Beelink GTR7 mini-PC Review: A Complete AMD Phoenix Package at 65W
by Ganesh T S on August 24, 2023 8:00 AM ESTSetup Notes and Platform Analysis
Our review sample of the Beelink GTR7 7840HS came with all necessary components pre-installed - including the OS. Prior to setting up the OS on first boot, we took some time to look into the BIOS interface. While the interface is fairly basic (navigable only via keyboard), a lot of options are exposed for end users to play around with. The video below presents an overview of the BIOS interface.
The main screen provides a quick overview of the system configuration with the memory capacity and speed being the most important from a system configuration viewpoint. The BIOS version is also available in this screen. The system is equipped with both firmware and discrete TPMs, with the firmware TPM enabled by default. Various TPM aspects can be configured in the 'Advanced > TPM/DTPM Computing' sub-section. ACPI settings in the same section allows for configuration of hibernation and suspend states.
The UMA Frame buffer size (VRAM) is set to 4GB by default under 'AMD CBS > NBIO Common Options > GFX Configuration', but it can be as high as 16GB (with 32GB of DRAM installed). Other iGPU configurations such as GPU host cache settings can also be configured in this sub-section. Other northbridge options such as audio output paths and PCIe loopback mode can also be configured in this section. AMD CBS also allows configuration of behavior on AC power loss and restoration, and various system management unit options such as thermal and power parameters (sustained power limit, package power tracking, skin-temperature aware power management, etc.). Beelink sets all power numbers under SmartShift control to 65000 (mW) by default. The other configuration sub-sections under AMD CBS also allows control over aspects like CPU virtualization support, resizable BAR, SR-IOV, and PCIe hot-plug support, USB hardware parameters like timeouts, NVMe device tests, UEFI network stack configuration for the I225-V LAN controllers, etc.
USB ports can be selectively locked from 'Chipset > South Bridge > SB USB Configuration'. The 'North Bridge' subsection is informative in nature and provides the size and speed of the memory modules attached. The BIOS password and secure boot state can be modified in the 'Security' section. This section also includes the TCG Pyrite 2.0 configuration for the NVMe SSD (if it is supported by the installed drive). The 'Boot' section allows configuration of the NumLock state during the boot process, and the fast boot setting. The boot order for various boot devices can also be set up. The 'Save & Exit' section allows users to either save and reset, or reset without saving, override all settings with the factory defaults, or save a particular configuration as user defaults. Most importantly, it also includes a boot override that allows the selection of a particular boot device for the next boot alone.
The block diagram below presents the overall high-speed I/O distribution.
Except for the two rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-A ports enabled by an ASMedia ASM3142 controller chip (detected as ASM2142 in the kernel), all the other USB ports (including the two USB4 ports denoted as PCIe USB4 Bridge in the diagram above) are natively from the controller hub on the Phoenix die. There are twenty usable PCIe Gen4 lanes, and the break-up is as below:
- PCIe 3.0 x2: ASMedia ASM3142
- PCIe 4.0 x4: M.2 2280 SSD Slot #0
- PCIe 4.0 x4: M.2 2280 SSD Slot #1
- PCIe 2.0 x1: Intel I225-V #0
- PCIe 2.0 x1: Intel I225-V #1
- PCIe 2.0 x1: Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6
While the USB4 ports support PCIe tunneling with full Thunderbolt 3 compatibility (including external GPU enclosures), they do not have support for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) clients. Those operate at 10 Gbps speeds in both USB4 ports of the GTR7 7840HS.
In today's review, we compare the Beelink GTR7 against a host of other systems configured with similarly high TDPs. Since the GTR7 claims to operate at 65W, we also included the ASRock DeskMeet B660 in the mix - even though it is configured with a 65W budget for the CPU alone, and the discrete GPU having its own envelop.
Comparative PC Configurations | ||
Aspect | Beelink GTR7 | |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Zen 4 (Phoenix) 8C/16T, 3.8 - 5.1 GHz TSMC 4nm, 16MB L3, 35-54W Target TDP : 65W |
AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Zen 4 (Phoenix) 8C/16T, 3.8 - 5.1 GHz TSMC 4nm, 16MB L3, 35-54W Target TDP : 65W |
GPU | AMD Radeon 780M (RDNA3 / Phoenix) - Integrated (12 CUs @ 2.7 GHz) |
AMD Radeon 780M (RDNA3 / Phoenix) - Integrated (12 CUs @ 2.7 GHz) |
RAM | Crucial CT16G56C46S5.M8G1 DDR5-5600 SODIMM 46-45-45-90 @ 5600 MHz 2x16 GB |
Crucial CT16G56C46S5.M8G1 DDR5-5600 SODIMM 46-45-45-90 @ 5600 MHz 2x16 GB |
Storage | Crucial P3 Plus CT1000P3PSSD8 (1 TB; M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe;) (Micron 176L 3D QLC (N48R); Phison E21T Controller) |
Crucial P3 Plus CT1000P3PSSD8 (1 TB; M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe;) (Micron 176L 3D QLC (N48R); Phison E21T Controller) |
Wi-Fi | 2x 2.5 GbE RJ-45 (Intel I225-V) Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2x2 802.11ax - 2.4 Gbps) |
2x 2.5 GbE RJ-45 (Intel I225-V) Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (2x2 802.11ax - 2.4 Gbps) |
Price (in USD, when built) | (Street Pricing on Aug 19th, 2023) US $709 (as configured, with OS) |
(Street Pricing on Aug 19th, 2023) US $709 (as configured, with OS) |
Benchmarks were processed afresh on all of the above systems with the latest BIOS for each. The next few sections will deal with comparative benchmarks for the above systems.
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holymaniac1 - Thursday, August 24, 2023 - link
What do you mean? "Windows is unable to present a 4K UI as a result, and the desktop resolution remains fixed at 1080p."Does that mean my PC monitor cannot be full 4K resolution? That's nuts!
ganeshts - Thursday, August 24, 2023 - link
Please re-read the context of that statement - it is when UMA Buffer Size is set to 'Auto'. By default, it is set to 4G by Beelink. In that setting, there is no trouble outputting 4K to the monitor.The statement was made as a feedback for Beelink to ensure that BIOS parameters are labeled in a logical and user-friendly manner.
Oxford Guy - Thursday, August 24, 2023 - link
I hope the Bee in the name isn't about the noise from the fan in this thing. I didn't see any mention of that but perhaps I missed it.mode_13h - Saturday, August 26, 2023 - link
Good question. STH reviewed the same unit and had fairly positive things to say about its noise profile and levels:https://www.servethehome.com/beelink-gtr7-changes-...
Sne4ky - Friday, August 25, 2023 - link
Does anyone have info if it’s support external gpu?And is this desktop or mobile cpu? So later on the cpu can be swapped for another?
meacupla - Friday, August 25, 2023 - link
It can do external GPU over USB4 or NVMe to occulink/PCIe adapterIt's a laptop CPU, and it's not user replaceable.
deil - Friday, August 25, 2023 - link
That puny fan looks like an AliExpress keychain replica of what you really wanted to order.....To be honest they should give you this if you pick 35W TDP and 65W should have raiser and good Noctua slim 120mm fan underneath.
I might seriously consider this, but that fan is seriously under powered for what they put in this box.
meacupla - Friday, August 25, 2023 - link
The fan might be underpowered, but the real issue is the SSD heatsink. It doesn't cover the entire length, and the pads don't make good contact with the controller.I don't think a 120mm would fit. 92mm slim maybe?
I think something like an Airjet cooler would do wonders in here. Particularly with the RAM.
ganeshts - Friday, August 25, 2023 - link
The lower SODIMM stick definitely needs airflow, as seen in the 10C temperature difference in our stress test.As for the SSD, I don't think it is much of a concern because the segment not covered by the heatsink is directly under the system fan - so it gets plenty of airflow.
Could the thermals be better? Absolutely. But, would I trade the fan for an extended SSD heatsink? Probably not, because that would mean sacrificing airflow for the RAM (there is not much place in the internal shroud to place the fan otherwise, without affecting airflow to either the RAM or the SSD).
meacupla - Friday, August 25, 2023 - link
Honestly, I think they should switch over to CAMM. Lower Z height, and don't have to worry about blocked airflow.