Beelink SER 5 Max Review: Maximum AMD Ryzen 7 Power with Windows 11 Pro
Beelink SER 5 Max is the maxed-out version of the SER5 series. Rocking a solid Ryzen 7 processor with upgradable RAM and storage, the mini-PC has much to offer in terms of performance. The device can run a lot of intensive software and games. Moreover, the unbelievable price is another thing that sets it apart from the competition.
So, is Beelink SER5 Max as good as it looks?
Let’s Inspect!
Summary
Pros
- Beautiful and practical design
- Upgradable components
- Great price
- Triple display capable
- Ample port selection
Cons
- Noisy fan when CPU is busy
- Entry Level NVME SSD
Beelink SER 5 Max – Price
It is an expensive device from Beelink, starting from 419$ and the most packed version costing 499$. Despite being one of the most expensive mini-PC from the company, it costs less than the competitors, making it one of the best bang for the buck computers. Beelink SER5 Max is competing against Minosforum, Morefine, Gigabyte, and others.
Beelink SER 5 Max – Unboxing
Unboxing is excellent. The package design is quite refined and looks stunning. It seems like Beelink is making their brand identity, trying to make sure it looks well recognizable.
Opening the box will reveal a greeting card with the large writing of “Hello.” Then, you will have to lift the user manual to reveal the beautiful Beelink SER5 Max. One thing that really strikes me is the size. It’s almost unbelievable. Then we have some wires; the first is the power adapter, which has a nice revamped design that looks more functional.
Beelink has also included HDMI cable, display port cable, and VESA mount.
Insides and Outsides
Beelink has gone with its traditional design, style, and size. It is identical to all the Beelink devices we reviewed in previous years. On top, it has a fabric finish, and the plastic cover has meshes all around for optimal airflow. It perfectly complements the dual fan design and keeps everything nice and cool under the hood.
The port situation is also great: 2 USB 3 ports, a Type-C, and a headphone jack on the front. The back side has a display port, HDMI, USB 3 Type-A, USB 2 Type-A, ethernet, and power port. Collectively, Beelink SER 5 Max can run three displays.
Things inside are also very well-designed to make it easier to upgrade. After removing the plastic cover, you will see the HDD tray and a cooling fan. Then unscrewing some screws and disconnecting a couple of connectors will give you access to the main board. It has two SODIMM memory sticks and an M.2 NVME SSD. Both components are upgradable as well.
Technical Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H 8 cores 16 threads 4.4GHz Max Turbo with integrated or embedded AMD Radeon GPU
- RAM: 16GB / 32GB 3200Mhz
- Storage: 500GB to 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
- OS: Windows 11 Pro
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- Ports: 4 USB Type-A, 1 USB Type-C, Headphone Jack, Display Port, HDMI Port, Ethernet
- Weight: 500 grams
Beelink SER 5 Max – Performance
The mini-PC has been a great performer since its previous generations, and the results are pretty much identical. Beelink SER 5 Max is an excellent prospect and is showing excellent results. One reason for better performance is 54-watt TDP, the max for Ryzen 7 5800H. In terms of OS, it comes with a Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and licensed for a stress-free bootup.
Let’s start with the gameplay. It does not have a dedicated graphics card, but the integrated AMD Radeon GPU is quite capable of 1080p gaming. Games like CS GO and the Asphalt series work like a charm. You can even run many AAA titles at lower settings. It is a capable machine and provides a good gaming experience.
Another great feature of Beelink SER 5 Max is the ability to run triple displays. It has three display ports and can run three screens concurrently. The multimedia performance of the mini-PC is splendid. You can easily watch 4K videos, stream movies, listen to music, and run multiple Chrome tabs.
The capable CPU and GPU can easily handle many heavy software. Like in Adobe Lightroom, the system works perfectly with normal photos, but a large-sized RAW picture can cause the system to slow down a bit. Similarly, 1080p video editing with intensive motion graphics will not remind you that you are running an embedded GPU.
The only thing that was not up to par was writing speed. It’s alright for small files, but during large file transfers, the speed fluctuates a lot, adding extra minutes.
Upgradability and Repairability
Beelink has been very intelligent when it comes to designing their mini-PCs. Unlike many other manufacturers, they have always kept them upgradable and easily repairable. RAM, SSD, and, apparently Wi-Fi card is also upgradeable. You cannot upgrade the generation, but the system can handle two sticks of 32GB RAM. Similarly, storage is upgradable up to 2TB. Moreover, you can also insert a solid 2.5-inch HDD for extra storage.
Drawbacks
- Noisy fan
- No external GPU support
- Thunderbolt and USB 4 should have been there
- Entry-level NVME SSD
Verdict
Beelink SER 5 Max is an absolute masterpiece. It delivers full hardware potential and simply ensures exceptional performance across the board. Surely, there are better mini-PCs than SER 5 Max, but this device’s incredible value and performance are unparalleled. Moreover, with the golden design and standards of Beelink, the computer is there to support you for the next 2 to 3 years.
Learn more about the device on our YouTube video.
