GEEKOM Mini IT11 Mini PC Evaluation Score
Abstract
The GEEKOM Mini IT11 is an superior mini-PC and a big improve from the IT8. It has allowed me to change from a full-sized desktop PC for my workplace work with no noticeable efficiency distinction however a big discount in electrical energy utilization, and it runs nearly silently.
Execs
- Runs 3x excessive decision screens (2x4k & 1x 5120 x 1440)
- Intel Core i7-11390H is greater than highly effective sufficient for workplace work and different purposes
- USB4 can be utilized for high-speed storage and multi-monitor docking stations
Cons
- PD USB-C energy could be higher than a DC plug
- Gigabit LAN
- WiFi 6 not 6E
I beforehand reviewed the GEEKOM Mini IT8 and beloved it. In that evaluation, I thought-about switching from my desktop PC full-time as a result of decrease working prices. I by no means dedicated to that, however I used to be just lately despatched the GEEKOM Mini IT11, and I’m lastly able to make that dedication.
The GEEKOM Mini IT11 is accessible with two CPUs, both the i7-11390H or the extra inexpensive i5-1155G7, and you’ve got quite a lot of RAM/storage choices to select from.
This mini-PC sits beneath the newer Mini IT12, which utilises the twelfth Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, they usually even have some AMD-based choices.
GEEKOM Mini IT11 vs Mini IT12 vs IT8 vs AS 5 vs AS 6 Specification
Mini IT11 Design / Ports / Inner Structure vs Mini IT8
A few negatives for me are the truth that the USB4 ports are 20Gbps somewhat than 40Gbps, although this hasn’t prompted a problem for me but. Then the Ethernet is gigabit somewhat than the more and more widespread 2.5GbE. My complete community is 2.5GbE, so it will have been a pleasant addition, however it will most likely not have an effect on many individuals. For anybody wanting quicker networking, the Mini IT12 could also be a better option.
Additionally, as this solely wants a 65W energy adaptor, I’d have completely beloved it if they’d ditched the archaic DC plug in favour of energy supply USB-C.
Upgradeability
The improve choices are the identical because the Mini IT8. You may swap out the RAM, NVMe drive and set up an optionally available 2.5-inch drive.
Similar to the Mini IT8, there isn’t a choice to improve the WiFi chip inside.
Benchmarks / Efficiency
I carried out all the identical benchmarks for the Mini IT11 as I did with the Mini IT8 so we are able to see a comparability of the efficiency distinction.
- 3DMark CPU Profile (Max threads, 16 threads, 8 threads, 4 threads, 2 threads, 1 thread)
- Mini IT11: 3008 / 2997 / 3012 / 2469 / 1618 / 944
- Mini IT8: 1967 / 2247 / 2224 / 1682 / 1021 / 544
- 3DMark Storage Benchmark
- 3DMark Time Spy
- Mini IT11: 1405 (1256 Graphics, 4312 CPU)
- Mini IT8: 731 (642 Graphics, 3480 CPU)
- Crystal Disk
- Mini IT11: 3437 MB/s – 3178MB/s
- Mini IT8: 3454MB/s Learn – 2652MB/s write
The efficiency distinction is critical.
Wanting on the CPU profile, you might have an uplift of 53% and 74% for the max thread and single thread outcomes.
For 3DMark Time Spy, you might have a large 92% enhance within the whole rating and 96% for the GPU. The CPU distinction is much less spectacular however nonetheless important at 24%.
I haven’t examined it personally however trying on the efficiency of the Mini IT12 with the i7-1260P, the soar in efficiency isn’t as massive. The full result’s 1799, a 28% uplift, with 1593 for the GPU and 6818 for the CPU. The GPU result’s 27% larger, whereas the CPU rating is extra spectacular, with a 58% enchancment.
Storage speeds usually are not that a lot completely different, Crystal Disk reveals that learn speeds are virtually the identical, however write speeds are quicker. The outcomes are extra spectacular whenever you have a look at the random 4K learn/write outcomes.
The 3DMark Storage benchmarks point out a 17% enchancment.
Testing the USB4 ports with the Orico Montage MTQ-40G 40Gbps SSD, I achieved 3027MB/s learn and 1750MB/s write. The learn speeds work out quicker than the 20Gbps port needs to be able to. As compared, the IT8 is proscribed to 10Gbps which might restrict the speeds to round 1250 MB/s.
The IT8 can be restricted to Wi-Fi 5, which can sometimes see speeds round 500Mbps, whereas the Wi-Fi 6 on this could obtain round 850Mbps.
Changing my desktop work PC
In my unique Mini IT8 evaluation, I thought-about switching from an enormous desktop PC to a mini-PC. I by no means dedicated, however I used this evaluation as a chance to make a transfer. As an extra incentive to maneuver, my Zotac RTX 3080 died earlier within the 12 months, and I’ve been working an previous AMD RX580 since, so it isn’t like I’m taking part in many demanding video games.
My workplace work will not be essentially the most demanding. It’s principally simply MS Workplace, Spotify, and much too many Chrome tabs open. I can even dabble a bit with Adobe Lightroom.
Essentially the most demanding factor about my workplace set-up is the truth that I’ve three screens. Two of those are 4K screens, the opposite is the Samsung C49RG90 tremendous ultrawide monitor, which runs at 5120 x 1440.
I had some points getting the Samsung to show the proper decision. For some cause, the mini-DP port wouldn’t permit it to go to full decision (I believe it was the cable), and utilizing the Ugreen 9 in 1 USB-C docking station and the same difficulty. I believe it was restricted to 3840×1080.
Switching to HDMI and utilizing the devoted HDMI port on this then fastened the answer.
As I suspected that my mini-DP adapter wasn’t working correctly, I then used the Ugreen docking station to attach the opposite 2 screens, and these each show at 4K with no points.
I’ve used this method full-time for the previous week or so, and there may be little or no, if any, noticeable distinction in efficiency for my work in comparison with my massive desktop PC.
Fan noise vs desktop
The mini PC isn’t utterly fanless, and it may be audible at instances, however the overwhelming majority of the time, it’s successfully silent, definitely whenever you evaluate it to my desktop PC. I’m fairly delicate to noise, and I can’t stress how way more enjoyable it’s to have a quiet workplace.
The fan noise is high-pitched in comparison with my desktop PC, so its sound profile is arguably worse, however it’s so quiet as compared it doesn’t take a lot to drown it out.
I’d say that the one time I actually hear the fan noise is in the course of the preliminary boot-up.
There are different advantages right here, too, in case you plan to make use of this as an HTPC, it’s one other atmosphere the place you wish to minimise undesirable noise.
Energy Utilization & Operating Prices vs Desktop
As for energy utilization, utilizing my TP-Hyperlink Tapo P110 power monitoring sensible plug, I noticed it draw round 40W or beneath for its peak utilization more often than not. It sometimes jumps between 25W and 35W.
As compared, my desktop PC attracts round 150W beneath mild load, and I’ll have it on round 12 to 14 hours a day. My plug present that’s 1.8kWh to 2kWh per day, and as compared, the Mini IT11 is round 400Wh giving. So, say it saves me roughly 1.5kWh per day.
Within the UK, the electrical energy value cap is £0.30 kWh, in order that’s £0.45 per day.
Admittedly that’s an enormous distinction in working prices. Nonetheless, I’ll simply have the PC on a minimal of 300 days a 12 months, in order that’s £135 per 12 months in electrical energy based mostly on the present charges, and it’ll seemingly be dearer once more in the course of the winter.
Zwift
I’m a eager indoor bike owner and trip in Zwift so much. I at the moment use a laptop computer to run Zwift, however I’ve thought-about utilizing one in every of these mini PCs.
Zwift has configurable graphics settings, and it isn’t the kind of recreation I want all the pieces dialled as much as the max. It runs on my Huawei Matebook 14 with the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H completely effectively, and that has about the identical efficiency because the i5 8279U within the Mini IT8.
So the sport runs completely on the Mini IT11. Similar to the Mini IT8, it’s a good Zwift machine because of all of the ports, permitting me to have a correct keyboard, mouse and ANT dongle.
Kodi / Plex Consumer & Plex Server / Transcoding
I’ve solely achieved fundamental testing utilizing this as a Plex server and/or Plex shopper.
Based mostly on the 10470 Passmark rating, the i7-11390H ought to be capable to deal with round 5 1080P streams with out hardware-accelerated streaming. It falls brief of what’s required for 4K SDR, which wants 12000.
I’ve but to check the efficiency of {hardware} transcoding, however it’s supported and will be capable to do HEVC 10-bit and VP9 10-bit.
One Reddit thread discusses Quicksync utilizing the NUC 11 with a lower-spec Core i5-1135G7 with Iris XE Graphics.
Operating Plex server on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, they had been in a position to run six (6) 4K HEVC Transcodes, with Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Audio, transcoded all the way down to 1080p with out the CPU breaking a sweat, all Tone Mapping. All had been confirmed HW transcodes for each audio and video. Whole CPU utilization remained beneath 25% in the course of the checks.
Value and Various Choices
The GEEKOM Mini IT11 with the i7-11390H is accessible ranging from £499 (£869 RRP) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. I’d say it’s price paying £50 and getting the 32GB/1TB choice, they usually even have a 32GB/2TB mannequin £599.
The Mini IT12 with 16GB/512GB is accessible for £579. This has the i7-1260P but additionally has quicker PCIE4.0 storage, 2.5GbE, WiFi 6E and 2x 40Gbps USB4 ports. Personally, I believe the superior connectivity justifies the £80 value distinction.
If you happen to want one thing extra inexpensive, you may’t complain concerning the GEEKOM Mini IT8 with i5 8279U, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage for simply £300.
An Intel NUC 11 Professional with the Intel i5-1135G7 will set you again £700, or the Core i5-1240P mannequin is £870.
Total
In my final evaluation, the GEEKOM Mini IT8 gained me over with the concept of utilizing a mini PC to switch my full-sized desktop to work.
I lastly made that transfer with the GEEKOM Mini IT11, and I completely find it irresistible. It’s virtually silent, sips electrical energy, can run my three screens, and has greater than sufficient energy for my work and a few mild gaming. It has excellent connectivity choices with 20Gbps USB4, permitting me to attach high-quality docking stations and ultra-fast USB4 SSD storage.
Based mostly on my private utilization, which is having the PC for 12+ hours 7 days per week, and the present value of electrical energy, I’d cowl the price of shopping for this mini PC vs persevering with to make use of my desktop in 3.7 years.
As all the time, with mini-PCs, you even have a flexible vary of makes use of. They’re good for media PCs, and this might additionally make an excellent resolution for issues like Zwift or a dedication machine for different comparable area of interest purposes.
Because of the low energy utilization, they make good mini servers, too. I’ve thought-about utilizing this as a Plex server or for Blue Iris, or maybe to learn to use digital servers like Proxmox.
I’d have favored 40Gbps USB4, Wi-Fi 6E and a pair of.5GbE, and if these are necessary to you as effectively, the answer is to spend a bit extra on the Mini IT12. And, after utilizing the Mini IT11 full-time for the previous few weeks, I most likely would pay the additional for the IT12.
I’m a UK tech blogger and have been within the trade for over 10 years now, working Mighty Gadget and its sister websites and contributing to different websites across the net. I’m keen about all tech, together with cell, wearables, and residential automation. I’m additionally a health fanatic, so I cowl as a lot health tech as attainable.
