Plex Server: Beelink EQ14 N150 / 16GB DDR4 / 512GB m2 for $169

[Ducman69]

Just ordered a Beelink EQ14 N150 / 16GB / 512GB for $169

https://slickdeals.net/f/17947800-b...0-16g-ddr4-500g-ssd-4k-60hz-dual-hdmi-169?v=1 (says deal is dead, but its showing in stock again for me)

I'm not an expert on these systems, but this seems like a great Plex server.

N150 is a slightly upgraded N100, so super low idle power draw, with Quick Sync and a PL1 6W and boost PL2 25W to avoid hiccups: https://www.reddit.com/r/BeelinkOff...ormance_of_intel_twin_lake_n150_at_different/

People are saying no malware, can add a second m.2 if needed, and I already have a DAS to attach to it. For $170 for a turnkey tiny solution w/ legit W11 license, seems like a good deal, and would save me some money over my ancient always-on Plex server fullsize tower.

I'm even considering ordering a couple more at this price to velcro onto the back of a couple TVs in the house instead of Firesticks, just having them go to sleep and just turn off require signin from sleep. Thoughts?

 

[kirbyrj]

I have the EQ12. Solid little machine.

My only beef with the EQ14 and the EQ13 before that is that they are downgrades of sorts from the EQ12. EQ12 has dual 2.5Gb LAN where the others are only 1Gb. EQ12 has DDR5 where the others are DDR4 (arguably makes the iGPU run faster with more bandwidth). Overall, I can't complain as it's been a solid machine though. I just don't like the new models being downgrades over the existing one.

 

[Ducman69]

I have the EQ12. Solid little machine.

My only beef with the EQ14 and the EQ13 before that is that they are downgrades of sorts from the EQ12. EQ12 has dual 2.5Gb LAN where the others are only 1Gb. EQ12 has DDR5 where the others are DDR4 (arguably makes the iGPU run faster with more bandwidth). Overall, I can't complain as it's been a solid machine though. I just don't like the new models being downgrades over the existing one.

They still sell the EQ12, and I think the better way to look at their lineup is like Glocks. The Glock 17 predates the Glock 42 by a significant margin, but the 42 isn't more powerful than the 17, just different.

The EQ12 is sold for $210 presently in this spec: "Beelink Mini PC, EQ12 Intel 12th Gen N100(up to 3.4GHz) 4C/4T, Mini Computer 16GB DDR5 RAM 500GB SSD, Desktop PC Triple Display USB-C&Dual HDMI 4K 60Hz/Dual 2.5Gbps/WiFi6/BT5.2/W-11 Pro"

The EQ14 swaps the N100 for N150, DDR5 for DDR4, and 2.Ggbps for gigabit and saves you close to $30. For my use case as Plex server I'm thinking it'll be a good fit to save money both on the cost of actually upgrading my current old rig which would have been more and in electricity. I'm guessing since its just one stick that the power efficiency difference between the ddr4 and ddr5 isn't huge. *crossing fingers*

Upon further research though, I'm thinking their AMD offerings would be better clients with HDMI 2.1 though, while the N150 is good as a server for quicksync and power draw. This spec looked interesting: Beelink SER6 Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX(8C/16T, Up to 4.9GHz), Mini Computer 16G DDR5 RAM 500G NVMe PCIE4.0 SSD, Mini Desktop Computer 4K@144Hz Triple Display HDMI2.1/DP/WiFi6/BT5.2/2.5Gbps LAN at $380 seems to be competitive pricing.

 

[kirbyrj]

Beelink's naming seems to go more with the generation of CPU and kind. They have a EQR6 (Ryzen 6000 series), EQi12 (Intel 12th gen), EQR5 (Ryzen 5000 series), and then these two. I think the 12 is from originally it was released with the 12th gen CPUs.

I had an older version of that one also (Ser5 series) with a 5800H. That one was a little stranger in that the CPU fan would ramp up and down a lot more than I thought it should. Could have just been a software configuration. $380 is a pretty good price. You might be able to get barebone versions for cheaper if you have RAM/SSDs sitting around.

For Plex server use, I agree the low power Intel with QS is the way to go. But if you're using it as a client and not a server, the Ser6 is definitely a better all-arounder. The 680M iGPU is pretty good for that price point. Overall, all the Beelink devices I bought are still up and running. Not a lot of bios updates once they launch, but I guess you can't have everything .