A newly released hardware description and configuration has been added to the AstLinux documentation:
Qotom Q530G6 Core i3-6100U Fanless Appliance https://doc.astlinux-project.org/userdoc:board_qotom_q530g6 I personally purchased a Qotom Q530G6 (4G RAM, 32G mSATA SSD, No WiFi) via AliExpress: 6 Gigabit Nic Fanless Mini PC Qotom Q530G6 Core i3-6100U ... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/6-Gigabit-Nic-Fanless-Mini-PC-Qotom-Q530G6-Q550G6-Core-i3-6100U-i5-6200U-1-8Ghz/32890614694.html $227.00 USD -- Barebone Q530G6, No WiFi $ 61.00 USD -- 4G RAM, 32G mSATA SSD (I added since it uses DDR4 RAM) $ 30.00 USD -- Shipping to central USA The Qotom Q530G6 is the fastest bare-metal hardware I have tested for AstLinux, 4.7x single-core performance compared to the legacy Intel Atom D525 workhorse, and 7.4x single-core performance compared to the PC Engines APU2. The Qotom Q530G6 is about twice the cost of the Qotom-Q190G4N-S07 or PC Engines APU2. Given the performance, the power consumption is surprisingly low, idles at 6 W, 10 W under load (HDMI disconnected). And runs cool, coretemp reports 41 degC CPU and SATA 2.5" SSD reports 43 degC (ambient temp is 26 degC / 79 degF). The supplied Hoodisk brand mSATA SSD does not report temp. The case is only barely warm to the touch. The Qotom Q530G6 offers everything an AstLinux user wants: -- Supports Serial or Video (HDMI) Console -- Supports either mSATA SSD or 2.5" SSD (SATA cable pre-attached) -- 6x Intel i211 NIC's -- Fanless, first-class machined aluminum black case -- Internal piezo buzzer for startup/shutdown sounds. -- Power button The Qotom Q530G6 requires DDR4 RAM, single 260-pin SO-DIMM, 4GB to 16GB supported. No surprise, line-speed 1Gbps network routing and line-speed WireGuard VPN with headroom. OpenVPN tested at 310 Mbps. I placed my order on a Saturday via AliExpress, it shipped on the following Tuesday morning and I signed for the package Thursday noon. Quite amazing ! Note: Shipped via DHL which required a signature on delivery. I like the way a SATA 2.5" SSD is attached (4x screws are supplied) to the lower cover, somewhat lower temps away from the motherboard. Currently on Amazon, "Industrial" 2.5" SATA SSD's (32GB-64GB) are available for $30-$40 USD. A 2.5" SSD is a good option for this box. In testing I found the Qotom Q530G6's serial port was sensitive to EMI generated with a dangling (inactive) serial cable, as such it would sometimes fail to boot properly (hang until cable was removed). Though a connected (active) serial cable, or no serial cable always booted reliably. I retested with a new [1], quality shielded serial cable and that solved the observed EMI issues with a dangling (inactive) serial cable. The original null-modem cable was probably 20 years old that came with a switch or some other product, and was longer than I needed. EMI on RS232 is something to keep in mind. Clearly there is no one best AstLinux hardware solution, but in my limited testing, the Qotom Q530G6 is a great fit for AstLinux. The Qotom Q530G6 has run solidly for a few days, further updates as needed. Lonnie [1] StarTech.com SCNM9FF1MBK https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QM8ZP5E/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot _______________________________________________ Astlinux-users mailing list Astlinux-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/astlinux-users Donations to support AstLinux are graciously accepted via PayPal to pay...@krisk.org.
