Question AVADirect and Asus PN53 mini PC

[Vegasus]

I'm interested in the Asus PN53 mini PC for its small form factor and its Rembrandt chip. It's barebones. I'd prefer someone else put it together for me and I see earlier models sold on AVADirect, who custom build PCs. I haven't bought from them before. What's your experience with them?

 

[Tech Junky]

I build my own instead of paying someone to do it. I even bought a barebones laptop and added the parts and swapped the screen for a 4k120.

If you like the chassis and can spend a couple of minutes putting in the ram and rive you'll save some more money.

 

[Vegasus]

Dumb question: I've never installed Windows on a barebones PC before. Is there a process to getting the license? How would I know I've installed the software for all of the components? I know the GPU software is separate from the OS when adding a discrete graphics card. Is there any GPU software for an iGPU? How about the BIOS? I don't even know if these are the right questions to ask.

 

[Tech Junky]

Getting s license is easy and cheap through many websites for about $30. Then you download the ISO from MSFT and burn it to a USB. Windows will install at least the basic drivers to get you up and running and then you run Windows update. Check things in device manager for things not installed and then just right click them and hit update driver.

For the GPU you just go to their website and download the drivers.

BIOS should be up to date and if it's not when you're building it make note of the board info printed on it and check the website.