Non-Removable Desktop Processors _ Are They Worth It

The World of Embedded CPUs: A Review of the ACA Aspire Desktop

When it comes to building a new PC, many users are looking for an ITX motherboard that can provide a compact and efficient solution for their computing needs. One such example is the ACA Aspire desktop, which features a processor already included in the board - not just a pre-assembled CPU bundle, but actually a grid array CPU soldered onto the motherboard, making it non-removable. This technology is not new to laptops, where it has been used for years to reduce size and increase efficiency. In recent years, low-power desktop systems have also started to adopt this technology, resulting in quieter operation and lower electricity bills.

The ACA Aspire desktop itself was purchased by the author as a cheap option for office use. The Celeron J1900 quad-core CPU, which is the processor powering this system, is non-removable, meaning it cannot be easily replaced or upgraded without significant technical expertise. However, the author found that the CPU performed adequately for basic tasks, such as web browsing and word processing. With a price tag of about £130 (approximately €50 or $160), the ACA Aspire desktop was an affordable option for those looking to build a compact PC for general use.

Building a new ITX system featuring this board would likely be feasible at a similar cost, resulting in a small PC capable of running basic applications. Other CPU options available on the market offer similar performance at a slightly higher price point, so while the J1900 is not the most powerful processor, it is sufficient for most users' needs.

However, when it comes to gaming, things become more complicated. The Cinebench multicore score of 149 and Geekbench multi result of 3170 suggest that this CPU may struggle with demanding tasks like gaming. To test this hypothesis, the author ran several popular games at different resolutions and settings on a PC featuring the ACA Aspire desktop as its main component. At 720p, the J1900 processor managed to achieve around 45 frames per second in the game CS:GO, while dropping to 18 frames per second when resolution was increased or graphics settings were lowered.

In another popular game, Team Fortress 2, similar results were obtained - with an average of about 31 frames per second at 720p and 14 frames per second after a half-hour of gameplay. While this level of performance may be acceptable for some less demanding games, it is not sufficient for more action-packed titles like Overwatch. However, to the author's surprise, OverWatch was able to achieve around 25 frames per second with 720p resolution and all settings set to their lowest values, resulting in a frame rate that did not drop significantly even at higher resolutions.

In conclusion, while the ACA Aspire desktop is suitable for basic use like web browsing and word processing, its performance falls short when it comes to gaming. To achieve smoother gameplay, users would need to add a discrete graphics card, which could be a challenge given that this particular motherboard lacks an available PCI-E slot. Nonetheless, for those who prioritize power efficiency and compactness above raw performance, the ACA Aspire desktop may still be worth considering.

In the end, the author found the concept of embedded CPUs to be quite interesting. While these processors have their limitations, they also offer significant benefits in terms of size and energy consumption. By exploring different options and configurations, users can find a balance between performance and practicality that suits their needs.