Review: Geekom XT13 Pro (Intel Core i9-13900H) Mini PC

Introduction

This review examines the XT13 Pro, powered by a Core i9-13900H processor, equipped with 32 GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and operating on Windows 11 Professional. Despite its compact size, the XT13 Pro includes advanced features such as Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, and a variety of USB ports.  The Geekom XT13 Pro mini PC delivers significant computing power with its 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor. The GEEKOM XT13 Pro is engineered with a high-performance Intel Core i9-13900H processor, featuring 14 CPU cores, 20 threads, and 24MB Intel Smart Cache. It perates at a maximum frequency of 5.4 GHz, making it suitable for demanding tasks. It supports high-resolution video outputs up to 8K and can handle up to four 4K displays simultaneously. The device also includes advanced connectivity options, featuring 2.5Gbps Ethernet for fast wired internet connections and supporting Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for enhanced wireless communication. In terms of memory and storage, the XT13 Pro supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and offers substantial storage configurations. It includes options for a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD and a secondary small form factor M.2 SATA SSD, providing adaptable storage solutions that meet both speed and capacity requirements. For this review, Geekom provided a unit configured with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD. Equipped with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, the XT13 Pro includes an integrated GPU with 96 execution units and a maximum dynamic frequency of 1.45GHz. This setup enables smooth gameplay for modern AAA titles, making it a versatile choice for both work and entertainment. The system comes standard with 32GB DDR4 RAM, which is upgradeable to 64GB, ensuring ample memory for multitasking and intensive applications. Additionally, it includes a 1TB SSD with expansion capabilities up to 2TB, offering significant storage space for large files and fast data access.

Connectivity is a key feature of the XT13 Pro, which includes a variety of ports: two HDMI ports, two USB 4.0 ports, four USB ports, and a 2.5 GbE LAN port. These options facilitate a range of peripherals, including display audio, VR systems, barcode scanners, and receipt printers. The XT13 Pro's design incorporates a uni-body aluminum chassis, with a compact form factor measuring only half a liter in volume. This robust and sleek construction ensures durability and portability. Thermal management in the XT13 Pro is handled by an active cooling system includes a high-efficiency cooling fan, a large heatsink, dual heat pipes, and advanced thermal grease. The strategic placement of these components ensures efficient heat dissipation, maintaining optimal performance and stability during heavy workloads.


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Component Description
SoC 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H 14-core/20-thread (6P+8E) Raptor Lake processor @ up to 5.40 GHz (P-cores) or 4.10 GHz (E-Cores) with Intel Iris Xe Graphics; PBP: 45W
System Memory Up to 64GB dual-channel DDR4-3200MHz SODIMM
Storage M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSD Up to 2 TB
M.2 2242 SATA SSD socket up to 1 TB
Video Output 2x HDMI 2.0
2x DisplayPort via USB4 ports up to 8K resolution
Up to 4x 4K independent displays
Audio 3.5mm audio jack
Networking 2.5GbE RJ45 jack
WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 via M.2 module
USB 2x USB 4 “Gen3” Type-C ports with Power Delivery (PD) and DisplayPort Alt. mode supports
3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports including one with Power delivery support
1x USB 2.0 Type-A port
Misc Power button
Power LED (White)
Kensington Lock slot
Power Supply 19V/6.32A via DC jack
Dimensions 117 x 111 x 38.5 cm


The Intel Core i9-13900H is a high-performance mobile CPU designed for laptops, based on the Raptor Lake-H series, utilizing the Alder Lake architecture. Announced in early 2023, this processor features a hybrid architecture comprising six performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and eight efficiency cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading, allowing for a total of 20 threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock speed of the performance cluster ranges from 2.6 GHz to 5.4 GHz for single-core turbo, with an all-core turbo speed of 4.9 GHz. The efficiency cluster operates between 1.9 GHz and 4.1 GHz. The E-cores' performance is comparable to older Skylake cores, such as the Core i7-6920HQ. The entire CPU can access up to 24 MB of L3 cache. Unlike the Core i9-13900HK, the 13900H does not support an open multiplier for overclocking but includes the complete set of vPro management features. The integrated memory controller is compatible with various memory types, supporting up to DDR5-5200, an improvement from the 4800 MHz support in the 12th generation. The hardware-based Thread Director optimizes performance by intelligently directing threads to either performance or efficient cores based on the workload. For AI-related tasks, the CPU incorporates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost via AVX2 instructions. Version 8 of Quick Sync Video is included, supporting hardware acceleration for MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1, JPEG, VP8, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode. Additionally, the CPU supports PCIe 5.0 x8 for GPU connectivity and two PCIe 4.0 x4 interfaces for SSDs, enhancing data transfer speeds and overall system performance. The integrated graphics solution is based on the Xe architecture, providing 96 Execution Units (EUs). This ensures robust integrated graphics performance suitable for a range of applications. The CPU has a base power rating of 45 W (PL1) and a peak power consumption of 115 W (PL2). However, typical laptop implementations will likely use a PL1 setting around 60 W. The System on Chip (SoC) is fabricated using Intel's 10nm process technology, branded as Intel 7, offering improved efficiency over the previous 12th generation processors. From a power consumption perspective, the i9-13900H has a minimum assured power draw of 35W, with a typical base power consumption of 45W. Under maximum turbo conditions, recommended by Intel, the CPU can consume up to 115W. This processor is manufactured using Intel's 4th generation 10nm technology, referred to as Intel 7, which aims to optimize power efficiency relative to its performance output.


Printed from: https://www.guru3d.com/review/review-geekom-xt13-pro-intel-core-i913900h-mini-pc/