Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small vs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny
Comparison and Differences
| Model | Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small | Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Desktop | Micro |
| CPU options | Intel Gen4 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium; | Intel Gen2&3 i3/i5/i7; Celeron; Pentium; |
| Chipset | H81 | Q77 |
| Dedicated GPU * | GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile | N.A. |
| RAM | DIMM DDR3-1600 | SODIMM DDR3-1600 |
| RAM slots | 2 | 2 |
| RAM speed | 1600 MT/s | 1600 MT/s |
| RAM max | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| USB ports | (2x)USB-A 3.0; (4x)USB-A 2.0; | (4x)USB-A 3.0; USB-A 2.0; |
| Video ports | DisplayPort; VGA; | DisplayPort; VGA; |
| Other ports | RJ45; Hdph; (2x) Mic; Line-Out; Line-In; Serial; (2x) PS2; | RJ45; Hdph; Mic; |
| Optional ports | Parallel; Serial; Media card reader (USB 2.0); | DisplayPort; USB-A 2.0; Serial; WiFi antenna; |
| SATA ports | 3 | 1 |
| PCI slots | PCIe 3.0 x16; (2x) PCIe 2.0 x1; | N.A. |
| M.2 slots | N.A. | M.2 2230 (WiFi/BT) |
| Drive bays | 2.5-inch; 3.5-inch; 5.25-inch; | 2.5-inch |
| PSU | TFX 240 W | 65 W |
| Weight | 6.6 kg (14.55 lb) | 4.1 kg (9.1 lb) |
| Released | 2013 | 2011 |
| Manual | link | link |
| Price** | Check Price | Check Price |
Differences between Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small and Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny
If a more modern desktop is what you are looking for, then you should go with the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small which was released in 2013. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny is older and entered production in 2011.
If you are looking for the smaller form factor the Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny is the right one for you. It is smaller than the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small and will fit more easily under your desk.
Processor
Usually the newer the generation of the CPU, the better the performance and efficiency is. If your budget allows it, you should go with the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small as it is running a newer generation CPU. This is not to say that Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny is bad - it can still run some powerful CPUs, albeit being an older generation.
Memory
RAM slots is where your insert your RAM sticks. Each of those two models has 2 RAM slot(s) which should be taken into account when planning how much and what combination of RAM you are going to need.
None of the desktops has an advantage when it comes to the speed of the RAM being used. Both models support RAM speeds of up to 1600. In addition, you will be able to install the same amount of RAM in both models, and most probably 16 GB of RAM will be enough for most people. However, if you will be needing more RAM, make sure to check other desktop models too.Ports
In total the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small has 6 USB ports. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny is inferior in this regard and packs 5 USB ports. None of the desktop models has a USB 3.1 port (10Gb/s), so if you need a fast connection to your peripherals you will need to look at other models.
The DisplayPort is usually the more popular video port used with desktops and laptops, while the HDMI is used predominantly in consumer electronics. It is good to see that both of the models come with a DisplayPort.
None of the models has an HDMI port. If your monitor supports only the HDMI interface, you will need to buy an adapter.
SATA port is where you connect your HDD, SSD and Optical Disk Drives. More SATA slots will allow you to have more drives running at the same time. In this regard the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small is better equipped as it comes with 3 SATA slot(s).
M.2 SSD interface allows you to transfer data with higher speeds compared to the old SATA. Unfortunately, neither the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small, nor the Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny has one. However, you can still use a SATA SSD drive which should give you satisfactory performance.
Remark: Make sure that the M.2 slot supports the PCIe (NVMe) interface. This is important as there are M.2 slots which support only the inferior SATA III interface. For comparison, the SATA III interface has max speeds of 6 Gb/s, while the PCIe 3.0 x4 will support speeds up to 32 Gb/s!Power Supply
Having a Power Supply Unit with high power rating is important if you are going to use components which require extra power. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M92p Tiny comes with a decent 65 Watt PSU, but the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Small has a more powerful one rated at 240 Watts. Choosing either one depends on your specific requirements and use case. Also don't forget that some models might have more than one PSU option - try to always get the most powerful one.
Motherboard
