The Intel Core i7-1255U is a 10-core mobile processor with 12 threads and integrated Iris Xe graphics, featuring a base clock of 1.20 GHz and turbo up to 4.70 GHz. While primarily used in ultrabooks and business laptops like the Dell Precision 3570 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, its thermal design power (TDP) of 15W makes it theoretically suitable for compact systems requiring efficient performance.
Small Home Server Build: The Perfect Server with a Mini PC
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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 defines a Mini PC with i7-1255U?
A 12th-gen Intel U-series processor in mini PC form factors requires advanced thermal solutions to maintain 4.7GHz boost clocks. These systems typically support dual-channel DDR4-3200 RAM and PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage. Pro Tip: Look for models with vapor chamber cooling to prevent throttling during sustained workloads.
Mini PCs using this CPU must balance power delivery and thermal capacity. While the chip’s base TDP is 15W, manufacturers often configure it between 20-28W for better performance. For example, the MinisForum HX90G successfully implements similar thermal strategies despite different processors. Warning: Avoid models relying solely on aluminum heatsinks—they struggle with multi-core rendering tasks exceeding 30 minutes.
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FAQs
Yes, using Iris Xe’s 96EU GPU with 32GB dual-channel RAM. However, export times lag behind discrete GPUs by 40-60% in Premiere Pro benchmarks.
Are Thunderbolt 4 ports standard?
Most models include 1-2 TB4 ports, but verify certification—uncertified implementations limit daisy-chaining to two 4K displays instead of four.