My latest Mini PC review is of the Beelink EQI304, the first I’ve looked at powered by Intel’s new Wildcat Lake architecture. The new chipset offers some great new IO options including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 10 gigabit ethernet port. These are up for pre-order at Beelink’s site (compensated affiliate link) and should be available on Amazon post release.
Check it out in my full review!
The Wildcat Lake architecture in this model features five cores—one performance core and four efficiency cores. It is designed for low power consumption, which I observed during my testing. At idle, the system draws approximately 5.4 watts, and even under full load, it typically stays around 30 watts, peaking briefly at 40. Despite this low power draw, the performance is a measurable step up from previous low-end Intel chips like the N300.
One of the more unusual aspects of this device is the memory and storage configuration. The model I tested came with 24GB of RAM, which is upgradable, whereas the 16GB entry-level model features non-upgradable memory. Inside, I found a single stick of Crucial memory, though users should note that since Micron has discontinued its consumer Crucial brand, internal components may vary in future batches.
For storage, Beelink has integrated 512GB of UFS 3.1 memory directly onto the motherboard. While this is slower than standard NVMe storage—recording write speeds around 800 to 900 MB/s—the system includes two empty NVMe slots for expansion, one of which is hidden beneath the top of its NVME heatsink and the other underneath the heatsync.
The connectivity options are quite robust for a machine of this size. The rear panel includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, both of which performed to specification in my data transfer tests, though I did encounter a system lock-up when connecting an older Thunderbolt 3 drive.
More notably for those interested in networking, the device features a 10-gigabit Ethernet port alongside a secondary 2.5-gigabit port. In my testing, both ports reached their expected throughput, making this a potentially useful piece of hardware for those looking to run a small home server.
Thermal management and noise levels are where this unit is particularly refined. The power supply is integrated into the chassis, eliminating the need for an external brick, yet the system remains cool. During a 3DMark stress test, the internal temperature stabilized at 39 degrees Celsius. The fan was barely audible throughout the process, even when the processor was fully engaged.
In terms of real-world use, the EQI304 handles daily tasks like web browsing and 4K video playback without much effort. Gaming is possible on a casual level; I was able to run older titles like Grand Theft Auto V at 1080p with low settings, achieving frame rates between 45 and 50 per second. PlayStation 2 emulation also ran at full speed during my trials. However, it remains well behind older Ryzen-based mini PCs in terms of raw graphical power, so it is better suited for office work or server tasks than for heavy video editing or modern gaming.
I also tested the system with Linux, specifically Ubuntu 26.04. The operating system recognized all hardware components, including both Ethernet ports and the Wi-Fi 6 card, suggesting that driver support is already maturing for this newer architecture. Older versions of Ubuntu did not have driver support.
The current market volatility for computer components has pushed the price of this unit to $659 for the 24GB configuration. While this is higher than the entry-level pricing seen in previous years, the combination of low power consumption, silent operation, and high-speed networking makes it a versatile option. It serves as a clear indicator of where Intel’s low-end efficiency chips are heading, prioritizing connectivity and thermal stability for users who do not require the overhead of a high-wattage desktop.
Disclosure: Beelink provided the Mini PC to the channel free of charge. However no other compensation was received and they did not review or approve this video prior to uploading.