Beelink EQ14 vs GMKtec G3 Plus: Which N150 Mini PC?

For a small host with one wired connection, I would start with the G3 Plus. Buy the EQ14 for two Ethernet ports. Both use the same entry-level processor; the choice comes down to which network version you order, the drives you want to fit and what the complete machine costs. Specifications checked October 4, 2026.

Which one should you buy?

The processor does not break the tie. Both systems use the four-core, four-thread N150; Intel specifies a single memory channel and 6W processor base power. Budget electricity from whole-system power instead. That 6W processor rating excludes the rest of the computer. Intel specifications.

Still choosing a processor class? Start with the broader N150 buying guide or our mini-PC shortlist.

The configuration differences that matter

Sources: Beelink EQ14 configuration/specification page, GMKtec G3 Plus specification table.

Ethernet: decide how many physical ports you need

One connection to your switch? The G3 Plus is my pick. If you want separate physical connections for an upstream network and an isolated test network, the EQ14’s second port gives you a reason to choose it instead.

Get the right EQ14 version. The gigabit model uses RTL8111H controllers; the 2.5GbE model uses I226-V. The product name alone leaves that unresolved. For a router build, map the connections with the OPNsense mini-PC setup guide before ordering.

Storage: match the drive to the slot

The G3 Plus makes this choice straightforward: one 2280 PCIe slot and one 2242 SATA slot. Match both length and protocol. A spare 2242 SATA drive gives you a specific reason to choose this box.

The EQ14 needs a closer look. Beelink lists PCIe-capable slots but says the supplied SSD is SATA, and Notebookcheck’s January 2025 review tested a 512GB SATA configuration. That review identifies the installed drive in its sample; it does not settle which upgrade belongs in the unit on sale today. Ask for the supported drive protocols before buying two 2280 drives for it. Notebookcheck’s tested configuration.

Use the NVMe expansion checker to organize the slot and lane requirements for your planned drives. Enter the exact machine’s specifications.

RAM: budget the guests before buying

Start with the guests you intend to keep. Put their allocations and the host reserve into the Proxmox capacity planner. Our Proxmox hardware guide supplies workload starting points.

If that budget already presses against 16GB, I would price a higher-capacity platform. GMKtec advertises 32GB, while Intel publishes 16GB for the N150; buying around the higher figure means getting an exact supported module and support terms from GMKtec first. There is only one RAM slot in the G3 Plus. You cannot add a second module later. For a workload comfortably inside 16GB, choose on ports and total cost.

Published power tests and what they mean for your bill

These measurements belong to Notebookcheck and Jeff Geerling. Their configurations and test conditions differ, so I would use the figures to budget running costs and choose neither machine on that small idle-power difference.

For budgeting, a hypothetical constant 10W system uses 87.6kWh in a 365-day year. At an example rate of $0.20/kWh, that is $17.52 per year. A constant 15W system costs $26.28 at the same rate. The calculation is watts ÷ 1,000 × 8,760 hours × your electricity rate; active work changes the annual average.

Put your tariff into the Power & Cost Calculator, then compare the annual difference with the purchase difference. A tiny power saving is a poor reason to pay much more upfront. The published mini-PC power references keep each measurement with its tested configuration.

Compare the complete basket

Compare complete machines. A barebone offer still needs memory and storage; a cheaper EQ14 offer may be the other network variant. Copy the selected configurations into this worksheet before comparing totals.

With the needed ports and capacity covered, buy the lower delivered total. Save the final configuration and planned workloads in Hardware Projects for later upgrades.

Find the exact configuration

These are model searches. Select the configuration from your worksheet on the retailer page.

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Beelink EQ14 N150

GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus N150

Sources

• Intel N150 specifications.
• Beelink EQ14 manufacturer specifications and variants.
• GMKtec G3 Plus manufacturer specification table.
• Notebookcheck’s January 2025 EQ14 review and power tests.
• Jeff Geerling’s G3 Plus test record.