Graphics cards / mini pc
Discussion
Hi all.
I have just bought an Einstar 3D scanner and need a pc to run it on. My only other pc’s are a work laptop that I can’t install any personal software to, and a cheap Lenovo with crap specs that just gets used for personal admin.
I’ll be using the scanner at home for various projects, and then doing the design work whilst away on rotation, where I already have multiple monitor set ups in both my office and accommodation.
Therefore I was thinking that a mini pc would offer the best solution as I have no need for a third laptop and would prefer to do the design work on large, multiple screens. Just bought a space mouse and cad mouse to support this thinking. Easy enough to source a screen and keyboard for the 3d capturing.
So I’m now left with speccing a machine for both capturing the scan data and running 3d modeling software. Likely full version of fusion 360 for mechanical components (I’d have preferred others but don’t fancy several grand a year in licences) but I’ll also need to look into some surface modeling at some point.
The best spec machine I’ve seen runs a Radeon 780m.
Is this any good? Are there better alternatives?
Any recommended suppliers for a built machine (I have been looking mainly at minisforum) or is it better to build my own?
Any further advice in general? I was a 3D cad monkey in a former life so it won’t be all the gear and no idea, only I do have no idea when it comes to IT hardware.
Budget is hopefully healthy. A reasonable laptop would be 2k and the comparable mini pc’s I’ve been looking at are 6-700. So somewhere between the 2 is ok if it results in a better product.
I have just bought an Einstar 3D scanner and need a pc to run it on. My only other pc’s are a work laptop that I can’t install any personal software to, and a cheap Lenovo with crap specs that just gets used for personal admin.
I’ll be using the scanner at home for various projects, and then doing the design work whilst away on rotation, where I already have multiple monitor set ups in both my office and accommodation.
Therefore I was thinking that a mini pc would offer the best solution as I have no need for a third laptop and would prefer to do the design work on large, multiple screens. Just bought a space mouse and cad mouse to support this thinking. Easy enough to source a screen and keyboard for the 3d capturing.
So I’m now left with speccing a machine for both capturing the scan data and running 3d modeling software. Likely full version of fusion 360 for mechanical components (I’d have preferred others but don’t fancy several grand a year in licences) but I’ll also need to look into some surface modeling at some point.
The best spec machine I’ve seen runs a Radeon 780m.
Is this any good? Are there better alternatives?
Any recommended suppliers for a built machine (I have been looking mainly at minisforum) or is it better to build my own?
Any further advice in general? I was a 3D cad monkey in a former life so it won’t be all the gear and no idea, only I do have no idea when it comes to IT hardware.
Budget is hopefully healthy. A reasonable laptop would be 2k and the comparable mini pc’s I’ve been looking at are 6-700. So somewhere between the 2 is ok if it results in a better product.
Something like a Minisforum MS-01 with a dedicated GPU in the PCI-e slot?
https://www.minisforum.uk/products/minisforum-ms-0...
https://www.minisforum.uk/products/minisforum-ms-0...
Does that need a power brick as big as the computer itself?
It looks nice and likely should be fine for CAD using onboard graphics if those on that kinda CPU are half decent.
But I’ve no idea what the latest Intel kit does in that regard…
I know AMDs onboard/cpu graphics are pretty nice these days though.
I run a Sliger CL530 which can run pretty massive spec but sadly they don’t sell the case any more.
It has a handle and is solid metal all over.
HDPlex also do their small powerful GAN PSUs which could be good for a brickless small machine with decent power.
All depends what you want.
Personally given use case I’d get a nice laptop.
Even my 2016 MSI thin gaming laptop had hdmi and thunderbolt etc and can run several displays.
All considered, SFFPCs are mobile, but they’re ultimately not designed to be moved around lots.
Wheras a laptop is, and that may prove more reliable and convenient.
Also not sure on the scanner you’re using, but having a laptop you can easily take places and use and scan stuff on location would be handy… again depends what you’re planning to scan etc.
It looks nice and likely should be fine for CAD using onboard graphics if those on that kinda CPU are half decent.
But I’ve no idea what the latest Intel kit does in that regard…
I know AMDs onboard/cpu graphics are pretty nice these days though.
I run a Sliger CL530 which can run pretty massive spec but sadly they don’t sell the case any more.
It has a handle and is solid metal all over.
HDPlex also do their small powerful GAN PSUs which could be good for a brickless small machine with decent power.
All depends what you want.
Personally given use case I’d get a nice laptop.
Even my 2016 MSI thin gaming laptop had hdmi and thunderbolt etc and can run several displays.
All considered, SFFPCs are mobile, but they’re ultimately not designed to be moved around lots.
Wheras a laptop is, and that may prove more reliable and convenient.
Also not sure on the scanner you’re using, but having a laptop you can easily take places and use and scan stuff on location would be handy… again depends what you’re planning to scan etc.
Mac mini is what prompted me to look at mini pc’s. Mac OS will run the scan software and fusion but might be limiting in future.
The ms01 looks good but having external gpu wouldn’t be ideal. What would be the best onboard gpu I could equip it with?
use case as above really. scanning in a fixed location (my own workshop) and then popping it in my carry-on to work on the designs overseas. Custom bike and race car projects, mainly as I have nothing to do with my free time on rotation and a workshop full of projects.
Thinking was that I don’t need another laptop, don’t like designing on small screens anyway, and surely similar form factor means performance should at least be on a par with a high end laptop. I could get another power adaptor if it needs a brick and the ones I have already aren’t compatible.
Willing to accept the compromises of my choice but also think a neat pelicase would solve most of them. Main issue is that I am just not at all hardware minded so difficult to understand what I’m looking at spec wise.
The ms01 looks good but having external gpu wouldn’t be ideal. What would be the best onboard gpu I could equip it with?
use case as above really. scanning in a fixed location (my own workshop) and then popping it in my carry-on to work on the designs overseas. Custom bike and race car projects, mainly as I have nothing to do with my free time on rotation and a workshop full of projects.
Thinking was that I don’t need another laptop, don’t like designing on small screens anyway, and surely similar form factor means performance should at least be on a par with a high end laptop. I could get another power adaptor if it needs a brick and the ones I have already aren’t compatible.
Willing to accept the compromises of my choice but also think a neat pelicase would solve most of them. Main issue is that I am just not at all hardware minded so difficult to understand what I’m looking at spec wise.
Hehe… sounds fun.
Given the case, but desktop hardware, and mobility needs, I’d go with something that can suck air in at say the left, blow under and out at the right, with the keyboard bridging the case middle.
That way you lift keyboard to gain access. But while down acts as the duct top.
Intake at left of keyboard pointing up, exhaust at right of keyboard pointing up.
Then the case when closed is air/water tight as designed.
Could prob get a small atx motherboard and a decent noctua cooler blowing sideways in there.
GPU could be an FE card but exhaust fan out the back would need a duct back into main cross-flow.
A hdplex GAN PSU in the airflow…
Or buy a fat gaming laptop
Given the case, but desktop hardware, and mobility needs, I’d go with something that can suck air in at say the left, blow under and out at the right, with the keyboard bridging the case middle.
That way you lift keyboard to gain access. But while down acts as the duct top.
Intake at left of keyboard pointing up, exhaust at right of keyboard pointing up.
Then the case when closed is air/water tight as designed.
Could prob get a small atx motherboard and a decent noctua cooler blowing sideways in there.
GPU could be an FE card but exhaust fan out the back would need a duct back into main cross-flow.
A hdplex GAN PSU in the airflow…
Or buy a fat gaming laptop
i was thinking that the mini pc with external gpu was my solution only thought that would risk me trashing the gpu [see below]. so it'd be that just fitted into a small peli modified for cooling and connections. happy to have it running with the lid open to aid cooling but can also duct it as suggested. the screen is optional but would mean it is workshop ready for scanning. i'm ok with having an external psu at each location to reduce heat soak.
it would need to be done in such a way that airport security don't have a field day though, so slick and obvious. so a way a good starter project to familiarise with the scanner. i have a bambu x1c for printing the mounting brackets etc.
yes a gaming or cad laptop is an off the shelf solution but i would think for the money i can get a far better gpu and 128gb ram. so nuclear spec for the application but that would offset the compromises of the form factor. also if i am spending this much cash in hardware i should probably get an understanding of how it all works in case of future upgrades.
[see below] - i have trashed 2 laptop screens and 2 portable monitors in the last year so i have form for breaking stuff.
it would need to be done in such a way that airport security don't have a field day though, so slick and obvious. so a way a good starter project to familiarise with the scanner. i have a bambu x1c for printing the mounting brackets etc.
yes a gaming or cad laptop is an off the shelf solution but i would think for the money i can get a far better gpu and 128gb ram. so nuclear spec for the application but that would offset the compromises of the form factor. also if i am spending this much cash in hardware i should probably get an understanding of how it all works in case of future upgrades.
[see below] - i have trashed 2 laptop screens and 2 portable monitors in the last year so i have form for breaking stuff.
Edited by shirt on Tuesday 21st January 12:47
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