskMax A620 prioritizes faster M.2 storage and offers PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, PCIe 3.0 x2 slot and one PCIe x2 slot. Only two 2.5 inch drives are installed. On the contrary, the DeskMax B660 only has one M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot but boasts support for four 2.5-inch drives. Regardless of chipset, DeskMax features a full-height, dual-slot design with plenty of room for a single discrete graphics card. Due to the difference in case size, the A620 model can accommodate graphics cards up to 9.4 inches (240mm), while the B660 model is more generous with up to 12.2 inches (310mm) of clearance space.
DeskMax utilizes the SFX form factor power supply, with WiFi 6 on the A620 version and WiFi 5 on the B660 version. Bluetooth exists on both. When it comes to air cooling, DeskMax has room for coolers up to 55 mm (2.2 inches) in height. However, the number of USB ports is approximately the same on both models.
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DeskMic and DeskMff are the smallest devices in ASRock’s new mini PC line-up. The specs are also quite similar. The AMD X300 chipset enables the Intel H610 chipset for AMD Ryzen 3000, 4000 and 5000 series processors as well as Alder Lake and Raptor Lake parts. Unlike other recently announced mini PCs, DeskMic and DeskMff prefer SODIMM slots rather than his usual DIMM version.
DeskMic and DeskMff have two SODIMM slots for DDR4-3200 memory modules. The X300 model has an M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 slot and one 2.5 inch bay, while the H610 model has an M.2 PCIe 5.0 x4 slot and the same 2.5 inch bay. For the DeskMic H610, the consumer can change the case to accommodate two of his 2.5-inch drives. Considering the target audience, neither DeskMic nor DeskMff support discrete graphics cards.
Functionally, both series rely on a DC 5525 120W power supply and feature WiFi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity. However, DeskMff can only accommodate CPU air coolers with a maximum height of 1.3 inches (33 mm), while DeskMic can accommodate up to 2.2 inches (55 mm). When it comes to USB ports, the DeskMic has two more than the DeskMff.
The DeskMax A620 starts at $205 for the barebones version. The B660 equivalent is $14 more expensive. As for the other models, the DeskMix retails for $195, while the DeskMff X300 and H610 start at $153 and $167 respectively. Finally, the DeskMic X300 has a starting price of $167, but the Intel H610 version is only available on the Core i5-13400, pushing the price up to $400.
At the time of this writing, the DeskNAS and DeskAIO product pages were not available. Additionally, it is unclear if ASRock will launch new mini PCs outside of the Chinese market.
