Mini PC Long-Term Reliability

krisp on 27/10/2025 - 09:11
Last edited 28/10/2025 - 19:40

Hi OzBargain experts,

What’s the consensus on the reliability of the mini PCs?
I have tested MINISFORUM Mini PC NAB9 (Intel Core i9-12900HK) and MINISFORUM BD790I (AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX), and both had to be returned within a month as they gradually became more and more unstable. The Intel-based one developed more frequent restarts, and the AMD-based one had issues with NVMe drives (I tested at least 5 different disks and brands). Luckily, I bought them from Amazon, so the return was easy. Considering Minisforum’s ridiculous warranty terms, I can’t even think of dealing with them directly.

I want to set up a small home server, but it needs to be reliable and run 24/7 for a few years.
Are the mini PCs worth it, or was it only my bad luck?

EDIT:
I have shortlisted these (prices from Jeff's store):

Model Price CPU iGPU RAM GB SSD TB
MINISFORUM BD795i SE, PCIe $599.99 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX Radeon 610M 0 0
Lenovo ThinkStation P710, Quadro P4000 $679.00 2x Xeon E5-2620 v4 N/A 64 0.5
MINISFORUM Mini PC NAB9 $687.99 Intel Core i9-12900HK Intel Iris Xe 32 1
GMKtec Mini PC Intel Core i9 13900HK $799.99 Intel Core i9 13900HK Intel Iris Xe 32 1
GMKtec Mini PC Intel i9 13900HK $859.99 Intel Core i9 13900HK Intel Iris Xe 32 2
Reatan S8 $719.00 Intel Core i9-12900H Intel Iris Xe 32 1
Mini PC i9 P2Pro $743.20 Intel Core i9-12900H Intel Iris Xe 32 1
MINISFORUM MS-01, PCIe, vPro $767.99 Intel Core i9-12900H Intel Iris Xe 0 0
MINISFORUM BD790I X3D, PCIe $783.99 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D Radeon 610M 0 0
MINISFORUM Mini PC MS-01, PCIe, vPro $919.99 Intel Core i9-13900H Intel Iris Xe 0 0
MINISFORUM MS-01, PCIe, vPro $959.99 Intel Core i9-12900H Intel Iris Xe 32 1
MINISFORUM Mini PC UM890 Pro $969.99 AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Radeon 780M 32 1
MINISFORUM Mini PC UM890 Pro $1,089.99 AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Radeon 780M 64 1
NAS Motherboard Intel Core i9 14900HX $1,093.74 Intel Core i9 14900HX Intel UHD Graphics 0 0
MINISFORUM Mini PC MS-01, PCIe, vPro $1,099.99 Intel Core i9-13900H Intel Iris Xe 32 1
Acer Altos ATSP130 F9, NVIDIA T1000 $1,899.99 Intel Core i9-14900 Intel UHD Graphics 770 64 0.5
MINISFORUM Mini PC MS-A2, PCIe $1,319.99 AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX Radeon 610M 0 0
GEEKOM IT15 $1,499.00 Intel Core Ultra 9 285H Intel Arc 140T 32 2
MINISFORUM Mini PC AI X1 Pro $1,519.99 AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Radeon 890M 64 1
MINISFORUM N5 Pro-P370 NAS $1,529.99 AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 370 Radeon 890M 0 0
MINISFORUM M1 Pro-285H $1,599.99 Intel Core Ultra 9 285H Intel Arc 140T 64 2
MINISFORUM Mini PC AI X1 Pro $1,727.99 AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Radeon 890M 96 2
MINISFORUM Mini PC MS-A2, PCIe $1,919.99 AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX Radeon 610M 96 2

Computing Computer Mini PC

Comments

  • gorgrond on 27/10/2025 - 09:37

    I don't know about these random brand ones.

    But I have an Intel NUC that I've bought in 2013. It is still going strong; M.2 hard drive died a few years ago; changed that and never had further problems.

    • krisp on 27/10/2025 - 10:39
      +3

      I also have 2x Intel NUC D54250WYK from 2013. Both running strong 24/7 for all those years. I only had to replace the CPU fan in one. But I need a new more powerful server that could replace my power-hungry and even older SuperMicro and HP machines.

  • snapper17 on 27/10/2025 - 10:08
    +3

    stick to intel nuc or known brands like asus, gigabyte ect

    or get a mac mini

  • bargaino on 27/10/2025 - 10:11
    +1

    I've used HP Microserver with ECC, Intel NUC.
    Now running second-hand Dell and Fujitsu micro-PCs. All very reliable 24/7.
    I doubt a random Chinese mini PC will be as reliable. Also, the software matters. Not running Windows, are you?

    • krisp on 27/10/2025 - 10:41
      +1

      I tested Proxmox and Windows Hyper-V Server on them as these are my main environments. Looking to replace ancient SuperMicro and HP servers that albeit being super reliable, they chew power like crazy :)

  • tellhimhesdreaming on 27/10/2025 - 11:22

    I had to return a minisforum bd790i SE which wouldn't even get to bios, which was an immense pain (and cost) dealing with minisforum directly.

    Howeve I'm an idiot so bought a bd795i SE through Amazon afterwards as I still really liked the offering of the board and it's been fine now for months with an undervolt running really well. I think these things really come down to luck of the draw with smaller manufacturers but I would expect a quick/instant failure based on poor QA rather than something crapping out over time? Could be wrong.

  • ScaryMagus on 27/10/2025 - 11:48

    I had a Beelink I quite liked, but it carked it at 13 months. Luckily bought through Amazon, so was easy to get a refund.

  • frondono on 27/10/2025 - 13:28

    I'm pretty sure intel nucs are designed to do exactly what you need

  • Chandler on 27/10/2025 - 14:50

    You get what you pay for.

    Can't really compare those NUCs with the micro-PCs like bargaino mentioned - the micro's are a different form factor (generally a thin, long rectangle vs the tall square of a NUC), and almost always have fans. The micro's are also generally manufactured by long-existing PC builders (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc) which come with a lot of historical design knowledge - not to say they don't have their flaws, or that up-and-coming builders can't compare.

  • kipps on 27/10/2025 - 17:51

    I wouldn’t waste time with cheap Chinese products. I tried a Chuwi back in the day & got unreliable junk that kept crashing. Not worth the time or effort.

  • M27 on 27/10/2025 - 20:55
    +1

    I bought a KAMRUI Mini PC from Amazon when it was on sale, the build quality is no comparison to Intel NUCs. If you want something reliable, get a second hand Intel NUC from eBay, they are well built like Toyota Corolla.

  • n3ck3ntry8bort0rgasm on 28/10/2025 - 18:09

    many users here are recommending Micro PC's.

    I think a Mini PC is one size up, it's bigger than your hand but can be attached hanging under the table because it's light weight.

    I set one up for family members when they moved on to Win11. they got the MSI DP10 it has been going very well.

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