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expiredSuryasis posted Oct 26, 2023 05:56 AM
expiredSuryasis posted Oct 26, 2023 05:56 AM

Minisforum EM680 Mini PC: Ryzen 7 6800U, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD

& More + Free Shipping

$349

$419

16% off
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Deal Details
Minisforum has Minisforum EM680 Mini PC on sale from $349 when you apply $70 off discount code EM680-$70 at checkout. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Suryasis for finding this deal.

Note: Mouse pads are available for purchase for $0.10 during the Halloween event. Mouse pads will be shipped with the machine. Mouse pads purchased separately will not be shipped.

Alternate Configurations:Specs:
  • Ryzen 7 6800U 8C/16T 2.7 GHz (4.7 GHz Boost, 20MB Cache), Liquid Metal Thermal Compund
  • Radeon 680M Graphics
  • 16GB LPDDR5 6400 MHz Onboard Dual Channel Ram
    • 32GB Option Available
  • 512GB M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0x4 NVMe SSD with Active Cooling
    • 1TB Option Available
  • Onboard Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.3
  • Windows 11 Pro
  • Ports:
    • 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A 10 Gbps
    • 2x USB4 Type-C with Power Delivery & DisplayPort 1.4 (8K@60Hz)
    • 1x HDMI 2.1 (4K@144Hz)
    • 1x microSD card Slot
    • 1x Audio Combo Jack
    • 1x DMIC
    • 1x Clear CMOS
  • 65W GaN Type-C PD Charger
  • 1/4L Form facto

Editor's Notes

Written by citan359 | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This Halloween sale event offers $50 - $70 savings compared to this earlier Frontpage Deal which received +90 votes from the community.
    • Valid through Nov. 2nd, while supplies last.
  • About this product:
    • The hardware brands may vary from batch to batch. Please rest assured that they all meet Minisforum's standards and are all covered by the warranty.
    • Up to three monitors can be connected at the same time with a maximum resolution of 8K@60Hz.
    • The USB4 ports on the EM680 can be used as a power supply port.
    • 2-Year warranty (details)
  • Additional Note:
    • Please refer to the Forum Thread for additional discussion regarding this deal.

Original Post

Written by Suryasis
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Minisforum has Minisforum EM680 Mini PC on sale from $349 when you apply $70 off discount code EM680-$70 at checkout. Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Suryasis for finding this deal.

Note: Mouse pads are available for purchase for $0.10 during the Halloween event. Mouse pads will be shipped with the machine. Mouse pads purchased separately will not be shipped.

Alternate Configurations:Specs:
  • Ryzen 7 6800U 8C/16T 2.7 GHz (4.7 GHz Boost, 20MB Cache), Liquid Metal Thermal Compund
  • Radeon 680M Graphics
  • 16GB LPDDR5 6400 MHz Onboard Dual Channel Ram
    • 32GB Option Available
  • 512GB M.2 2230 PCIe Gen 4.0x4 NVMe SSD with Active Cooling
    • 1TB Option Available
  • Onboard Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.3
  • Windows 11 Pro
  • Ports:
    • 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A 10 Gbps
    • 2x USB4 Type-C with Power Delivery & DisplayPort 1.4 (8K@60Hz)
    • 1x HDMI 2.1 (4K@144Hz)
    • 1x microSD card Slot
    • 1x Audio Combo Jack
    • 1x DMIC
    • 1x Clear CMOS
  • 65W GaN Type-C PD Charger
  • 1/4L Form facto

Editor's Notes

Written by citan359 | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This Halloween sale event offers $50 - $70 savings compared to this earlier Frontpage Deal which received +90 votes from the community.
    • Valid through Nov. 2nd, while supplies last.
  • About this product:
    • The hardware brands may vary from batch to batch. Please rest assured that they all meet Minisforum's standards and are all covered by the warranty.
    • Up to three monitors can be connected at the same time with a maximum resolution of 8K@60Hz.
    • The USB4 ports on the EM680 can be used as a power supply port.
    • 2-Year warranty (details)
  • Additional Note:
    • Please refer to the Forum Thread for additional discussion regarding this deal.

Original Post

Written by Suryasis

Community Voting

Deal Score
+55
Good Deal
Visit Minisforum

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Top Comments

Suryasis
20554 Posts
18579 Reputation
Yes. Steamdesk has 8 Compute Engines running at max speed of 1600 MHZ whereas this one has 12 CU running at 2200 MHZ. On top of that, this has Zen 3+ based 8 core cpu with both better single and multithreaded performance than the 4 Core Zen 2 based cpu. In lower resolution, 1080p or below, standard target resolution for these integrated graphics, CPU Matters a lot. So, the combination of having far more powerful cpu and more powerful gpu, with higher TDP, makes this a better performer.
StarfirePrime
1046 Posts
1309 Reputation
There are several YT channels that evaluate these mini PC for emulation. Here's a link to the RetroGameCorps spreadsheet...
https://docs.google.com/spreadshe...edit#gid=0
Suryasis
20554 Posts
18579 Reputation
It is not Minisforum issue if a Thunderbolt dock does not work. USB4 does not gurrantee that it will work with any Thunderbolt certified Devices. Instead, the Device manufacturers has to make sure that their Devices can use USB4 mode.
I'm not sure which model of that Caldigit dock you have but most modern TB3/4 docks work with USB4. Some older docks or even cheap new docks using older Thunderbolt 3 Bridge chip, may not work with all USB4 Devices. My Startech TB3 dock, purchased back in 2018, does not work either but my Plugable TBT4-UDZ works fine with HX99G and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 2023 with RTX 3070 Ti (Lenovo updated one Type-C Port to USB4 with Firmware Update).

81 Comments

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Oct 26, 2023 04:18 PM
2,878 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
Marlin1975Oct 26, 2023 04:18 PM
2,878 Posts
Quote from SennamonTea :
how are these for occasional 4k video editing in premiere pro?

I would pay the extra $30 and get the 32gb of memory. Other than that yea this will work well for a built in GPU system.

Don't expect threadripper and $1000+ gpu performance of course. But will work well for what it is.
Oct 26, 2023 04:31 PM
208 Posts
Joined Sep 2022
CoolMoney1870Oct 26, 2023 04:31 PM
208 Posts
Quote from Suryasis :
None are reviews. Check some actual review sites like Notebookcheck.net. 6800u has better multithreaded performance than even i7 1260p at same power.
I completely disagree for NO apparent reason! The i5-1240P is 1% fast in single threaded Cinebench R23, 1% !!!!!! You know how much time could save me if I did that exact workload under that specific condition?

1% !!!
Oct 26, 2023 04:34 PM
797 Posts
Joined Sep 2019
FaithfulHamster1779Oct 26, 2023 04:34 PM
797 Posts
Quote from StarfirePrime :
There are several YT channels that evaluate these mini PC for emulation. Here's a link to the RetroGameCorps spreadsheet...
https://docs.google.com/spreadshe...edit#gid=0
This is great, but appears to be old. I say that between pricing and APUs tested. Do you know of a more recent one?
Oct 26, 2023 04:34 PM
132 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
coyo5050Oct 26, 2023 04:34 PM
132 Posts
Quote from daweyo :
The picture of the unit on the nightstand is ungenuine. This thing has a minimum of two cords coming out of it. Add a USB hub and direct ethernet then there is 4 cords. The small form factor is great, but you lose most asthetics with all the cords coming out of it.
Maybe she just gets comfort from and sleeps better with an unplugged mini computer on her nightstand thats seems to serve no practical purpose lol. I thought the pic was rather funny
Oct 26, 2023 04:36 PM
405 Posts
Joined Aug 2023
I_like_feetOct 26, 2023 04:36 PM
405 Posts
I haven't been a fan of any of the intel based minisforum I have tried. The fans ramp on for the simplest tasks and often. I replaced the liquid metal with mx-6 on the dual nic i5-12series and it performs better with the mx-6, lol. Fans still spin up, they arent quiet and the bios is extremely limited.
Oct 26, 2023 04:38 PM
548 Posts
Joined Jun 2003
ryanbrancelOct 26, 2023 04:38 PM
548 Posts
Quote from GoWhiteSox :
I was looking at the Beelink Ser6 Max for about $430. I'm guessing this is a little less powerful? Mainly want to use for higher end emulation
I got the Beelink SER6 Max a couple of weeks ago. Occasionally goes on sale for $399 for 16 GB / 1 TB version, which I think is one of the best performance and value right now. I can't say how it compares to the Minisforum but I have been very happy with the Beelink, excellent build quality and runs cool and quiet. As others have said this is probably similar in performance though looks smaller and I wonder if it has a louder fan.
Last edited by ryanbrancel October 26, 2023 at 09:40 AM.
Oct 26, 2023 04:43 PM
1,046 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
StarfirePrimeOct 26, 2023 04:43 PM
1,046 Posts
Quote :
Quote from FaithfulHamster1779 :
This is great, but appears to be old. I say that between pricing and APUs tested. Do you know of a more recent one?
I believe that Russ at RGC says that he adds to the spreadsheet, but I dont know if he tracks the current prices (I guess not). Here is another spreadsheet I've found that is oriented toward emulation on handhelds, but you could probably draw conclusions from the CPUs and chipsets used.
https://docs.google.com/spreadshe...edit#gid=0

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Oct 26, 2023 04:51 PM
1,488 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
thrustbucketOct 26, 2023 04:51 PM
1,488 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank thrustbucket

I have had this since August. The 1TB/32GB version.
I currently have it as a jellyfin server. It's on 24/7. It works great.
I did play horizon zero dawn and baulders gate 3 on it just to see if I could. It's very playable, as long as you dial the settings down.

Let me know if you want to know anything.

I will say that working with minisforum was a chore. I ordered it at the first of june for an end of June delivery. It never got delivered. Went back and forth with support for weeks, even getting a refund and rebuying at one point. I finally told them to refund me at the end of July and they said it was shipped. What made it frustrating is that their US Amazon store had them in stock in July for the same price. But they still shipped it from China.
Last edited by thrustbucket October 26, 2023 at 09:53 AM.
3
Oct 26, 2023 05:13 PM
4 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
johnbechOct 26, 2023 05:13 PM
4 Posts
Quote from GoWhiteSox :
I was looking at the Beelink Ser6 Max for about $430. I'm guessing this is a little less powerful? Mainly want to use for higher end emulation
The 6800U is an underperformer compared to the 7735HS processor per cpubenchmarks.

6800U 20,603
7735HS 24,182
Oct 26, 2023 05:22 PM
1,883 Posts
Joined Jan 2007
SysopOct 26, 2023 05:22 PM
1,883 Posts
There is a Halloween sale, so the discount code is good for a few of their products: https://store.minisforum.com/page...oween-sale
Oct 26, 2023 05:24 PM
1,834 Posts
Joined Jul 2011
clocks11Oct 26, 2023 05:24 PM
1,834 Posts
Quote from ryanbrancel :
I got the Beelink SER6 Max a couple of weeks ago. Occasionally goes on sale for $399 for 16 GB / 1 TB version, which I think is one of the best performance and value right now. I can't say how it compares to the Minisforum but I have been very happy with the Beelink, excellent build quality and runs cool and quiet. As others have said this is probably similar in performance though looks smaller and I wonder if it has a louder fan.
TBH, that is the unit I am leaning towards, if I do not buy a 7840 model.
Oct 26, 2023 07:10 PM
53 Posts
Joined Nov 2012
NabilBOct 26, 2023 07:10 PM
53 Posts
Quote from Suryasis :
It is not Minisforum issue if a Thunderbolt dock does not work. USB4 does not gurrantee that it will work with any Thunderbolt certified Devices. Instead, the Device manufacturers has to make sure that their Devices can use USB4 mode.
I'm not sure which model of that Caldigit dock you have but most modern TB3/4 docks work with USB4. Some older docks or even cheap new docks using older Thunderbolt 3 Bridge chip, may not work with all USB4 Devices. My Startech TB3 dock, purchased back in 2018, does not work either but my Plugable TBT4-UDZ works fine with HX99G and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 2023 with RTX 3070 Ti (Lenovo updated one Type-C Port to USB4 with Firmware Update).
I have the same issue as @StarfirePrime, it just feels to me that anytime an AMD chip that advertise Thunderbolt compatibility (through USB4 or not) is dubious. I bought a Minsforum PC and returned it because of this issue.
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Oct 26, 2023 08:30 PM
20,554 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
SuryasisOct 26, 2023 08:30 PM
Original Poster
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This user is an Expert in Computers
20,554 Posts
Quote from NabilB :
I have the same issue as @StarfirePrime, it just feels to me that anytime an AMD chip that advertise Thunderbolt compatibility (through USB4 or not) is dubious. I bought a Minsforum PC and returned it because of this issue.
I think it would be better to buy the Thunderbolt Hub or Docking station for AMD USB4 systems after watching reviews and then chose carefully. As I mentioned earlier, USB4 doesn't need to support Thunderbolt accessories necessarily and it is always a bit challenging to identify the right one. I had the same issue with my 2018 Startech Thunderbolt 3 dock with my 2022 AMD laptop with YSB4 but the new one I got, after researching a lot, works fine.
Oct 26, 2023 09:04 PM
508 Posts
Joined May 2007
GoWhiteSoxOct 26, 2023 09:04 PM
508 Posts
Quote from ryanbrancel :
I got the Beelink SER6 Max a couple of weeks ago. Occasionally goes on sale for $399 for 16 GB / 1 TB version, which I think is one of the best performance and value right now. I can't say how it compares to the Minisforum but I have been very happy with the Beelink, excellent build quality and runs cool and quiet. As others have said this is probably similar in performance though looks smaller and I wonder if it has a louder fan.
Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for the Ser6 Max. After more review I don't think this is fast enough for PS3 or 360 emulation.

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Oct 26, 2023 09:29 PM
131 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
mrwooooOct 26, 2023 09:29 PM
131 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank mrwoooo

Bummer that it doesn't have 2.5gb ethernet.
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