The OnLogic Helix HX500 Review: A Rugged Fanless 35W mini-PC
by Ganesh T S on September 17, 2021 10:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Intel
- Fanless
- Industrial PC
- Passive Cooling
- Comet Lake
- OnLogic
The emergence of edge computing as a paradigm has expanded the market for industrial PCs over the last few years. Traditionally an 'industrial PC' was built with a focus on reliable operation in a rugged environment - the emphasis on computing performance being secondary to the utility. This has changed recently with the need to process more data at the edge.
OnLogic (formerly, Logic Supply) has been servicing the embedded / industrial PC market with pre-configured small form-factor (SFF) systems since 2003. We have reviewed multiple systems from OnLogic before, such as the Broadwell-based ML100G-30 and the Skylake vPro-based ML100G-50. Both fanless systems were based on Intel's U-series processors configured with a 15 - 20W TDP.
In mid-2020, OnLogic introduced the Helix line of industrial PCs. The 300-series (based on Intel Elkhart Lake) caters to the IoT edge computing market with the traditional CPU performance requirements. The Helix 500 and 600-series are based on Intel Comet Lake, and services the market opened up by the increased demand for performance density in edge computing. This review takes a look at the performance and value proposition of a high-end Helix HX500 configuration based on the Intel Core i7-10700T.
Onlogic Helix HX500: Core i7-10700T at 35 W
Passively cooled computing systems are one of the top choices for industrial PCs, where reliability and ruggedness are key requirements. The absence of noise, ventilation slots, fans and associated maintenance requirements, etc. serve as important advantages in many deployments where servicing is difficult and a long life cycle is required. OnLogic's Helix lineup of rugged industrial PCs was introduced in mid-2020 to cater to this market.
OnLogic's Helix line uses a board based on Intel's Q470 chipset. The HX500 is the most compact of the lot, coming in at 154mm x 210mm x 50.8mm. The HX600 approximately doubles the width of the system to add space for a GPU slot (using a GPU makes the system an actively cooled hybrid - the motherboard is still passively cooled). The HX610 retains the HX600 form-factor, but uses the additional space for dual SATA drive bays.
The OnLogic Comet Lake Helix Series - HX500, HX600, and HX610 (from L to R)
OnLogic sent over a fully pre-configured sample of the Helix HX500 earlier this year to put through our rigorous evaluation routine for fanless SFF PCs. The specifications of the review sample are summarized in the table below.
OnLogic Helix HX500 Specifications (as tested) |
|
Processor | Intel Core i7-10700T Comet Lake 8C/16T, 2.0 - 4.5 GHz Intel 14nm, 16 MB L2, 35 W |
Memory | KInnoDisk M4S0-AGS1O5IK DDR4-2666 SODIMM 19-19-19-43 @ 2666 MHz 2x16 GB |
Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
Disk Drive(s) | Transcend TS256GMTS800 (256 GB; M.2 Type 2280 SATA III; MLC NAND) |
Networking | 1 × GbE port (Intel I219-V) 1 × GbE port (Intel I210-AT) |
Audio | 3.5mm Headphone Jack (Realtek ALC233) Capable of 5.1/7.1 digital output with HD audio bitstreaming (DP) |
Miscellaneous I/O Ports | 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (front) 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (rear) 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (rear) |
Operating System | No OS as shipped / default option, We installed Windows 10 Enterprise x64 21H1 |
Pricing | $887 (base configuration) $1694 (as configured / No OS) |
Full Specifications | OnLogic Helix HX500 Specifications |
It must be noted that the $887 price for the base configuration is not a barebones one - it includes the Intel Celeron G5900T dual-core 35W processor, a 4GB DDR4-2666 SODIMM, and a 64GB M.2 SATA SSD. Since our review configuration was shipped with the OS configured as 'None', we had to download the drivers off OnLogic's support site to ensure that the system was up and running optimally after the Windows installation. A 120W (20V @ 6A) power adapter is bundled along with the package. The system can be wall-mounted (accessories sold separately), or used directly on a desktop (adhesive rubber bumpers bundled).
The various chassis features are brought out in the gallery below.
Disassembling the system to upgrade the storage and RAM is quite straightforward and doesn't involve messing around with the thermal solution. Four screws holding the rear I/O panel in place, and two screws that fasten the bottom panel need to be removed.
Installing M.2 drives and SODIMMs are as simple as just slotting them in. The thermal solution for the SSD can also be seen in the above picture.
The Helix HX500 chassis is solidly built, and appears to possess a thermal solution capable of handling 35W processors. At the same time, the ease of upgrading the DRAM and storage has not been sacrificed. The system I/Os match the expectations from an industrial PC. The ridges on the chassis are a tad sharper than other fanless PC chassis we have seen before - so, a little care is warranted while handling the unit even if one is used to handling PC cases that also double up as heat sinks.
In the next section, we take a look at the BIOS options along with an analysis of the motherboard platform. Following that, we have a number of sections focusing on various performance aspects. Prior to the conclusions, we also take a look at the thermal profile of the system under stress. Read on for the full review.
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eastcoast_pete - Saturday, September 18, 2021 - link
Does this setup have anything resembling an IPx7 or X8 rating, i.e. is it sealed against water and dust ingress? Those would be among the reasons that might justify the price. Without any such protection, I wonder just how long it'd actually last in an environment that requires a fanless setup.Tomatotech - Saturday, September 18, 2021 - link
I run a K39 PC, which is the smallest cheap PC case on the market & only cost a few dollars from China, not the $1000 this HX500 costs. The K39 contains a standard mITX mobo, flex PSU, and a full size GPU. Works fine. My K39 isn't passively cooled, but if I left out the GPU and put in a low power chip then maybe it could be passively cooled.I also bought in the same package a K19, which is the same form factor as the HX500 (ie no GPU) possibly a little bit smaller and a K29 which is the same form factor as the HX610. Haven't built them yet, but these cases are really tiny, only cost a few dollars, and you can run anything from an iGPU to a full i9 / Ryzen 9 in them.
The cases are all-metal, and being so small, act as part of the radiator for the system. Easy enough to add some fins if needed. Definitely not waterproof or weatherproof but neither is this system.
Arnulf - Sunday, September 19, 2021 - link
"A few dollars" comes out to what, $200 shipped for cheap perforated aluminium box with dodgy PSU, and you are somehow comparing that to a complete PC (motherboard, CPU, RAM, SSD included) with chassis that actually works as a heatsink? Mind boggles ...The_Assimilator - Monday, September 20, 2021 - link
Which part of "The K39 contains a standard mITX mobo" was unclear to you?iammrr - Sunday, January 16, 2022 - link
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FLORIDAMAN85 - Saturday, September 18, 2021 - link
Oh, look: an $800.00 Raspberry Pi.nandnandnand - Saturday, September 18, 2021 - link
An i7-10700T is somewhere between 5 and 50 times faster.Meteor2 - Sunday, October 3, 2021 - link
The $800 model comes with a CeleronBedfordTim - Monday, September 20, 2021 - link
Not having a 24V power input is disappointing.Wrs - Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - link
Err, the specs page clearly states 12-24v input. The adapter they sell is 20v.