Beelink has long been creating mini hosts, and those familiar with them might recall their "palm-sized volume, decent performance." Recently, Beelink has expanded its innovations with the EX graphics card docking station, allowing mini hosts to seamlessly connect to external GPUs. This exciting development opens up new possibilities.
A while back, we received a machine from Beelink and paired it with a spare 4060 Ti graphics card. Once set up on a clean desktop, the configuration appeared refreshing and visually appealing. The first impression, especially with the graphics card exposed and the fan turning upon startup, is quite impressive.
The setup inevitably attracts curiosity from coworkers, leading to questions about the differences compared to an ITX mainframe. The modules are easily disassembled, portable, and have lower maintenance costs. Naturally, the next question typically involves the price. The Beelink GTi14 Ultra (32GB RAM+1TB SSD) is priced at $755 as a standalone mini console, with the EX graphics docking station available for an additional $85.
Such pricing may lead to contemplation, especially compared to Beelink's more budget-friendly prior models like the SER6 Pro, GTR7, and SER8 mini consoles. The GTi14 Ultra signifies a notable price increase, and when factoring in the additional graphics card cost, its total isn't significantly lower than that of a full desktop setup. This context explains any customer skepticism.
As a flagship, the GT series comes loaded with a host of additional features, justifying the price with enhanced configurations.
Retaining its sleek, new mold reminiscent of Apple's Mac Mini, the GTi14 Ultra features a CNC-integrated metal casing, offering a premium feel and workmanship. However, the front panel is somewhat cluttered with ports, especially the USB-A, which impacts elegance.
Despite this, the design remains compact. The GTi14 Ultra is abundantly equipped with ports, including a rear graphics slot, totaling 16 ports—the most in any Beelink model.
Additionally, all five USB-A ports have been upgraded to USB 3.2 (10Gbps), alongside enhancements including Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), and an SD card slot.
This upgrade facilitates faster large file transfers and improved device compatibility, effectively meeting most needs of a mini host.
A standout amendment is the integration of built-in fingerprint recognition, enabling one-touch boot and unlock features. While you might think this is standard fare—it isn't always present in high-priced devices, such as $2000 gaming laptops. Hopefully, Beelink can make this feature a standard in future releases. Upon removing the back cover and dustproof mesh, you'll find dual speakers and a noise-reducing pickup chip for voice interactions with the mini host.
The GTi14 Ultra uses the Intel Ultra 9 185H processor; upon conducting a CPU single-bake test for nearly 20 minutes, it was observed that its performance delivery is quite conservative with a default TDP of 54W. This results in minimal heat causing downclocking, maintaining the prior cooling performance advantages.
Noise levels during the CPU test were so low the built-in fan was nearly inaudible. Given that full CPU usage isn't typical in daily operations, actual noise levels are expected to be even lower.
In benchmark tests such as CinebenchR23, the GTi14 Ultra scored 1858 in single-core and 15620 in multi-core tests. While there's minor performance improvement compared to earlier models like the GTR7 7840HS or the GTi12 Ultra 12900H, the difference isn't dramatic.
The EX graphics card docking station reveals interesting aspects, as users report negligible performance loss when connecting via the PCIe x8 connector, unlike typical Thunderbolt 4 or Oculink counterparts.
The EX Docking Station incorporates a 600W power supply sufficient for graphics cards up to RTX 4080 without power loss. Testing with an RTX 4060 Ti card yielded a 3D Mark Time Spy score of 12742, closely mirroring our testbed result of 13044, highlighting the docking station's efficiency.
Left: Docking station graphics scores, Right: Testbed graphics scores
In past tests, Beelink mini consoles with integrated graphics could only handle AAA titles at low settings. However, with the docking station's support, the GTi14 Ultra's gaming performance vastly improves. Testing Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with DLSS3 balanced settings yielded an average of 65.6 fps, supporting smooth high-quality gaming.
Similarly, Black Myth: Wukong maintained an average of 69 fps at 4K Medium Quality DLSS Performance Gear settings, proving that great performance isn't limited to core displays.
The typical user might employ this machine at the office by day and home gaming by night. Addressing prior criticisms regarding network instability, the graphics docking station includes an external antenna port, which, when paired with a wireless card, enhances connectivity.
Thus, the external graphics card docking station is an excellent solution for significantly boosting mini console performance without much effort. It accommodates AAA gaming and productivity tasks while conserving space.
To summarize, the GTi14 Ultra features upgraded interfaces, a modest performance bump, and EX Docking Station compatibility for enhanced versatility. Despite the price hike, considering the functionalities, it's wise to opt for the GTi12 12900H, offering value for those seeking cost-efficient performance boosts with EX Docking Station compatibility—or for users wanting balance across price, performance, and graphics support.
Lastly, while the graphics card docking station requires its own power source, and the mini console must also connect to a separate power supply (both independently powered), aesthetics might lack the seamless elegance of singular mini-console setups. Here's hoping Beelink will refine the design for user-friendliness and unified functionality.
