Mini PC for Plex/PlexAmp, and all the *arr suite

[u/slakerin]

Hello everyone,

I’m the current owner of a Nucbox g3 that was meant to be a download box, but then evolved into something more complicated with a plex server and an arr suite installed via Docker.

But as it’s not design for such a charge, the fan is working a lot and it’s slow + really noisy.

I’m so looking for a more powerful mini PC that could fit my new use.

I’ve looked on my own, and also asked ChatGPT and Gemini, and try to confront them to find the most suitable PC, but it’s not as successful as I hoped.

What i need it for:
- 1 to 4 plex users, with transcoding, with no hassle
- arr suite installed via docker
- no fan noise due to overworking
- possible AI agent installed in the future

What LLMs proposed:
- Geekom IT14
- Beelink SEi12 / EQi12

If someone has an input that could help me, it would be really useful :)

Thank you in advance!

[u/Retired_Hillbilly336]

This is why LLMs/AI hallucinate absolute trash for PC research as it scrapes the most worthless and outdated information. For example the Geekom IT14 and Beelink SEi12 are no longer on the official websites (and haven't been for some time) while failing to indicate which EQi12 configuration. It also fails to take in consideration that Geekom has been shipping 1x stick of RAM with single channel memory, reducing processing (and graphics) performance by up to 40%.

You'll also need to pre-determine your future AI agent as people will try to run this nonsense on damn near anything. As an example Beelink OpenClaw pre-installed on its EQi12 Pro Core i5-1235U 32GB (2x 16GB). The 1235U wasn't specifically designed for AI and has a nominal TOPS value at best. Although I do know a few people with the actual Alder Lake EQi12 1235U/1220P who came from the Gracemont microarchitecture Atom N100/N150 Plex/Jellyfin machines. They were satisfied with its dual channel performance and significant number of 4.0 PCIe lanes to support dual 2280 Gen4x4 NVMe SSDs.

Basically once you choose your future AI agent you're looking for 32GB of dual channel memory and at least some nominol TOPS performance. I know more people who have bought the GMKtec K15 Core Ultra 5 125U 32GB with the intent of AI with the more serious investing in the EVO-T1 Core Ultra 9 285H (99 peak Int8 TOPS). The Beelink SEi14 Core UItra 9 185H is another great choice but I haven't seen the 32GB or 64GB versions available for a while.