In the last 20 years, I’ve used, built, cursed and drooled over many a PC. Currently, I alternate between using both Mac and PC systems (both laptops and desktops), but this is the first PC I’ve ever had with Optane Memory.
Optane Memory essentially is cache (short term) memory that assists system memory in processing tasks.
Ideally, Intel Optane Memory makes a traditional hard drive (like the 2TB 7500 rpm one in this PC) perform like an SSD drive. It works to quickly access metadata, that resides between system memory (RAM) and the main storage (hard drive).
The PC configuration that I have has 16GB of Optane Memory and 8 GB of traditional RAM. It’s quicker in terms of read, but write speeds for the hard drive are minimally impacted by this configuration.
To truly maximize this system’s speed, I’m hoping to boost the system by adding an SSD using a PCIe expansion port that supports M.2 for SSDs. I will then clone the Windows 10 Home operating system to the new drive and make it the boot drive, using the 2TB drive as storage. (NOTE: I will be getting that drive in the next week and will update this review after making that update.)
When I review a PC I think about who might like using it. I think this PC is a good fit for a user who does basic tasks: email, web browsing, minor photo editing, listening to music and watching movies.
It’s a budget-priced desktop with great storage and room to grow. It has ample ports and can connect via HDMI to any size monitor or HDTV, making it a decent choice for a home media PC with apps for Netflix, Hulu, and Xbox.
But it’s not for a user who wants separate audio and graphics cards, although you could add your own via an expansion card.
It’s also not (as other reviewers have said) a gaming computer. If you consider the installed apps of Solitaire and Candy Crush “gaming” then I’m wrong. But if you’re looking for a computer that can handle high frame rate games this is not for you. (NOTE: The refresh rates are 59fps and 60fps for this PC’s video.)
Audio is average with onboard integrated audio but can be improved if you use a Bluetooth speaker and stream music from a device like a smartphone.
What I liked about this PC:
1. There is room to upgrade it just a bit.
2. Intel Coffee Lake Processor seems capable and zippy.
3. Entry level online gaming is OK with this PC.
4. Easy access to the interior of the case for upgrades – two screws and you slide off the side panel to get to work.
5. A good number of ports both front and back, with SD card reader, (2) USB 3.1, (4) USB 2.0, (2) HDMI, (1) VGA, USB- Type C, and microphone and headphone jacks.
6. DVD-RW drive is easily accessible at the front of the PC.
7. Small footprint makes it easy to stash this PC on a shelf or under the desk. 15″ H x 7″ W x 14″ D
8. Runs so quietly you forget it’s on.
9. The latest in Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity are on this PC.
10. This PC has both wireless and wired internet connectivity options.
11. Maximum RAM (Random Access Memory) can be upgraded to 32GB via (2) DIMM slots. **This is in addition to the existing Optane Memory of 16GB on the system I received.
12. It is a zippy computer when you’re multitasking. I can watch a YouTube video, draw using 3D Paint and have several tabs open in a browser and all of it moves quickly without bogging down.
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What I wish was better about this PC:
1. Very average looking case.
2. UHD Graphics 630 has a very low frame rate and I found it was glitchy – making YouTube videos freeze and the monitor go black. Happened twice during my 4 hours initial testing of the PC. **I suggest considering adding a video card to this PC.
3. Integrated sound and graphics are a cheap way to go, and while functional they offer no great sound or visuals – just average performance at best.
4. Norton Antivirus software installed, but only good for 30 days. C’mon… 1 year should be standard! But you can use Microsoft’s Windows Defender suite which is part of Windows 10 and FREE. Just uninstall Norton when your trial is up and switch to Defender in Settings.
5. Some bloatware apps installed. You can uninstall them though.
6. Super cheap feel to the wired keyboard and mouse. Loud, clunky and not well made, mine is destined to be in the Goodwill bin very soon. Thankfully wireless keyboard and mouse combos of better quality are inexpensive upgrades.
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Upon unboxing you should sign in with your Microsoft account if you have one. Your browser bookmarks and some other things will be updated on your new PC if you do so.
You should also do a search for Updates and then let the system do a Windows 10 update.
The updates will take some time and require a couple of restarts to get the job done. I have a 100 Gbps internet connection via Wifi and it took about 1 hour to complete all the updates and restarts to my system.
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This PC is not bad, nor is it slow as some have claimed, but it is not going to blow your doors off via its speed with the 7200rpm HDD even with Optane Memory.
It’s probably best suited for those who don’t ask too much from their PC experience, but want a daily driver for general tasks.
My expectations were that this PC would be a good basic, budget PC and for the most part, those expectations were met.
My greatest concern about the overall mechanical integrity of this PC is how the integrated graphics were glitchy out of the box. I wonder if that will continue? Perhaps adding a video card would clear it up?
Time will tell.
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NOTE: 3/22/19 – Regarding the NVMe M.2 slot available to an SSD.
I tried to install a Samsung 970 EVO SSD NVMe into the M.2 slot on the motherboard of this PC. It was a royal pain to get to the port as it’s located under the cage that holds the hard drive and DVD drive. A lot of tearing apart the case had to happen just to access the connection.
Since there’s only one NVMe M.2 slot on the board for SSDs, I had to remove the Optane Memory module to swap it with the Samsung SSD.
The Samsung was recognized by the BIOS, but never initialized correctly. Windows 10 refused to boot as before despite making the changes that should have had it going.
When I swapped out the Samsung SSD and replaced the Optane memory back into its place, all was back to as out of the box working order.
I did change the Advanced – Onboard SATA Mode from RST with Optane (disabling it) when I put the Samsung SSD in. I reversed that process when I replaced the Optane memory.
So with regards to this PC having a M.2 slot that can accept a NVMe M.2 I’d say … not really.
You do have (2) DIMMs for RAM with a capacity for up to 32GB though, so if you can get the BIOS configuration and SSD drive that plays nice with this system, you could theoretically remove the Optane Memory and add an NVMe SSD to the M.2 slot currently occupied by Optane Memory.
The bottom line: It’s a trade-off even if you get a drive that is initialized and one I’m not sure you should make.
I have ordered an enclosure for the Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD and will be using it via a USB 3.1 port on the front of the case. I plan on cloning the hard drive to make it the boot drive, which may increase system speed that much more and would allow it to work with the Optane memory.
I’ll keep you posted!
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4/23/19: Never did get the Samsung EVO NVMe SSD to get recognized by the system. Maybe it’s the drive.
I did add a 2GB MSI graphics card to this system and it made an appreciable difference. It was cheap at about fifty bucks and easy to put into the case in about 5 minutes. A simple upgrade that anyone can do.
Overall, a good basic system that is nicely boosted by Optane memory. TPM security (for encryption) also makes this system a good choice for business.
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