In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, computers have seamlessly integrated into our daily routines, fundamentally altering how we work, communicate, and entertain ourselves. Mini PCs, a category of computers that champions compactness, portability, and practicality, have surged in popularity among consumers. In contrast to their larger traditional counterparts, Mini PCs gracefully combine performance and convenience, making them an appealing choice for a broad spectrum of users.
One particular Mini PC that has piqued our curiosity is the Beelink SER5 MAX. Bearing the “MAX” label as an upgraded iteration of the Beelink SER5 Pro, this device is primed for performance. We’ve subjected it to a battery of tests, seeking to uncover its features and assess its capabilities across various computing tasks.
With a decade-long presence in the international market, Beelink has etched its name as a reputable brand, specializing in Mini PCs. Consistently securing top positions in Amazon’s Mini PC category, Beelink has cultivated a reputation for crafting top-tier products that align with the ever-evolving demands of today’s consumers.
Within this in-depth review, our focus is squarely on the Beelink SER5 MAX. We intend to meticulously dissect the device’s performance and functionalities, scrutinizing its suitability for a diverse array of tasks. From resource-intensive activities like photo and video editing to immersive gaming experiences and everyday productivity, we’re embarking on a journey to determine whether the Beelink SER5 MAX truly lives up to its “MAX” moniker, faithfully delivering on its promises of efficiency and dependability. Join us as we navigate this exploration into the world of Mini PCs.
Design
The Beelink SER5 MAX is a compelling option for those in search of a compact yet potent desktop solution, offering an appealing blend of space efficiency and commendable performance. With its diminutive 0.6L volume, this desktop seamlessly integrates into any workspace, and its thoughtful interface placement enhances user convenience.
In terms of aesthetics, the Beelink SER5 MAX’s compact form factor is reminiscent of desktop multi-port chargers, ensuring it fits discreetly into various desktop setups. Moreover, for users who already possess a monitor, opting for the Beelink SER5 MAX proves to be a more budget-friendly alternative to purchasing a notebook with similar specifications.
One of its standout features is the intelligently designed interface layout. The front of the unit offers two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, a Type-C 3.2 Gen1 port, and a 3.5 mm audio interface, ensuring practical and easily accessible connectivity options for users. At the rear, the desktop provides additional interfaces, including an RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port, HDMI 2.0 interface, DP 1.4 interface, along with a blue USB 3.2 Gen 1 and a USB 2.0 interface. While the design is functional, some users might wish for the inclusion of a Type-C USB 3.2 Gen 2 or higher interface capable of supporting video output or an additional HDMI interface, which would have enhanced versatility and on-screen display options.
When it comes to configuration and potential upgrades, the device offers room for improvement. The presence of an AMD Ryzen sticker at the bottom hints at the possibility of disassembly and upgrades. Users can enhance the device’s capabilities by removing the four screws at the bottom, allowing for future expansions and hardware enhancements.
Furthermore, the Beelink SER5 MAX’s cooling system deserves commendation. The strategically placed air outlet at the back, above the I/O interface, efficiently dissipates heat, ensuring robust performance during extended usage. The addition of two air inlets on each side of the chassis further aids in maintaining optimal operating temperatures, contributing to the device’s overall reliability.
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More
Upon disassembling the Beelink SER5 MAX, a noteworthy component becomes apparent: an active cooling fan discreetly nestled beneath the bottom plate. This cooling fan plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal operating temperatures for several internal components, including the system’s memory, NVMe SSD, WiFi module, and possibly an additional SATA hard disk if installed. The design of the cooling system is well thought out, employing efficient heat paste and dissipation techniques to ensure meticulous heat management. This contributes significantly to the device’s overall performance and reliability, allowing it to handle various tasks with ease while maintaining thermal efficiency.
When it comes to storage options, the Beelink SER5 MAX offers users a high degree of flexibility. Users have the liberty to incorporate a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive based on their specific needs and preferences. With the cost-effectiveness of hard drives, it’s relatively simple to augment the system with a spacious 2TB or even 4TB hard drive, in addition to the pre-installed 1TB NVMe SSD that comes standard with the system. This storage capacity is indeed noteworthy, particularly given the compact footprint of the Beelink SER5 MAX. It underscores the device’s ability to maximize available space while catering to diverse storage requirements. Whether for data storage, multimedia content, or various applications, users can tailor the storage configuration to suit their individual demands, ensuring an efficient and adaptable computing experience.
With the inclusion of heat conduction paste and a well-designed heat dissipation block for the NVMe SSD and the AX200 network card, the Beelink SER5 MAX demonstrates a thoughtful approach to thermal management. Furthermore, the AX200 network card supports a robust 2.4GB transmission rate, ensuring fast and efficient network connectivity.
In recognition of the importance of thermal control, users have the option to apply additional heat conduction glue as needed. This consideration is crucial because heat generated by electronic components can have a significant impact on performance and longevity. By allowing users to customize their heat management solutions, the Beelink SER5 MAX empowers users to optimize thermal performance based on their specific usage scenarios and preferences, enhancing the overall reliability and efficiency of the device.
The storage solution within the Beelink SER5 MAX is sourced from Crucial Technology, although it bears an AZW label, indicating it may be an OEM product. Nonetheless, it features a PCIE 4.0 SSD, utilizing the PS5021-E21T 48 master controller. What’s intriguing is that the Crucial P3 PLUS solid-state drive supports PCIE 4.0, a notable detail considering that the R7-5800H processor currently lacks PCIE 4.0 support. This observation raises questions regarding the potential impact on performance when operating within the PCIE 3.0 channel.
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This situation highlights an interesting aspect of the device’s storage configuration, as it suggests the storage drive may possess performance capabilities that exceed the processor’s current capabilities in terms of PCIE support. Consequently, users should be mindful of this dynamic when assessing the overall performance of the Beelink SER5 MAX, particularly in relation to storage speeds and data transfer rates.
The Beelink SER5 MAX is equipped with a memory configuration consisting of two Crucial 8GB DDR4 3200MHz modules. Theoretically, this system can support up to a maximum of 64GB DDR4 3200MHz memory. This setup is particularly appealing, especially in light of the currently attractive prices for both SSDs and memory modules. It caters to users who desire the flexibility to upgrade their own systems, enabling them to easily enhance memory capacity for improved multitasking and overall system performance. The expandable memory capacity makes the Beelink SER5 MAX a versatile choice that can adapt to evolving user needs and demands.
Hardware Power
The Beelink SER5 MAX is powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, a 7nm process design that leverages the Zen 3 architecture of Ryzen mobile processors. This formidable processor boasts an 8-core, 16-thread design, featuring a base clock speed of 3.2GHz and a peak boost clock frequency of 4.4GHz. In single-core mode, it can reach a maximum power consumption of 54W.
Benchmarking the CPU performance using CPU-Z, the Beelink SER5 MAX demonstrates impressive results. It achieves a multi-core score of 5564.3 and a single-core score of 611.5. These scores provide a clear indication of the processor’s robust capabilities. It’s worth noting that these tests were conducted in an environment with a room temperature of 28°C (±1°C), ensuring consistent and reliable performance measurements.
In terms of performance, the Beelink SER5 MAX equipped with the unlocked 54W Ryzen 7 5800H processor delivers performance on par with the Intel 12th generation i5 12490F desktop processor. This places it at approximately 82% of the performance level achieved by the latest Intel 13th generation i5 13490F desktop processor. It’s important to note that if you were to build your own desktop system within a budget of around $300, you might only be able to configure it with a processor like the 12th generation i5 12400. Of course, there are various options and configurations available, but discussing them in detail is beyond the scope of this discussion.
The performance of the Beelink SER5 MAX, featuring the Ryzen 7 5800H, was evaluated through Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, providing insights into its computing capabilities.
In the Cinebench R15 test, the CPU multi-core score reached 1951cb, while the single-core score achieved 235cb. Moving on to the Cinebench R20 test, the CPU multi-core score recorded 4532pts, with a single-core score of 562pts. In the more demanding Cinebench R23 test, the CPU multi-core score impressively reached 11324pts, accompanied by a single-core score of 1435pts.
These results are consistent with previous performance assessments and demonstrate that the Beelink SER5 MAX offers robust performance, effectively aligning with the capabilities of the Intel i5 12490F processor. It’s worth noting that the SER5 MAX comes with integrated graphics, making it a versatile choice for users who may not require a dedicated graphics card, unlike the 12490F, which typically necessitates a separate graphics card for display output.
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In Games
In terms of gaming, the Beelink SER5 MAX with its Vega 7 GPU is indeed a viable choice. However, when comparing it to the SER5 Pro, the performance gains in the GPU department may not be substantial enough to significantly outpace the SER5 Pro. While the GPU in the SER5 MAX does offer a bit more power, it doesn’t create a significant performance gap between the two models. Therefore, if gaming performance is a primary consideration, users may find that the SER5 Pro offers a competitive gaming experience, with the SER5 MAX providing a slight boost in graphics capabilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my experience with the Beelink SER5 MAX Mini PC has left me highly impressed, thanks to its outstanding performance and stylish design. This compact yet powerful device excels in a range of high-performance tasks, including image editing, video processing, and gaming, making it an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Furthermore, its versatility extends to entertainment, delivering seamless experiences for music and movie enthusiasts, ensuring an enjoyable viewing and listening experience.
One of the standout features of the Beelink SER5 MAX is its exceptional value for the price, offering a competitive edge over other computers with the same 5800H processor in the market. The winning combination of performance and affordability firmly establishes this Mini PC as a top choice for those in search of high-performance computing without breaking the bank.
Throughout my evaluation of this device, it consistently lived up to its promises, meeting and often surpassing my expectations. With its impressive performance, sleek aesthetics, and wallet-friendly price point, the Beelink SER5 MAX has proven itself to be a wise investment for anyone in need of a dependable and capable high-performance computer.
In summary, I wholeheartedly recommend the Beelink SER5 MAX Mini PC to individuals seeking a potent and budget-friendly computing solution. Whether for professional tasks or entertainment, this Mini PC has demonstrated its ability to excel in various scenarios, making it an excellent choice for those who value both performance and affordability.
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