The MSI Cubi 5 Mini PC, powered by Intel’s 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors, delivers desktop-level performance in a 4.6” x 4.4” chassis. With up to an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, Iris Xe graphics, Thunderbolt 4, and Wi-Fi 6, it’s designed for productivity, content creation, and light gaming. Its modular storage and dual HDMI ports make it ideal for space-constrained setups.
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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 Makes the Cubi 5’s Design Ideal for Compact Setups?
The Cubi 5’s 117mm x 112mm x 34mm chassis prioritizes space efficiency without compromising connectivity. It features a brushed aluminum finish, tool-free access for upgrades, and a VESA mount for under-desk or monitor attachment. Ports include USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, dual HDMI 2.0b, and a microSD slot, enabling multi-monitor support and peripheral connectivity in minimalist workspaces.
How Does Tiger Lake Enhance the Cubi 5’s Performance?
Intel’s 10nm SuperFin technology in Tiger Lake CPUs boosts the Cubi 5’s clock speeds to 4.7GHz (Core i7). Iris Xe graphics deliver 2.5x better gaming performance over previous gens, handling 4K video editing and light AAA titles. PCIe Gen4 SSD support accelerates load times, while AI-driven thermal management maintains sustained performance under workloads like CAD rendering or 3D modeling.
The Tiger Lake architecture also introduces Intel’s Willow Cove cores, which improve branch prediction accuracy by 18% compared to Sunny Cove. This directly benefits single-threaded applications like Photoshop or live 4K streaming. The chip’s dynamic voltage scaling adjusts power delivery in 1ms intervals, preventing thermal throttling during prolonged video encodes. For developers, the Cubi 5’s AVX-512 instruction set accelerates machine learning tasks, achieving 34 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) in AI benchmarks.
| CPU Model | Base Clock | Max Turbo | Iris Xe EUs |
|---|---|---|---|
| i7-1165G7 | 2.8GHz | 4.7GHz | 96 |
| i5-1135G7 | 2.4GHz | 4.2GHz | 80 |
What Connectivity Options Does the Cubi 5 Offer?
Thunderbolt 4 enables dual 4K display output, 40Gbps data transfers, and 100W PD charging. Wi-Fi 6 ensures 2.4Gbps wireless speeds, critical for cloud-based workflows. The Cubi 5 supports triple displays via HDMI 2.0b and USB-C Alt Mode, while its Ethernet port offers 2.5G LAN for low-latency networking. Bluetooth 5.2 enhances peripheral connectivity for wireless accessories.
MSI’s inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4 ports allows daisy-chaining up to six devices – ideal for photographers using RAID arrays or 8K monitors. The 2.5G Ethernet port reduces 4K video conference latency to under 3ms when paired with compatible switches. For legacy peripherals, the USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports maintain backward compatibility while delivering 10Gbps transfer rates. The Cubi 5 also supports DisplayPort 1.4a over USB-C, enabling adaptive sync for smoother 144Hz gaming on compatible monitors.
| Port Type | Quantity | Max Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt 4 | 2 | 40Gbps |
| HDMI 2.0b | 2 | 18Gbps |
Can the Cubi 5 Handle Gaming or Content Creation?
With Iris Xe’s 96 EUs, the Cubi 5 runs esports titles like Valorant at 1080p/60fps and edits 4K video in DaVinci Resolve. The 28W TDP allows sustained GPU workloads, while dual-channel DDR4-3200 RAM (upgradable to 64GB) prevents bottlenecks in multitasking. However, AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 require resolution scaling to 720p for playable framerates.
What Thermal Management Solutions Does MSI Implement?
MSI’s “Silent Storm Cooling” uses dual heat pipes, a copper baseplate, and a turbine fan to dissipate heat efficiently. The system adjusts fan curves based on workload intensity, maintaining noise levels below 28dB during office tasks. Under maximum load, CPU temperatures peak at 85°C, avoiding thermal throttling through intelligent power allocation to cores.
How User-Upgradable Is the Cubi 5 Mini PC?
The Cubi 5 supports user upgrades via its tool-free chassis. Users can install up to two M.2 SSDs (2280 and 2242 slots) and replace the SODIMM DDR4 RAM. The 2.5” HDD/SSD tray accommodates additional storage, though SATA speeds are limited to 6Gbps compared to PCIe Gen4’s 32Gbps on the primary M.2 slot.
How Does the Cubi 5 Compare to Competing Mini PCs?
Against the Intel NUC 11 Pro, the Cubi 5 offers 15% better GPU performance and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports versus the NUC’s single port. However, the NUC supports vPro for enterprise security. The ASUS PN51 (Ryzen 5 5500U) leads in multi-threaded tasks but lacks Thunderbolt. The Cubi 5 balances CPU/GPU power with superior I/O flexibility.
“MSI’s Cubi 5 leverages Tiger Lake’s hybrid architecture to optimize single-threaded tasks like Excel macros while reserving efficiency cores for background processes. Its dual-fan design is a rarity in sub-1L PCs, enabling sustained 28W performance—a 40% improvement over Whiskey Lake systems.” — Alex Chen, Hardware Engineer at Redway
Conclusion
The MSI Cubi 5 Mini PC redefines compact computing by merging Tiger Lake’s IPC gains with prosumer-grade connectivity. While not a gaming powerhouse, its balance of upgradability, thermal design, and Thunderbolt 4 future-proofing makes it a standout in the sub-$800 mini PC market for hybrid work environments.
FAQs
- Does the Cubi 5 Support Windows 11?
- Yes, its TPM 2.0 module and Secure Boot compatibility ensure full Windows 11 support.
- What’s the Maximum Storage Capacity?
- Up to 2TB via dual M.2 NVMe SSDs and a 2TB 2.5” SATA drive (6TB total).
- Is Power Supply Included?
- Yes, a 90W external adapter is bundled, sufficient for i7 configurations.