Gigabyte introduces two new Celeron-based BRIX mini-PCs with both fanless and active-cooling options

The Gigabyte BRIX BLCE-4000C (fanless) and BLCE-4105C (active). (Source: Gigabyte)

Gigabyte have released a redesign of their entry-level BRIX mini-PCs with an overlapping white trim around the standard black box. The front is curved and the top is adorned with a diamond pattern. The two new celeron models are the fanless BLCE-4000C and actively-cooled BLCE-4105C.

Craig Ward, 03/23/2018

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Gigabyte has released details about the BLCE-4000C, an updated design in the entry-level fanless line, which includes an overlapping white trim and interlocking diamond pattern. Gigabyte’s BRIX mini-PCs are a good option for those who need a basic desktop computer for tasks where a notebook isn’t suitable due to the additional expense of the attached screen and keyboard, or in integrated setups. The entry-level fanless models have the advantage of being silent, making them useful for quiet offices or as home theatre PCs.

The BLCE-4000C comes as a barebones kit including case, motherboard, CPU, cooling solution, and I/O. It is up to the buyer to add their own RAM, storage, operating system, and peripherals. The specifications provided by Gigabyte are:

Intel Celeron N4000 1.1/2.6 GHz 2C/2T (6 Watt TDP) ^#1
Intel UHD 600
1 x SODIMM DDR4-2400 MHz (max 8 GB)
1 x 2.5-inch HDD/SSD slot (max 9.5 mm thick)
Intel 3168 dual-band 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, and 1000 Mbps LAN
1 x M.2 2230 A-E slot (occupied by Intel 3168)
Front I/O: 1 x USB3, 1 x USB3-C, 2.5mm headphone and microphone jacks
Rear I/O: 1 x HDMI 1.4b, 2 x USB3, 1 x RJ45, 1 x VGA
56 mm x 103 mm x 116 mm (2.21" x 4.06" x 4.59")
Volume: 0.67 Litre

Gigabyte confusingly lists 1920 x 1080 60 Hz as the maximum resolution supported by the BLCE-4000C (and BLCE-4105C). However, both the UHD600 and the HDMI 1.4b spec support 4K so this strange decision limits the usefulness for HTPC setups. Since the BLCE-4000C and 4105C use 2.5-inch storage (e.g. 2 TB HDD) rather than M.2, they are well suited to storing large Blu-ray backups and 4K video and would be capable of playing this content. Along those lines, don’t believe the overview page — These models aren't graphics powerhouses, and you won’t be playing the latest 3D games or making 3D models.

No information was provided on price or availability.

^#1 For those who don’t mind a little fan noise, the BLCE-4105C is an actively cooled variant which uses the more powerful Celeron J4105 1.5/2.5 GHz 4C/4T (10 Watt TDP)