Beelink GTR7 Pro Mini-PC with AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS APU Test

Beelink Mini-PC packs AMD’s latest Phoenix APU

A quick test comparing Zen4/RDNA3 APU with Zen3/RDNA2.

The world of mini PCs has witnessed a tremendous evolution in recent years, with manufacturers continuously pushing the boundaries of performance and compactness. Beelink, a renowned player in the Mini PC arena, has introduced their latest flagship device, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS-based Mini PC called GTR7 PRO. This machine offers a compelling combination of enhanced processing power, expanded connectivity, and generous memory capacity, catering to the needs of power users and enthusiasts. In this review, we delve into the unique features and performance capabilities of this mini PC, highlighting its strengths and assessing its place in the competitive market.

The GTR7 series features two variants, the non-PRO comes with Ryzen 7 7840HS and the PRO version (which is being reviewed today) features the flagship AMD Phoenix processor called Ryzen 9 7940HS. One of the standout features of this Mini PC is its increased thermal design power (TDP). AMD Phoenix APU has a default TDP of 45W, so Beelink not only increased this to maximum 54W (as per AMD specs) but they even overclocked it to 65W. As shown in this review, the system has no issues maintaining this power limit even through the most complex tests.

While the slight increase in size sets it apart from the smaller mini-PC form factor, it remains remarkably compact considering the sheer power it packs. Beelink has skillfully balanced size and performance to offer a mini PC that fits comfortably in any workspace without compromising on capabilities. The system features only one fan, but the cooling solution feature a large vapor chamber which is not a very common sight on such devices.

Furthermore, the inclusion of fast DDR5-5600 memory, with a generous default capacity of 32GB, ensures seamless multitasking and rapid data transfer rates. This combination of expanded connectivity and high-speed memory makes the Beelink mini PC an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts who rely on a multitude of devices in their daily workflow.

Beelink’s flagship device goes above and beyond when it comes to connectivity options. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS-based Mini PC boasts a plethora of USB connectors (from USB 2.0 to 4.0) providing ample space for a wide range of peripheral devices. Whether it’s external storage, gaming controllers, or other USB-enabled gadgets, users will find themselves well-equipped to handle their multitasking needs. The system features the newest USB 4.0 Type-C connectors, which are unfortunately not Thunderbolt4 compatible.

Since we are working on another review featuring the same Ryzen 9 7940HS processor (Minisforum UM790) can give you a quick side-by-side comparison of both systems. The Beelink PC is no doubt larger than a standard-sized MiniPC, like the one made by Minisforum.

As said before, connectivity options are strong on this system. Users will find Type-A and Tape-C connectors on the front and back of the design. The system has two 2.5G network cards and offers four display outputs (HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4 and two USB 4.0). The only thing that caught our attention is clear CMOS (BIOS) button on the front. This location is not a suitable location for a button of such significance.

The GTR7 Pro features 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory by default. The system allows up to 4GB of this capacity to be used by the graphics. And speaking of graphics, this Ryzen APU features the most high-end RDNA3 GPU called Radeon 780M with 768 Stream Processors clocked up to 2.8 GHz. This is a very capable GPU as shown later in this review.

Shortly before we received a sample, Beelink released a new BIOS. This BIOS offers the following optimizations (original writing):

1. Optimize system fan temperature sensors.
2. Adjust the default VRAM size to 4GB.
3. Enable SR IOV by default.
4. Optimize the rear USB4 display.
5. Fix the crashes and stutters in games

According to Beelink, all retail units will ship with the new BIOS. Only review samples from the initial batch were using older firmware. This means that the early coverage from other media may show difference results. Our review is based on the updated software entirely.

Our unit already had 4GB of VRAM shared with the system memory. We did not notice any changes to the performance or fan profiles either. The output from HWINFO confirms system configuration.

The detailed output shows that the CPU PL1 limit has been set to 65W, which is the maximum configuration (PPT) for this processor. This is probably as close as one gets to a desktop variant of Phoenix, which is undoubtedly coming at some point in the future.

What’s included (accessories)

The PC comes with two HDMI 2.1 cables (longer and shorter). The shorter one can be used for a system mounted on a monitor, as this PC also ships with a necessary VESA compatible bracket.

There are two good reasons to mention the charger for GTR7 Pro. The first is the size, as the charger is really compact. Moreover, it offers a power output of up to 140W, so comparable with high-end gaming laptops.

Another feature of the charger is the magnetic connector which also improves the cable management tremendously. The connection is strong, and it should not disconnect randomly even when the system is moved around. On the other hand, such a connector means that we get a non-standard power plug and the charger cannot be used for any other device. This is not a practical option for people who would like to carry this system around because it would make them carry multiple chargers for trips.

Testing methodology

This is a short evaluation of the system focusing on CPU capabilities, thermals and power consumption. Since this is a gaming Mini-PC our primary goal was to test some popular and heavy titles on this device.

Software used for this review

• 3DMark Professional Edition
• TechPowerUP GPU-Z
• CPU-Z 2.06.0
• HWiNFO 7.46-5110
• CapFrameX 1.7.1
• Custom software developed by VideoCardz.com

Clocks and thermals

The noise produced by this system is impressively low, it should not bother any gamer even after a prolonged gaming sessions. During gaming, we observe temperatures ranging from 70 to 72°C, which do not necessitate the utilization of the most powerful fan profile. Even with Cinebnech R23 running a loop we can hardly see temperatures going above 80°C and that’s with all cores engaged into rendering the scene.

What should also be noted thanks to capable cooling solution and increased power limit, there is no issue of clock fluctuations during gaming. The clock speeds remains stable at 2.8 GHz, which is the highest frequency for Radeon 780M graphics.

CPU at idle and during Cinebench R23 stress testing

Geekbench 6

The 65W locked Ryzen 9 7940HS has no issue competing with the most powerful APUs and CPU on the market. The single-core performance is just about as high as Dragon Range 7845HX, which is a higher-end class AMD processor but based on the same architecture. There is a massive 30% improvement for multicore performance compared to Ryzen 9 6900HX.

Please note that we are using V6.0 results here, not of the updated V6.1 version.

Cinebench R23

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS is not as powerful as the 7940HX variant, although both CPUs are technically high-TDP variants. The Dragon Range HX series can go up to 75W, so much higher than Phoenix. Furthermore, the HX models offer 12 and 16 cores in their top specs, which explains nearly twice the performance in multi-threaded test.

On the other hand, Zen4 HS series provides 14% and 34% upgrade over 6900HX in single and multi-threaded workloads, a noticeable boost one must add.

3DMark

In our GPU tests we will be focusing on comparing the Radeon 780M (RDNA3) integrated graphics to the last-gen Radeon 680M (RDNA2) series. We outlined the most important differences between both models which apply to our test units.

Radeon 780M vs. 680M:

• Max GPU Clock: 2.8 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz
• GPU Config: 12CU RDNA3 vs. 12CU RDNA2
• Max TDP: 65W vs. 55W

Games

Grand Theft Auto V

Settings:

• [NORMAL]: Population Density/Variety/Scaling: Max, Texture/Shader/Shadow/Reflection/Particles Quality: Normal, Reflections MSAA: Off, Soft Shadows: Sharp, Post FX: Normal, Anisotropic Filtering: x4, Ambient Occlusion: Off, Tessellation: Off
• [VERY HIGH]: Population Density/Variety/Scaling: Max, Texture/Shader/Shadow/Reflection/Water/Particles Quality: Very High, Reflections MSAA: Off, Soft Shadows: Sharp, Post FX: Very High, Anisotropic Filtering: x16, Ambient Occlusion: High, Tessellation: Very High

	Grand Theft Auto V 2013, Rockstar North, RAGE Engine, Action Adventure
VideoCardz.com	1280×800 ↓	1920×1080
NORMAL
AMD Radeon 780M	145.4 (100%)	112.5 (100%)
	102.7 (71%)	78.4 (70%)
AMD Radeon 680M	107.3 (74%)	88.3 (78%)
	71.1 (49%)	61.4 (55%)
VERY HIGH
AMD Radeon 780M	99.6 (69%)	72.7 (65%)
	66.9 (46%)	49.2 (44%)
AMD Radeon 680M	78.5 (54%)	61.1 (54%)
	53.7 (37%)	41.2 (37%)

Cyberpunk 2077

Settings: using built-in graphics options.

	Cyberpunk 2077 2020, CD Projekt Red, REDengine4, Action Role-Playing
VideoCardz.com	1280×800 ↓	1920×1080
LOW
Radeon 780M	75.9 (100%)	50.8 (100%)
	36.7 (48%)	27.5 (54%)
Radeon 680M	58.1 (77%)	40.0 (79%)
	31.2 (41%)	23.9 (47%)
MEDIUM
Radeon 780M	66.9 (88%)	44.3 (87%)
	34.3 (45%)	24.8 (49%)
Radeon 680M	50.2 (66%)	32.8 (65%)
	28.0 (37%)	18.6 (36%)
HIGH
Radeon 780M	49.5 (65%)	34.6 (68%)
	26.0 (34%)	20.1 (40%)
Radeon 680M	37.3 (49%)	25.4 (48%)
	19.7 (26%)	14.6 (29%)
ULTRA
Radeon 780M	45.8 (60%)	30.5 (60%)
	25.4 (32%)	18.4 (36%)
Radeon 680M	34.2 (45%)	21.9 (43%)
	18.3 (24%)	11.6 (23%)
STEAM DECK
Radeon 680M	58.6 (77%)	38.5 (76%)
	31.5 (42%)	22.3 (44%)
Radeon 680M	42.4 (56%)	28.0 (55%)
	23.3 (31%)	15.4 (30%)
RT LOW
Radeon 780M	38.8 (51%)	25.4 (50%)
	22.1 (29%)	8.2 (16%)
Radeon 680M	28.9 (38%)	18.0 (35%)
	16.3 (21%)	9.2 (18%)

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Settings: using built-in graphics options.

	Shadow of the Tomb Raider 2018, Eidos, Foundation Engine, Action-adventure
VideoCardz.com	1280×800 ↓	1920×1080
Lowest
Radeon 780M	95.7 (100%)	66.0 (100%)
	64.6 (68%)	51.9 (79%)
Radeon 680M	76.5 (80%)	56.3 (81%)
	51.2 (54%)	44.6 (68%)
Medium
Radeon 780M	65.6 (69%)	42.5 (64%)
	48.5 (51%)	34.0 (52%)
Radeon 680M	54.4 (57%)	36.9 (56%)
	39.8 (42%)	28.9 (44%)
High
Radeon 780M	53.4 (56%)	41.4 (63%)
	45.3 (47%)	33.5 (51%)
Radeon 680M	45.4 (47%)	33.9 (51%)
	37.6 (39%)	28.5 (43%)
Highest
Radeon 780M	55.6 (58%)	35.1 (53%)
	40.6 (42%)	27.2 (41%)
Radeon 680M	45.6 (48%)	30.2 (46%)
	32.5 (34%)	22.3 (34%)

Hitman 3

Settings:

• [MEDIUM]  Default
• [HIGH] RT: On, LOD: Ultra, Texture: High, Anisotropic Filter x16, SSAO: Ultra, Mirrors Ref: High, Reflection: High, VRS: Quality

	Hitman 3 2021, IO Interactive, Glacier Engine, Stealth
VideoCardz.com	1280×800 ↓	1920×1080
MEDIUM, FSR Balanced
Radeon 780M	75 (100%)	55 (100%)
	45 (60%)	37 (67%)
Radeon 680M	53 (71%)	43 (78%)
	30 (40%)	23 (42%)
HIGH, FSR Balanced
Radeon 780M	67 (89%)	49 (89%)
	42 (56%)	33 (60%)
Radeon 680M	41 (55%)	41 (75%)
	22 (29%)	25 (45%)
MEDIUM, FSR OFF
Radeon 780M	74 (99%)	51 (93%)
	47 (63%)	37 (67%)
Radeon 680M	50 (67%)	36 (65%)
	26 (35%)	20 (36%)
HIGH, FSR OFF
Radeon 780M	64 (85%)	44 (80%)
	42 (56%)	31 (56%)
Radeon 680M	46 (61%)	34 (62%)
	25 (33%)	20 (36%)

Company of Heroes 3

Settings:

• [LOW] Image: Low, Physics: Low, Shadow: Low, Geometry: Low, AA: Low
• [MEDIUM] Image: Medium, Physics: Medium, Shadow: Medium, Geometry: Medium, AA: Low
• [HIGH] Image: High, Physics: High, Shadow: High, Geometry: High, AA: High

	Company of Heroes 3 2023, SEGA, Essence Engine 5.0, Real-Time Strategy
VideoCardz.com	1280×800 ↓	1920×1080
LOW
Radeon 780M	116.8 (100%)	75.9 (100%)
	60.3 (52%)	47.6 (63%)
Radeon 680M	90.5 (77%)	56.9 (75%)
	45.2 (39%)	38.1 (50%)
MEDIUM
Radeon 780M	103.0 (88%)	65.6 (86%)
	54.5 (47%)	36.4 (48%)
Radeon 680M	80.4 (69%)	51.8 (68%)
	42.0 (36%)	29.2 (38%)
HIGH
Radeon 780M	73.1 (63%)	49.7 (65%)
	43.8 (38%)	34.3 (45%)
Radeon 680M	54.8 (47%)	37.5 (49%)
	33.9 (29%)	27.2 (36%)

Conclusion

The Beelink GTR7 Pro Mini-PC is a formidable powerhouse that leaves a lasting impression. With its unlocked BIOS, users have the freedom to customize and optimize the system to their liking, catering to the needs of even the most demanding users. One of the standout features of this mini-PC is the increased power delivery, pumping up the TDP from the standard 45W to an impressive 65W, resulting in improved performance and responsiveness.

Equipped with the best AMD APU currently available on the market, the GTR7 Pro effortlessly handles intensive tasks, providing a smooth and immersive computing experience. The inclusion of 32GB DDR5-5600 memory by default ensures fast multitasking and seamless operation across a variety of applications.

The magnetic power cable adds convenience to the overall user experience, ensuring a secure and hassle-free connection. The integration of a fingerprint reader adds an extra layer of security, allowing for quick and reliable biometric authentication.

One commendable aspect of the GTR7 Pro is its clean software environment. Free from bloatware and unnecessary pre-installed applications, this mini-PC works flawlessly out of the box without the need for any third-party software.

However, a potential downside lies in the availability of drivers. As they are solely obtainable through the Beelink website, users may face challenges when it comes to obtaining the latest driver updates directly from AMD. This reliance on a single source for driver updates could potentially cause delays in accessing critical performance optimizations and bug fixes.

It’s worth noting that the included 140W charger is using proprietary connector built for the GTR7 Pro and cannot be utilized for other devices. While it ensures efficient power delivery to the mini-PC, it limits its versatility as an alternative charging solution.

The GTR7 Pro is available in four color options. Our unit came in ‘space gray’ option, which is the most likely to fit into most rooms.

In conclusion, the Beelink GTR7 Pro Mini-PC impresses with its unlocked BIOS, increased power delivery, and top-of-the-line AMD APU. Its ample memory, magnetic power cable, and fingerprint reader enhance convenience and security. While the lack of driver availability from AMD and the dedicated use of the 140W charger may pose minor limitations, the GTR7 Pro remains a formidable choice for those seeking an exceptional mini-PC experience.

We awarded the GTR7 PRO system with a Good Choice award, which we only give to reasonably priced products that do not fail at any point of testing.

At the time of writing, the GTR7 Pro with 1TB of storage and 32GB of memory was available at $789 (with applicable coupons). This is a fair price given the latest specs, considering the cheapest laptop featuring the same APU goes for around $1,600.

You can learn more about Beelink Gaming Mini PC GTR7 Pro here.