The Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 is a compact and affordable mini PC designed for everyday tasks and light workloads. Housed in a sleek black anodized metal chassis, it features an Intel Core 3304 processor with a 4.3 GHz boost clock, 16 GB of onboard memory, and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. While its storage is slower than a Gen 3 SSD, it delivers responsive performance for activities like web browsing and document editing, according to ETA Prime.
Explore how this device handles real-world scenarios, from streaming multiple 4K videos to light gaming and emulation. Gain insight into its benchmark results, which highlight competitive single-core and multi-core performance within its category. You’ll also learn about its connectivity options, including dual HDMI 2.1 ports and USB 4, and how these features contribute to its versatility for both casual users and specific use cases like digital signage.
TL;DR Key Takeaways :
- The Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 is an ultra-compact mini PC featuring a sleek black anodized metal chassis, powered by the Intel Core 3304 processor with 16 GB of onboard memory and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, offering strong connectivity options including USB 4, dual HDMI 2.1, and dual 2.5 GB Ethernet ports.
- Performance tests showed it handles everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and light photo editing well, with UFS 3.1 storage delivering read speeds of 1,677 MB/s and write speeds of 901 MB/s, and it can stream four simultaneous 4K 60fps YouTube videos with minimal dropped frames.
- Benchmark results demonstrated the Intel Core 3304 processor achieving a single-core score of 2,260 and a multi-core score of 6,180, with an 85% improvement in single-core performance over the Intel N200 and a 32% boost in multi-core performance compared to the Intel Core i3 N305.
- Gaming tests indicated it performs well with lighter titles, achieving over 60 FPS in Silk Song at 1080p and over 120 FPS in Left 4 Dead 2 at 1080p medium settings, while emulation tests showed stable 60 FPS for GameCube and PS2 games at 1080p, though some PS2 titles required lowering the resolution to 720p for smoother gameplay.
- The Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 is positioned as a budget-friendly mini PC suitable for basic tasks, light gaming, and emulation, though it is not designed for high-end gaming or performance-intensive workloads, with its value potentially influenced by current RAM and storage prices.
Compact Design and Build
The Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 is an ultra-compact mini PC designed for portability and affordability. Its sleek black anodized metal chassis is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The package includes a 19V 65W power adapter, HDMI cable, mounting bracket, hardware, and extra rubber feet, making it ready for immediate use or upgrades, such as adding an SSD.
Specifications and Connectivity
This mini PC is powered by the Intel Core 3304 processor, a 5-core, 5-thread chip with one performance core reaching a 4.3 GHz boost clock and four efficiency cores. The integrated Intel GPU features one XC3 core running at up to 2.3 GHz. The reviewed model includes 16 GB of onboard memory at 5600 MT/s and 512 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Other configurations offer 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM paired with 256 GB of storage.
While UFS 3.1 storage is slower than a Gen 3 SSD, it is sufficient for everyday tasks. Connectivity options are strong for its size, with the front panel offering two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and a 3.5 mm audio jack. The back includes dual HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB 4 port with 40 Gbps bandwidth, dual 2.5 GB Ethernet ports, and a USB 2.0 port. A micro SD card slot is located on the side. Wireless connectivity supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4.
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Performance for Everyday Use
The Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 performs well for tasks like web browsing, email, document editing, and light photo editing. Its UFS 3.1 storage delivers read speeds of 1,677 MB/s and write speeds of 901 MB/s, slower than a Gen 3 SSD but responsive for general use.
Testing showed it could handle four simultaneous 4K 60fps YouTube streams with minimal dropped frames during initial loading, making it suitable for applications like digital signage or monitoring multiple 4K feeds. However, it may not be ideal for recording camera feeds. Streaming performance was further validated with the “Big Buck Bunny 4K 60fps” video, which played smoothly.
Benchmark Results
The Intel Core 3304 processor demonstrated competitive performance in its category. It achieved a single-core score of 2,260 and a multi-core score of 6,180, showing an 85% improvement in single-core performance over the Intel N200 and a 32% boost in multi-core performance compared to the Intel Core i3 N305. The Core i3 N305, an 8-core, 8-thread chip, and the lower-end Intel N200 highlight the Core 3304’s notable gains.
In GPU benchmarks, the Core 3304 scored 6,238 in Geekbench OpenCL, outperforming the N305’s 5,986. In 3D Mark tests, it achieved 947 in Time Spy and 1,150 in 3DMark Night Raid, with a CPU score of 8,420 and a graphics score of 11,895 in the latter. These results indicate its capability for light graphical workloads, though it is not designed for high-end gaming.
Gaming and Emulation
Though not built for gaming, the Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 handles lighter titles and emulation well. Gaming tests showed over 60 FPS in Silk Song at 1080p and over 120 FPS in Left 4 Dead 2 at 1080p medium settings. However, older titles like Skyrim were more challenging, with 45 FPS at 900p and struggles to maintain 60 FPS at 720p low settings. On a 120 Hz monitor, Silk Song exceeded 60 FPS but did not consistently reach 120 FPS.
For emulation, it performed well with GameCube and PS2 games. Using the Dolphin emulator with the DirectX12 backend, it ran Bloody Roar: Primal Fury and Crazy Taxi at 1080p with stable 60 FPS, consuming 7 to 8 watts of power. PS2 emulation via PCSX2 was similarly promising, with Virtua Fighter 4 running at 1080p with occasional dips.
More demanding titles like Need for Speed required lowering the resolution to 720p for smoother gameplay. While the Intel Core 3304 can handle GameCube and PS2 games, some PS2 titles need lower resolutions for optimal performance.
The Minisforum Elite Mini M2 Slim 304 is a budget-friendly mini PC offering a balance of affordability and functionality. It suits users needing a compact device for basic tasks like schoolwork, web browsing, and light productivity. Its ability to handle multiple 4K streams, light gaming, and emulation adds versatility, though its limitations in high-end gaming and performance-intensive tasks should be noted. Current RAM and storage prices may affect its overall value, but for everyday use, this mini PC provides a capable and compact solution.
Media Credit: ETA PRIME
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