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Chinese mini PC maker Mele has introduced a new model that’s unusual in a few respects. First, while the little computer ships with a previous-gen Intel Celeron N5095 “Jasper Lake” processor rather than a newer Intel Alder Lake-N chip, Mele has overclocked the processor to offer better performance. That’s why the company calls its new computer the Mele Overclock3C.
Second, the computer is fairly upgradable by mini PC standards. It has a SODIMM slot for up to 32GB of user-replaceable DDR4-2933 memory and while it ships with eMMC 5.1 storage, there’s also an M.2 2280 slot for solid state storage plus a microSD card reader.
According to Amazon, the Mele Overclock3C is currently out of stock, but the store shows three pricing/configuration options:
The model with 512GB of storage has 256GB of eMMC storage plus a 256GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD, while the cheaper models only have eMMC storage pre-installed. But all three models have an M.2 2280 slot that you can use to add (or replace) an SSD with speeds up to 1,970 MB/s.
Under the hood there’s also a single SODIMM slot for memory and a 5,500 RPM fan for active cooling.
Wireless capabilities include support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, and ports include:
- 2 x HDMI 2.0
- 3 x USB 3.2 Type-A
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (w/DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB Power Delivery, and 5 Gbps data)
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
- 1 x microSD card reader
According to Mele the computer should be able to support up to four 4K displays if you use both HDMI ports and the USB-C port.
It’s unclear how much of a performance boost Mele can deliver by overclocking Intel’s 15-watt Celeron N5095 processor to run at 18 watts, but the chip could probably use all the help it can get. When compared with a 6-watt Intel Processor N100, a 15-watt Celeron N5095 scores 23% lower in Passmark’s single-core CPU performance test, and 27% lower in multi-core performance.
That said, the chip should be fast enough to handle basic computing tasks if you plan to use the system as a media center, digital signage device, or other simple functions. And it has a reasonably compact design that could make it easy to attach to the back of a display or hide on (or under) your desk.
The Mele Overclock3C measures 178 x 9.4 x 21mm (7″ x 3.7″ x 0.8″). Models with up to 256GB of storage weigh 320 grams (11.3 ounces), while the 512GB version weighs a tad more thanks to its M.2 SSD, coming in at 330 grams (11.6 ounces).
thanks for the tip FanlessTech
Wow, that might be the smallest Mini PC I’ve seen with user-replaceable SODIMM RAM, and M.2 2280 storage.
I’ve been burned by bad RAM on Chinese mini PCs in the past, so I’m always on the lookout for ones that don’t have onboard RAM.
This might be my next Mini PC.
What kind of issues did you have with the RAM?
I’ve had 2 products with faulty RAM. A Voyo V3, which was experiencing crashes, and a GPD Pocket, which was experiencing frequent blue-screens/crashes, and it was corrupting files.
Both of them failed Memtest86. I’ve since been in the habit of doing Memtest86 on all new PCs.
Voyo. Yeah, I had one of their “Mini PC” systems, based on an Atom tablet motherboard. It worked for awhile, but the RAM and/or battery ultimately failed.
I’ve got a couple of Mele 3Q systems in service, one it running 400% CPU usage 24/7, the other an HTPC, they’ve worked without problem. Had them both in service for maybe 1/2 a year, I’m happy – I’d buy Mele again.
I wonder why they went backwards, to an N5095, from the N5105 though? No more N5105s being manufactured perhaps? Maybe they got a deal on a batch of 5095s. Would’ve thought N100/200/200/305 would be the logical step forward. I’d sure like to see Mele put a passively cooled N300 device out.