Key Takeaways
1. Intel’s new processors, especially the Core Ultra 7 265K, show better power efficiency than expected, despite competition from AMD.
2. The Raptor Lake and Raptor Lake-R models had power and stability issues, but these have been resolved in the new Arrow Lake models.
3. The Core Ultra 7 265K features 8 performance cores, 12 efficiency cores, and can reach speeds of up to 5.5 GHz, making it suitable for fanless mini PCs.
4. The custom fanless build uses the UP3 case by Turemetal, which effectively dissipates heat, keeping CPU temperatures within safe limits.
5. The build includes an Asus ROG STRIX B860-I GAMING WIFI motherboard, 16 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM, and a 6 TB SATA SSD for music storage, highlighting potential for upgrades.
Even though Intel’s newest desktop processors may seem to be falling behind AMD’s offerings, their power efficiency is surprisingly better than anticipated. The Raptor Lake and its successor, Raptor Lake-R, faced various power and stability issues, but these problems seem to be resolved with the new Arrow Lake models. Furthermore, a mid-tier processor like the Core Ultra 7 265K is proving to be an excellent option for a fanless mini PC system, as showcased by a custom system builder on the Chinese ChipHell forum.
Specifications of Core Ultra 7 265K
The Core Ultra 7 265K isn’t exactly a low TDP model, boasting a standard base power rating of 125 W, which can peak at 250 W. It features 8 performance cores and 12 efficiency cores, translating to a total of 20 threads that can reach speeds of up to 5.5 GHz. Additionally, it incorporates an NPU and an Arc GPU with 4 Xe cores. To maintain reasonable temperatures, the fanless mini PC design omits a dedicated GPU. The system builder has stated that the PC is intended for an audiophile who desires a tranquil setting to enjoy high-fidelity music.
Turemetal’s Contribution
Turemetal is already well-known in the fanless market, so the custom builder opted for the new UP3 case, which measures 300 x 300 x 200 mm and includes six 8 mm heatpipes that link the CPU passive block to the radiators on either side. This case provides sufficient heat dissipation material, allowing the CPU temperature to remain between 46-60° C during moderate usage. Under full load, the CPU might hit 80° C, but this is still considered safe within TJMAX specifications. However, the Samsung 990 Evo Plus 1 TB NVMe SSD did not perform well in terms of temperature in this setup, reaching up to 92° C under full load. An extra heatsink for the SSD is recommended in this specific case.
Additional Components
This build also features the Asus ROG STRIX B860-I GAMING WIFI motherboard, paired with just 16 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM, which allows for potential future upgrades. Additionally, there is an Intel S35101 6 TB SATA SSD for extensive music storage.
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