Beelink EQi12
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The Beelink EQi12 is a 12th-gen Intel mini PC sold in several configurations, from a Core i3-1220P and i5-1235U up through the i5-12450H and i7-12650H, with 16GB, 24GB, or 32GB of soldered LPDDR5-5200 (quad-channel) depending on the build and Intel UHD Graphics. Storage runs through two PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots for up to 4TB, and it ships with Windows 11 Pro. It has an internal 85W power supply, which removes the external brick at the cost of one RAM slot’s worth of board space, so the memory is soldered.
It is a small box (4.96 x 4.96 x 1.74 inches) with dual HDMI 4K60, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi 6, and a USB-C port. Three reviewers tested this exact EQi12 (the Core i version, not the N100/N200 EQ12). Their findings line up on quiet running, throttling under sustained CPU load, and graphics too weak for modern games.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Internal 85W power supply, no external brick | Soldered LPDDR5 (the internal PSU took the RAM-slot space) |
| Two PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots for up to 4TB | Throttles under sustained load (Cinebench, encoding) unless you raise the fan curve |
| Very quiet: 36.6 dBA at full load (Elevated Systems) | Intel UHD Graphics: only light/retro gaming |
| Dual Gigabit Ethernet, dual 4K60 HDMI, Wi-Fi 6 | Ethernet is 1GbE, not 2.5GbE; no DisplayPort |
| Efficient (about 20W idle, ~60W full load) | No VESA mount, so it sits on the desk instead of behind a display |
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Beelink EQi12 Comparison Chart
9 configurations
| Configuration | Processor | RAM | Storage | Performance | List price | Amazon price | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24GB/512GB/Intel Core i5-12450H | Core i5-12450H | 24 GB | 512 GB | 4.6 | $419.00 | Details
| |
| 24GB/512GB/Intel Core i3-1220P | Core i3-1220P | 24 GB | 512 GB | 4.4 | $329.00 | Details
| |
| 24GB/512GB/Intel Core i7-12650H | Core i7-12650H | 24 GB | 512 GB | 5.1 | $479.00 | Details
| |
| 32GB/1TB/Intel Core i5-12450H | Core i5-12450H | 32 GB | 1 TB | 4.7 | $459.00 | Details
| |
| 32GB/1TB/Intel Core i7-12650H | Core i7-12650H | 32 GB | 1 TB | 5.3 | $569.00 | Details
| |
| 24GB/1TB/Intel Core i7-12650H | Core i7-12650H | 24 GB | 1 TB | 5.1 | $489.00 | Details
| |
| 32GB/500GB/Intel Core i5-1235U | Core i5-1235U | 32 GB | 500 GB | 4.4 | $407.55 | Details
| |
| 32GB/1TB/Intel Core i5-1235U | Core i5-1235U | 32 GB | 1 TB | 4.4 | $419.00 | Details
| |
| 16GB/500GB/Intel Core i5-1235U | Core i5-1235U | 16 GB | 500 GB | 4.0 | $359.00 | Details
|
Specs shared by every configuration
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|
| GPU | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 4.96 x 4.96 x 1.74 inches (125.98 x 125.98 x 44.2 mm) |
| Weight | 1.15 lbs (0.52 kg) |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ethernet | 2 Ethernet ports at 1 Gbps |
| HDMI | 2 Full-Size HDMI Ports |
| DisplayPort | No DisplayPort |
| VGA | No VGA Ports |
| USB Ports | 1 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 1 USB-C |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No |
| OCuLink | No |
| Internal SATA Ports | No SATA ports |
| Card Reader | No Card Reader |
| Headphone Jack | combo |
| Fanless | No |
| VESA Mount | No |
| In the Box | Beelink EQi12 Mini PC, HDMI Cable (1m), AC Cable (1.5m), User Manual |
| Expandability | Supports up to 4TB storage via dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots. |
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Reviewer Insights
HTWingNut
HTWingNut tested the Core i5-12450H build and spent most of the review on thermals. Under sustained load like Cinebench, the CPU thermal-throttles on the stock fan profile; raising the fan curve to 100 percent in the BIOS stopped the throttling entirely, at the cost of added noise. He confirmed the 24GB of LPDDR5 is soldered (quad-channel, 5200MHz) because the internal 85W power supply takes the space a SODIMM slot would use, and he liked the two PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 storage slots. His main wishes were 2.5GbE instead of the dual 1GbE, and a DisplayPort in place of the second HDMI. On graphics he called the iGPU “adequate for desktop use,” but warned “don’t consider this machine if you intend on gaming with anything but lower spec options like Terraria, Minecraft, or League of Legends.”
FishBee Productions
FishBee Productions reviewed the i5-12450H at “just over $300” and framed it as a mid-range box. In his benchmarks the CPU scores landed “fairly close to the Beelink SER5 Pro and SER5 Max,” but the GPU was “a little more entry level.” Forza Horizon 5 managed only 17 fps and Rocket League was choppy, so he steered buyers away from gaming and toward working from home, streaming, and 1080p (not 4K) video editing. He also noted the bottom panel pops off easily for storage access.
Elevated Systems
Noise and power were the focus for Elevated Systems, who recorded 35.1 dBA in normal use and 36.6 dBA at full load, while drawing about 20W at idle and settling near 60W under full load (with brief spikes past 80W). He highlighted the internal 85W supply and the dual Gigabit LAN, and placed the machine between budget N-series boxes and pricier Ryzen units, calling it a tidy productivity PC instead of a performance one.
A quiet work-from-home desktop that tops out at esports gaming
The i5-12450H configuration the reviewers tested suits a home office, a media server, or light virtual-machine work. Plan on raising the fan curve in the BIOS if your workload keeps the CPU busy for long stretches. The soldered memory is the ceiling you buy into on day one, so pick the configuration you want to live with; the two NVMe slots are the only part you can change later.
Skip it if you want gaming beyond esports and retro titles, heavy 4K video editing, 2.5GbE, or socketed RAM. Shoppers tempted to wait for Beelink’s newer budget boxes should read our take on buying an N150 now or holding out for Intel 18A Wildcat Lake. To compare it with other models, use Starry Hope’s Mini PC Comparison Chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What processor options does the Beelink EQi12 come with?
It ships with a 12th-gen Intel CPU depending on the configuration: a Core i3-1220P, an i5-1235U, an i5-12450H, or an i7-12650H. Reviewers tested the i5-12450H build, which sold for around $300 to $420.
Can I upgrade the RAM or storage?
Storage yes, RAM no. The LPDDR5 (16GB, 24GB, or 32GB by build) is soldered (HTWingNut confirmed there are no SODIMM slots, because the internal power supply uses that space). Storage runs through two PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots that support up to 4TB total, and the bottom panel comes off easily to reach them.
Is the EQi12 good for gaming?
Only lightly. The Intel UHD iGPU managed just 17 fps in Forza Horizon 5 (FishBee Productions), and HTWingNut warned not to buy it for gaming “with anything but lower spec options like Terraria, Minecraft, or League of Legends.” Esports and retro titles are the ceiling.
How quiet and power-efficient is it?
Very. Elevated Systems measured 35.1 dBA in normal use and 36.6 dBA at full load, with the system drawing around 20W at idle and roughly 60W under full load. Under sustained CPU load the chip throttles on the stock fan profile until you raise the fan curve.
Why does the EQi12 have an internal power supply?
Beelink built in an 85W power supply so there is no external brick, which keeps the desk tidy. The trade-off is that the supply occupies the space a memory slot would use, which is why the RAM is soldered rather than upgradable.
Does it have 2.5GbE or DisplayPort?
No. Networking is two Gigabit (1GbE) Ethernet ports plus Wi-Fi 6, and video output is two HDMI ports at 4K 60Hz with no DisplayPort. HTWingNut singled out the lack of 2.5GbE (and the second HDMI in place of a DisplayPort) as the main things he would change.