Guide · Head-to-head
Beelink S12 Pro vs GMKtec G3 Plus for a Jellyfin home server
By Tiny · how I pick
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If you've been shopping for a first cheap Jellyfin or Plex box, you've probably narrowed it to these two: the Beelink S12 Pro with an Intel N100, and the GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus with an Intel N150. Both are tiny, quiet, and cheap to run.
For streaming movies, they perform almost the same. The choice comes down to one network spec, and whether your home network can use it.
Words you'll see in this guide
- Transcoding: converting a video on the fly so it plays smoothly on a phone or TV that can't handle the original file.
- Quick Sync: a video engine built into many Intel chips that converts video fast and with little power.
- 1GbE / 2.5GbE: network speeds. Most home networking is 1GbE; 2.5GbE is about 2.5 times faster, and 10GbE about 10 times.
- iGPU: graphics built into the main processor, with no separate graphics card. Quick Sync lives here.
- Idle power: how much electricity a computer uses when it's on but not busy. For an always-on server, this number drives your power bill.
The specs side by side
| Spec | Beelink S12 Pro | GMKtec G3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel N100 (4 cores) | Intel N150 (4 cores) |
| Top speed | Up to 3.4 GHz | Up to 3.6 GHz (about 6 to 10% faster) |
| Quick Sync | Yes, 4K HDR | Yes, 4K HDR |
| Typical config | 16 GB DDR4, 500 GB SSD | 16 GB DDR4, 512 GB SSD |
| Wired network | 1GbE | 2.5GbE |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Idle power | About 10 W | About 10 W |
Transcoding is a tie
Both chips have Intel Quick Sync, which converts 4K HDR video easily. Owners report the N100 handling about four 4K conversions at once while drawing under 15 W. The N150's graphics are the same generation, so it keeps pace.
The N150's small speed edge makes the system feel a bit snappier in general. It doesn't help transcoding, because that work runs on the Quick Sync engine instead of the main cores.
2.5GbE is the one spec that separates them
The GMKtec's 2.5GbE port is the only difference that matters. It's about 2.5 times faster than the Beelink's port when you move big files, like copying a media library or pulling backups off a NAS.
- It helps if: the rest of your network is 2.5GbE too, meaning a 2.5GbE switch or router.
- It does nothing if: your network is plain 1GbE. Then the two boxes are interchangeable.
Which one to buy
Buy the GMKtec G3 Plus if
You have, or plan to have, a 2.5GbE network
You get a slightly quicker chip and the faster network port. If you already run a NAS or a 2.5GbE switch, this is the better pick. Even if you don't yet, the faster port will be ready when you upgrade.
Check price on AmazonSimilar option: Beelink EQ14 (N150)
Buy the Beelink S12 Pro if
It's cheaper the day you look, and your network is 1GbE
Beelink has a good reputation for build quality and support. On a 1GbE network you lose nothing compared with the GMKtec, and for streaming to a few devices it does everything the G3 Plus does.
Check price on AmazonSimilar option: GMKtec NucBox G3 (N100)
What neither one is for
These are four-core, low-power chips. They're great at:
- Streaming media
- Blocking ads with Pi-hole
- Running Home Assistant
- A modest set of Docker apps
They're the wrong box for lots of virtual machines or for local AI. For that, look at the best mini PC for Proxmox or the used tiny PC guide, which cover machines with more cores and RAM.
What I'd buy
- Your network is 2.5GbE: the GMKtec G3 Plus.
- Your network is 1GbE: whichever is cheaper the day you buy. Either one will handle a home Jellyfin server for years.
Your next step: check what any machine can handle with the Server Calculator, and estimate its running cost with the power cost calculator. For media builds at every budget, see the best home media server guide.
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