An unusual compact computer for the most demanding game lovers

Mini PC manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to stand out from the crowd, and the new AOOSTAR Piston V is definitely one to watch. After a recent first appearance on the popular YouTube channel ETA Prime, this unusual device is now officially available to buyers through crowdfunding on the platform. KickstarterGiven the response from supporters and the funds raised, it is clear that the concept has already been a success.

Under the hood of this small computer is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, based on the AMD Zen 5 architecture. It offers 10 cores and is factory-equipped with 16 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. For users who need more performance, the important news is that the memory can be easily upgraded up to 64 GB. The same applies to data storage. The basic version includes a 500 GB M.2 Gen 4 SSD, which can be replaced with a drive with a capacity of up to 4 TB. The device also supports the parallel installation of two operating systems, namely Microsoft Windows and Bazzite.

In synthetic benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is practically on par with the older AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS. This means that the AOOSTAR Piston V is fully capable of handling light to medium-demanding tasks and games. In tests on the ETA Prime channel, the system performed very well, achieving an average of 75 frames per second in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 at high graphics detail and 1080p resolution using AMD FSR technology.

For those who want even higher graphics performance, there is an OCuLink connector, which allows for a fast and efficient connection to an external graphics card (eGPU). The set of connectors is completed by another USB4 Type-C with support for DisplayPort 1.4, two USB Type-A connectors, HDMI 2.1 and two 2.5G Ethernet network connections. Wireless connectivity is provided by the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 standards. The device's special feature remains the front IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 720 pixels.

Despite the interesting specs, it's worth being careful when buying. Since this is a crowdfunded product, there are always some risks regarding final delivery and support. Early bird pricing started at around €479 for the base model, but those units sold out quickly. There are currently a few spots available for around €506, with a later regular price expected to be around €613.