Geekom IT15 review: Tiny mini PC, mighty Intel Core Ultra 9 inside

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The compact housing of the Geekom IT15 conceals the 2nd-generation Intel Core Ultra 9 285H. According to the producer, it gives sufficient energy for on a regular basis duties and it helps the AI features of Windows 11.

With its multitude of connections and the power to function as much as 4 screens concurrently, the IT15 presents itself as an attention-grabbing various to basic desktop PCs, which have gotten much less and fewer related outdoors the gaming world.

We’re significantly to see how the Geekom IT15 with Intel CPU compares to the Geekom A9 Max with AMD {hardware}, which we’ve tested before.

Geekom IT15: Specifications

• Dimensions: 117 × 112 × 45.5 mm with out rubber ft, 117 × 112 × 49.2 mm with rubber ft (every W × D × H)
• Weight: 1.32 lbs
• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 285H, most working energy 45 watts
• Graphics processor (GPU): Intel Arc 140T GPU for 9 285H
• Memory: Dual-channel DDR5-5600 SODIMM, as much as 128 GB
• Internal storage: 1 × M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD, pre-installed Crucial P3 Plus CT2000P3PSSD8 2 TB
• Expandable: 1 × M.2 2242 SATA III SSD slot, 1 × 2.5″ SATA HDD slot (as much as 2 TB every)
• Ports: 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 × USB 2.0 Type-A (rear), 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A with S5 energy provide, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (entrance), 2 × USB 4.0, one with PD enter (rear), 1 × 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack (entrance), 2 × HDMI 2.0, SD card reader 4.0
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 7, 1 × 2.5G RJ45
• Extras: Kensington lock, VESA mount
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 (64-bit), pre-installed
• Warranty: 3 years

Geekom IT15: Design

Geekom packs the {hardware} in a black case that’s much less fashionable than the A9 Max’s grey metallic case. The IT15’s metallic base and lid are constructed to resist as much as 200 kilograms, offering strong safety for the elements inside.

Measuring 117×112×45.5 millimeters (A9 Max: 132 × 46.9 mm), the mini PC suits simply on any desk and will also be mounted to the again of a monitor or a wall utilizing a VESA bracket.

Christoph Hoffmann

As is typical for mini PCs, the ports are situated on each the back and front. No matter how the pc is positioned on the desk, the facet with the facility button is taken into account the entrance.

Geekom hasn’t been stingy with connectivity: there are six USB ports in whole, starting from USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 to USB 4.0 Type-C. This permits exterior drives and peripherals to attach at excessive speeds—as much as a theoretical 40 Gbps.

Christoph Hoffmann

There are two USB 4 ports and two HDMI 2.0 ports for as much as 4 4K screens. However, there’s no DisplayPort.

Other elements embrace 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE200), Bluetooth 5.4, and a fully-fledged SD card reader. The mini PC could be secured towards theft with a Kensington lock.

Geekom IT15: Equipment

The centerpiece of the Geekom IT15 is the Intel Core 9 285H. Alternatively, the IT15 is out there with an Intel Ultra 5-225H processor and 32 GB of RAM, although that mannequin comes with solely a 1 TB SSD.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H is a contemporary high-performance processor from Intel’s present “Arrow Lake H” sequence, which was developed for high-performance laptops.

It combines six efficiency cores, eight effectivity cores, and two extra low-power effectivity cores, leading to a complete of 16 cores and 16 threads. With a most enhance clock of as much as 5.4 GHz and a 24 MB good cache, the chip supplies a robust basis for demanding purposes.

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Its typical energy consumption is round 45 watts, however can rise to as much as 115 watts in turbo mode — good cooling is necessary. Geekom depends by itself “IceBlast 2.0” cooling system with a big warmth sink, two warmth pipes, and quiet followers.

The Intel Arc 140T is the built-in GPU of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and relies on the Xe structure with eight Xe cores and ray tracing assist. It gives sturdy efficiency for a CPU graphics and is effectively fitted to on a regular basis use, multimedia, content material creation, and lightweight gaming. Its strengths lie in its excessive effectivity, trendy expertise, and good integration into the CPU system. For complicated video games or skilled 3D workloads, nonetheless, it doesn’t match the facility as a devoted graphics card.

The processor has 32 GB of DDR5 RAM (5,600 MT/s) at its disposal, divided into two 16 GB modules. This is okay in practical phrases, however makes it tough to improve to 64 GB at a later date, as each modules must get replaced. With a single 32 GB module, enlargement could be a lot simpler and cheaper. However, you wouldn’t profit from the sooner dual-channel mode with one module.

The 2 TB NVMe SSD in our IT15 is a Crucial P3 Plus (mannequin CT2000P3PSSD8). It’s attainable that different IT15 models could include SSDs from totally different producers.

Christoph Hoffmann

There are two choices for extra inside storage: A slot for an M.2 2242 and a slot for a 2.5-inch SSD–every with a capability of as much as 2 TB. This offers customers rather more flexibility than the A9 Max with its M.2 2230 slot.

Geekom IT15: Windows

In our take a look at setup, a 27-inch Dell monitor is linked to the IT15, together with a wired Cherry keyboard and a Microsoft mouse utilizing a dongle. The mini PC connects to the community by way of Ethernet by way of a 2.5 Gbps BrosTrend 8X swap.

The Geekom IT15 comes with a hardware-bound license for Windows 11 24H2. After booting the mini PC for the primary time, the Windows set up begins and is accomplished inside a couple of minutes. Updates set up throughout setup, however Windows gives extra updates later. And then a wierd downside seems.

Christoph Hoffmann

The Windows 11 25H2 replace provided by Windows fails with an error message. During the choice in-place improve utilizing an ISO file, the Keep private recordsdata and apps choice is grayed out. The problem seems to stem from incorrect language settings within the pre-installed Windows.

We due to this fact chosen Keep solely private recordsdata, which isn’t an issue on a contemporary Windows set up. Another resolution is the in-place improve with an English setup ISO. The set up then runs in German and the brand new Windows 25H2 begins with a German-language interface.

In addition to Windows’ built-in updates and offered drivers, the devoted Intel drivers must also be put in. The simplest way to do that is with the free Intel Driver and Support Assistant, which installs the newest drivers for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Arc Graphics, and the NPU.

Christoph Hoffmann

We received’t go any additional into Windows itself, however we are able to see in lots of locations that the AI options of the working system are supported and activated.

Geekom IT15: Performance

We used the PCMark 10 benchmark take a look at to measure desktop efficiency. This software program offers us life like values by working on a regular basis duties. With a rating of 8,341, the Geekom IT15 with its Intel Core 9 285H ranks within the high third. The Geekom A9 Max we examined with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 scored 7,976 factors–that’s solely 4 p.c much less.

Christoph Hoffmann

This exhibits how the Intel Core 9 285H performs compared to Qualcomm and AMD CPUs.

The gaming graphics efficiency of the Geekom IT15 was measured by 3DMark Steel Nomad Light, the place it scored 3,393 factors (Geekom A9 Max: 3,279 factors) — a superb end result that’s barely above common. The Time Spy benchmark delivered 4,244 factors. That’s considerably greater than the A9 Max with its AMD processor, which scored 3,701 factors.

Christoph Hoffmann

With a TimeSpy rating of 4,244, the IT15 achieved sturdy CPU efficiency for a mini PC in addition to respectable iGPU efficiency for mild gaming purposes.

Christoph Hoffmann

The M.2 NVMe SSD put in within the IT15 comes from Crucial. The P3 Plus CT2000P3PSSD8 mannequin, with 2 TB capability, delivers learn speeds of 5,029 MB/s and write speeds of 4,658 MB/s within the CrystalDiskMark. These are respectable values, although the A9 Max with its Lexar SSD performs even higher, reaching 6,242 MB/s learn and 5,423 MB/s write.

Christoph Hoffmann

And what in regards to the AI efficiency of the system? We ran the Geekbench AI take a look at to search out out:

• Single Precision Score: 4,350
• Half Precision Score: 1,790
• Quantized rating: 8.005

These are typical outcomes for a mid-range system or a system that’s not primarily designed for heavy AI workloads.

Compared to the A9 Max (2837/1342/6,496), the IT15 scores with higher AI efficiency and is due to this fact just about on par with an Intel Core Ultra or related laptop computer SoCs with an built-in NPU.

In mixture with its GPU, the processor is appropriate for video games that profit from its excessive single-core efficiency. At the identical time, the big variety of cores allows sturdy multi-core efficiency. This is ideal for video enhancing, 3D rendering, picture enhancing, or music manufacturing.

Thanks to its environment friendly hybrid structure, the Intel processor handles multitasking, workplace apps, and shopping easily.

Geekom IT15: Conclusion

The Geekom IT15 impresses within the take a look at with sturdy efficiency from Intel, trendy AI assist, and intensive options. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285H gives loads of energy for work, multimedia, and lightweight artistic purposes, whereas the built-in Arc 140T GPU delivers strong graphics efficiency.

With Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB 4, and assist for as much as 4 4K screens, the mini PC is flexible and future-proof. Criticisms embrace the dearth of Thunderbolt 4, the loud fan beneath load, and restricted RAM improve choices. Overall, the IT15 is a compact, environment friendly, and highly effective mini PC ultimate for productive {and professional} customers.