Testing the Geekom IT13 Max Core Ultra 9 Mini PC
The quest for powerful computing often leads us to massive tower servers, but what happens when you can pack desktop-class punch into a chassis small enough for a coffee table? Enter the Geekom IT13 Max, a mini PC that manages to hide serious processing power inside a surprisingly compact, fingerprint-prone shell.
While many might dismiss it as just another office machine, this device is an absolute powerhouse for the home server enthusiast. Anchored by the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, the IT13 Max proves that you don’t need sprawling hardware to run complex systems. We put this machine to the ultimate test, transforming a standard Windows setup into a fully functional, self-hosted cloud alternative—running Proxmox, Docker, and the popular Immich photo backup server—in a mere twenty-two minutes.
The real magic of the IT13 Max lies in its efficiency and connectivity. The Core Ultra 9 185H is phenomenal for demanding tasks like video transcoding and running multiple virtual machines. But beyond raw power, the machine’s efficiency is astonishing; when running headless on Proxmox, it managed to draw as little as five watts from the wall. This efficiency makes it a compelling choice for any setup.
For those planning a custom home lab or NAS, the I/O capabilities are particularly striking. The IT13 Max offers a robust foundation, featuring dual 2.5GbE LAN ports and two lightning-fast 40Gbps USB-C ports, alongside five 10Gbps USB-A ports. This extensive connectivity makes it a highly flexible platform for building complex networks.
However, no hardware is without its quirks. For virtualization aficionados, the system has some limitations. The 24GB of LPDDR5 5600MHz RAM is soldered onto the board, meaning there is no room for future upgrades. Furthermore, while the potential is vast, unlocking the processor’s full potential requires booting into Windows to access Geekom’s advanced BIOS tools—a step that can feel tedious if you prefer a purely Linux-based hypervisor setup.
Perhaps the most significant caveat lies in the storage configuration. The included 512GB Kingston NV3 M.2 SSD, while adequate for small bursts of work, proves to be a bottleneck when operating as a demanding server. Sustained write operations exceeding 30GB can cause performance throttling and raise concerns about long-term durability. If you intend to rely on this machine for heavy server loads, upgrading the storage drive is highly recommended.
Despite these hardware trade-offs, the Geekom IT13 Max delivers an incredibly versatile package. In just twenty-two minutes, we demonstrated that this mini PC is powerful, efficient, and versatile enough to handle serious self-hosting demands. It proves that you can achieve a high-performance home server without the footprint of a massive tower.
The Geekom IT13 Max is available for £692.55, offering a compelling blend of high-end performance and server-grade flexibility.
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