Best Multipurpose Mini PC?

LSubNoize on 17/06/2025 - 10:30
Last edited 17/06/2025 - 10:33

I want to replace my old HTPC (4th gen i5) with a mini PC that i can run proxmox on and container/lxc everything. I'll attach a DAS to it. I know most people would probably say "get a NAS" but I think it makes more sense to keep the storage and the PC seperate(especially with 10Gbps USB-C), allowing for easier upgrades to both parts if required?

The beelink eqi12 has like 5 versions and most seem to be ddr4 16gb now.

What's the ideal system? The Beelink EQI12 looks nice. 24gb lpddr5 + i3 1220p but it looks like they're not making them anymore? It's also a little more expensive. At that price am I better off running an n97 mini for plex/das and buying a n150 mini for everything else? If I go that way 12gb/16gb doesn't really matter but then adding another device will add additional power usage? Although it'll likely be less than my i5.

Where's the sweet spot

Computing Computer Mini PC

Comments

  • skid on 17/06/2025 - 10:40

    Get the n97 for now and put everything on it. It'll probably be sufficient, but if it turns out it isn't, get the N150 after.

    • SubNoize on 17/06/2025 - 10:51

      Ideally a 16gb lpddr5 one yeah?

      • skid on 17/06/2025 - 11:05

        If you can find one. 16GB DDR4 should be fine too. Otherwise 12GB DDR5.

  • beltdrive on 17/06/2025 - 11:27
    +1

    how does a refurbed dell/lenovo/hp from ebay compare with beelink et al for performance/$?

  • bargaino on 17/06/2025 - 11:37
    +1

    I want to replace my old HTPC

    You mean a PC connected to your TV via HDMI? That's not really a thing in the 2020s.
    What you want now is a separate backend for proxmox, and a smart TV or fanless set-top-box, like Apple/Android TV.
    Is this what you are doing?

    Sweet spot is a "refurb" micro-PC with 16GB, SSD, and a fat HDD for media.
    I'm told 7th gen minimum for real-time transcoding, due to the iGPU.

    • SubNoize on 17/06/2025 - 12:04

      Sorry, I'm just replacing my htpc. New PC will sit in closet and I'll just stream via Google tv.

      N97 has lower tdp right ? as it'll be 24/7 machine and more codec support?

      • bargaino on 17/06/2025 - 12:58

        Just checking. "HTPC" used to refer to a PC connected direct to TV and a remote control.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_theater_PC

        N97 has lower tdp right ?

        Not much in it. Maybe a few watts less than a micro-PC with Intel T-series.
        Not the same build quality or reliability as a Dell, but I guess that is not important for home use.
        Either will work, but you asked fort he sweet spot :-)

  • jiberz on 18/06/2025 - 05:59

    Not sure if it is still a thing. But if so, strongly recommend building one with the ASROCK mini pc. I think mine was the x600 but the thing is you can put a full desktop CPU in there. I built mine with a ryzen 5600g (the cooler literally just fits).

    • GordonD on 18/06/2025 - 09:37

      I've got the X300 version to, also with a 5600G after initially having a 3200G in it. Its a bit short on ports.

      I'd seriously consider the X600 version, except for two things. Its designed to go into the same case, so it has the same shortage of ports. And its simply unobtainable. The stories are people have tried to buy the board, and if they're outside Asia the order just gets cancelled.

      Gave up, got an ITX motherboard for my 8600GE, and mounted it on the back of my screen - with a pico-PSU power supply and a power brick - using the VESA mounting holes. No more expensive. Lots more ports including USB4. And the screen backs up to the wall so no-one notices the motherboard has no case on it.

  • maxsdadda on 18/06/2025 - 11:22

    I've had a heap of devices over the years including the HP Microserver, Acer EasyStore, and custom built 10 bay units with physical raid cards.

    I'm currently running a QNAP TVS-471, which runs Plex perfectly locally and remotely even 4k streams. Upgraded the ram to 16gb, 4 x 6tb WD hard drives running in raid 5. Never missed a beat.

    I am in the process of migrating to another QNAP (TVS-1282 with the 64 gig of ram, 10tb WD drives and some M2 drives as well). While I'll offload the TVS-471 when I'm done, I'm a fan of QNAP's, build quality, capability and reliability.

    I just use mine for streaming to TV's, phones etc and the QNAP converts things to the native format of whatever it's streaming to.

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