My latest Mini PC review is of the Mele Overclock4C, a mini PC built around Intel’s N150 processor. Despite the name, it isn’t actually overclocked, but the cooling solution sets it apart. Unlike some of Mele’s other fanless designs, this one uses a fan paired with a sizable copper heat sink. That design choice helps it sustain performance better under load while keeping noise levels surprisingly low. Even when the fan spins up, it remains quiet enough to be unobtrusive.
The model I tested came with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB NVMe drive, both of which are accessible if you want to swap or upgrade components. The RAM is expandable up to 32 GB, and storage upgrades are straightforward. The case itself is mostly plastic with a metal base, and a VESA mount is included for attaching it to a display.
You can see all of the configurations over at Amazon (compensated affiliate link).
Connectivity is decent. There are two USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, dual HDMI outputs, a headphone jack, an SD card slot, and a full-service USB-C port that supports video, data, and power, though it lacks Thunderbolt or USB4.
Networking is where the system feels dated, limited to gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi AC, while many similar N150 devices now ship with 2.5 gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6. Power draw is modest—about 13 watts at idle and up to 32 watts under load.
Performance is what you would expect from the N150 line. General computing tasks at 4K resolution ran smoothly, with no issues using applications like Word, Excel, or browsing the web. Video playback was reliable, handling 4K60 streams without hiccups beyond a brief stutter on startup.
Benchmark results lined up with other N150-based systems I’ve looked at. Gaming is possible if you set your expectations accordingly. Grand Theft Auto V ran at around 30 frames per second on low settings at 720p, and PlayStation 2 emulation was mostly full speed. Streaming from GeForce Now at 4K60 was smooth over Ethernet, further broadening the system’s gaming options.
Thermals are where this PC stands out. A stress test confirmed stable performance with little to no throttling, holding steady at around 47°C, lower than comparable fanless or less robustly cooled designs. The stronger cooling doesn’t make the N150 chip any faster, but it ensures consistency during prolonged heavy use.
On Linux, the system behaved as expected with one exception—the built-in Intel AC 9560 Wi-Fi chipset wasn’t recognized by the latest Ubuntu release. Ethernet worked fine, and with the right drivers, Wi-Fi should too. That small issue aside, it has the potential to serve well as a compact server, whether for Docker containers or media streaming.
The Mele Overclock4C doesn’t deliver more raw performance than other N150 mini PCs, but its cooling design makes it a better fit for those who plan to run it under sustained workloads. It’s a practical little system that can handle everyday tasks, some light gaming, and server duties without struggling to keep its performance stable over time.
See more Mini PC reviews here!
Disclaimer: Mele sent the computer to the channel free of charge no other compensation was received. They did not review or approve this content prior to uploading, all opinions are my own.