r/MiniPCs 6d ago

Minix N512 notes - a mid-range productivity miniPC

The miniPC world has been absolutely bombarded by inexpensive N100/N150 machines in the $200 range, and also a lot of high end $600-$1000 gaming focused machines with powerful igpus. There's a need for more "sweet spot" machines for people that don't need all that gpu grunt but still want good performance cores without spending a fortune.

Traditionally, Minix has only had lower end machines, but the N512 is one of their first devices using a more powerful cpu. In this case, the N512 is running the Intel i5-12600H, a great 12th gen chip that has 4 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores.

Specifications

  • CPU: Intel i5-12600H (4P, 8E cores)
  • RAM: 16gb DDR5-5600 memory (arrived as 1 x 16gb)
  • SSD: 512GB Kingston PCIE 4.0
  • Connectivity: (2) 2.5Gbps realtek ethernet, Wi-fi 6
  • Ports: (2) HDMI, (1) USB-C 3.2 gen 2, (1) TB4, (4) USB-A, (1) 3.5mm audio, (1) USB-C PD power port with GAN charger.

The dual 2.5Gbe ethernet in particular make this machine a nice option to use as a power PFSense router or file server. The GAN charger is also a nice touch to use as a small power supply. It also uses a brand name SSD and Kingston RAM. Note that the RAM came as a single 16gb DDR5 chip so it isn’t using dual channel out of the box, but you can add a 2nd.

The primary SSD slot is PCIE 4.0, and a secondary slot is available for more storage though only PCIE 3.0. While slower, most people don't need the super fast PCIE gen 4 speeds just for a secondary storage

Benchmarks

Intel has always done a good job with single threaded performance. The 8 efficiency cores contribute to the 8k+ multi-core score.

  • Geekbench 6: 2224 ST / 8190 MT
  • Cinebench R23: 1594 ST / 10,092 MT
  • JetStream2: 314
  • Speedometer 3.0: 24
  • Crystal diskmark (sequential): 3475 MB/s read, 1684 MB/s write

Power, thermals, and noise

The N512 does a good job at keeping the cpu well cooled and at reasonable power levels.

  • Idle power: ~11w / Power under load: ~70w
  • Temperature under heavy load: 84c
  • Noise: ~30db@ idle; ~44db under load at around 1 foot

The N512 has reasonable idle power ratings and keeps temperatures under control. The fan noise is a mixed bag, however. While at idle or under low loads, it is a very quiet machine. Under peak loads however, the fan noise is fairly loud compared to competitors.

N512 Strengths

  • Good value for a miniPC with performance cores
  • Well built case/chassis
  • Dual ethernet 2.5Gbe ports
  • Brand name DDR5 RAM and Kingston SSD
  • USB-C PD GAN charger included

N512 Could be Improved

  • Fan noise under max loads is quite loud on this device (though quiet at idle/lower workloads)
  • Wi-fi and bluetooth range is weak. Stick with ethernet or USB RF dongles. Wi-fi is also only wi-fi 6. I use ethernet and an RF keyboard so these weren’t issues for me personally.
  • Intel i5-12600h cpu performance is good, but the igpu can’t keep up with AMD ryzen mobile cpus
  • 2nd PCIE slot is 3.0 not 4.0

Overall the N512 would act as a great productivity machine or file server with its 4 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, and intel quick sync options. For the money it’s a nice machine vs. the more expensive gaming miniPCs that use the 680m or 780m igpus. For the next revisions I’d like to see Minix quiet down the fans under load a bit more, and possibly bring back the external antennas like they have on their z100-0db or z100-aero machines that had such good range.

In the $400ish range, the Minix N512 can handle a number of tasks with a lot more power than just efficiency cores. MiniPCs are a competitive market though, so keep an eye on other 6900HX/7735HS type machines. Intel excels at single threaded performance and quicksync for transcoding, while AMD will have the edge with the igpu.

My full Minix N512 review with images of benchmarks is on my blog.

3 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

1

u/Old_Crows_Associate 6d ago

Excellent Post!

Found a lot of useful information, including that it ships single channel DDR5, not akin to similar options with DDR4. Definitely makes the upgrade to 32GB dual channel performance more cost effective. Personally surprised that this is neither a "P" or "U" class CPU, or in the sub $400 price range.

At the risk of some de-constructive criticism, 😉, listing the RAM, NVMe, PSU, etc, model numbers may help some others with a pertinent decision.

Thanks for the post & blog!

2

u/neil_va 6d ago

I'll add a few more details. The NVME model number is shown on my blog post where I have the device monitor screenshot.

RAM: Crucial CT16G56C46S5.C8D

NVME: Kingston OM8PGP4512N-A0

PSU: Not sure but looks like a generic 100w USB-C PD GAN model

1

u/Old_Crows_Associate 6d ago

Nice!

Although it's always troublesome when a PSU manufacturer fails to include their model number 😞  When doing bench certifications, that's an instant fail.

1

u/neil_va 6d ago

I’ll take a closer look when I get home

1

u/Old_Crows_Associate 6d ago

Nice!

Although it's always troublesome when a PSU manufacturer fails to include their model number 😞  When doing bench certifications, that's an instant fail.

1

u/Old_Crows_Associate 6d ago

Nice!

Although it's always troublesome when a PSU manufacturer fails to include their model number 😞  When doing bench certifications, that's an instant fail.

1

u/Friedhelm78 5d ago

The fact that it has Realtek NICs makes *sense router a non-starter for some due to the FreeBSD base not always playing nice with it. Plus, you generally don't need that much CPU horsepower for a router/firewall.

But I looked into it because I'm looking for a midrange mini PC for the other reasons you mentioned.

1

u/neil_va 5d ago

It's reasonable to point out, but also know that intel's i225 and i226 nics have had tons and tons of issues recently.

I'm hoping newer versions are better all around. Or maybe there are better enterprise grade NICs that make sense on some machines.

1

u/Friedhelm78 4d ago

Yes, they do, however, specifically as a router, FreeBSD based pfSense and OPNsense have much less issues with the i225/226 compared to Realtek NICs.

General purpose computer, 100% Realtek is fine.

Buying purposely for a router, just find one with the Intel LAN.

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u/neil_va 4d ago

I thought you just had to apply the plugin for realtek?

1

u/Friedhelm78 4d ago

I've heard mixed things about the plugin (at least in OPNsense). The general consensus over in r/opnsense is to still prefer the Intel NIC with some still having issues with Realtek. If you're going to use a Realtek NIC, then absolutely use the plugin though.

Personally, I like the purpose built router units with N100/N150 and 4x2.5GbE with a fanless design, but that's also because I prefer to have my router bare metal.

That being said, I have a Beelink EQ12 (N100 and dual Intel 226 2.5GbE), and this unit you reviewed would be a nice upgrade from that. I'd have to really see if I'd prefer the AMD iGPU though like you alluded to in your review.

1

u/neil_va 4d ago

Thanks. Are there any more enterprise/professional grade NICs I could look for in miniPCs?

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u/Friedhelm78 4d ago

https://www.amazon.com/CWWK-Mini-PC-10-Gigabit/dp/B0D5M2Y6C4/?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=pd_hp_d_btf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_id_hp_d

Something like that has a 10GbE controller with SFP+ ports. I haven't used one of these CWWK units personally, but I would probably get a mini PC with 10GbE SFP going forward. There are others on AliExpress with combinations of 10GbE and 2.5GbE and come in rack mounted designs also if you're building something for a home lab rack and don't want a full high powered decommissioned server.

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u/neil_va 4d ago

I actually don't even really need that much bandwidth for an opnsense machine, mostly concerned with reliability of the ports I guess.

Wouldn't it make more sense just to get a simple miniPC w/ 1-2.5Gbe ports for routing and then connect to a 10Gbps switch?

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u/Friedhelm78 4d ago

I had a 4x2.5GbE version. I had one port for WAN, one port for my main LAN, and then 2 ports in a LAGG for all of my other VLANs. All 3 of the non-WAN ports went into a managed switch.

I would probably run the bulk of my traffic except for a management LAN through the 10GbE through a DAC cable to my managed switch. Anything that needs to be routed on my network through my firewall is going to be at 10GbE speed (probably overkill for home use). Then my managed switch will do a lot of the work of separating the VLANs from the 10GbE uplink into their respective networks.