Prebuilt [SFFn] ASRock's DeskMini A300 - Finally!

[GLSRacer]

Proxmox natively supports VMs (Windows and Linux) and Linux containers via LXC.

 

[A300]

Proxmox natively supports VMs (Windows and Linux) and Linux containers via LXC.

I tried to install it via virtual box, but there was an error, something like the machine does not support virtualization, AMD SVM must be enabled in BIOS, although I have already enable it in BIOS.

Is this software can not be installed in virtual box?

 

[g_l]

can you create a custom BIOS logo with a file? It seems that when you enable the fullscreen logo in the BIOS, it doesn't actually show anything, and hides the Windows boot logo too. So I'm wondering if it's actually looking for a custom bitmap file (rather than having it part of the BIOS as usual)?

I figured it out (updated):

the BIOS only contains an empty (all-black 1 pixel) splash screen, hence no image. It also contains a second small image giving the BIOS key options:

I tried to use HackBGRT (Metabolix/HackBGRT: Windows boot logo changer for UEFI systems (github.com)), but couldn't get it to work. It installs fine (after taking ownership of and messing with permissions of the EFI file it wants to overwrite), but it boots as before. Even with its debug option enabled, I see nothing different on Post/boot, so I suspect it never actually runs (I might have missed something).

What did work was replacing the small splash image in the BIOS file with a custom image & reflashing (straight from the BIOS):

- download UEFItool: Release 0.28.0 · LongSoft/UEFITool (github.com)
(at the time of writing only the older 0.28 release allows you to replace sections, the newer A.. versions use a new engine that doesn't seem to support replacing yet)

- drop the BIOS file into it (tested with X300 v1.72).

- File -> Search -> GUID: 7BB28B99-61BB-11D5-9A5D-0090273FC14D

- it should find it in the 'Messages' panel below (GUID Pattern "7BB2..."). Double-click that line.

- it will take you to the GUID entry. click it to open it, then open the section it reveals. you should now see two Raw section entries:

The first (as of 1.72) is the splash screen you want to replace (the 2nd are the BIOS keys) If you like you can right-click it -> Extract Body first. The .RAW file it writes out is actually a JPG file (you can rename it to view it).

- create your new JPG file. This BIOS seems to be limited to max 800x600 resolution (or so UEFItool said when I tried a larger one). (I just managed to get a 1920 one to work, see screenshot - file size is the real issue, max around 130KB). There seems to be little free space left in the BIOS image, so if the pic you want to use is still too large (over around 130K) make it either a smaller resolution, or use stronger JPEG compression to get the file size down.

- rename your new .JPG file .RAW
- in UEFItool right-click the first Raw Section entry -> Replace Body.
- browse to your new file.
- File -> Save Image File. The saved filename seems to be picky, unless it's called X3MSTX_x.xx the BIOS won't find it (don't worry, the filename does not determine the version, and saved settings for that BIOS will still work after flashing).
- finally make sure BIOS setup -> Boot -> Full Screen Logo is enabled.

So far it works fine. I can't guarantee it doesn't mess something up, but you can boot Windows and get in the BIOS setup, so worst case you can just reflash an official version:

 

[A300]

Hi guys,

On A300, there are 2 Nvme slots, need confirmation, they are the same speed, right ?

 

[rubicoin]

Hi guys,

On A300, there are 2 Nvme slots, need confirmation, they are the same speed, right ?

both pcie 3.0 x4, i used the rear m.2 slot for eGPU (documented here as well), so it's 100% solid info.

 

[yuusou]

Both are same speed. Be aware, within the A/X300 case, the bottom one gets significantly hotter than the top one.

 

[GLSRacer]

I tried to install it via virtual box, but there was an error, something like the machine does not support virtualization, AMD SVM must be enabled in BIOS, although I have already enable it in BIOS.

Is this software can not be installed in virtual box?

You should install Proxmox VE on bare metal hardware. Installing in virtual box would be like inception for no real pay off. If you already have a Linux or Windows installation that you like then install KVM on Linux and build out the VM that way. With Windows you can use Hyper-V (with Home edition you need to install the service and edit the registry to get it running).

 

[Kaining]

Hello, first post here, i got a A300 since early 2020. Just at the start of the shortage, so instead of a 3400g i got a 2200g. I never really bothered to check afterward on what path to follow to upgrade my apu.

I've been reading the last pages of the topic and did some basic internet seach and from what i gather, with the right bios, the best the A300 can do is a renoir right ?
I've seen people posting about the 4350g and 4650g. I looked at asrock compatibility list and no renoir is seen on the page (not surprised tbh, forcing to buy the x300 for that is...). Looking at this https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/amd/cores/renoir , i can see quite a few other renoir G apu and i was wondering which one is compatible with the a300?
And which one is the best, i reckon that any of them will outperform my 2200g.
Finding any at a decent price is a tough task and knowing which one to buy would help a bit.

 

[g_l]

Not sure about the A300 (I'm on X300), but the 4750G / 4700G are the best Renoirs (I ran the 4750G before upgrading to a 5700G, great).

From Anandtech (Testing The World’s Best APUs: Desktop AMD Ryzen 4750G, 4650G and 4350G (anandtech.com)):

AMD Ryzen 4000G Series APUs
AnandTech	Core / Thread	Base Freq	Turbo Freq	GPU CUs	GPU Freq	PCIe *	TDP
Ryzen 4000G
Ryzen 7 4700G	8 / 16	3600	4400	8	2100	16+4+4	65 W
Ryzen 7 4700GE	8 / 16	3100	4300	8	2000	16+4+4	35 W
Ryzen 5 4600G	6 / 12	3700	4200	7	1900	16+4+4	65 W
Ryzen 5 4600GE	6 / 12	3300	4200	7	1900	16+4+4	35 W
Ryzen 3 4300G	4 / 8	3800	4000	6	1700	16+4+4	65 W
Ryzen 3 4300GE	4 / 8	3500	4000	6	1700	16+4+4	35 W
Ryzen Pro 4000G
Ryzen 7 Pro 4750G	8 / 16	3600	4400	8	2100	16+4+4	65 W
Ryzen 7 Pro 4750GE	8 / 16	3100	4300	8	2000	16+4+4	35 W
Ryzen 5 Pro 4650G	6 / 12	3700	4200	7	1900	16+4+4	65 W
Ryzen 5 Pro 4650GE	6 / 12	3300	4200	7	1900	16+4+4	35 W
Ryzen 3 Pro 4350G	4 / 8	3800	4000	6	1700	16+4+4	65 W
Ryzen 3 Pro 4350GE	4 / 8	3500	4000	6	1700	16+4+4	35 W
*PCIe lanes on the SoC are listed in GFX+Chipset+Storage

 

[Kaining]

Thanks for the list of renoirs, now i'm just wondering if the 4700/4750g are compatible. They seems to have a bit more cores than the other and i have no clue if the A300 can work with it.
Anyway, its not like it matters. I found only one sellers with a 4350g in my country. It's the only renoir apu i've seen listed and it's at 220e. I have no clue if it's a good deal or not. I guess i won't be upgrading that a300 and will have to rebuild a complete build from scratch once the price go down (if they go down) 'cause even a 3400g is around 380e when it's in stock. It's insane.

 

[g_l]

BTW, one issue with the 5700G on the X300 is that the USB2.0 ports are completely broken. When it works, it runs slow (noticed on my own code driving a USB serial adapter). But much worse, devices hang/disconnect when there is significant USB2.0 trafffic, and my USB 2.0 audio interface (RME Babyface Pro) completely garbles the audio and then drops silent every time I just insert a pen drive into another USB2.0 port (from the internal extension). RME have some of the best most reliable USB2.0 audio drivers, yet the most up-to-date (AFAIK) BIOS, 1.72 beta, still manages to kill it.

USB3.0 ports on the other hand seem just fine, they also happily run all the problematic USB2.0 devices as normal. Has anyone else had USB2.0 port issues on 5000?

 

[g_l]

Thanks for the list of renoirs, now i'm just wondering if the 4700/4750g are compatible. They seems to have a bit more cores than the other and i have no clue if the A300 can work with it.
Anyway, its not like it matters. I found only one sellers with a 4350g in my country. It's the only renoir apu i've seen listed and it's at 220e. I have no clue if it's a good deal or not. I guess i won't be upgrading that a300 and will have to rebuild a complete build from scratch once the price go down (if they go down) 'cause even a 3400g is around 380e when it's in stock. It's insane.

yes they were never sold at retail, only to OEMs. Apparently AMD planned to, but then decided against it. I imported my 4750G from South Korea via Ebay IIRC. They do sell on Ebay, if you buy from a reputable seller it should be OK. not cheap agreed, but you get the smallest super powerful system if you need that.

 

[g_l]

What did work was replacing the small splash image in the BIOS file with a custom image & reflashing (straight from the BIOS):

just tried this on the BIOS for my MSI Tomahawk x570, works fine there too (that BIOS had 4 instances of the splash screen that all had to be replaced). sweet.

 

[Kaining]

yes they were never sold at retail, only to OEMs. Apparently AMD planned to, but then decided against it. I imported my 4750G from South Korea via Ebay IIRC. They do sell on Ebay, if you buy from a reputable seller it should be OK. not cheap agreed, but you get the smallest super powerful system if you need that.

With import taxes and how much they cost, it might be cheaper to just buy localy an X300 and the most expansive 5xxxG apu out there honnestly. It is freaking ridiculous to think that my A300 is basicaly "dead" as i can't upgrade it in any reasonable way. And if i'm not being reasonable, i might as well buy a regular pc that would leave me choosing between using a nvme slot for the bluetooth or an external gpu.

PC building is frustrating and that removed support for the A300 at the worst time possible doesn't help.

 

[Tailor78]

I replaced the factory cpu cooler with a GELID Slim Hero Cpu cooler.
I dismantled the GELID Slim Hero 120mm fan.
So the heat sink has already fit in the house.
Since the mini pc is in the living room, I built the quietest fan on the side of the house.( NB-B14-1)
I love the silent NB eLoop fans.
Due to the uninterrupted air flow, I cut out the 140mm hole on the side of the housing.
My result is in a room with 27 degrees Celsius: 5600G idle 44C°, load 68C°

https://kepkuldes.com/image/uOnLuV
https://kepkuldes.com/image/uOnUom
https://kepkuldes.com/image/uOnBft
https://kepkuldes.com/image/uOnDEB
https://kepkuldes.com/image/uOnPV0
https://kepkuldes.com/image/uOnme4

 

[g_l]

I replaced the factory cpu cooler with a GELID Slim Hero Cpu cooler.

cool, it's great how the Deskmini invites hacking it. Of course in a couple of years or so we'll have even smaller (more) powerful platforms, but right now with a powerful APU it's just awesome.

 

[asrock_mini_stx]

Might be an odd question, but is anyone interested in buying the ASRock X300 with just the case (AC adapter included) and no motherboard?

I bought it previously this year but used the board in a separate custom case and have replaced the AC adapter too.

I can even throw in the stock cooler if you want as im not using that either

So the package would include:

AC adapter
Case
Fan

Let me know if you want it, can probably sell it for, maybe 25-30£ (to cover package cost too) and I live in the UK.

 

[Ohmster]

Hej guys,

does anyone have experience with metalfish z39 cooler for a300 or x300? It should fit with its 39mm and am4 right?
After updating the RAM I am thinking about a cooler update because it gets quite hot and loud sometimes. I currently use the stock cooler wraith stealth.
My first thought was going for the Noctua NH-L9a until I stumbled on the metalfish z39 on reddit. Its seems like a cheaper and better option.
What do you think? Its nowhere to find on A300/x300 topics as a cooler option.

 

[Ohmster]

Hej guys,

does anyone have experience with metalfish z39 cooler for a300 or x300? It should fit with its 39mm and am4 right?
After updating the RAM I am thinking about a cooler update because it gets quite hot and loud sometimes. I currently use the stock cooler wraith stealth.
My first thought was going for the Noctua NH-L9a until I stumbled on the metalfish z39 on reddit. Its seems like a cheaper and better option.
What do you think? Its nowhere to find on A300/x300 topics as a cooler option.

I would like to add cooling options for Deskmini A300/x300. Whats your thoughts on it?
maximal cooler total height: 46mm but up to 48mm total is fine I read.

Current system:

A300

CPU:
Ryzen 2200g might move to 3400g when prices drop

RAM:
Crucial Ballistix 16gb 3200 cl 16

Cooler: stealth wraith -its too noisy i am disabling boost and put cTDP to 35W its seems less noisy now.
Upgrade to:

Option 1:
Noctua NH-L9a classic 37 mm but I might want to try something else. Option 2 and 3 might be cheaper . There might be the possibility to upgrade to noctua 92x92x25 Fan using every inch of space


Option 2:
metalfish z39 looks promising! 39mm
Fan is supposed to be bad. Better with Noctua Fan. But cheaper fan option seems as as good as noctua:
Scythe Kaze Flex Slim 92mm PWM 92x92x16+1 Perfect fit?

Option 3:
Jonsbo HP-400 92 36mm only supposed to have quality issue with uneven metal contact
Needs fan exchange probably?
Fan: with noctua fan x14 or x25
Arctic f9 PWM 92x92x25 cheapest options
cythe Kaze Flex Slim 92mm PWM 92x92x16+1

Other options I read about are
idcooling IS-47K or IS-30 or IS-40X Low Profile CPU Cooler
alpenföhn black ridge
Thermalright AXP-90
but they seem tricky to fit or more expensive than noctua

After all the researching I understand why ppl just stick to noctua nh-l9a
It seems the least compllicated to mount with backplate and no fan exchange necessary. But metalfish z39 with Scythe Kaze Flex Slim 92mm PWM around 35 Euro seems tempting

 

[g_l]

I don't know your other two options, but thumbs up for the NH-L9a. I put a larger low-profile Noctua fan on it (using cable ties to secure it) so it also cools the ram and SSD a little, but it seems to be the sweet spot (you can't do a lot better temperature wise AFAIKS), and both the original fan and the one I used have a nice sound profile.