Overview
The Beelink EQ14 is a new low-cost mini PC that follows Beelink’s past line of low power, efficient machines such as the EQ12 and EQ13. Refreshed with Intel’s new Twin Lake N150 CPU, it delivers a slight 200mhz performance boost over its predecessor, the N100 that was released in 2023.
For those unfamiliar, the N-class of Intel CPU’s are highly efficient modern cpus that are meant to optimize for power consumption. These cpu’s have 4 efficiency cores, 0 performance cores. Their performance is roughly equivalent to an older i5-6500t, but are far more efficient (6w TDP and 7nm lithography process vs the 10nm lithography process of the N100). Most importantly though, the igpu’s using Intel UHD graphics support hardware decode of modern codecs such as HEVC/h.265, VP9, and even AV1.
Specs
| CPU | Intel Twin Lake N150 (4 core, 2.9/3.6ghz boost) |
| RAM | 32gb DDR4, single channel, unbranded |
| SSD | 512gb, generic PCIE 3.0 NVME SSD |
| Networking | Dual 1Gbps ethernet, Realtek |
| Ports and connectivity | Wi-fi 6 AX101, (3) USB 3.2, (1) USB 2.0, (1) USB-C, (2) HDMI, (1) 3.5mm audio port |
So, what’s different vs. the last EQ13 model? Slightly faster N150 vs N100 cpu, dual ethernet ports, and now the power supply is built into the miniPC itself rather than as a separate power brick.
Benchmarks
Geekbench 6 results
Cinebench R23: 680 single / 1704 multi
Jetstream : 177.5
Speedometer 3.0: 11.3 (2.0 = 176)
CrystalDiskMark: SSD speeds were fairly disappointing even for a PCIE 3.0 drive. I’d personally just buy the cheapest version and upgrade the SSD myself to something like the Hynix P31. These speeds are roughly SATA like speeds, not quite NVME gen 3 speeds.
Thermals and Noise
The Beelink EQ14 takes advantage of their new “MSC2.0” cooling solution that takes in air from the bottom of the case. Be sure to place the machine on a good flat surface.
- Idle power: 10w
- Max power draw: around 30w in the default balanced mode
- CPU temperature under load: seemed to max out around 70c or so, no real risk even with the power supply now being internal vs. external in the EQ13
- Noise: Maintained a pretty steady 30db @ about 1′ away and is very quiet
Strengths
- Low cost machine at base config
- Dual 1Gbps ethernet ports
- Quiet operation and maintains small footprint even with internal PSU
- Full hardware decode support for HEVC, VP9, AV1 so great for media serving (plex, jellyfin, etc)
Could be improved
- Intel N150 is only a modest improvement over N100. This cpu also only runs single channel DDR4 memory
- Generic RAM and SSDs were used but could be upgraded
- Competition with lower end AMD machines that have performance cores, though this is at least $100 cheaper.
Summary
The Beelink EQ14 is largely similar to its predecessor, the EQ13, with a minor cpu bump, added dual ethernet ports, and an internal psu.
This class of machine shines as a small home server – for file serving, backups, opnsense routing, as a media server (Plex, Jellyfin), or as a thin media playback device where costs need to be kept low.
The Beelink EQ14 is available at Amazon and best ordered there for faster delivery and any return needs.
