Beelink SEi12 Pro, review: new mini PC with Intel Core i5-1240P

Beelink SEi12 Pro is a new mini PC from Beelink that we are going to see today in our analysis or review. An Intel Gen12 processor computer with a very compact size.

This small computer integrates the new Intel Core i5-1240P processor manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7) that includes the new Alder Lake architecture, with high and low performance cores in the same package. In terms of graphics power we have an Intel Xe GPU superior to the classic Intel HD Graphics.

This computer can be configured with 16/32 GB of DDR5 RAM, 500 GB / 1 TB M.2 NVMe drive and a space for a 2.5″ SATA hard drive. By default it has the Windows 11 Pro operating system and offers us a hardware set with which it is possible to run any design app or others with high performance. This new computer also offers us a USB-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4) port with high performance up to 40 Gbps.

We will now perform our classic batch of tests to see how this device behaves in our detailed analysis.

Beelink SEi12 Pro i5 details

Unboxing

This small PC Beelink SEi12 Pro comes in a nice and well protected cardboard box. Inside we find the small protected computer with its contents, manual, 2x HDMI cable, VESA bracket and 19V 6.32A charger (120 W).

Description

The Beelink SEi12 Pro mini PC offers an attractive design with a compact case with vents on the sides, plus on the top we have a waterproof fabric top cover. In this new case we now also find two fans, one on the CPU in blower format and another in the lower area to cool RAM/NVMe.

On the front we find the power button, BIOS reset, audio in/out jack, USB-C Thunderbolt 4 (NO power) and two USB 3.0 Type-A ports. In the rear area we find two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, 2 HDMI 2.1, a Gigabit Ethernet and for power supply we have an additional round DC port (do not use the front USB-C).

This mini PC has one M.2 slot and we find the Wifi 6 + Bluetooth 5.2 (Intel AX201) adapter with two internal antennas and one 2.5GB Ethernet port (Intel I225-V). We also have installed a SSD M.2 500GB 2280 NVMe Kingston SSD and for RAM we have two slots SODIMM DDR5 4800 MHz Crucial. We also have a housing for a 2.5″ SATA storage drive in the lower top cover.

• RAM: 16/32 GB DDR5 Crucial 4800MHz max / 2x SODIMM.
• Storage: 500 GB 1x M.2 2280 NVMe Kingston / 1x SATA 3 2.5″.
• Network: Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 (Intel AX201) / 1x 2.5GB Ethernet (Intel I225-V).

System and performance

Environment and user experience

We start the Beelink SEi12 Pro mini PC by pressing the front power button, when booting the small white LED inside the red button lights up. As we can see we have Windows 11 Pro activated, we find all the drivers installed correctly ready to work and we only have to run Windows Update so that it is in optimal state for testing. This mini PC as we can see moves very smoothly thanks to its components. An ideal computer for office, multimedia, casual gaming and apps of all kinds, besides being able to navigate with a large number of tabs.

• OS Version installed: Windows 11 Pro 64bit / Linux optional.
• Software pre-installed: None.
• Tutorials: Control the micro PC with your Smartphone / Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to SSD

Networks, Storage, RAM and Ports

In the network connectivity section this mini PC has a Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 wireless adapter (Intel AX201) and one Ethernet 2.5GB port (Intel I225-V). The speed results are quite good and we have a correct range.

• Network performance: Two internal Wifi antennas / Range 40 dBm / Link 5G 1200 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

We passed speed tests on the storage of the Intel M.2 500GB NVMe Kingston disk and observed that it behaves normally according to the specifications. For the performance tests we have 16 GB of DDR5 4800 MHz Crucial RAM with Dual Channel configuration. The front USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port that reaches up to 40 Gbps, this allows us to connect an external GPU if we want to boost the gaming aspect.

• USB ports: USB 4 Type-C (data+video, NOT power) / 3x USB 3.0 / 1x USB 2.0.

Processor, performance and thermal

The Beelink SEi12 Pro mini PC features the efficient Intel Core i5-1240P processor manufactured in 10 nm (Intel 7). A chip with twelve Alder Lake cores, four high efficiency, eight low power consumption and management capacity of sixteen threads, the speed is between 3.3 and 4.4GHz. In the graphics section we have an Intel Xe GPU with 80 EU that reaches up to 1300 MHz. This chip has a staggered TPD of 20/64 W TDP, thanks to its different cores it always offers the minimum consumption.

This mini PC can work without problems for heavy editing applications such as Photoshop, multimedia playback with KODI or IPTV up to 4K, office use and 3D games up to a certain level.

We check in the performance tests that the mini PC Beelink SEi12 Pro is quite good in power in single core and multi core, we can use demanding programs quite smoothly without major problems. The installed Intel Xe GPU gives us a good performance similar to its AMD rival in the Ryzen processor family, in Windows it is advisable to adjust the power system correctly with: Power plan > high performance.

This compact PC as we can see gives us a good performance respect his thermals, the system keeps the temperatures controlled with its fans with variable RPM and emits very little noise, at rest it is almost inaudible and in games it is quite audible but not outrageous at all. This processor with its 10 nm (Intel 7) is efficient and has a fairly low power consumption in all scenarios.

• Power consumption: Off 0.9W / Idle 10W / Basic use 28W / Maximum 89W.
• Thermal: Idle 40ºC / Basic use 46ºC / Maximum 75ºC / CPU 4.4 GHz max / Performance up to 100%.
• Gaming performance: LoL 69ºC / CPU 3.2 GHz on average.
• Noise: 44dBA Max / Variable RPM / NO Semi-passive.
• Fans: YES can be adjusted in BIOS.

Games

We ran multiple performance tests by running games on the Beelink SEi12 Pro. The results of the Intel Core i5-1240P processor as we can see are in line with the integrated Vega GPUs that we have in the Ryzen. The integrated Intel Xe GPU with 80 EU can serve us for games in 1080p quality if they are not very demanding as the system falls somewhat short in games with a lot of 3D load. In terms of emulators, we are limited to a few simple Wii, PS2, Dreamcast and similar titles.

• Setting: High quality / 1080p resolution / No VSync / Play emulators with RetoArch.
  * On models with integrated Intel HD GPU on low and 720p resolution.

On this small PC it is possible to play games without problems titles such as LoL, in more demanding games like Fornite with the graphics settings in performance mode is playable because it reaches 68 fps in low quality and in DX11 mode we can reach 49 fps. If we are mainly interested in the Gaming section is better to go for a PC with a dedicated GPU where we will have a much smoother experience.

Video and audio tests

Playback test

As we can see in terms of video playback the Beelink SEi12 Pro mini PC has an integrated Intel Xe GPU which features a VPU with hardware support for HEVC and VP9 codecs and we have support for the modern AV1 video codec. In this processor has support for 10bit color and native HDR support by default and resolution up to 8K. This PC is perfectly valid as a multimedia system to use KODI, IPTV or to use it with PLEX app as a server.

• Video outputs: 2x HDMI 2.1 / 1x USB-C / HDR10 / Adjust image quality in our monitor.
• Audio outputs: HDMI up to 7.1 / Stereo audio jack.
• Tutorials: 4K videos with HEVC, VP9 / Install KODI with add-ons / Auto refresh rate / Multichannel audio on Windows

Video test

• * The maximum bit rate depends on the internal storage, usb port, Ethernet adapter with our SAMBA Network.
• SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have some frameskip in very heavy files.

• Native – Supports the format directly in our AV receiver or similar / More info.
• Core – Only the 5.1 core of the format is played so we go to the Dolby or DTS base system / More info.
• PCM – Only stereo downmixing from DD or DTS.

Streaming services

We passed several tests on the Beelink SEi12 Pro using the most popular streaming services such as Youtube, Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and others with their native apps or using the most compatible browser. You can consult our guides where we explain in detail all the best known streaming services, how to configure them and what requirements are necessary to see content in FullHD or 4K quality.

• Performance: Has hardware acceleration for VP9 4K codec on Youtube.
• Tutorial: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC for PC

Conclusions and buy links for Beelink SEi12 Pro i5

Score

Opinion

After performing our tests on the Beelink SEi12 Pro mini PC we can see that this is a powerful mini PC for desktop use and light gaming. This computer has the new Alder Lake Intel Core i5-1240P processor manufactured at 10 nm (Intel 7) with really low power consumption, has an Intel Xe GPU of 80 EU that allows you to play simple titles, but is not intended for games with high load in 3D. We also have three 4K video outputs and VESA support to hang it anywhere.

This mini PC Beelink SEi12 Pro has a high performance, allows us to run tasks with demanding apps in calculations. Inside the box we have a Kingston M.2 2280 NVMe 500GB SSD, it is also possible to mount a SATA 3 2.5″ disk and we have two SODIMM DDR5 4800 MHz slots that allow easy expansion and gives high performance.

We also have USB-C Thunderbolt 4 with 40 Gbps bandwidth that allows connecting an external GPU. In the networking section we have a Wifi 6 + BT 5.2 adapter with very good performance, plus Ethernet 2.5GB. The cooling system mounts two fans that we will only hear running games or launching demanding calculations with heavy apps, in the upper area we have a waterproof fabric that allows the passage of air and gives it an attractive touch.

Once we have tested the Beelink SEi12 Pro we can say that we are facing a powerful and efficient mini PC. This computer can be used adequately for desktop use, office or games by adjusting the 3D.

Where to buy

Beelink SEi12 Pro

0.00

8

Performance

8.5/10

Thermals

8.5/10

GPU

7.5/10

Design

8.5/10

Price

7.0/10

Pros

• Efficient with 12 cores
• Compact
• Silent
• USB Thunderbolt 4
• GPU Intel Xe

Cons

• Still a little expensive