Beelink GTI12

The Beelink GTI12 Ultra carves a niche as a modular mini PC, leveraging Intel's 12th-gen Alder Lake chips (i9-12900H/HK) and PCIe 5.0 x8 expansion for eGPUs. At $589–$639 (32GB/1TB), it targets users needing desktop-grade GPU flexibility without bulk. The 12900HK's unlocked multiplier offers ~8% higher multi-core performance than the 12900H in Cinebench R23 (18,500 vs 17,100), but both CPUs share the same 6P+8E-core hybrid design, excelling in productivity tasks like video editing while struggling with sustained loads due to thermal limits (throttles to 60W after 2 minutes). The Iris Xe iGPU (96EU) handles 4K media but falters in gaming (GTA V: 22fps at 1080p Low).

Gaming performance is paradoxical: The integrated Iris Xe GPU struggles with modern titles (Cyberpunk 2077: 18fps at 1080p/Low), but pairing the GTI12 with an RTX 4070 Ti via EX Dock achieves 1440p/100+ fps in AAA games—matching desktop performance within 5%. Upgrades are hampered by a 20-screw disassembly process to access RAM/SSD slots, and the Realtek WiFi 6 module underperforms versus Intel AX210. Unique features like the fingerprint sensor and dual 2.5G Ethernet ports add value for power users.

Compared to AMD alternatives like the Beelink SER7 (Radeon 780M), the GTI12's CPU outperforms in single-threaded tasks but lags in iGPU performance and efficiency. The EX Dock's 600W PSU supports up to RTX 4080 Super (with adapter), though triple-slot GPUs require modification. For $589, this is a compelling choice for users prioritizing GPU flexibility over out-of-box gaming—just budget $750+ for a complete eGPU setup.

- GhostKeyboard Review