Geekom Mini IT12 with Intel Core i5-12450H in review - Mini PC with good performance and two USB 4 ports

The Geekom Mini IT12 stands out as a compact and powerful mini PC, featuring an Intel Core i5-12450H, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD in our test configuration. Priced at US$449, Geekom positions itself competitively within the market for similarly equipped devices. Notably, the Geekom Mini IT12 boasts slightly better connectivity, potentially influencing purchasing decisions.
Geared toward the Intel NUC series, now offered by Asus, the Geekom Mini IT12 faces competition from Minisforum and NiPoGi, both presenting comparable products. In the following overview, we've compiled a list of comparison devices for this review.
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Potential Competitors in Comparison
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Height | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
79.5 % v7 (old) | 11 / 2023 | Geekom Mini IT12 i5-12450H, UHD Graphics 64EUs | 572 g | 45.6 mm | |
82.3 % v7 (old) | 05 / 2023 | Geekom Mini IT12 i7-1260P, Iris Xe G7 96EUs | 572 g | 45.6 mm | |
80.8 % v7 (old) | 04 / 2023 | Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK i7-1360P, Iris Xe G7 96EUs | 538 g | 37 mm | |
79.5 % v7 (old) | 02 / 2023 | Minisforum Mars Series MC560 R5 5600U, Vega 7 | 562 g | 66 mm | |
78.9 % v7 (old) | 11 / 2022 | Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 i7-1260P, Iris Xe G7 96EUs | 511 g | 37 mm | |
78 % v7 (old) | 10 / 2023 | Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 i5-12450H, UHD Graphics 64EUs | 545 g | 54.3 mm | |
77.2 % v7 (old) | 10 / 2023 | NiPoGi CK10 i5-12450H, UHD Graphics 64EUs | 481 g | 50 mm |
Case - Familiar Intel NUC-style exterior
The Geekom Mini IT12 closely resembles Intel NUC devices, opting for a taller design that accommodates the installation of a 2.5-inch data carrier. Unlike Intel's previous "small" and "tall" variants, the Mini IT12 measures a compact 4.6 × 4.4 inches, minimizing desk space. The turquoise-colored housing exudes a high-quality appearance without the vulnerability of scratch-sensitive piano lacquer surfaces. While Geekom maintains the use of plastic for its materials, which is standard compared to the chosen competitors, some manufacturers have embraced complete aluminum housings for a more premium feel. Notably, like many other mini PCs, the Geekom Mini IT12 includes a VESA mount for convenient attachment to a monitor.
Connectivity
It provides a multitude of connectivity options for external devices. Notably, it supports the operation of up to four screens simultaneously, a feature uncommon in many Mini PCs. The distribution of four type-A USB ports, located both on the front and rear, offers convenient access. Furthermore, the inclusion of two USB 4 ports at the rear allows for the connection of dedicated graphics cards, expanding the Mini IT12's application possibilities. The presence of USB 4 opens up compatibility with various accessories from third-party manufacturers.
SD Card Reader
The Geekom Mini IT12 features an SD card reader capable of delivering impressive performance. When paired with our reference memory card (Angelbird SD Card AV PRO UHS-II 128GB V60), transfer rates well exceeding 100 MB/s are achieved. It's worth noting that a memory card with UHS-II support is required to fully harness this performance.
SD Card Reader | |
average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
Intel Beast Canyon NUC (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Intel Dragon Canyon NUC | |
Geekom Mini IT12 (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Geekom Mini IT12 (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Average of class Mini PC (15.1 - 214, n=26, last 2 years) | |
Zotac ZBOX Magnus EN173070C (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Geekom MiniAir 11 Special Edition (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB) | |
Intel Beast Canyon NUC (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Intel Dragon Canyon NUC | |
Geekom Mini IT12 (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Geekom Mini IT12 (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Average of class Mini PC (18.2 - 221, n=26, last 2 years) | |
Zotac ZBOX Magnus EN173070C (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Geekom MiniAir 11 Special Edition (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) |
Communication
Geekom has incorporated a modern Wi-Fi 6E-AX211 module from Intel into the Mini IT12. The test results indicate that the performance does not meet the expected standards. In both the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands, the measured data transmission and reception rates are lower than those achieved by competitors with the same WLAN module. It's important to note that our testing utilized the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 router.
Accessories
Maintenance
If you wish to access the internal components of the device, you need to remove the base plate first. This is a straightforward process: the screws holding the cover to the housing are located beneath the four rubber feet. Once removed, you can easily access the installed components such as RAM, SSD, or the WLAN module. The Geekom Mini IT12 also features an additional M.2 slot for installing an extra mass storage device. Additionally, it has space to accommodate a 2.5-inch mass storage device. The device can be further disassembled as needed, allowing for fan cleaning or the application of fresh thermal paste.
Performance - Alder Lake-H with P and E cores
Even if it is not one of the most recent versions, the Geekom Mini IT12 delivers a dependable SoC with the Intel Core i5-12450H. Nonetheless, the CPU, which has 8 cores and 12 threads, should tackle demanding workloads with ease. It's worth mentioning that the Geekom Mini IT12 is also available with an Intel Core i7-12650H processor.
Testing Conditions
We conducted all performance tests using the balanced power profile. We didn't alter the SoC performance and maintained it in the default state according to the BIOS settings.
Processor
Geekom has fitted the Mini IT12 with an Intel Core i5-12450H processor. This Alder Lake H series CPU is also used in the Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 and the NiPoGi CK10. In a direct comparison, Geekom performs better overall, narrowly losing the internal duel with the Geekom Mini IT12 based on the Intel Core i7-1260P. Our test sample was outperformed by the two Intel NUC competitors.
For additional comparisons and benchmarks, please refer to our CPU comparison table.
Performance Rating - Percent | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 |
Blender - v2.79 BMW27 CPU | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK |
WinRAR - Result | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance Physics | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 |
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - 4k Preset | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
R Benchmark 2.5 - Overall mean | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK |
LibreOffice - 20 Documents To PDF | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
WebXPRT 3 - Overall | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 |
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK |
* ... smaller is better
AIDA64: FP32 Ray-Trace | FPU Julia | CPU SHA3 | CPU Queen | FPU SinJulia | FPU Mandel | CPU AES | CPU ZLib | FP64 Ray-Trace | CPU PhotoWorxx
Performance Rating | |
Average of class Mini PC | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
AIDA64 / FP32 Ray-Trace | |
Average of class Mini PC (646 - 51004, n=116, last 2 years) | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
AIDA64 / FPU SinJulia | |
Average of class Mini PC (408 - 29064, n=116, last 2 years) | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
AIDA64 / FP64 Ray-Trace | |
Average of class Mini PC (350 - 26952, n=116, last 2 years) | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 |
AIDA64 / CPU PhotoWorxx | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Average of class Mini PC (4408 - 50500, n=116, last 2 years) | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 |
The Geekom Mini IT12 vs. Cinebench-R15 Multi Loop
We investigated the performance of the built-in cooling in conjunction with the power target of the Intel Core i5-12450H using the Cinebench R15 Multi Loop. The result suggests that the processor's maximal performance is only available at the start. After the second run, performance declines dramatically but then stabilizes for the remainder of the test. Our test gadget scores sixth in this benchmark, with an average score of 1,211 points.
System Performance
The system performance benchmarks paint a similar picture to the earlier CPU performance tests. Once again, the Geekom Mini IT12 outperforms the two competitors, Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 and NiPoGi CK10. During the RAM tests, all devices exhibit a similar performance, as none of the manufacturers have ventured to install faster DDR5 RAM. It's worth noting that the Intel Core i5-12450H supports DDR5 RAM with speeds of up to 5,200 MT/s.
AIDA64 / Memory Write | |
Average of class Mini PC (6862 - 98583, n=116, last 2 years) | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 |
AIDA64 / Memory Latency | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Average of class Mini PC (44.9 - 184.8, n=116, last 2 years) | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 |
* ... smaller is better
DPC Latency
The Geekom Mini IT12, based on the Intel Core i5-12450H, doesn't perform well in terms of DPC latencies. LatencyMon shows very high latencies even when opening several tabs in the Edge browser. Fortunately, there is no noticeable degradation in the playback of the 4K test video. With a low number of dropped frames, the Geekom Mini IT12 can still be used as a streaming client in the living room, for example.
DPC Latencies / LatencyMon - interrupt to process latency (max), Web, Youtube, Prime95 | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
Minisforum Mars Series MC560 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK | |
Geekom Mini IT12 | |
NiPoGi CK10 | |
Intel NUC 12 Pro Kit NUC12WSKi7 | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 |
* ... smaller is better
Storage Devices
Geekom has equipped the Mini IT12 with a familiar 512 GB NVMe SSD from Kingston, a model we have seen in action in other systems. This SSD uses the NVMe interface, is equipped with QLC memory, and is connected with PCIe 4.0x4. However, in the test, the SSD falls behind its competitors, as some of them are fitted with significantly faster SSDs. Nevertheless, in everyday use, there should be no noticeable reduction in performance. The write and read rates are fast enough, and installing test programs was completed quickly. Thanks to passive cooling via the base plate, the SSD copes well with continuous load, and we did not notice any drop in performance under load. The Geekom Mini IT12 can accommodate up to three mass storage devices, including another SSD in M.2-2242 format and a 2.5-inch mass storage device, observing a maximum height of 7 millimeters.
For further comparisons and benchmarks, please refer to our comparison table.
AS SSD | |
Score Total | |
Minisforum Venus Series UN1245 | |
Intel NUC 13 Pro Kit NUC13ANK |