Computer components are continuously getting smaller and more powerful, with massive growth in mobile processing power.
This reduction in component size and increased processing power has lead to the rise of mini-computer boards such as the Raspberry Pi.
These mini-computers enable hardware enthusiasts to make gadgets and systems that are both cheap and useful. Gamers have also found a use for these affordable, tiny computers, creating custom gaming consoles and mobile gaming platforms.
Whether you want to create a mobile gaming platform that uses emulators to play all of your favourite classics, or just an affordable media centre with custom software that you control, these devices are perfect for your DIY gadget needs.
Check out some of the projects you can use these powerful mini-computers for.
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
The latest iteration of the global Raspberry Pi phenomenon, the Model B adds useful features such as built-in WiFi and improved specifications.
| Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU | 1.2GHz quad-core |
| Memory | 1GB RAM |
| Ports | 4 x USB, 1x HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack |
| Storage | MicroSD card |
| Connectivity | 802.11n Wireless LAN, Bluetooth |
| Price | R1,135 |
MinnowBoard Turbot
The MinnowBoard TurboBot is the latest improved design for the powerful MinnowBoard mini-computer. The board packs a lot of power in a small space.
| MinnowBoard Turbot Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Atom E3826 1.46GHz |
| Memory | 2GB DDR3L RAM |
| Ports | USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 1x HDMI |
| Storage | MicroSD card, SATA |
| Connectivity | Ethernet |
| Price | $139.95 |
BeagleBone Black
The BeagleBone Black is a lightweight board which features two GPIO connectors for added adaptation.
| BeagleBone Black Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU | AM335x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 |
| Memory | 512MB DDR3 RAM |
| Ports | USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 1x Micro-HDMI |
| Storage | MicroSD card, 8-bit eMMC |
| Connectivity | Ethernet |
| Price | $55 |
HummingBoard-Edge
The HummingBoard can be customised to include different processor and memory sets, and can be tailored to the consumer’s needs.
| HummingBoard-Edge Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU | 1GHz ARM A9 |
| Memory | 512MB DDR3 RAM |
| Ports | 4x USB 2.0, 1x Micro-HDMI |
| Storage | MicroSD card |
| Connectivity | Ethernet |
| Price | $112 |
Intel NUC
Intel’s mini-computers offer competitive performance in relatively small packages, and can be useful as media centres or even lightweight gaming rigs.
The company offers a range of models featuring different specifications.
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I am still learning a bit about the specs on processors and graphics processors and how to compare them to others. The Minnowboard looks promising. I want a board that is cheap and built with an x86 processor for running older games on that is cheap enough that I could buy more than one for networking them together to have my own little retro LAN set up. There are some games I was interested in playing on it that I’m not sure it will run though. I know it should run Halo 1 unless I am way off on my understanding of it’s graphical capabilities, but could it run Halo 2? How about Unreal Tournament 2004?
I know it is a 1.46GHz dual core processor and Halo 2 requires 2GHz. However, Halo 2 specifies this for a single core processor. I can’t find whether the game supports multithreading or not because any search I do containing “multi…” just brings up multiplayer information, and any search I do regarding dual core compatibility just brings up old discussions of dual wielding weapons.
I am inclined to believe it does not support multithreading. In which case is there a work around for that? Would it still run on one core at 1.46GHz even if at reduced quality and speed?
UT2004 I think should run so long as it’s ghraphical capabilities are good enough, which I’d be inclined to believe they are, but I am not so good at being able to compare dissimilar graphics specs as I am CPU specs.
Both games are from 2004 which puts them on the upper end of what I am looking to run, games from 2005 and earlier. If it can run them that’s fantastic, but most games I want to run on it are older than that so if it can’t it’s not a big deal. Most of the games I am interested in running on it are way lower on their required specs so it should still handle most of them just fine.
I know they are coming out with a quad core one with a higher clock speed that should perform much better, but since many of the older games I am looking at can’t use multiple cores and many of the newer games need better graphical capabilities, I figure the benefits of the quad core version are outweighed by the extra cost it would be for my purposes.