Geekom IT13 Max Review (Core Ultra 9 185H Mini PC)

The Geekom IT13 Max is a powerful mini PC that hides a desktop-class punch inside a tiny, fingerprint-prone chassis. While many might view this as a simple office machine, its Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and robust I/O make it an absolute beast for home server enthusiasts. We decided to put this to the test by taking the IT13 Max from a stock Windows machine to a fully functional, self-hosted photo backup server running Proxmox, Docker, and Immich in just 22 minutes – building the perfect cloud alternative for a friend's wedding.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:08 IT13 Max CPU + thermal paste test
03:51 RAM discussion
04:23 Power draw, USB-C power
06:02 Unlocking CPU power limits?
07:40 Other hardware honourable mentions
09:08 The SSD is a letdown
10:14 Carlos’ unique use case
13:04 Continuing the installation
18:43 We’re in Immich!
19:31 Closing thoughts

Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H (16 Cores/22 Threads, 45W PL1 / 70W PL2).
• Memory: 24GB LPDDR5 5600MHz (Soldered).
• Storage: 512GB Kingston NV3 (QLC M.2 NVMe SSD).
• Networking: Intel Wi-Fi, Dual i226V 2.5GbE LAN ports.
• I/O: 2x 40Gbps USB-C, 5x 10Gbps USB-A ports.
• Power: Barrel plug (Also Supports 100W USB-C power delivery).

Closing Thoughts

The Geekom IT13 Max is a remarkably capable mini PC that shines brightest when repurposed as a home server. The Intel Core Ultra 9 185H is arguably overkill for a standard laptop or office machine, but it is phenomenal for video transcoding and running multiple virtual machines via Proxmox. We were deeply impressed by its power efficiency; sitting headless on Proxmox, the machine drew as little as 5 watts from the wall. The inclusion of dual 2.5GbE LAN ports and two 40Gbps USB-C ports also makes it a highly flexible foundation for a custom NAS or complex home lab.

However, the hardware is not without its flaws. The soldered 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM cannot be upgraded, which is a shame for virtualization enthusiasts. More importantly, the included Kingston QLC SSD is a definite bottleneck. While it performs adequately in short bursts, sustained writes larger than 30GB will choke the drive, dropping performance and raising long-term durability concerns. If you plan to use this as a server, replacing the SSD is highly recommended. Furthermore, unlocking the CPU's full potential requires booting into Windows to access Geekom's advanced BIOS tool – a tedious process if you are running a Linux-based hypervisor.

Despite these storage and BIOS quirks, the IT13 Max is a very impressive piece of hardware. In just 22 minutes, we wiped Windows, installed Proxmox, configured Docker, and spun up a self-hosted Immich photo server. It is powerful, efficient, and incredibly versatile, proving that you don't need massive tower servers to run a high-performance home server.

You can buy the Geekom IT13 Max for £692.55 HERE.

Pros:

• The Core Ultra 9 185H is a powerhouse for transcoding and virtualisation.
• Incredible power efficiency, idling as low as 5W when running headless on Proxmox.
• Excellent I/O for home labs, including Dual 2.5GbE and 2x 40Gbps USB-C, as well as 5x 10Gbps USB-A ports.
• Advanced BIOS tweaks (accessible via Geekom's tool) unlock significant CPU performance gains.

Cons:

• The included 512 GB QLC SSD chokes under sustained writes and has poor long-term durability.
• The 24GB of RAM is soldered and cannot be expanded.
• Accessing the advanced BIOS requires booting into a Windows environment.
• The glossy chassis is an absolute fingerprint magnet.

KitGuru says: The Geekom IT13 Max pairs incredible processing power with exceptional efficiency, making it the perfect foundation for a versatile, self-hosted home server.

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