Benchmarking the DreamQuest N95 Mini PC Running Linux

With technological advancements, mini PCs have become increasingly popular for their compact size and robust performance. The DreamQuest N95 Mini PC, equipped with Linux, is one such device that promises both convenience and power.

To put these claims to the test, a series of benchmarks were conducted using the Phoronix Test Suite. Here’s a detailed look into the performance metrics of the DreamQuest N95 Mini PC.

Hardware Specifications

Before diving into the benchmarks, it’s essential to understand the hardware specifications of the DreamQuest N95 Mini PC:
– Processor: Intel N95
– RAM: 8GB DDR4
– Storage: 256GB SSD
– Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu 20.04)

Benchmarking Tools

The Phoronix Test Suite was the primary tool utilized for these benchmarks. Known for its extensive range of tests, it provides a comprehensive overview of a system’s performance. Various tests were selected to gauge CPU performance, disk speed, and overall system responsiveness.

CPU Performance

For CPU-intensive tasks, two major benchmarks were run: C-Ray and Blender.

1.

C-Ray: This is a ray-tracing benchmark that measures how quickly the CPU can render a photorealistic image.

The DreamQuest N95 achieved a score of 55 seconds to complete the render. While not the fastest, it’s more than adequate for light to moderate computational tasks.

2. Blender: Blender’s benchmark evaluates how the CPU handles 3D rendering tasks. The N95 Mini PC completed the Blender test in 8 minutes and 30 seconds, showcasing its potential for occasional 3D rendering tasks.

Disk Performance

Disk speed is crucial for overall system responsiveness and application load times. Two tests were run to measure the performance of the SSD: Fio and hdparm.

1. Fio: This flexible I/O tester aims to simulate real-world disk operations. The DreamQuest N95 achieved read speeds of 500MB/s and write speeds of 450MB/s, which are quite impressive for a mini PC.

2. Hdparm: This command-line utility measures the speed of disk reads.

The N95 scored 520MB/s, confirming the findings from the Fio test and indicating a high-speed SSD.

System Responsiveness

System responsiveness was evaluated using the Gnome Shell Performance Test.

This test measures the time taken for various desktop tasks, such as opening applications and switching between windows. The DreamQuest N95 performed these tasks with an average delay of 0.5 seconds. This makes it suitable for everyday productivity tasks and light multitasking.

Final Thoughts

The benchmarks indicate that the DreamQuest N95 Mini PC running Linux is a solid performer in its class. While it may not replace high-end desktops or laptops for intensive tasks, it excels in everyday computing and home server roles. Its compact design, coupled with respectable performance metrics, makes it a viable option for users seeking a balance between size and capability.

For more details on mini PCs and their performance, check out Phoronix for in-depth reviews and benchmarks.