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Beelink SER9 Mini PC Review: Still a Top Choice?The Beelink SER9 mini PC, featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 H255 CPU and Radeon 780M graphics, offers quiet operation and a metal chassis. While it fixes the wireless issues of its predecessor, the SER8, it introduces soldered memory, higher idle power draw, and pre-installed apps. Benchmarks show performance similar to or slightly below previous models. The Pro version offers faster memory and built-in audio features, but may not provide a significant performance boost.
1. 🔄 Introduction to Beelink SER9 and SER9 Pro Mini PCs
- ✅ Beelink SER9 and SER9 Pro are new mini PCs featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 H255 CPU.
- ✅ The H255 CPU has 8 Zen 4 cores and 16 threads, with Radeon 780M graphics.
- ⚠️ The naming scheme is reused from previous models.
00:00 - 00:30
1. 🔄 Introduction to Beelink SER9 and SER9 Pro Mini PCs
- ✅ Beelink SER9 and SER9 Pro are new mini PCs featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 H255 CPU.
- ✅ The H255 CPU has 8 Zen 4 cores and 16 threads, with Radeon 780M graphics.
- ⚠️ The naming scheme is reused from previous models.
00:31 - 01:16
2. 🆚 Key Differences Between SER9 and SER9 Pro
- ✅ SER9 Pro has faster memory speed.
- ✅ SER9 Pro includes an in-built microphone and speakers.
- ✅ Both models share a similar metal chassis, improving build quality over previous Beelink designs.
01:17 - 02:14
3. 💰 Pricing and Included Accessories
- ✅ The Beelink SER9 costs $479 for the 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD model on Amazon.
- ✅ The Pro version is an additional $40 USD.
- ⚠️ The review unit didn't include the Mate SE dock, which adds more storage slots and ports.
- ✅ Included accessories: 19V 120W power brick and HDMI cable.
02:15 - 03:05
4. 🔌 Port Overview and Connectivity
- ✅ Front: Power button, clear CMOS button, 3.5mm audio jack, and two 10GB data-only USB ports.
- ✅ Wireless: Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth.
- ✅ Back: Three USB Type-A ports (one 10GB, two USB 2), Realtek 2.5GB LAN jack, DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 4K 240Hz), HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K 240Hz), 3.5mm audio jack, and USB 4 (40GB, supports power and display).
03:06 - 04:11
5. 🛠️ Internal Components and Upgrade Options
- ✅ Two M.2 Gen 4x4 NVMe slots with thermal pads.
- ⚠️ Soldered LPDDR5X RAM (not SODIMM slots).
- ❌ The Ryzen H255 does not support speeds higher than 5600 mega transfers for DDR5.
04:12 - 05:00
6. ⚙️ Operating System and Software
- ✅ Comes with Windows 11 Pro (no malware or root kits found).
- ⚠️ Includes pre-installed apps (junkware).
- ✅ Linux (latest version of Ubuntu) works fine.
05:01 - 06:57
7. 📊 Benchmark Results: CPU, GPU, and AI Performance
- ✅ Single-core Cinebench: Performs as expected, similar to other H255 mini PCs.
- ✅ Multi-core Cinebench: Minis Forum slightly beats it at default, SER9 doesn't gain much in performance mode.
- ✅ Geekbench: SER9 close to Minis Forum.
- ✅ AI GPU benchmark: SER9 beats the Minis Forum due to faster memory.
- ✅ 3D MarkX Fire Strike GPU: Surate and Minis Forum perform better.
06:58 - 08:21
8. 🎮 Gaming Performance and eGPU Option
- ✅ Radeon 780M is a great iGPU for esports titles.
- ⚠️ AAA games will run decently, but newer games may struggle.
- ✅ Great as an emulation box for PS3 and Wii U games.
- ✅ Option to connect an eGPU via the USB 4 port (tested with RTX 4070 Super).
08:22 - 08:56
9. 💻 Coding, Photo Editing, and Video Editing Performance
- ✅ Code compilation: Beaten by i9 13900HK (Intel chip used more power).
- ✅ Adobe Photoshop: Better than Minis Forum, but not by much.
- ✅ Adobe Premiere: SER9 has a clear victory.
08:57 - 10:39
10. 💾 Storage, Wireless, Bluetooth, Power, and Thermal Performance
- ⚠️ SSD performance is below average overall.
- ✅ Large SSD heat sink keeps the drive cool.
- ✅ Wireless range is fixed compared to the SER8.
- ⚠️ Bluetooth range is better than the SER8 but still not amazing.
- ⚠️ Idle power draw has increased.
- ✅ Maximum power draw depends on the power limit set in the BIOS.
- ⚠️ Temps are not as good as the SER8.
- ✅ Low fan noise.
10:40 - 11:26
11. 📏 Size Comparison and Mini PC Trends
- ✅ The S9 matches the SER8 in volume (around 0.8 liters).
- ✅ Mini PCs are trending upwards in size, moving away from the compact Intel NUC design.
11:27 - 12:38
12. ⚙️ BIOS Settings and Customization
- ✅ Access BIOS by mashing the delete key.
- ✅ Advanced AMD CBS UMC common options: RAM settings.
- ⚠️ Memory speed increase to 7,000 mega transfers caused Windows to crash.
- ✅ NBIO common options: VRAM limit (4GB default).
- ✅ SMU: Set the power limit (54W default, 65W maximum).
- ✅ Set TJ Maxx (90C default).
- ✅ Advanced hardware monitor: Fan settings.
12:39 - 13:47
13. 🤔 Final Verdict and Recommendations
- ✅ The Beelink S9 is still a very good mini PC with a nice metal case and low noise levels.
- ✅ Wireless issue is fixed.
- ⚠️ High idle power draw needs improvement.
- ⚠️ Soldered memory allows faster speeds but no replacement or upgradability.
- ⚠️ Bluetooth range could still be better.
- ⚠️ Large power brick is an eyesore.
- ❌ Ditching SODIMM RAM slots was a mistake.
- ❌ Faster RAM speed didn't show significant improvement.
- ❌ Adhesive feet are annoying.
- ❌ The Pro version is not worth the extra $40 unless you need the microphone, speakers, or faster RAM.
13:48 - 14:14
14. 🤝 Support the Channel and Check Out Other Reviews
- ✅ Use the affiliate links in the video description to support the channel.
- ✅ Check out the review of the Beelink S (Ryzen HX370 model) for a more powerful mini PC.