Beelink SER 3200U, review: new mini PC with AMD Ryzen 3 3200U

Beelink SER 3200U is the new mini PC of the Beelink brand that today we present in this review. A computer with a very small size intended for desktop, multimedia and office use.

This small computer integrates the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor that has a Vega 3 GPU with variants of 8/16 GB of DDR4 RAM in two SODIMM, a 500 GB M.2 NVMe drive and space for an internal 2.5″ drive. This computer also allows us to connect two monitors at the same time to control multiple applications or for digital signage. The Beelink SER 3200U comes with Windows 11 Pro operating system installed by default.

We put this PC to the test to see how it performs and how it fares against its sector rivals.

Beelink SER 3200U details

Unboxing

The new Beelink SER 3200U mini PC comes in a fairly simple but well protected cardboard box. Inside we find the small protected computer with its contents, manual, 2x HDMI cable, VESA bracket and 19V 3A charger (57 W).

Description

As we see the Beelink SER 3200U has a metal case and vents around its perimeter and the upper area, identical to its more powerful version Beelink SER4 4800U. An improvement of the box in this range that is appreciated to have lower temperatures.

We have on the front power button, BIOS reset, audio jack in / out, USB-C data (NOT for power) and a USB 3.0 Type-A port. In the rear area we find two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, 2 HDMI 2.0, a Gigabit Ethernet and for power supply we have a round DC port.

Mounted on this PC we find the Wifi 5 + Bluetooth 4.2 (Intel AC 3165) adapter with two internal antennas and two Gigabit Ethernet ports (Realtek). We also have installed an SSD M.2 500 GB 2280 NVMe Kingston SSD and for RAM we have two slots SODIMM DDR4 2400 MHz. We also have a housing for a 2.5″ SATA storage drive that we can fix on the top cover.

• RAM: 8/16 GB DDR4 Crucial 2400MHz max / 2x SODIMM slots.
• Storage: 500 GB 1x M.2 2280 NVMe Kingston / 1x M.2 2280 SATA / 1x SATA 3 2.5″.
• Network: Wifi ac + BT 4.2 (Intel AC 3165) / 1x Gigabit Ethernet (Realtek).

System and performace

Environment and user experience

We start the Beelink SER 3200U by pressing the front power button and the small blue front LED lights up. We have Windows 11 Pro activated, with its drivers installed correctly ready to work and we only have to run Windows Update to keep it up to date. The system moves well Windows and boots fast despite the humble Ryzen 3, it is possible to load a good number of tabs browsing without dropping performance. A valid computer for office, multimedia and to work with apps without much content load.

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

Networks, Storage, RAM and Ports

This computer terms of network connectivity, the Beelink SER 3200U PC has a Wifi ac + BT 4.2 (M.2 2230 Intel AC 3165) and one Ethernet Gigabit port (Realtek). The speed results are quite good and we have a correct range.

• Network performance: Two internal Wifi antennas / Range 40 dBm / Link 5G 780 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

We passed several storage speed tests of the 500 GB M.2 NVMe Kingston disk installed and we observed that it behaves normally according to the specifications. For the performance tests we have 16 GB of Crucial DDR4 2400 MHz RAM with Single Channel configuration, if we are going to play we recommend using Dual Channel.

• USB ports: USB 3.2 Type-C (data + video, NOT power) / 4x USB 3.0.
• PC Tutorials:  Install Windows 10 / Migrate Windows to a SSD / Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks

Processor, performance and thermal

This Beelink SER 3200U computer has the simple AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor manufactured in 12nm. A chip with two Zen+ cores and four threads that moves between 2.6 and 3.5 GHz and in the graphics section has a Vega 3 GPU up to 1200 MHz. This chip has a staggered consumption of 12/15/25 W TDP and the results are quite good although the performance of the GPU limited by the speed of the RAM and the destined electrical power. A PC that works perfectly for editing applications with light loads, multimedia playback with KODI or IPTV, office use and simple 3D games.

• Performance modes: Not available.

As we can see in the performance tests of the new Beelink SER 3200U is quite good in computing power compared to other chips of similar range and we can use demanding programs quite smoothly. The installed Vega 3 GPU as we can see if it is more limited even if we increase the power consumption limit in the BIOS and Windows (power plan > high performance), with RAM only up to 2400 MHz does what it can. This chip is a little above the most powerful Intel Celeron, as we can see in the comparison.

This mini PC as we found offers good thermal performance the system keeps temperatures controlled with its variable RPM fan and emits very little noise, at rest it is almost inaudible and in games it is audible but not outrageous. This APU with its 12 nm is efficient and has a fairly low power consumption.

• Power consumption: Off 0.9W / Idle 8W / Basic use 24W / Maximum 48W.
• Thermal: Idle 40ºC / Basic use 46ºC / Maximum 73ºC / CPU 3.5 GHz max / Performance up to 100%.
• Gaming performance: LoL 67ºC / CPU 3 GHz on average.
• Noise: 43dBA Max / Variable RPM / NO Semi-passive.
• Fans: YES can be adjusted in BIOS.

Games

We performed several performance tests running games on the Beelink SER 3200U, the results as we can see are in line with this type of GPU integrated into the Ryzen. The Vega 3 GPU is suitable for games in 720/1080p quality in simple games in terms of 3D loading. As for emulators at most we are left with some simple Wii, PS2, Dreamcast and similar titles. If we are going to play games, Dual Channel RAM is a MUST.

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

We can play games like LoL, in more demanding games like Fornite with the graphics settings in performance mode is playable because it reaches 54 fps in low quality. If we are mainly interested in the Gaming section is better to go for a PC with a discrete GPU where we will have a much smoother experience.

• BIOS setting to improve performance: Not available.

Video and audio tests

Playback test

We test the video playback side using the mini PC Beelink SER 3200U, has an integrated Vega 3 GPU which features a VPU with hardware support for HEVC and VP9 codecs and we do not have support for the modern AV1 video codec. In this processor has support for 10bit color and native HDR support by default. This PC is perfectly valid as a multimedia system to use KODI, IPTV or to use it with PLEX app.

• Video outputs: 2x HDMI 2.0 / 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 performed tests on the Beelink SER 3200U micro PC with the most popular streaming services we pass some test for 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 SER 3200U

Score

Opinion

Once we have tested the Beelink SER 3200U mini PC it is possible to assure that it is a mini PC suitable for office and multimedia. This small computer offers us a simple AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor with a Vega 3 GPU that defends itself quite well, has two 4K video outputs and Gigabit Ethernet port for transferring large files. In addition this small computer we can hang it from its VESA bracket or put it anywhere on our desk discreetly.

The Beelink SER 3200U also has multiple expansion options, with a Kingston M.2 2280 NVMe 500GB SSD, the option to mount a SATA 3 2.5″ drive and two SODIMM slots that allow for easy RAM expansion, although they only go up to 2400 MHz. It integrates a cooling system that works quietly with a fan that controls temperatures without problem, it is not excessively annoying or audible.

After testing the Beelink SER 3200U we can say that this is an economical and efficient mini PC for desktop use. This computer is sufficient for personal use if we do not want to run heavy apps or games.

Where to buy

Beelink SER 3200U

0.00

7.5

Hardware

7.5/10

Connectivity

7.0/10

Thermals

7.5/10

Support

7.5/10

Price

8.0/10

Pros

• Small
• Nice design
• Expandable
• Good thermals and noise
• Cheap

Cons

• RAM only 2400MHz