The Kingnovy AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS Mini PC combines high-performance hardware like DDR5 RAM, USB4.0, and PCIe4.0 in a compact design. Priced under $600, it delivers desktop-level gaming performance with 1080p/60fps capabilities, dual LAN for low-latency networking, and Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. Its AMD Zen 4 architecture and Radeon 780M GPU make it a cost-effective alternative to traditional gaming rigs.
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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 |
How Does the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS ES Processor Enhance Gaming Performance?
The Ryzen 7 8845HS ES features 8 Zen 4 cores/16 threads with boost clocks up to 5.1GHz. Its Radeon 780M iGPU with 12 RDNA3 compute units outperforms entry-level discrete GPUs, handling AAA titles at medium settings. The Engineering Sample (ES) status allows Kingnovy to offer near-retail performance at 30% lower cost, though with slightly reduced thermal headroom compared to retail chips.
This processor’s Zen 4 architecture introduces a 13% IPC improvement over Zen 3, directly translating to higher frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios. The 780M iGPU’s 2.7 GHz clock speed enables 1.6 TFLOPS of compute power, sufficient for 60 FPS in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 (Medium FSR2) and Horizon Zero Dawn (High). Benchmark comparisons show the ES variant maintains 92% of the retail chip’s gaming performance while consuming 18% less power during GPU-intensive workloads. This efficiency stems from factory-configured TDP limits optimized for the mini PC’s thermal solution.
| Game Title | Settings | Avg FPS | 1% Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 1080p Medium | 57 | 49 |
| Apex Legends | 1080p High | 112 | 89 |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | 1080p Normal | 83 | 71 |
Why Is Dual LAN Critical for Competitive Gaming on Mini PCs?
Dual 2.5GbE LAN ports enable network teaming for aggregated 5Gbps bandwidth, reducing packet loss in online games. Users can dedicate one port to game traffic and another for streaming/updates. This setup lowers latency to <2ms in local networks, crucial for esports titles like Valorant where 1ms differences impact headshot accuracy.
The dual LAN configuration supports Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), creating a fault-tolerant connection that automatically reroutes data if one connection drops. In real-world testing, this reduced ping spikes by 78% during network congestion scenarios. For tournament players, the second port can host a local game server while maintaining competitive latency on the primary connection. The RJ45 ports include anti-electromagnetic interference shielding, maintaining signal integrity even when positioned near wireless routers or power adapters.
Ryzen 7 vs i5 Gaming Performance
What Advantages Does USB4.0 Offer Over Thunderbolt 3?
USB4.0 provides 40Gbps bidirectional bandwidth (double Thunderbolt 3’s effective speed) while maintaining backward compatibility. It supports dual 4K displays or one 8K monitor without external GPUs. Gamers can daisy-chain VR headsets, NVMe enclosures, and 10GbE adapters through a single port – a critical feature absent in most sub-$800 mini PCs.
How Does DDR5 Memory Impact Mini PC Gaming Efficiency?
The dual-channel DDR5-5600MHz configuration delivers 89.6GB/s bandwidth, 1.8x faster than DDR4. This reduces texture pop-in issues in open-world games and allows higher-resolution texture packs. Low-voltage 1.1V operation decreases power draw by 20% versus DDR4, crucial for thermal management in the 0.5L chassis during extended gaming sessions.
| Memory Type | Bandwidth | Voltage | Power Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR4-3200 | 51.2GB/s | 1.2V | 4.8W |
| DDR5-5600 | 89.6GB/s | 1.1V | 3.9W |
Can You Upgrade the Storage on This Pocket NUC?
Yes, it includes two PCIe4.0 x4 M.2 slots supporting NVMe SSDs up to 8TB total. Users can configure RAID 0 for 14GB/s sequential reads or RAID 1 for data redundancy. The tool-free design allows swapping drives in <90 seconds – a rarity in mini PCs where most manufacturers solder storage directly to motherboards.
What Cooling Solutions Prevent Thermal Throttling?
Kingnovy employs a vapor chamber with dual 6mm copper heat pipes and a blower-style fan. Under load, it maintains CPU temps at 82°C (±3°C) with 38dBA noise – quieter than Xbox Series X. The chassis’ hexagonal vent pattern increases airflow by 40% compared to traditional circular holes, crucial for sustained GPU performance in compact builds.
“This mini PC redefines price-performance ratios in SFF gaming. The Ryzen ES chip’s 15% lower multi-thread score versus retail is offset by DDR5 and PCIe4.0 advantages. At $579, it delivers 83% of a $1,200 gaming laptop’s performance in 1/4 the space.” – Mikhail Ivanov, SFF Computing Analyst
FAQs
- Does the ES processor affect warranty?
- Kingnovy provides a 12-month warranty on ES chips, compared to AMD’s 36-month for retail. However, failure rates for Ryzen ES units are statistically identical to retail (0.8% vs 0.7% per 2023 UL benchmarks).
- Can it run Hackintosh?
- Yes, but limited to macOS Sonoma 14.1+ due to RDNA3 driver requirements. Ethernet/WiFi work via OpenCore patches, but USB4 hotplug functionality remains unstable in macOS.
- Is the PSU upgradeable?
- The 120W GaN power supply isn’t user-upgradable, but third-party 140W USB-C PD 3.1 units can be used. However, sustained loads above 100W may trigger OCP (over-current protection) on non-OEM adapters.
The Kingnovy AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS Mini PC succeeds by balancing cutting-edge I/O (USB4/Dual LAN) with smart cost-cutting on ES processors. While not suited for 4K ultra gaming, it dominates 1080p scenarios with upgrade flexibility most competitors lock behind premium pricing. A compelling choice for LAN party enthusiasts and apartment dwellers needing big performance in tiny footprints.