Beelink SEi11 mini PC Review: Cheaper than an Intel NUC 11 but just as fast

Unlike the Beelink GTI 11, the SEi11 is powered by an Intel Core H-series CPU instead of the Core U series. There is only one configuration available at the moment with the 11th gen Tiger Lake-H Core i5-11320H, 16 GB of RAM, and 500 GB NVMe SSD for approximately $450 USD. The SEi11 competes directly with the Intel NUC series such as the NUC11PAQ or NUC11TNK .

More Beelink reviews: The chassis is essentially the Intel version of the AMD-powered Beelink SER4 . Dimensions and build are almost exactly alike, but the SEi11 is approximately 50 grams lighter likely due to some minor internal changes. Visually, the unit lacks the red-colored mesh on the sides and the chrome-cut edges and corners present on the SER4.

Port options and positioning are identical to the SER4. Keep in mind that the USB-C port does not support DisplayPort or Power Delivery and so it is useful only for data or charging of external devices. We attempted to connect USB-C external monitors and USB-C power adapters, but none would work with the SEi11.

The unit ships with the relatively new MediaTek RZ608 for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5. 2 connectivity. Unfortunately, the module is not as reliable or as fast as the usual Intel AX solutions.

When paired to our 6 GHz network, transfer rates top out at only ~750 Mbps compared to almost twice that of an Intel AX201 or AX210. Furthermore, the system would have issues detecting our 6 GHz network in the first place. The bottom panel is secured by 4 Philips screws.

To actually remove it, however, we recommend attaching the VESA mounting bracket so it can be used as a handle to pull out the flat plate. Users have direct access to the M. 2 2280 SSD slot, 2.

5-inch SATA III bay, WLAN module, and 2x DDR4 SODIMM slots. The retail box includes 2x HDMI cables, AC adapter, paperwork, VESA mounting bracket, and extra screws. A one-year limited manufacturer warranty applies if purchased in the US.

In comparison, Intel NUC models typically come with a three-year warranty as standard. We set our unit to Performance mode via Windows prior to running any benchmarks below. There is no pre-installed control center-style application for adjusting processor performance.

The Core i5-11320H is an uncommon CPU as most other PCs powered by Tiger Lake-H CPUs typically utilize the Core i5-11300H instead. The i5-11320H performs essentially the same for all intents and purposes. It has slight clock rate differences on paper that have no impact in most applications based on our observations with the Beelink.

LatencyMon shows no DPC issues when opening multiple browser tabs on our homepage or when running Prime95 stress. Unfortunately, 4K playback at 60 FPS is imperfect with 31 dropped frames during our minute-long video test. The SEi11 Pro ships with the same Kingston NV1 SBVS500GCN M.

2 SSD as found on the GTR5 . This is a midrange PCIe3 x4 drive with sequential read rates of around 2300 MB/s compared to >3000 MB/s on a Samsung PM981a. Integrated graphics performance is where we expect it to be relative to other PCs with the same Iris Xe 96 EUs GPU.

Be sure to configure the SEi11 with dual-channel RAM or else graphics performance can drop by as much as 30 to 40 percent. The fan in the unit is always active no matter the onscreen load or activity. It’s thankfully relatively quiet at just 24.

7 dB(A) against a background of 22. 8 dB(A), but users expecting a completely silent mini PC will not find that here. Overall fan noise is still quieter than on many other mini PCs when running more demanding loads.

When web browsing or video streaming, for example, fan noise tends to hover between 25 and 28 dB(A) compared to over 30 dB(A) on the GTR5 or Intel NUC11. The fan tops out at just under 38 dB(A) when the CPU is at 100 percent utilization for long periods which is again noticeably quieter than many alternatives. Cool air is pulled through the top surface of the unit while exhaust exits from the rear as shown by our temperature maps below.

Items such as books and papers should not be placed on top as a result. Note that the AC adapter can become noticeably warmer than most other AC adapters that ship with laptops. Clock rates and board power draw would spike to 2.

9 GHz and 35 W, respectively, when initiating Prime95 stress. The system is able to maintain these values indefinitely albeit at a relatively high core temperature of 90 C. 35 W is the upper TDP range for the Core i5-11320H and so the SEi11 is utilizing the processor close to its maximum potential.

GPU clock rates and temperature when running Witcher 3 are relatively stable at 1350 MHz and 83 C, respectively. Running this same test on the Intel NUC11 with the Core i5-1135G7 would result in a much cooler core temperature of 58 C in comparison. The system is more demanding than mini PCs running on 11th gen Core U-series CPUs like the GTI 11 or Intel NUC11.

If you value raw CPU multi-thread performance, however, then the SER4 may be the better option as it offers faster multi-thread performance while consuming over 30 percent less power than our SEi11. We’re able to record a maximum draw of 59 W from the relatively small (~10 x 4. 3 x 4.

8 cm) 57 W (19 V, 3 A) AC adapter when running Prime95. Beelink’s portfolio of mini PCs is home to a handful of “Intel NUC killers” that can offer most of the same features but for hundreds of dollars less. The SEi11 is yet another success story for the company due in large part to the Core i5-11320H which we’ve shown to be comparable to the Core i7-1165G7 as found on NUC models costing almost twice as much .

In short, users won’t need to settle for slower Core i3, Ryzen 3, Celeron, or Atom-level performance just because the NUC alternative is so much more affordable. The accessible RAM, dual storage solution, and wide selection of ports should satisfy most HTPC purposes or small home office setups. The Beelink SEi11 performs almost exactly the same as an Intel NUC11 with the Core i7-1165G7 while retailing for significantly less.

There are a few cut corners to be wary of. Thunderbolt and DisplayPort in particular are not supported while WLAN is weaker than expected. The standard warranty is also shorter than the 36-month warranty of an Intel NUC.

Fan noise is generally quieter than most other mini PCs albeit at the cost of warmer core temperatures. Otherwise, this is as close to an Intel NUC experience you can get without paying those NUC prices. Amazon has the Beelink SEi11 in stock complete with Windows 11 Pro, 500 GB SSD, and 16 GB of RAM for $479 USD or $419 USD after applying the coupon code as of this writing.

Alternatively, users can purchase directly from the manufacturer for $429. .