Mini PCs have been evolving rapidly over the last few years, packing desktop-level power into ever-smaller packages. The Geekcom IT15 stands out in this growing space by offering an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor paired with integrated Intel Arc 140T graphics—an exciting combination that suggests serious potential for creative workloads, light gaming, and productivity. With 16 cores, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and Wi-Fi 7, this isn’t just another compact office box—it’s an all-in-one performance machine that fits in your hand.
But can it keep up when pushed to its limits? In this review, we go beyond the surface, testing everything from CPU performance and 4K video editing to gaming with demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Forza Horizon 5. We’ll also open up the case to inspect the upgradeability and cooling setup, analyze the thermals, and test Linux compatibility.
The Geekcom IT15 ships with Windows 11 Pro, solid I/O options including USB 4 and 2.5GbE LAN, and comes pre-installed with fast storage. It’s geared for tech-savvy users who want premium specs in a travel-friendly form. But what about real-world performance and noise levels?
In this hands-on review, we put the IT15 through stress tests, media workflows, and gaming scenarios to see if it can deliver on the power it promises—or if the compact size becomes its thermal Achilles heel.
See also:
Specs Overview:
The Geekcom IT15 Mini PC is powered by Intel’s cutting-edge Core Ultra 9 285H processor, a 16-core, 22-thread chip with a maximum turbo frequency of 5.1 GHz. Built on Intel’s Meteor Lake architecture, this chip includes both performance and efficiency cores, as well as a built-in neural processing unit (NPU) for AI workloads branded as “AI Boost.” The processor is paired with Intel Arc Graphics 140T, making this one of the few mini PCs to feature the latest integrated GPU tech from Intel’s Arc lineup.
Our review unit came preconfigured with 32GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600 RAM, distributed across two SODIMM slots. This memory is upgradeable up to 64GB officially, and possibly 96GB if supported. For storage, it packs a speedy 2TB NVMe SSD (M.2 2280 format), which is also user-replaceable. There’s also room for a second M.2 2260 slot, though not full-size due to board constraints.
Connectivity is one of the IT15’s strong suits, offering dual USB4 Type-C ports with 40Gbps bandwidth and DisplayPort output, along with three USB-A ports (two Gen 2 and one USB 2.0), a full-sized SD card reader, HDMI 2.0, 2.5GbE LAN, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. Wireless capabilities include Intel’s BE200 Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, offering blazing-fast transfer rates and ultra-low latency for modern peripherals.
It supports VESA mounting, weighs just over 500g, and includes a 120W GaN power adapter. With Windows 11 Pro pre-installed and no bloatware to speak of, this is a spec-rich, productivity-first machine with the chops for more.
Unboxing & Accessories:
The Geekcom IT15 arrives in a compact, well-padded retail box that immediately hints at its mini form factor. Lifting the top flap reveals the unit itself wrapped in protective plastic, snugly fitted into a foam mold to avoid any damage during transit. It’s a satisfying unboxing experience—simple, tidy, and straight to the point, much like the device itself.
Beneath the main compartment, you’ll find the accessory bundle. This includes a 120W GaN power supply that’s surprisingly small and lightweight, making it travel-friendly and ideal for desk minimalists. Alongside the power brick is a standard HDMI cable, a quick start guide, a customer support card, and a VESA mounting bracket complete with screws—perfect for mounting the unit behind a monitor or under a desk.
Also included is a basic but functional user manual, offering setup tips and port diagrams for first-time users. All accessories are securely compartmentalized and neatly packaged. While there’s no keyboard, mouse, or USB-C to DisplayPort cable included, the essentials are here, and the compact power adapter is a nice bonus that aligns with the IT15’s portability-first mission.
Build Quality & I/O Ports:
The Geekcom IT15 delivers a strong first impression with its compact, rectangular chassis and minimalist design that closely resembles Intel’s NUC series. Measuring just a few inches across and weighing under 600g, this is truly a palm-sized mini PC that feels dense and well-built. The outer shell is primarily aluminum alloy, offering solid rigidity and heat dissipation. The glossy top panel is plastic, which adds a visual contrast but is prone to fingerprints and minor scuffs, though Geekcom includes a protective film pre-applied out of the box.
Air vents are smartly placed on the sides and back, and there’s even a dedicated exhaust on the underside—an important touch considering the performance hardware inside. You won’t find any flashy branding or LEDs here, which gives the IT15 a stealthy, professional appearance suited for office setups, media centers, or minimalist workspaces.
On the front side, you get two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (10Gbps), a 3.5mm combo headphone jack, and the power button with an embedded status LED. There’s also a full-sized SD card reader—a rare but welcome addition for creatives needing quick media transfers. Along the back is where the real action happens: two USB4 Type-C ports that support DisplayPort output, power delivery, and blazing 40Gbps speeds, perfect for docking stations or external GPUs.
Additional rear I/O includes a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB 2.0 port for keyboard/mouse, HDMI 2.0 (limited to 4K at 60Hz), and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port. The barrel jack for power input is tucked in neatly, and there’s a Kensington lock slot on the side for added security. While there’s no OCuLink or Thunderbolt support, the inclusion of USB4 and ample USB-A ports gives users a flexible and well-rounded port selection for such a small device.
Internals & Upgradeability:
Accessing the internals of the Geekcom IT15 is refreshingly simple. Just remove the four rubber-covered screws at the bottom and lift off the base—no ribbon cables or tricky latches to worry about. Inside, the layout is impressively compact yet efficient, with smart use of vertical space and cooling components to fit high-performance hardware into a small footprint.
At the heart of the upgradeable components are two SODIMM slots populated with 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. You can upgrade this to 64GB easily, and possibly up to 96GB depending on module support. Storage-wise, there’s one M.2 2280 slot currently occupied by a 2TB NVMe SSD. It’s cooled by a thermal pad connected to a passive heatsink built into the bottom plate, preventing thermal throttling during sustained transfers.
There’s a second M.2 slot supporting 2260-sized drives, but space constraints and nearby components make this less flexible than full-length alternatives. Unfortunately, there’s no connector for 2.5-inch SATA drives, despite space being available inside the chassis. The Wi-Fi 7 module (Intel BE200) is located under the SSD and can be replaced if needed, though it’s already futureproof for most users.
Wireless antennas are integrated into the top plastic lid, and the cooling fan assembly is buried beneath the motherboard—accessible only by removing the board itself. Maintenance, such as cleaning the fan, is possible but not particularly convenient. Still, for users looking to boost RAM or swap storage, the process is quick and intuitive with no proprietary hurdles.
BIOS & Power Settings:
The BIOS on the Geekcom IT15 is relatively minimalistic, offering only a basic selection of tweakable options. Upon booting and entering the BIOS via the Delete key, you’ll be greeted with a standard interface that exposes a few key settings under CPU configuration. Notably, users can disable individual core types, such as the efficiency cores, which may help redirect thermal and power headroom toward the integrated Arc GPU in specialized scenarios.
However, the system does not offer fine-tuned control over power limits, PL1/PL2 settings, or fan curves. This limits the degree of performance tuning that enthusiasts might expect, particularly for managing thermals under load. That said, the essential features are present, including options to configure boot order, secure boot, and power-on behavior after power loss—useful for remote setups or server use.
While it lacks advanced undervolting or overclocking capabilities, it’s stable and gets the job done for plug-and-play users. Power users may find it limiting, but for most consumers, it’s a no-fuss environment that reflects the device’s general user-friendliness. Windows power profiles will still play a large role in dictating performance and fan behavior.
Benchmarks & CPU Performance:
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H, the Geekcom IT15 flexes its 16-core, 22-thread configuration in real-world and synthetic benchmarks. In Cinebench R23, it delivered a single-core score of 1,820 and a multi-core score just shy of 8,400. While impressive, this result suggests a degree of thermal throttling, especially under sustained full-load conditions. Geekbench 6 results were stronger: 3,050 in single-core and 15,500 multi-core, reflecting its burst capability and AI-enhanced performance thanks to Meteor Lake’s architecture.
In typical productivity workloads like browser multitasking, spreadsheet-heavy tasks, and compiling code, the IT15 feels fast and snappy. Windows 11 Pro boots quickly, apps load with minimal delay, and the system remains responsive even with 10+ browser tabs and a video render running in the background. The NPU appears in Device Manager as Intel AI Boost, though real-world support is still app-dependent.
While the chip doesn’t dethrone high-wattage desktop CPUs, it’s surprisingly competitive in its size class. However, due to the power and thermal limits of its compact form, you shouldn’t expect sustained peak turbo clocks over long sessions. Still, for short-burst tasks and general multitasking, it outperforms many previous-gen desktop replacements.
Integrated GPU Benchmarks (Intel Arc 140T)
Synthetic GPU Benchmarks
Intel’s Arc 140T integrated GPU is one of the most powerful iGPUs available today, and the Geekcom IT15 puts it to work with respectable results. In 3DMark’s Night Raid, a test optimized for iGPUs, the system scored just under 30,000 points—slightly below expectations for Arc-level performance. Time Spy graphics scores landed at around 3,460, just short of the 3,800 target we’ve seen in similarly specced Luna Lake systems. This small deficit can be attributed to thermal throttling and memory bandwidth limitations from the 5600 MT/s RAM, compared to the 8400 MT/s onboard memory of some rivals.
Gaming Benchmarks
In real-world gaming scenarios, the Arc 140T delivered mixed but generally positive results for a mini PC without a discrete GPU. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at 1080p on High settings averaged around 28 FPS. While not ideal for fast-paced action, the experience remained consistent with no major frame pacing issues. With adjustments—such as dropping to Medium settings or enabling upscaling—performance can edge closer to 35–40 FPS.
Forza Horizon 5 fared much better. At 1080p with the Medium preset and no upscaling, the game averaged between 45–54 FPS, depending on the scene. This highlights Arc’s strength in well-optimized titles. Indoors and during races, framerates stayed above 50 most of the time, but thermal peaks did occasionally trigger slight dips. Still, the game remained fluid and very playable.
AI & Workload Acceleration
Arc’s compatibility with Intel Quick Sync is also a standout for creative workloads. In video editing, it accelerates both preview playback and encoding in Adobe Premiere Pro. Thanks to Quick Sync, the IT15 rendered a 1-minute 4K YouTube preset in just 21 seconds—impressive for an integrated solution and faster than many older discrete GPUs.
Thermal Impact on GPU Performance
During simultaneous CPU and GPU stress tests, thermal limits became a bottleneck. With CPU and GPU pushed hard, the Arc 140T performance slightly declined in benchmark runs due to the system nearing its thermal junction of 105°C. While this isn’t unique to the IT15, it’s a reminder that heavy workloads should be managed with power profiles or cooling support in mind.
Overall Verdict on GPU
The Arc 140T offers real integrated gaming and media acceleration potential in a truly portable form. While it’s not a substitute for a discrete RTX or Radeon GPU, it delivers enough performance for casual gaming, light creative work, and demanding playback. With improved drivers and clever power management, the IT15 becomes a capable GPU-powered tool—just be mindful of thermals when pushing both CPU and GPU simultaneously.
Media & Video Editing Performance:
Despite its compact size, the Geekcom IT15 delivers outstanding results in media and video editing tasks thanks to the combined strength of the Core Ultra 9 CPU and Arc 140T GPU. Adobe Premiere Pro, in particular, benefits from Intel’s Quick Sync Video acceleration—built directly into the Arc graphics—which significantly speeds up both preview rendering and final exports. During testing, a 1-minute 4K YouTube preset export completed in just 21 seconds, placing it well ahead of older iGPU systems and even rivaling entry-level discrete GPU setups.
4K timeline scrubbing was fluid at quarter-resolution, with no dropped frames or lag during basic edits, transitions, or playback. While full-resolution previews did show some stutter in complex sequences, the system still handled multi-track editing with ease. Quick Sync also helped maintain excellent playback performance in HEVC 10-bit and AV1 footage, including high bitrate files like the 140Mbps Jellyfish sample, which ran flawlessly.
For users involved in podcast editing, short-form video, or YouTube content creation, the IT15 is more than capable. While you won’t be pushing massive RAW workflows or DaVinci Resolve color grading with heavy node trees, it’s a solid editing station for 1080p and 4K footage—something we rarely see from such a compact machine.
See also:
Thermals & Acoustic Performance:
Thermal management is one of the Geekcom IT15’s most critical challenges, and while the cooling system is sufficient for day-to-day tasks, it does begin to show strain under sustained heavy workloads. During typical browsing, office tasks, or video playback, the system remained quiet and cool, with fan speeds barely audible and temperatures in the 50–60°C range. However, once the CPU and GPU are fully engaged—such as during Cinebench runs or AAA game benchmarks—temperatures quickly climb.
In multi-core CPU loads, the chip hit up to 105°C, triggering thermal throttling near its T-junction limit of 106°C. This caused brief dips in clock speeds and lowered sustained performance by a few percentage points. GPU-heavy workloads like Time Spy and Valhalla also pushed the Arc 140T close to thermal thresholds, though the unit remained stable. While performance remained generally strong, the temperature ceiling clearly limited the full potential of the Core Ultra 9 and Arc GPU pairing.
Fan noise during stress testing became noticeable but not distracting. It produced a steady whoosh—more audible than whisper-quiet systems but far from jet engine levels. For quiet office environments or studios, it’s acceptable, though content creators sensitive to fan noise may prefer to enable power-saving profiles. Fortunately, at idle or under light usage, the IT15 is nearly silent, thanks to efficient fan control that ramps up only when needed.
Overall, thermals are acceptable given the unit’s size and power density, but thermal throttling is a real consideration for users planning to max out CPU and GPU performance for extended periods.
Linux Compatibility:
The Geekcom IT15 offers surprisingly solid Linux compatibility straight out of the box. Testing with the latest Manjaro Linux build, the system booted without issue, and most hardware components were detected automatically. The Intel BE200 Wi-Fi 7 card—which might have raised concerns due to its cutting-edge nature—worked without needing additional drivers, thanks to upstream kernel support and updated firmware packages. Bluetooth was also functional, allowing for wireless peripherals and audio streaming without glitches.
Display output over USB4 and HDMI functioned properly, with no flickering or handshake issues during extended use. Volume controls, brightness adjustments, and suspend/resume cycles worked as expected. Even the SD card reader and audio jack operated reliably under PulseAudio and PipeWire environments. Power management behaved well, with idle power draw staying low and CPU scaling functioning correctly under default governors.
However, fan control isn’t exposed in most Linux GUIs, meaning users have limited ability to customize thermal behavior without diving into manual configuration or BIOS adjustments. Still, for users planning to dual-boot or rely on Linux full-time, the IT15 is one of the more plug-and-play mini PCs available, even with its bleeding-edge Wi-Fi module and AI-enhanced hardware.
Verdict:
The Geekcom IT15 is a compact powerhouse that blends portability with impressive on-paper specs—and for the most part, it delivers. With a 16-core Intel Core Ultra 9, integrated Arc 140T graphics, USB4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and excellent RAM/storage expandability, this machine is well-suited for professionals, content creators, and power users seeking a capable workstation in a tiny footprint. Windows performance is snappy, 4K video editing is surprisingly smooth, and even some gaming is possible thanks to the Arc GPU’s strength in optimized titles.
Build quality is solid, port selection is generous, and the inclusion of VESA mounting and a small GaN power adapter makes this a travel-friendly desktop replacement. Thermals, however, are its biggest limitation. The compact chassis struggles to contain the heat under sustained full-load conditions, resulting in thermal throttling during intensive gaming or rendering sessions.
Still, for users who prioritize compactness and versatility over long-duration peak performance, the IT15 makes a compelling case. It outclasses many other mini PCs in raw capability and balances modern features with upgradability. As long as you’re aware of its thermal ceiling, this is one of the most impressive Intel-based mini PCs of 2025. 👉 Buy the Geekcom IT15 on Amazon now!!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 285H with 16 cores and 22 threads
- Integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU supports casual gaming and fast media encoding
- Dual USB4 ports with 40Gbps speed and DisplayPort support
- Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE200) and Bluetooth 5.3 out of the box
- Compact and lightweight, ideal for VESA mounting or travel setups
- Upgradeable RAM (up to 96GB) and NVMe SSD storage
- Smooth 4K video editing performance via Quick Sync
- Strong Linux compatibility including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio
- Silent under light loads with smart fan scaling
- Pre-installed Windows 11 Pro with no bloatware
Cons:
- Thermal throttling occurs under sustained full load
- No OCuLink or Thunderbolt for external GPU use
- BIOS lacks advanced power or fan curve controls
- Glossy plastic top surface is prone to scratches
- No SATA connector despite space for a 2.5-inch drive
- Only one full-size M.2 slot; second is limited to 2260 length
- HDMI port limited to 4K at 60Hz (HDMI 2.0, not 2.1)
- Fan noise becomes noticeable during intensive workloads
- 👉 Buy the Geekcom IT15 on Amazon now!!
🔁 Alternatives to Consider:
Minisforum V3:
Looking for even better iGPU gaming and power efficiency? The Minisforum V3 features AMD’s Ryzen 9 7940HS with Radeon 780M graphics, offering excellent 1080p gaming and fast rendering speeds. It includes dual USB4 ports, DDR5 support, and a premium cooling solution that runs quieter under load than many Intel-based rivals.
👉 Check out the Minisforum V3 on Amazon for a high-performance AMD alternative with top-tier integrated graphics and upgradeable internals. Perfect for creators, gamers, and power users in a compact shell.
______________________
Beelink SER8 Pro:
If you’re after top-tier AMD performance in a mini PC form factor, the Beelink SER8 Pro is a powerful choice. Equipped with the Ryzen 7 8845HS and Radeon 780M iGPU, it delivers similar multi-core muscle and slightly better thermals than Intel-based systems. Great for casual gaming, video editing, and fast multitasking.
👉 Explore the Beelink SER8 Pro on Amazon for a quiet, efficient, and reliable mini PC alternative with a strong AMD platform at its core.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the Geekcom IT15 good for 4K video editing?
- Yes, the Geekcom IT15 handles 4K video editing very well thanks to Intel Arc 140T graphics and Quick Sync support. It delivers fast export times and smooth playback in Adobe Premiere Pro for basic and mid-level editing tasks.
Can the Geekcom IT15 be used for gaming?
- The IT15 can run many games at 1080p with playable frame rates. Titles like Forza Horizon 5 run at 45–54 FPS on medium settings, though thermal throttling can reduce performance during long sessions.
Does the Geekcom IT15 support Linux?
- Yes, Linux compatibility is excellent. Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth, display output, and audio all worked flawlessly in Manjaro, with no additional drivers needed.
Can you upgrade the RAM and storage in the Geekcom IT15?
- Absolutely. The IT15 has two SODIMM slots supporting up to 96GB DDR5 RAM and an M.2 2280 SSD slot. There’s also a second M.2 2260 slot, though it doesn’t support full-size drives.
How is the cooling performance on the Geekcom IT15?
- Cooling is decent for light tasks but becomes a bottleneck under heavy CPU/GPU loads. The system can hit 105°C and thermal throttle, especially during benchmarks and gaming.
Does the Geekcom IT15 have USB4 and high-speed ports?
- Yes, it features two USB4 Type-C ports supporting 40Gbps transfer speeds, 8K display output, and power delivery. It also includes USB 3.2 Gen 2 and a 2.5GbE LAN port.
What power adapter comes with the Geekcom IT15?
- It comes with a compact 120W GaN power adapter, making it efficient and travel-friendly.
Is there a fan in the Geekcom IT15, and is it noisy?
- Yes, there is a cooling fan. It’s mostly quiet during light use, but it becomes audible under load, producing a soft whooshing sound—not overly distracting but noticeable.
Can the Geekcom IT15 be mounted behind a monitor?
- Yes, the included VESA mounting bracket allows you to attach the unit behind a monitor for a clutter-free workspace.
Is the Geekcom IT15 worth buying in 2025?
- For users seeking a powerful, compact, and modern mini PC with solid creative and multitasking potential, the IT15 is a top-tier choice—especially if you’re aware of its thermal limits.
- 👉 Buy the Geekcom IT15 on Amazon now!!
