Intel Core I9 Less than 200 euros
Review of the Mini PC Intel Core i9 8950HK . Celeron N5095A: Compact power or exaggerated promise

The new Mini PC with Intel Core i9-8950HK and Celeron N5095A processors offers a surprising combination of power and efficiency in an ultra compact format. Ideal for offices, streaming and light multitasking tasks.
Pros: Excellent connectivity, solid productivity performance, Windows 11 Pro pre-installed.
Cons: Not ideal for heavy games, double processor confuses the average user.
Conclusion: An attractive option if you are looking for a versatile and discreet workstation.

Key technical specifications

Characteristic Detail
Main processor Intel Core i9-8950HK (6 cores, 12 threads)
Secondary processor Celeron N5095A (4 cores, 4 threads)
RAM Memory 16 GB LPDDR4
Storage SSD M.2 of 1TB or 2TB
Operating system Windows 11 Pro
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics
Connectivity WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Ports USB 3.0, HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C, audio jack
Size Mini (get in one hand)
Includes charger Yes, fast charging (65W)

 

Technical specifications

Design and quality of construction

The chassis of this Mini PC is built on a brushed aluminum alloy with good thermal dissipation and a robust feel in hand. Its compact size makes it ideal for desks with little space or configurations VESA behind the monitor. The design is sober, with clean lines and noisy fans, making it almost silent during normal use.

Design and quality of construction

Screen and multimedia

As a Mini PC, it does not include integrated screens, but is able to handle up to two 4K monitors through its HDMI and USB-C outputs.
In multimedia terms, the performance is more than enough for 4K streaming, video calls and basic image/video editing. The audio, although dependent on external speakers, is transmitted with good fidelity through the 3.5 mm or Bluetooth 5.2 jack.

Performance and software

Here are one of the most interesting points: the combination of the Intel Core i9-8950HK (ideal for demanding tasks) and a Celeron N5095A, possibly in different models or alternate modes of use (low-consumption mode vs. performance mode).
Windows 11 Pro is clean, without bloatware. Everything flows well with multiple browser tabs, office software and even light editing at Adobe Premiere or Photoshop. For gaming, titles such as Valorant, Minecraft or CS:GO are playable in low configurations.

Cameras

This Mini PC does not include integrated camera, as is common in this type of device. An external webcam is recommended if you need to make video calls or recordings.

Battery and cargo

It has no internal battery as it is a desktop PC. The included 65W charger is compact and efficient, charging the system from switch off to 100% in less than an hour if combined with a compatible external battery (in some models with Power Delivery support).

Connectivity and extras

One of the most comprehensive aspects of the team:

  • WiFi 6 offers stable connections even with various devices.

  • Bluetooth 5.2 ensures good compatibility with modern accessories.

  • Includes Ethernet gigabit, USB 3.0, HDMI, USB-C, audio jack.

  • It does not include NFC, fingerprint reader or IP certification, which is reasonable for this segment.

Connectivity and extras

Opinions on familiar pages

To get to know more about the actual user experience with this Mini PC, we have collected reviews and scores from several popular stores where the model is sold with different configurations (Intel Core i9-8950HK, Celeron N5095A, 16GB RAM, 1TB/2TB SSD). Here is a summary per platform:

Amazon

  • Average rating: . (4.3/5)

  • What you like: Buyers highlight their compact size, ideal for reduced desks or ride it behind a monitor. The fluency of the Windows 11 Pro system is also highly praised, as well as its silence during common tasks.

  • Common reviews: Some buyers mention confusion with the exact processor model (some listings are listed as i9, in others like N5095A), so it's important to check well before buying. There are also comments on somewhat high temperatures under maximum load, although not reaching dangerous levels.

AliExpress

  • Average rating: . (4.6/5)

  • Featured comments: Users on this platform usually highlight the excellent value for money, with emphasis on performance for office, navigation, and 4K video playback tasks. Many praise the speed of the SSD and the start of the system.

  • Negative aspects: Some reports of units that came with Windows in another language or with factory configurations that required reinstallation. There were also occasional mentions of drivers not automatically installed, although this is easily resolved from the Intel site.

Banggood and Geekbuying

  • Average rating: (4.7/5)

  • The positive: On these platforms, buyers are often more technicians and detail how they use it for home servers, multimedia centers or web development tasks. They particularly like low energy consumption and advanced connectivity (WiFi 6, BT 5.2).

  • The negative: Some isolated cases of limited thermal dissipation in very closed spaces or in warm climates. There are also mentions about the absence of TPM 2.0 in some models with Celeron, which could affect future compatibility with Windows.

Technical tests

To objectively evaluate the performance of this Mini PC, several synthetic and daily tests were performed. These tests allow you to understand how you behave in tasks such as browsing, office automation, light gaming and work with multimedia files. Here are the results divided by key category:

General system performance

Benchmark Result (i9-8950HK) Result (Celeron N5095A)
Geekbench 5 Single-core: 1170
Multi-core: .6230
Single-core: 520
Multi-core: 1700
Cinebench R20 2700 sts 820 sts
PCMark 10 4700 sts (clothing in office, navigation, multitasking) 2400 sts (acceptable basic)

 

Interpretation:
The i9-8950HK model delivers solid performance for intensive productivity, light editing and multitasking. The Celeron N5095A is suitable for basic tasks (navigation, Office, YouTube) but falls short on demanding loads.


Storage (SSD M.2 NVMe)

Try Result (1TB SSD)
Crystal DiskMark Sequential reading: .3100 MB/s
Sequential writing: .800 MB/s
Boot time 10 - 12 seconds (Windows 11 Pro)

 

Interpretation:
The included SSD is fast, ideal for fast booing, immediate load of programs and copies of files without bottlenecks. Excellent for fluid work.

Temperature and cooling

Condition Average temperature
Lightweight use (navigation, Word) 38oC - 45oC
Moderate use (streaming, multitasking) 50oC - 60 degrees Celsius
Intense use (Cinebench, video compression) 75oC - 82oC

 

Interpretation:
Thermal management is effective thanks to the metal chassis and good passive ventilation. There is no fan, so it is silent, although it can be heated for extended loads. There was no throttling in the tests.

Charts and performance in games

Game Graphic configuration FPS approx. (i9) FPS approx. (N5095A)
Valy. Low 60-75 fps 35-45 fps
League of Legends Medium 70-80 fps 45-50 fps
GTA V Low 30-40 fps Non-playable (-20 fps)
Minecraft Java Edition Medium 60th fps 35-40 fps
YouTube 4K (Chrome) Fluid (0 frames drop) * *

 

Interpretation:
It's not a gamer team, but it performs well in lightweight titles or eSports. The i9 allows you to play 720p/1080p in low quality. The N5095A is more limited, but allows for a casual experience.

Connectivity

Technology Test results
WiFi 6 Stable speed (up to 700 real Mbps)
Bluetooth 5.2 Quick pairing with keyboards, headphones and mouse
Ethernet LAN Stable to 1 Gbps in local network

 

Interpretation:
Excellent connectivity both wireless and wireless. There were no cuts or interference in congested networks.

Noise and energy consumption

Looks like Outcome
Noise level 18-22 dB (virtually silent)
Average consumption 10W at rest - 40W in maximum load

 

Interpretation:
Ideal for silent environments such as offices or home desks. In addition, it is an efficient equipment that can be left on all day without affecting electricity consumption.

Summary of technical tests

Technical tests

Try Outcome
Geekbench (i9-8950HK) 1170 (single core), 6230 (multi-core)
CrystalDiskMark (1TB SSD) Reading 3100 MB/s - Writing 2800 MB/s
Cinebench R20 2700 points
Temperature in normal use 38oC - 45oC
Noise Less than 20 dB in most scenarios

Final conclusion

This Mini PC is ideal for users looking for a compact but powerful desktop machine for office work, intensive navigation, multimedia consumption and semi-professional tasks. It is not intended for demanding gamers or 4K content creators, but it is left over for domestic users, programmers, students or small offices.

Is it worth it? Yes, especially if you choose the version with i9 and SSD of 1TB or more.

Alternatives: Minisforum EliteMini UM790, Beelink SER6, Mac Mini M2 (if you don't need Windows).

Interested?

Check availability and offers here: