By Edy, Tech Expert & Blogger
Overview of Beelink Mini PC
Beelink is known for manufacturing Mini PCs and has established a reputation for offering compact, affordable, and reasonably powerful computers. Their products are often recognized for their small form factor, making them suitable for space-saving setups and light computing tasks. Beelink’s Mini PCs are generally appreciated in the tech community for their balance of performance and price, especially among users looking for a budget-friendly yet capable computing solution.
In this article, I review the Beelink SER6 Max, a powerful Mini PC for gaming or virtualization in a home lab environment. The Beelink SER6 Max has a stylish design available in 4 colors.
Pros of Beelink SER6 Max
- Powerful Processor: It’s equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, which delivers exceptional performance for gaming and multitasking.
- High-Quality Graphics: The integrated AMD Radeon 680M GPU offers impressive graphics performance, suitable for demanding games and creative tasks.
- Expandable Memory and Storage: It comes with 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe4.0 NVMe SSD, both expandable for greater capacity.
- Multi-Display Support: Connecting up to four monitors simultaneously enhances multitasking and productivity.
- Connectivity Options: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2.5G LAN for fast and stable connections.
- Compact and Portable Design: Its small form factor adds to its appeal, making it suitable for various settings.
- Versatile Use: Beyond gaming, it’s effective for content creation and video editing and serves as an entertainment center.
Cons of Beelink SER6 Max
- Price: It may be more expensive compared to other mini PCs.
- Limited Upgradeability: While it allows for some upgrades, it has less flexibility than larger desktop PCs.
- Additional Peripherals Needed: For a complete gaming setup, you might need to invest in extra peripherals
- No Windows 11 product key supplied
What to consider when choosing a mini PC:
CPU
Choosing a CPU for a mini PC depends on your needs and budget. Some factors to consider are:
- The performance and power consumption of the CPU
- The compatibility of the CPU with the motherboard and other components
- The cooling system and ventilation of the mini-pc case
- The availability and price of the CPU
- The number of cores and threads of the CPU
- The cache size and memory speed of the CPU
- The integrated graphics and overclocking capabilities of the CPU
Processors often found in Mini-PC are Intel I5, Intel I7, and AMD Ryzen
RAM
The amount of RAM that a mini PC should have depends on what you want to use it. Generally, more RAM means better performance and multitasking ability.
The minimum RAM for a mini PC is 4GB, but 8GB or 16GB is recommended for most tasks. Some mini PCs can support up to 32GB or even 64GB of RAM, but they are more expensive and may not be necessary for most users.
I recommend at least 16GB RAM.
The Beelink SER6 Max ships with 32 GB RAM (2x16GB) but can be expandable to 64GB RAM (2x32GB).
Storage
When selecting a mini PC, prioritize SSDs over HDDs for enhanced performance. Evaluate the storage capacity based on your usage requirements; tasks such as gaming or video editing may demand larger storage. Opt for NVMe SSDs for their exceptional speed. Additionally, consider if the mini PC allows for storage expansion, which can be crucial for future upgrades. By carefully balancing these factors, you can choose a mini PC that suits your present and future storage needs.
Connectivity
When choosing a mini PC, it is vital to consider the various ports and available inputs. Ensure the PC has enough ports to accommodate all the peripherals you will connect. Check if the ports are USB 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, audio jacks, and Ethernet. It also helps to look for wireless connectivity options such as WiFi 6, or Bluetooth 5.2.
In terms of performance, you should compare the Wireless AC standards to see which is best for your needs. WiFi 6 is the fastest and most reliable, with transfer rates of up to 1.2Gbps. However, newer WiFi 6E networks offer even faster speeds, up to 2.5Gbps. Bluetooth 5.2 has very low latency and higher bandwidth.
Form factor, size, and weight
Mini PCs come in various forms, including NUCs (Next Unit of Computing), stick PCs, all-in-one PCs, and fanless mini PCs. NUCs are the minor form factor, typically measuring no more than 4 inches square and featuring an Intel processor. Stick PCs are USB drive-sized devices with basic computing capabilities. All-in-one PCs feature a monitor and computer in one system and offer the most features in terms of ports, storage capacity, and memory. Fanless mini PCs are silent yet powerful machines that don’t require active cooling and can handle most computing tasks.
Price and Support
Price is essential when selecting a mini-PC, ranging from budget-friendly models to more expensive ones with higher specs. It’s also important to look into the support options available for your chosen mini-PC. Many manufacturers offer warranties and technical support for their products, so it’s worth researching what kind of assistance you can get if something goes wrong. Additionally, some retailers may offer extended warranties or other services that could be beneficial in the event of an issue.
The best features of the Beelink SER6 Max
AMD Ryzen 9 processor
The AMD Ryzen 9 processor featured in the Beelink SER6 Max is a powerful and efficient processor that packs a lot of performance into a small form factor. It has a low power consumption of 45W, making it ideal for small-scale computing. It also features an 8-core, 16-thread CPU structure and a frequency of 4.9GHz, providing excellent power for multitasking and running intensive applications.
The processor is based on TSMC 6nm FinFET technology, indicating a modern and efficient manufacturing process contributing to its performance capabilities.
Supports up to 64GB Ram
The Beelink SER6 Max comes equipped with 32GB (2x16GB of dual-channel DDR5 RAM, which offers a frequency of 4800MHz. It allows for speedy data transfer between the RAM and its other components.
Lastly, the system supports up to 64GB (2x32GB) of DDR5 RAM, with dual-channel support, providing further expandability.
2x M2.2280 slots
The SER6 Max boasts a remarkable feature – the ability to expand storage up to a staggering 4TB. Each slot can effortlessly accommodate a 2TB SSD, providing users with unparalleled flexibility. This expandability is particularly advantageous for individuals dealing with hefty files or those needing extensive storage for multimedia content, applications, and games. With the SER6 Max, users can effortlessly increase their storage capacity to meet their ever-growing needs.
Graphics: AMD Radeon
The Beelink SER6 Max stands out from the crowd with the following features:
- AMD Radeon 680M integrated graphics, based on the RDNA 2 architecture with 12 CUs (= 768 shaders) and up to 2,400 MHz.
- Support for hardware ray tracing has provided a significant performance boost over the last generation of Vega 8.
- Performance up to 50% faster than Intel Iris Xe 96 EUs solutions.
- Cinebench R23 score 13210
Connectivity
The Beelink SER6 Max offers many connectivity features, including a large red power button and an indicator light on the front panel that shines green when the system is powered on and flashes white when in sleep mode.
There are two USB ports on the front panel: one USB 3.2 port with a blue inner tab one USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm aux port for headphones. There is a round DC port at the back for connecting the power supply and an Ethernet port for 2.5Gbps of bandwidth.
Additionally, one HDMI 2.1 and a display port support up to 8K monitors at 60Hz, two USB-C ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a triple-band WiFi 6 connection with 1.2Gbps of bandwidth, and Bluetooth 5.2 with low latency and higher bandwidth than previous Bluetooth versions.
Price
Beelink GTR6 vs. other mini-pc
The Beelink GTR6 offers key differences from Intel NUCs and other mini-PCs. Here are some key highlights:
- Wake on LAN
- Quad Display output
- magnetic power supply
- 2.5GB LAN Port
Other Beelink models
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$599.00
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$389.00
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$169.00
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Final Verdict: Beelink Mini Ryzen PC
The Beelink SER6 Max 6900HX is a strong contender in the mini PC market, especially for those who need a balance between performance and compactness. Its high-performance CPU and GPU make it suitable for gaming and professional work. The expandability of storage and memory adds to its appeal, allowing for future upgrades. However, its price and limited upgradeability compared to full-sized desktops should be considered based on individual needs and preferences.
I’m a huge enthusiast of Mini-PCs. The sleek form factor and the ability to expand them with multiple SSD drives are remarkable. Mini-PCs have a wide range of use cases, from office productivity to gaming – and yes, they pack a punch in terms of power. They even serve as excellent platforms for testing hypervisors like Proxmox in a home lab.
I would love to get some feedback from you. Was this article helpful? Please share your opinion with me in the comment section below. Or, if you prefer a more personal touch, feel free to email me directly at info@edywerder.ch. Your thoughts and insights are always appreciated. Additionally, you can connect with me on Reddit at Navigatetech.
Before you go …
If you found the Beelink SER6 MAX review on Edy Werder’s blog insightful, you might be interested in exploring another compact yet powerful computing solution. I recommend checking out the Kamrui Mini PC Review. This post delves into the performance, design, and overall value of the Kamrui Mini PC, offering a comprehensive analysis that’s perfect for tech enthusiasts like yourself. It’s a great way to compare mini PCs and understand what each offers for your tech needs.
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Tech Expert & Blogger
Hi, I’m Edy. With over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, I’ve tackled numerous tech challenges.
As a solopreneur, I write articles to fill the gaps I notice in my work and online.
My mission? To provide clear, step-by-step tech guidance and improve the information you find on the web
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