The Intel Compute Stick (Core m3-6Y30) Review
by Ganesh T S on June 27, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Intel
- Core M
- Skylake
- HDMI Stick
- Compute Stick
Power Consumption and Thermal Performance
The power consumption at the wall was measured with a 1080p display being driven through the HDMI port. In the graphs below, we compare the idle and load power of the Intel Core m3-6Y30 Compute Stick with other low power PCs evaluated before. For load power consumption, we ran Furmark 1.15.0 and Prime95 v28.7 together.
Compared to the Bay Trail and Cherry Trail Compute Sticks, the Core M one has higher idle and load power consumption numbers. Given the upgraded Wi-Fi and the presence of a Core-series CPU, the idle number can probably be justified. The load numbers point to the Core m3-6Y30 being operated in the cTDP-up mode.
Our thermal stress routine starts with the system at idle, followed by 30 minutes of pure CPU loading. This is followed by another 30 minutes of both CPU and GPU being loaded simultaneously. After this, the CPU load gets removed, allowing the GPU to be loaded alone for another 30 minutes. The various clocks in the system as well as the temperatures within the unit are presented below.
According to the official specifications, the junction temperature of the Core m3-6Y30 is 100C. The fan is able to keep it well below that temperature. The system essentially seems limited by the package power. We find that it is only able to sustain 6W for extended time durations, though we do see it spike up higher in the beginning.
Another important aspect to keep note of while evaluating PCs with such a small form factor is the chassis temperature. Using the Android version of the FLIR One thermal imager, we observed the chassis temperature after the CPU package temperature reached the steady state value in the above graph.
We have additional thermal images in the gallery below.
On the whole, the thermals don't give us much cause for concern, though the idling temperature of around 60C for the CPU package seems a little bit too high. It is possible that altering the the default BIOS options may help in improving this aspect.
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Ryan Smith - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
As I'm sure a lot of you are aware, ads are controlled by our publisher, Purch. So I don't have direct control over the situation.However feedback like this is immensely useful, and I'd like to note that I make it a policy to pass along all of this feedback to Purch so that they're made aware of what you guys think. Don't underestimate the value of feedback; even if it's not always visible, we're frequently looking at what you guys have to say.
redfirebird15 - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
I'd say drop the outbrain links. They are literally an eyesore, and I sincerely hope every Anandtech reader has the common sense not to click on them. Leave the garbage ads for WCCFtech or some other sellout website.Ads are fine, when they are relevant to the article. I've never seen an outbrain, or its eviller twin taboola, ad come close to the content of the article. And some of those images arent always "work friendly".
Ascaris - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
Oddly, the most relevant ads I see are still print ads in paper magazines that cater to a specific interest. Without javascript or cookies, they manage to be more relevant than anything tailored for me has ever been. How is that?Agent Smith - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
I use 'Block Bear' app, works very well and allows whitelist updates on your device.jann5s - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
Thanks for this comment Ryan, it is reassuring that you (plural) at least check the comments, especially because some can be quite hurtful and inconsiderate.Sushisamurai - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
Ohhhh... Is that what that stuff is? I'm on vacation and those ads aren't loading, so I've been getting this wall of non-loaded junk that I need to scroll through on my 5S before I get to the comment section.bug77 - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - link
Most plugins work for Mobile Firefox. Including AdBlock and (untested by me) NoScript.Impulses - Monday, June 27, 2016 - link
I can just see it now, the very first comment on the eventual GTX 1080 FE review will read "well, this is useless, custom cards are already out"... And then the second comment will be about the missing HTC 10 review. :pfanofanand - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
A cursory glance at the number of comments for each topic will clearly demonstrate where the readership's interest lies. The number of clicks can be deceiving, but those that will actually take the time to comment are far more engaged, and I would assume are far more valuable to the advertisers. There are hundreds of comments on each of the GPU articles, even pipeline stories. It would seem that nearly half of the comments on other articles are actually about the HTC 10, Galaxy S7, the GTX 1080/1070, and the lack of journalism regarding those products. It is quite clear what the audience is clamoring for. Josh literally spent months with the iPad pro, months! The corresponding number of comments on that article would indicate this time was poorly invested, as he could have easily churned out a half dozen articles on gadgets the readership is actually interested in, as opposed to the handful of Apple fanboys who frequent this site. Ryan, I know you read these comments, I know you see the numbers. Why on earth are products nobody is interested in, taking priority over the products we desperately want to read about? I don't care what other sites have said about the 1080, there is a reason I come to Anandtech and not TomsHardware. I value the analysis here far more, but if that analysis comes, I feel like a groom left at the altar, just waiting and waiting....fanofanand - Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - link
if that analysis never comes. Sigh, stupid 2001 era commenting board :( give us an edit function!