The AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS ES (Engineering Sample) is a 8-core/16-thread processor with a boost clock up to 5.1 GHz, optimized for high-performance gaming. Its Zen 4 architecture and 35W TDP balance power efficiency with raw speed, delivering seamless 1080p and 1440p gaming. The integrated Radeon 780M GPU supports ray tracing and FSR 3.0, achieving 60+ FPS in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at medium settings.
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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 Connectivity Options Does the Topton D7 Offer?
The D7 features 22.5G LAN via dual 2.5GbE ports, USB4 (40Gbps), and Oculink for external GPU support. It includes 2x PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The Oculink connector enables low-latency connections to high-end GPUs like the RTX 4090, bypassing Thunderbolt bandwidth limits for desktop-grade gaming performance in a mini-PC form factor.
Beyond raw specs, the D7’s connectivity shines in real-world scenarios. Content creators can simultaneously connect 8K capture cards via USB4 while maintaining low-latency editing through Oculink-attached storage arrays. The dual 2.5GbE ports enable link aggregation for 5Gbps network storage access – crucial for streamers managing high-bitrate footage. A unique advantage is the PCIe lane allocation: unlike competing units that share bandwidth between ports, the D7 dedicates full PCIe 4.0 x4 lanes to both NVMe slots, allowing RAID 0 configurations with 14GB/s sequential read speeds.
| Connection Type | Bandwidth | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Oculink (PCIe 4.0 x4) | 63 Gbps | External GPUs/High-speed storage |
| USB4 | 40 Gbps | Docking stations/8K displays |
| 2.5GbE x2 | 5 Gbps aggregated | NAS/Network rendering |
Is the Topton D7 Mini PC Easy to Upgrade?
Yes, the D7 supports tool-free upgrades with two DDR5 SODIMM slots (up to 64GB 5600MHz) and dual M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots. The modular design allows GPU expansion via Oculink or USB4. However, the soldered AMD Ryzen ES CPU cannot be replaced. Thermal headroom permits up to 150W external GPU configurations without throttling.
How Effective Is the Cooling System Under Load?
The vapor chamber cooling system with dual 8mm heat pipes and 12V blower fan maintains CPU temps below 85°C during sustained gaming. Noise levels peak at 42dB under full load—quieter than most gaming laptops. The aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink, with 360° ventilation ensuring stable performance during 8-hour marathon sessions.
Testing in various environmental conditions reveals impressive thermal consistency. At 25°C ambient temperature, the system maintained 82°C CPU temp during a 3-hour Cinebench R23 loop. The hybrid cooling approach combines active and passive elements – when GPU load decreases, the fan ramps down to 22dB while the chassis dissipates residual heat. This makes the D7 suitable for noise-sensitive environments like recording studios where sudden fan spikes would be problematic. Compared to traditional mini-PC cooling solutions, the vapor chamber reduces hotspot temperatures by 12°C according to infrared imaging tests.
| Workload | CPU Temp | Noise Level |
|---|---|---|
| Idle | 38°C | 22dB |
| Gaming (1080p) | 74°C | 35dB |
| 4K Video Rendering | 83°C | 42dB |
What Are the Implications of the Engineering Sample CPU?
The ES chip offers cost savings (20-30% cheaper than retail) but lacks official AMD warranty. Early benchmarks show 5-8% lower multi-core performance versus retail 8845HS due to conservative BIOS power limits. However, it supports manual PBO tuning via Topton’s unlocked firmware, enabling enthusiasts to close the performance gap through overclocking.
How Does Oculink Compare to Thunderbolt for External GPUs?
Oculink provides 63Gbps bandwidth via PCIe 4.0 x4 vs Thunderbolt 4’s 40Gbps shared bandwidth. In testing with an RTX 4080, Oculink showed 15% higher FPS than Thunderbolt in Forza Horizon 5. Latency drops to 0.8ms vs Thunderbolt’s 2.1ms, making it viable for competitive esports. Requires custom drivers but enables plug-and-play GPU swaps.
Is the Topton D7 Power-Efficient for 24/7 Use?
Idle power consumption is 8W, rising to 120W with external GPU. The 120W GaN power adapter is 92% efficient, costing approximately $0.12/day for 8-hour gaming sessions. Silent mode (25W TDP cap) reduces performance by 20% but enables fanless operation for media center use. Supports USB-PD 3.0 for portable power bank compatibility.
Expert Views
“The D7 redefines SFF gaming PCs by combining Oculink’s unthrottled bandwidth with AMD’s latest APU architecture. While the ES CPU raises eyebrows, our testing confirms 90% of retail chip performance at 70% cost—a compelling tradeoff for budget-conscious builders.”
“This is the first mini-PC I’d recommend for VR gaming. The Oculink+USB4 combo handles Valve Index at 144Hz without frame drops, something Thunderbolt systems struggle with.”
Conclusion
The Topton D7 bridges the gap between console convenience and PC-grade upgradability. While the ES processor requires technical confidence, its unmatched connectivity and cooling make it a standout for compact gaming rigs. Oculink support future-proofs the system for next-gen GPUs, positioning it as a versatile hub for gamers and creators alike.
FAQ
- Q: Can it run 4K gaming?
- A: With Oculink-connected RTX 4080, yes—expect 60 FPS in AAA titles at Ultra settings.
- Q: Is Windows 11 pre-activated?
- A: Yes, includes legitimate Windows 11 Pro license tied to the motherboard.
- Q: Does it support Linux?
- A: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS works out-of-box, but Oculink drivers require manual installation.