Intel N100 Mini PC + 32GB RAM as a Home Server?

In this article, I’ll share my experience using an Intel N100-based Mini PC as a home server, and test whether the N100 processor truly supports 32GB of RAM, or if, as Intel’s official specifications claim, it maxes out at 16GB (Spoiler: it can support more, but it depends).

Why Does a Home Server Need an N100 and 32GB of RAM?

For a long time, I used a Raspberry Pi 4 with 8GB of RAM as my home server, and it was sufficient to host numerous useful services. Using Docker on Raspbian OS, I managed to run 20-30 services, including:

• Portainer
• Home Assistant
• Duplicati
• Home Dashboard
• Mail Server
• Torrent Client
• DLNA Server
• WordPress + MariaDB (to host this blog)
• VPN Server
• Other

You can also check out my previous article on setting up a home server with a Raspberry Pi (read it here), where I detailed the process and shared useful configurations. However, Raspberry Pi servers have significant limitations. The most notable drawback is the 8GB RAM limit. If you plan to run full virtual machines (VMs) instead of just Docker containers, you’ll need something more powerful, such as Proxmox, which requires more memory and processing power.

For example:

• Home Assistant in a Docker container is not fully featured – it lacks Add-ons, and updates must be performed manually, which is inconvenient. If you want a full-featured Home Assistant experience, you need to install HA OS. But dedicating an entire Raspberry Pi solely for HA OS isn’t very efficient. Instead, you’ll need Proxmox and a virtual machine for HA OS.
• A full HA OS installation requires at least 4GB of RAM.
• Adding a local voice assistant using Whisper or Vosk (works very fast on N100) may require an additional 8-12GB of RAM when using advanced speech recognition models.

At this point, the Raspberry Pi’s performance and memory limitations become clear bottlenecks.

Recently, prices for Mini PCs with Intel processors like the N95, N100, N200, and N300 have dropped significantly. You can now purchase a fully functional Mini PC for the same price—or even less—than a Raspberry Pi 5 with accessories like a power supply, case, NVMe HAT, and SSD.

Which Mini PC Did I Choose and Why?

After extensive research on AliExpress and Amazon, I spent considerable time comparing different Mini PCs based on Intel N100. My goal was to find a reliable replacement for my Raspberry Pi server while staying within a reasonable budget. After weighing the pros and cons, I ultimately chose the TexHoo QN10 Mini PC during a Black Friday sale. I will provide links to sellers of this model at the end of the article.

My selection criteria were as follows:

• Low Power Consumption: The N100 has a 6W TDP, which is comparable to Raspberry Pi’s efficiency, making it ideal for 24/7 operation without significant electricity costs.
• DDR5 Memory Support: The N100 supports DDR5 memory, which offers around 1.5x faster performance compared to DDR4. Additionally, DDR5 is more energy-efficient thanks to onboard PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuits), reducing power draw and heat generation.
• Full 2280 NVMe Slot: Some Mini PCs only support smaller NVMe drives (e.g., 2242). However, I already owned several 2280-sized NVMe SSDs, so I specifically looked for a Mini PC with full-sized NVMe slot compatibility.
• 2.5 Gbps Network Port: While my current network setup is limited to 1Gbps, having 2.5Gbps Ethernet offers future-proofing as I consider upgrading my home network.
• Upgradeable Configuration: The ability to easily swap out and upgrade memory and storage was a critical factor for me.

Additionally, I considered alternative models based on N95, N200, and N300 processors. However, N95 has higher TDP (15w), N200 options were significantly more expensive, and N300 models were rare and often came with limitations in memory and storage configurations. The N100 struck the perfect balance between performance, efficiency, and cost.

I waited for Black Friday discounts, which made the TexHoo QN10 an even more appealing choice, offering excellent hardware specifications at a price point lower than that of a fully equipped Raspberry Pi 5 setup.

Key Specifications of TexHoo QN10

• CPU: Intel Alder Lake N100
• RAM: DDR5 4800Hz (4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB)
• Storage: M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe + SATA 2.5″
• TF Slot (Micro SD)
• LAN: 2 ports RJ45 2.5Gbps (Intel i226V)
• Wi-Fi: 4/5/6 (M.2 Slot card, can be replaced)
• Bluetooth: 4.0/4.2/5.0/5.2
• USB Ports: 4x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1x Type-C (DP+USB3.2)
• Power: DC 12V

Alternative Models: TexHoo QN11 and QN10SE

• QN10SE: This model supports DDR4 memory instead of DDR5 with two 1Gbps LAN ports instead of two 2.5Gbps ports. It comes with a slightly reduced set of features, less USB 3.2 ports, no Micro SD slot, etc.
• QN11: Has similar specs to QN10SE but even more budget-friendly option with one 1Gbps LAN port instead of two. See the specs comparison on the picture attached.

These models are more affordable, but they come with trade-offs in memory performance, networking capabilities and available ports. If you already have a DDR4 memory module, I’d recommend considering those models to save money, as DDR5 modules are more expensive.

Package Contents

The QN10 Mini PC arrived in a sturdy box well-protected with bubble wrap. Inside, I found:

• The Mini PC itself
• 60W Power Supply
• Instruction manual (in Chinese and English)
• VESA Mount with screws

The box was securely packed, and the seller ensured it was safe for international shipping. I appreciated that the seller included a UK power cable for my shipping region, as this saved me the trouble of using an adapter.

When purchasing, I specifically chose the version with 8GB RAM and a 128GB SSD rather than the bare bones option. The reason was simple: the price difference was minimal, and this version came with an activated Windows 11 Pro license, which would have cost extra if purchased separately. Additionally, this configuration included a Wi-Fi 6 card, which added value to the purchase.

Note: The package did not include a SATA cable by default in my case. If you need one, make sure to confirm with the seller before purchase, you may need to pay some small extra if you want it included.

Inside Components

The pre-installed components included:

• Memory Module: Samsung DDR5 8GB
• SSD: Maiguang NVMe V800 128GB

The Samsung DDR5 8GB module is a well-known reliable choice, ensuring stability and performance. The included Maiguang NVMe V800 SSD offered decent performance, and I ran an SSD info and speed test to validate its read and write speeds. The results are shown in the attached below.

This pre-configured setup provided an excellent foundation for immediate use without the need for additional installations or software licenses.

Power Consumption and Cooling

In idle mode, the TexHoo QN10 consumes approximately 5–5.5W. This makes it an extremely energy-efficient option for 24/7 operation. Under load the consumption can rise to 20-25w. In the BIOS settings, you can configure smart cooling and set the temperature at which the fan should turn on, operate at maximum speed, and turn off. By adjusting these values, you can set the fan to remain off when the processor is idle.

Memory Upgrade to 32GB: A Detailed Experience

(The following information describes my personal experience using the Intel N100 based Mini PC with 32GB memory modules. You may use this information only at your own risk, without any guarantees)

I’ve saved the most interesting part for last. If you check the official Intel specifications for the N100 processor, you’ll see that the maximum supported memory size is listed as 16GB. However, many users online report successfully using 32GB or even 48GB memory modules. At the same time, some have encountered instability, random crashes, or outright incompatibility with modules exceeding 16GB.

I was determined to have 32GB of RAM on my server. After all, 16GB is only twice as much as the 8GB I had on my Raspberry Pi 4, and such an upgrade wouldn’t have felt entirely satisfying. So, I optimistically assumed that a 32GB module would work—others managed to get it running, so why not me?

After some research on Amazon, I decided to order a Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 32GB (4800MT/s) module. It was cheaper than most alternatives (a classic case of “buy cheap, buy twice”), but I went for it anyway.

When the module arrived, I installed it into the Mini PC and powered it on. Nothing happened. The screen remained black, and the computer didn’t boot. After waiting a few minutes, I turned it off and on again. Still nothing. I started Googling for solutions, and after about 5 minutes of waiting, the screen finally lit up, and Windows began to boot—but immediately crashed with a blue screen.

I restarted the system and entered the BIOS. The memory was detected correctly, showing the full 32GB capacity. I reset the BIOS settings to default, but Windows still wouldn’t load.

Fortunately, I had a Proxmox USB installer. I booted from it and ran Memtest86+. Within seconds, errors began to appear, and the test failed.

At this point, I suspected the memory module might be defective. To confirm, I installed it into my laptop with a Ryzen 7840U processor. Windows booted without issues, and I ran the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool, which completed successfully. I then booted from the Proxmox USB drive and ran Memtest86+—all tests passed without errors.
The conclusion was clear: the memory module itself was fine, but it was incompatible with the N100 platform.

I began digging deeper into Reddit threads and forums discussing N100 compatibility with 32GB modules. One user reported similar issues specifically with Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 module, while others claimed that Crucial DDR5 modules worked flawlessly.

I returned the Corsair VENGEANCE module to Amazon. At this point, I debated whether to play it safe and order a 16GB module that would definitely work or take another chance on a 32GB Crucial module. My curiosity won, and I ordered a Crucial DDR5 32GB module, as several Reddit users had reported it working well with the N100.

When the Crucial module arrived, I installed it into the Mini PC. Just like with the Corsair module, the first system start took around 5 minutes with a completely black screen. However, this behavior happens only once after a memory swap. Subsequent boots were normal, without black screen on start.

Once the system finally booted:

• The BIOS detected the 32GB module without issues.
• Windows booted successfully on the first try.
• Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool passed without errors.
• Memtest86+ also passed all tests successfully.

I proceeded to install Proxmox, set up a dedicated virtual machine (VM) for Home Assistant OS (HAOS), and created a LXC container to host Docker-based services, including WordPress for this website.

The system has been running stably for two months without any noticeable issues.

I chose a Crucial DDR5 32GB (5600MT/s) module instead of a 4800MT/s one (which is the speed at which the N100 works with memory) because the price difference was only 2 or 3 euros. Most likely, 4800MT/s and 5200MT/s modules should also work without issues, but I haven’t personally tested them. If you have had successful or unsuccessful experiences with other 32GB, 48GB or 64GB memory modules, feel free to leave a comment below. I’m sure this information will be helpful to someone.

Where to buy (affiliate links):

Mini PC TexHoo QN10, QN10SE, QN11

• AliExpress Official TexHoo store
• ZXIPC Store on AliExpress (the seller I bought from)
• Amazon US TexHoo Store (currently only QN10SE version available with DDR4)
  

Crucial DDR5 32GB RAM modules:

• Amazon US
• Amazon CA
• Amazon UK
• Amazon DE
• Amazon PL
• Amazon ES
  
  (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)

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