Understanding and Improving Astro Imaging PC Hardware and Performance (Test Results Included!)

In this first video of a 3-part series, let me help you understand what you really should be looking for when selecting a miniPC to control your telescope during an astrophotography imaging session. I will help demystify the hardware components and give you insight into what is truly important for your use case. I'll share with you my testing methodology, statistics/findings, and my recommendation to easily improve your current system or ensure a new purchase is as strong as it can be. We'll discuss many topics including why adding an NVMe SSD drive to your system may be the best decision you can make!

MiniPCs from MeLE that accept NVMe SSD:
Quieter3Q N5105 8GB 256GB (https://amzn.to/3Mzc0Uw)
Quieter3Q N5105 8GB 128GB (https://amzn.to/3H9Lpwh)
Quieter2Q J4125 8GB 128GB (https://amzn.to/3O91owE)

M2 2280 NVMe I am using and can recommend thus far:
Crucial 2TB  P2 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (https://amzn.to/3xGHUu9)
Crucial 1TB  P2 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (https://amzn.to/3HbEhzf)
WD_Black SN850 2TB (https://amzn.to/3twXZjp)
* The WD_Black is rated up to 7000MB/s Read Speed but the Quieter3 only supports up to ~2000MB/s due to use of PCIe3.0. Quieter2 only supports up to ~1000MB/s due to it using PCIe2.0.

Do NOT forget to use a thermal pad!
M.2 Thermal Pad Replacements (4pc) (https://amzn.to/3NHXF9G)

External SSD I used with great performance!
Sandisk 1TB Extreme Pro Portable SSD (https://amzn.to/3QhUo2l)
*Make sure you get the one that is the New Generation 2000MB/s.

Disk Benchmarking Software Used:
https://crystalmark.info/en/software/...

System Disk Cloning Software:
AOMEI Backupper Software: https://www.ubackup.com/professional....
(* The Free edition does NOT clone System Disks :) )
AOMEI System Disk Clone Process: https://www.ubackup.com/help/system-c...

MeLE Support Windows Download (Video is next in the series!):
https://www.mele.cn/Windows/

If you find my videos helpful and would like to help support my content making efforts at no additional cost to you, you can use the below links when making regular purchases and I receive a small commission (Please don't feel any obligation at all to do this):
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hXjKTN
OPT Corp: https://bit.ly/3u9QWfF
High Point Scientific: https://www.highpointscientific.com/?...

Like, Subscribe, and turn on Notifications to be alerted when more videos in the series are available.

For more of my Astrophotography related content, go to:
https://www.PatriotAstro.com
Instagram: patriot_astro

-------CHAPTERS-------
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - AstroPC Overview
3:20 - What to look for in a PC
4:50 - Understanding Processors
6:29 - Understanding Memory
7:14 - Understanding Storage
8:35 - USB speed warning
9:48 - Understanding NVMe SSD
10:31 - What did I test
11:21 - Testing tools
11:42 - Understand Testing Profiles
13:17 - Get CrystalDiskMark
14:02 - Quieter2 Test Results
16:14 - NVMe and PCIe Point
17:27 - Quieter3 Test Results
18:37 - MiniPC Stick Results
19:26 - FPS Results
20:45 - Testing Takeaways
21:24 - Install M2 NVMe SSD Overview
22:07 - Thermal Pads
22:35 - OS Drive Considerations
25:15 - Wrapping Up