Beelink SER7 Mini PC Review: Small in Size, Big in Performance

by Tobin Lau on Nov 24, 2023 0 comments

In the ever-evolving landscape of computing technology, the notion of a Mini PC has often been associated with portability and convenience. Many have touted these diminutive devices as the solution for those seeking a compact, easily transportable computing solution. However, after delving into the realm of Mini PCs firsthand, it becomes apparent that the narrative surrounding their intended purpose might be somewhat misleading. Are Mini PCs truly designed for on-the-go use, or do they serve a different purpose altogether? In this review article, we will explore the Mini PC's true calling, challenging the preconceived notion of portability and highlighting their potential as desktop simplifies.

Mini PCs have come a long way, and today's market offers a plethora of options, with Intel and AMD processors being two prominent contenders. Each processor type caters to distinct user needs, with Intel processors excelling in computational tasks and coding while AMD processors increasingly satisfying the demands of everyday consumers. The recent advancements in AMD's processor technology, particularly with the introduction of the AMD6800 and subsequent iterations, have significantly bolstered their appeal. Core graphics capabilities have been enhanced, transforming Mini PCs from being primarily suited for simple office tasks and media consumption into unexpected powerhouses capable of handling AAA-level video games at 1080P resolution. Yes, you read that correctly – Mini PCs are now a viable platform for PC gaming, a revelation that has likely eluded many.

In this article, we will delve into the Beelink SER7 Mini PC, armed with the AMD7840HS processor, to shed light on the evolving landscape of Mini PCs. We will subject it to rigorous testing, exploring its capabilities and potential use cases, to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what the Mini PC of today truly represents. So, if you've ever wondered whether a Mini PC could replace your larger desktop computer, or if you're simply intrigued by the latest innovations in the world of compact computing, read on as we embark on this journey to demystify the Mini PC.

Appearance

The Mini PC, known as the Beelink SER7, is a remarkable device that takes advantage of laptop hardware to achieve a remarkably compact size. Measuring just 12.5cm by 11cm by 5cm in overall volume, it exemplifies portability without compromising on functionality. This Mini PC is designed to adapt to various usage scenarios, seamlessly pairing with monitors, keyboards, and mice to provide a versatile computing experience. Moreover, it caters to individual preferences with a choice of four elegant colors: classic black, sleek gray, vibrant jet green, and striking orange. Whether you need a powerful yet compact computing solution for work or play, the Beelink SER7 is a versatile choice that combines style and functionality.

Although the sparrow is small, it has all the internal components. This sentence can also be used to describe the Mini PC. The Beelink SER7 is relatively rich in interfaces. First of all, on the front, it is designed with commonly used headphone interfaces, type-C interfaces, and USB 3.0 interfaces. This compact yet versatile Mini PC packs a surprising amount of functionality into its diminutive frame, much like the resilient sparrow that, despite its size, manages to house all the necessary components for survival. The Beelink SER7's front panel showcases its thoughtful design, offering users easy access to essential interfaces for seamless connectivity and performance.

Then on the back of the fuselage, there is also a LAN port (2.5G), two USB2.0 interfaces, a DP video interface, an HDMI video interface, a rear audio interface and two USB4.0 that support the graphics card dock. The interface is sufficient for ordinary people without the need for a docking station. In addition, some people may ask, why not put two USB3.0 interfaces here? In fact, these two interfaces are mainly used to install the wireless mouse adapter. USB2.0 can effectively avoid signal interference and make the wireless mouse more stable to use.

To enhance heat dissipation capabilities, the fuselage incorporates a clever hollow design along its sides.

The identical metal filter serves a dual purpose, as it is also employed on the upper section of the fuselage. Upon closer inspection, one can discern a faint outline of the cooling fan concealed beneath it. Extending further below the fan, a substantial VC vapor chamber occupies a significant area. It can be asserted that the heat dissipation design in this aircraft is truly exceptional, leaving no room for doubt in its efficiency and effectiveness.

The bottom of the fuselage uses a closed metal cover, and a magnetic power supply interface can also be seen here. It seems that several recent Mini PCs from Beelink have adopted this bottom magnetic interface design. The reason for the design seems to be to reserve more space for the expansion interface on the back of the fuselage. Of course, if you don’t like to use the magnetic interface, you can also directly use a PD charging head greater than 100 watts to power the Beelink SER7.

Performance and Benchmarks

Regarding the placement of the Mini PC, I think it can be directly fixed on the back of the monitor, so that the monitor can be used as an all-in-one computer. Of course, if you place the Mini PC directly on the desktop like me, you can also It doesn't take up much desktop space. Plug in the power, use the video cable to connect to the monitor, and you can use it normally. After turning it on, you can see that the genuine win11 professional version system has been built into the SER7.

The Beelink SER7 boasts impressive hardware specifications. It comes equipped with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and an integrated Radeon 780M core display, ensuring smooth and efficient performance for various tasks and applications. Its dual-channel 32GB Yingruida DDR5 5600MHz memory offers ample memory capacity for multitasking and demanding workloads. Additionally, the 1TB Yingruida solid-state drive provides fast and spacious storage for your data and applications. Notably, the TDP power consumption can be adjusted to either 54 watts or 65 watts, allowing users to optimize power usage based on their needs. Moreover, the Beelinkji SER7 supports modern connectivity standards, including WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring seamless wireless connectivity and compatibility with a wide range of peripherals and devices.

When subjected to the benchmark test with Master Lu, the results were nothing short of impressive. The overall score exceeded a remarkable 1.43 million points, showcasing the incredible performance of the system. To break it down further, the processor alone garnered a commendable 880,000 points, highlighting its processing prowess. The graphics card, another crucial component in any high-performance setup, demonstrated its capabilities with a score of 126,000 points. Even the hard drive, often overlooked but essential for seamless operation, contributed significantly with a score of 227,000 points. These numbers collectively paint a picture of a computing powerhouse that seems to outshine many traditional desktop computers in terms of benchmark performance.

When subjected to the PCMARK10 benchmark test, the Beelink SER7 demonstrates impressive performance figures. Its basic function score stands at a commendable 10464, while the productivity score reaches a notable 9322. Furthermore, in the realm of digital content creation, it achieves a score of 9285. Most notably, the comprehensive score, which gauges overall performance, registers at an impressive 6936. To put this into perspective, a comprehensive score of 4000 is generally considered sufficient for smooth and efficient work. The Beelink SER7 surpasses this threshold by a substantial margin, coming in close to 7000. These results clearly indicate that it is more than capable of handling a wide range of tasks and applications with ease.

After conducting rigorous testing, I employed 3DMARK Fire Strike as the benchmark, and the results were quite impressive. The total score tallied up to an impressive 7445, with the graphics card delivering a remarkable 8033 points, the physics score standing at an impressive 26320, and an overall score of 2837. These results clearly showcase the exceptional performance capabilities of the core display, which undoubtedly stands as a testament to its impressive quality and capabilities.

Start testing the game. The first thing to run is Uncharted 4. This is an action AAA game. If you play it on a Mini PC equipped with an Intel processor, it will usually be laggy, but SER7 has set the resolution It is 1080P with medium image quality. When FSR optimization (balanced mode) is turned on, the game frame rate can reach about 58 frames, and even if FSR optimization is turned off, it can reach about 42 frames.

God of War 4 is an action-packed game that boasts stunning 3D special effects. When played at a resolution of 1080P with default image quality settings and super-resolution turned off, the game typically runs at approximately 39 frames per second. However, the real magic happens when you enable the super-resolution feature in balanced mode. With this function turned on, the game's frame rate can soar to an impressive 60 frames per second, delivering a smoother and more visually captivating gaming experience.

The Witcher 3 is a visually stunning game that offers players a range of graphical options to tailor their gaming experience. When playing at 1080P resolution with medium image quality settings, players can enjoy a smooth and responsive gameplay experience, with the game consistently reaching around 60 frames per second. However, for those who crave even more breathtaking visuals, turning on high image quality settings is an option. While this does take a toll on the frame rate, it's still quite impressive, hovering around 44 frames per second, ensuring that even at its most demanding, The Witcher 3 remains a visually captivating and enjoyable gaming experience.

NBA2K23, the popular basketball video game, appears to be hassle-free when it comes to configuration. When played at a crisp 1080P resolution with all the bells and whistles of excellent image quality enabled, gamers can expect a smooth experience with a remarkable frame rate that comfortably hovers around 100 frames per second. This combination of visual fidelity and performance ensures that players can fully immerse themselves in the fast-paced action of the virtual basketball court without any technical hiccups.

For the racing game Forza Horizon 5, at 1080P resolution and high image quality turned on, the game frame rate is around 74 frames. Therefore, through the testing of these 5 large-scale games, it can be basically seen that the Beelink SER7 can take all PC games at 1080P resolution. Of course, if you want to run these large-scale games at 2K resolution or even 4K resolution, Gaming still requires a desktop computer with a discrete graphics card.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Beelink SER7 Mini PC has truly shattered conventional expectations of what a compact computing device can achieve. Its small size, stylish design, and robust hardware specifications make it a standout option in the world of Mini PCs. This review has showcased its versatility, from serving as a desktop powerhouse for productivity tasks to surprising us with its ability to handle AAA-level gaming at 1080P resolution. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, paired with integrated Radeon graphics and a generous 32GB of DDR5 memory, delivers impressive benchmark performance, making it a compelling choice for a wide range of users.

The Beelink SER7's thoughtfully designed interface layout, efficient heat dissipation system, and sleek appearance further enhance its appeal. Whether you choose to mount it on the back of a monitor for an all-in-one setup or place it on your desktop, the SER7 adapts to your preferences with ease. Its remarkable performance across various benchmarks, including Master Lu and PCMARK10, proves that it can excel in demanding tasks and digital content creation. Moreover, its gaming prowess, as demonstrated with titles like Uncharted 4, God of War 4, The Witcher 3, NBA2K23, and Forza Horizon 5, showcases its capability to deliver an enjoyable gaming experience at 1080P resolution.

In a world where size no longer limits functionality, the Beelink SER7 Mini PC stands as a testament to the innovation in compact computing. It serves as a compelling alternative to traditional desktop computers for those seeking a space-saving solution without compromising on performance. If you're in the market for a Mini PC that packs a punch, offers versatility, and can handle both work and play with ease, the Beelink SER7 is undoubtedly a worthy contender in the ever-evolving landscape of computing technology.