The Topton P5 12th Gen Micro Fanless Mini PC is designed for high-efficiency networking and virtualization. Powered by Intel’s N-series processors (N100/N150/N305/N355), DDR5 RAM, and dual 2.5G LAN ports, it excels as a Proxmox server or firewall. Its fanless design ensures silent operation, while compact dimensions make it perfect for space-constrained environments.
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Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
What Are the Key Features of the Topton P5 Fanless Mini PC?
The Topton P5 includes a 12th Gen Intel processor (up to N355), DDR5 memory support, dual 2.5G Intel i226-V LAN ports, and multiple I/O options (HDMI, USB 3.2, M.2 slots). Its fanless thermal design reduces noise and dust buildup, making it ideal for 24/7 operation. The compact chassis supports wall-mounting and fits in tight spaces.
Beyond core specifications, the device features USB-C Power Delivery for flexible power input and supports up to three independent displays via HDMI and USB-C Alt Mode. Its M.2 2280 slot accommodates NVMe SSDs for rapid storage access, while the SATA III interface allows for secondary drive expansion. The aluminum unibody construction enhances heat dissipation, maintaining component longevity even during sustained workloads.
How Does the Topton P5 Perform as a Proxmox Server?
With up to 32GB DDR5 RAM and 4x performance cores, the Topton P5 efficiently runs Proxmox for virtualization. Its dual 2.5G LAN ports enable high-speed networking, while low-power Intel N-series CPUs (TDP 6W–15W) reduce energy costs. The absence of moving parts ensures reliability for hosting VMs or containers in homelabs or small businesses.
In practical deployments, users can allocate dedicated cores to specific VMs – for instance, running a pfSense firewall alongside a Home Assistant container and media server. The N305 processor handles 8 concurrent threads, enabling smooth operation of multiple lightweight services. For storage-intensive setups, combining an NVMe boot drive with a 2TB SATA SSD provides both speed and capacity. Proxmox’s ZFS support pairs well with the P5’s hardware, offering data redundancy through software RAID configurations.
Why Choose a Fanless Design for a Firewall PC?
Fanless systems eliminate noise and mechanical failures, critical for always-on firewalls like pfSense or OPNsense. The Topton P5’s aluminum heatsink dissipates heat passively, ensuring stable performance under load. Dual 2.5G LAN ports handle gigabit internet speeds, while AES-NI encryption accelerates VPN traffic without thermal throttling.
Which Intel Processors Power the Topton P5?
The Topton P5 offers Intel N100 (4-core), N150 (4-core), N305 (8-core), and N355 (8-core) CPUs. These 12th Gen Alder Lake-N chips feature hybrid architecture, DDR5 support, and Intel UHD Graphics. The N305 and N355 models excel in multi-threaded tasks, while the N100/N150 prioritize energy efficiency for lightweight workloads.
| Processor | Cores/Threads | Base Clock | Max Turbo |
|---|---|---|---|
| N100 | 4C/4T | 1.8GHz | 3.4GHz |
| N305 | 8C/8T | 1.8GHz | 3.8GHz |
| N355 | 8C/8T | 2.0GHz | 3.7GHz |
How to Configure the Topton P5 for Optimal Performance?
- RAM: Install dual-channel DDR5 RAM (up to 32GB) for faster virtualization.
- Storage: Use NVMe SSDs for Proxmox VMs and SATA drives for backups.
- Networking: Bond LAN ports for failover or load balancing.
- Cooling: Ensure proper ventilation to prevent thermal throttling.
What Are the Energy Efficiency Benefits of the Topton P5?
The Topton P5’s Intel N-series CPUs have a TDP of 6W–15W, consuming up to 80% less power than traditional desktops. Combined with fanless operation, it reduces electricity costs and environmental impact. Ideal for solar-powered setups or edge computing deployments requiring low energy use.
Can the Topton P5 Handle 4K Video Output?
Yes. The Intel UHD Graphics (16 EUs) supports 4K@60Hz via HDMI 2.0. While not designed for gaming, it smoothly streams media or displays dashboards. For Proxmox, GPU passthrough enables virtual machines to leverage integrated graphics for light graphical tasks.
“The Topton P5 bridges the gap between low-power SBCs and bulky servers. Its DDR5 and dual 2.5G LAN make it a standout for homelab enthusiasts. For small businesses, it’s a cost-effective firewall or virtualization host that sips power.” — Network Hardware Specialist, TechEdge Solutions
Conclusion
The Topton P5 12th Gen Micro Fanless Mini PC is a versatile, energy-efficient solution for Proxmox, firewalls, and edge computing. Its blend of modern hardware, silent operation, and compact design positions it as a top choice for tech enthusiasts and businesses prioritizing reliability and performance in constrained environments.
FAQs
- Does the Topton P5 support Windows 11?
- Yes, it meets Windows 11 requirements with TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot support.
- Can I upgrade the RAM and storage later?
- Yes, it has two DDR5 SODIMM slots and M.2/SATA bays for easy upgrades.
- Is the Topton P5 suitable for a router?
- Absolutely. Its dual 2.5G LAN and firewall-ready design make it perfect for routing/VPN tasks.