Lenovo Thinkcentre/ThinkStation Tiny (Project TinyMiniMicro) Reference Thread
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Let us know how it works out.
I've given up on these as a NAS but using one with a dual/quad 2.5G NIC to run pfSense could be compelling as a name brand alternative to the Topton machines on other threads.
I initially paired my Tesla P4 which is a pass-thru GPU with the i5-8500 with no issues, so my guess is the T1000 which uses same drivers Quadro/Tesla driver should theoretically work.
Did you have to take off the gpu shroud because of the front IO or because of it being close to the top cover, in case of contact/shorting?
Because I am trying to install that very XFX gpu into a p340 Tiny, which has that IO on the other side, so i have plenty clearance there.
But I obviously don't want to risk shorting out my expensive p340.
Wish I saw your post before diving in on eBay for a i9-9900T (not ES) for $260. Anyways, I got a great deal on the Lenovo T1000 8gb pulled out of a P350. Form factor looks the same as the AMD Radeon RX560 that was the best dGPU option for the M920x when it was first released. I'd love to be able to snag a P350 top case cover that has the 2 large vents for added ventilation. I'm hoping the Front Bezels on these case covers are easily interchangeable. Worst comes to worse, I'll do a cutout with a magnetic filter screen for added ventilation.
Hmm I think @rafale77 did do some testing with 65W cpu and dGPU's in the past, USe the search function for their posts?
Just make sure your power supply has enough juice for adding the dGPU or avoid potential boot or sudden power down issues. The typical 65W may be borderline insufficient, I assume the M920q may have shipped with 135W which should work.
Actually my M920x Tiny came with a 135W power supply, so theoretically it should be enough for the i9-9900T (35w) and T1000 (50w).
Actually it was here that sparked a conversation between the 2 of us:
And then there was some information he shared with me:
@rafale77 said:
"
Hmm the only resource I found was my own try and error. As you probably know, I am running a "K" CPU with a 75W dGPU. First I discovered that on the HP Mini G5, the 9900 non K was underperforming. I then discovered that it was because of the power limits set for it. Then I discovered on the lenovo thread in this forum that people even with "T" CPUs saw improvements on their Tiny from upgrading the power brick. So I decided to try the P340 with the 230W power brick. Sure enough I can run a non "T" CPU alongside the dGPU without any impact on the power limits. Then I found out that I can even run a "K" CPU with the dGPU. Why? The power limit is set to be ~120W no matter what I do or what CPU I insert in this configuration.
Using a "K" CPU in the P340 will get you performance between the i9 10900K and the i9 10900. The system doesn't undervolt itself, I had to do it in the OS. It sets power limits. And yes indeed you will be better off with a copper heatsink... Essentially the 35W, 65W and 125W CPUs are identical, They were just set with different power limits and profiles which are overridden by the BIOS anyway if the power limit exceeds what the board can support. "
Also me stating the units came with 170W psu's was incorrect: They came with the 230W units. My 27" Tiny in One came with the 170W psu.
Anyway, your 135W should work, you may see a difference with a larger PSU
And then there was some information he shared with me:
@rafale77 said:
"
Hmm the only resource I found was my own try and error. As you probably know, I am running a "K" CPU with a 75W dGPU. First I discovered that on the HP Mini G5, the 9900 non K was underperforming. I then discovered that it was because of the power limits set for it. Then I discovered on the lenovo thread in this forum that people even with "T" CPUs saw improvements on their Tiny from upgrading the power brick. So I decided to try the P340 with the 230W power brick. Sure enough I can run a non "T" CPU alongside the dGPU without any impact on the power limits. Then I found out that I can even run a "K" CPU with the dGPU. Why? The power limit is set to be ~120W no matter what I do or what CPU I insert in this configuration.
Using a "K" CPU in the P340 will get you performance between the i9 10900K and the i9 10900. The system doesn't undervolt itself, I had to do it in the OS. It sets power limits. And yes indeed you will be better off with a copper heatsink... Essentially the 35W, 65W and 125W CPUs are identical, They were just set with different power limits and profiles which are overridden by the BIOS anyway if the power limit exceeds what the board can support. "
Also me stating the units came with 170W psu's was incorrect: They came with the 230W units. My 27" Tiny in One came with the 170W psu.
Anyway, your 135W should work, you may see a difference with a larger PSU
Finally, a valid & logical explanation!!! Thank you so much! Like I mentioned, I don't do much gaming (F1 & MotoGP). Was only intending to use my M920x Tiny ThinkCentre as a 24/7 Blue Iris surveillance PC. Then when I did more reading, I discovered all the upgrades/mods that were possible! I do have my eyes on this 230w GaN AC Adapter if I want to take it on the road.
So I just tested my M720q with i3 8100T and RX 6400 ... it idles at around 27W. It is quite high number.
I tested it with a clean (well... bloated.. we know MS) Windows 11 install... hope it lowers a bit with Ubuntu.
Also I definitely need to cut holes on the top case for both GPU and CPU .. the thing would cook itself.
I tested it with a clean (well... bloated.. we know MS) Windows 11 install... hope it lowers a bit with Ubuntu.
Also I definitely need to cut holes on the top case for both GPU and CPU .. the thing would cook itself.
Even with holes it gets hot. I have just installed an XFX Speedster RX 6400 into a P340, which has vents in the top, and it idled at 70c creeping up to 80 after a while. Do mind its hot here, so room temp was maybe 28c. But with top of and a box fan on it it dropped to 46c here for now.
Maybe taking the metal shroud off will help.
The Sapphire Pulse RX 6400 has a plastic shroud I had to take off because of clearance. It idles at around 55c when closed and 50c when opened.
It's a different story during load tho.
The other thing that is making me uncomfortable is that the CPU fan isn't particularly silent. It sounds a little bit unbalanced. I'll give it a clean. But I can't really imagine having that running in the living room 24/7.
Maybe there's a time to rethink the whole project.
It's a different story during load tho.
The other thing that is making me uncomfortable is that the CPU fan isn't particularly silent. It sounds a little bit unbalanced. I'll give it a clean. But I can't really imagine having that running in the living room 24/7.
Maybe there's a time to rethink the whole project.