Intel ARC graphics getting attention from Mini-PC makers
The latest Mini-PC from Minisforum features an Intel CPU and GPU combo.
A product called HN2673 is a small form factor system featuring an Intel Core i7-12650H Alder Lake CPU. This processor offers 10 cores and 16 threads and boost clock up to 4.7 GHz. It was commonly deployed in many gaming systems before the introduction of the Raptor Lake CPU series.
More importantly, the PC features an Intel Arc A730M discrete GPU with a cut-down ACM-G10 GPU featuring 24 Xe-Cores and a shorter memory bus of 192-bit. This means that the card supports 6GB VRAM. According to the company, this GPU has TGP set to 95W, which is lower than the maximum power limit for this SKU (120W). From the renders, we learn that the GPU is installed on an MXM board, which could potentially unlock future upgrade options should the BIOS support it.
As for the Mini-PC itself, it shouldn’t be compared with low-power Intel 4×4 inch NUC systems at all. The company is not providing detailed specs on the size of this system. Still, it is a reasonably sized desktop PC with gaming laptop hardware, similar to NUC Gaming systems like Serpent Canyon. The main difference is that this system has four cooling fans and can host up to two 2.5-inch SSDs and two SODIMM DDR4 memory modules.
Worth noting that Minisforum has a very similar system based entirely on AMD hardware. The HX99G features Ryzen 9 6900HX APU combined with Radeon RX 6600M graphics. This system features a dual-fan cooling design, and it is extremely quiet, even during gaming. We expect no less from this Intel version with twice as many fans.
The system is already available for preorder, starting from $649 for a fully working config (16GB memory and 0.5TB SSD).
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| MINISFORUM Neptune Series HN2673 | |
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i7-12650H Processor, 10 Cores/16 Threads (24M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz) 45W TDP |
| GPU | Intel® Arc™ A730M Graphics(GDDR6 6GB) 95W TGP |
| Memory | DDR4 Dual channel (SODIMM Slots×2, up to 64GB) |
| Storage | M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe4.0 SSD (up to 2TB) |
| Expansion | 2.5 inch SATA HDD Slot ×2 (SATA 3.0 6.0Gb/s) |
| Wireless Connectivity | M.2 2230 Wi-Fi Support (Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3) |
| Video Output | ① HDMI2.0 ×2, ② USB-C ×2 |
| Audio Output | HDMI ×2, Headphone Jack ×1 |
| Peripherals Interface | RJ45 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Port ×1 USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C ×1(Data Only, In Front) USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C ×1(DP Only) USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C ×1(Alt DP and Data) USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A ×1(In Front) USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A ×2(In Back) USB2.0 Type-A ×2 HDMI ×2 Clear CMOS ×1 MIC IN Jack ×1 Headphone Jack ×1 |
| Power | DC 19V (Adapter Included) |
| System | Windows 11 Pro |
