Can a compact mini PC be turned into a high-powered gaming machine? Beelink’s new GTI Mini PC paired with their EX Docking Station is certainly worth a try. This setup opens fresh possibilities for AAA gaming on a mini PC, creating a powerhouse with an external RTX 4090 GPU.
What’s Inside Beelink’s GTI Mini PC?
The Beelink GTI series brings a fresh approach to mini PCs, integrating cutting-edge features not commonly seen in this format. Here are some of the GTI’s unique highlights:
- Built-in 145W Power Supply: No external power brick is required, making it compact and convenient.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides easy and secure login.
- PCIe Slot Integration: The GTI has a PCIe x8 slot at the bottom, perfect for adding a GPU with their new EX Docking Station, and surpasses Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 for a stable, high-speed connection.
Despite its powerful features, the GTI remains remarkably compact. It also features stereo speakers and plenty of I/O options, making it versatile.
The EX Docking Station
Beelink’s EX Docking Station goes beyond the typical GPU dock. This docking station integrates a 600W power supply, capable of handling GPUs up to an RTX 4080 without requiring an additional PSU. Here’s what makes it unique:
- Built-in 600W Power Supply: We don’t need an external power supply; it’s inside the dock.
- PCIe Expansion: Equipped with a PCIe slot and two 8-pin PCIe connectors for seamless GPU integration.
- Extra Storage Options: Adds another M.2 SSD slot and supports external Wi-Fi antennas.
With this, the GTI Mini PC transforms, offering the potential to support high-performance graphics, including the powerful RTX 4090.
System Specifications and Setup Details
The GTI Mini PC comes loaded with impressive specs that maximize gaming and productivity performance:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H – 16 cores, 22 threads, and a maximum speed of 5.1 GHz
- RAM: Up to 96 GB of DDR5 (5600 MHz)
- Storage: Dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots
- OS: Pre-installed Windows 11
- Connectivity: Dual 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
The EX Docking Station adds 600W dedicated to the GPU, ensuring enough power for demanding games at high settings.
Benchmarks and Gaming Performance with a RTX 4090
Pairing the Beelink GTI with an RTX 4090 may sound extreme, but the results show what’s possible. Here’s how it performs with some popular AAA titles:
Cyberpunk 2077
- Resolution: 1440p, Ray Tracing Ultra
- Frame Rate: Smooth gameplay at 60+ FPS, even without DLSS or frame generation.
With frame generation enabled, performance improves significantly, allowing a high level of detail and smooth gameplay.
Ghost of Tsushima
- Resolution: 1440p, Very High Settings
- Frame Rate: Around 98 FPS
Ghost of Tsushima ran beautifully on this setup, showcasing the RTX 4090’s power even at a higher resolution.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Resolution: 1440p, Very High Settings
- Frame Rate: Average 175 FPS
The RTX 4090 shines with older AAA titles, providing ultra-smooth frame rates even with high settings.
Benchmarking Power: CPU and GPU Tests
Beelink’s GTI combined with the EX Docking Station holds its own even when put through synthetic benchmarks:
- Cinebench R24: Achieves an impressive 971 on multicore performance.
- 3DMark Fire Strike: Scores 37,623, displaying its gaming capability even with an RTX 4090 running at a slightly reduced PCIe x8 bandwidth.
Final Thought
Beelink’s GTI Mini PC with the EX Docking Station and RTX 4090 GPU is a viable setup for anyone wanting a small form-factor gaming machine with serious power. For a casual or mid-level gaming experience, opting for a lower GPU like an RTX 4060 would offer even more efficiency without sacrificing much power. For anyone intrigued by the idea of an ultra-compact AAA gaming setup, Beelink’s GTI and EX Docking Station deliver both functionality and style.
