Question Buying advice: x86 SBC with modest processing capabilities, fanless, for $250 or less

[mpdos]

Hello,

I'm looking for a SBC with an Intel-compatible processor, 8GB or more of RAM, and available in a fanless configuration (preferably with some kind of a case). It doesn't need to be particularly potent, it will be used for web browsing, word processing, and some occasional gaming (mostly with titles over 10 years old).

I'm out-of-touch with recent processor generations, persistent storage technologies and RAM varieties, so I thought I'd ask for advice about the kind of specifications I might look out for - or better still, links to pre-built machines that would meet my needs.

I'm hoping to spend no more than $250. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

[lvt]

In case you consider a mini PC for less than $200 (8GB RAM, Win10, Intel CPU...)

https://store.minisforum.com/products/minisforum-gk41-mini-pc

 

[OldSurferDude]

You could also consider this tower computer, it's less than US$100. I've purchased 3 over the years. I also purchased, for US$10, the additional 2 years of warranty. One originally came with an SSD drive, but that drive was a knock off and died early on.

This might be a downside, it only has VGA video. I'm using them as headless computers. I bought a small US$30 monitor for the rare times I seriously crash them.

 

[mpdos]

Thank you Ivt and OldSurferDude, very appreciative of these practical options, I'll investigate both. seems it might be a good idea to re-think my original, narrow, proposal.

 

[gggplaya]

Zimaboard is an SBC computer that could fit the bill. https://www.zimaboard.com/zimaboard/product

If you can stretch your budget a little the other way, the Minisforum HM80 has a beastly 8 core 16 thread ryzen 4800u with integrated vega graphics cores, which should be able to handle games that are 10 years old. https://store.minisforum.com/collections/amd-®-ryzen-®/products/minisforum-hm80