Short answer: the cited reviews measured about 23.0–29.1 W at the wall for YouTube 4K/60 playback on one Ryzen mini PC, and 14.7–17.9 W for YouTube 8K/60 playback on one Intel mini PC. Those are examples, not a fair AMD-versus-Intel test: the resolution, browser, operating system, PC design and review dates differ. They also measure watching YouTube in a browser—not broadcasting a prerecorded video continuously as a YouTube live stream. For a real electricity-cost estimate, measure your own complete setup during the task you intend to run, then apply your local electricity rate.
What the comparison measures—and what it does not
“YouTube loop stream” can mean a video playing repeatedly for a viewer, or a creator broadcasting prerecorded video as a continuous YouTube live stream. The available measurements are for browser playback. They do not establish the power draw of a PC encoding and uploading a live loop.
The figures below are whole-system readings measured at the wall by CNX Software, with the peripherals described in each review attached. They are more useful for estimating electricity use than CPU TDP, processor-only telemetry or a power-supply rating, but they are still specific to each tested setup.
Published mini PC playback readings
| System and test | Playback wall power | Idle wall power | Important conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEEKOM A7 2026 Edition, Ryzen 5 7545U | 23.0–29.1 W, YouTube 4K/60 in Firefox | 4.8–5.3 W | CNX Software, June 27, 2026; Ubuntu 26.04, Wi-Fi 6, USB RF keyboard/mouse dongle and KTC 4K monitor. CNX Software review |
| MINIX NEO Z100-0dB, Intel N100 | 14.7–17.9 W, YouTube 8K/60 in Chrome | 8.9–9.2 W | CNX Software, February 25, 2024; Windows 11, Wi-Fi 6, USB RF keyboard/mouse dongle and VGA screen via HDMI-to-VGA adapter. Some frames dropped at 4K/8K 60; review said up to 8K/30 played without issue. CNX Software review |
| GEEKOM Mini Air12 Lite, Intel N100 | 10.9–15 W, YouTube 8K/60 in Chrome | not stated (CNX Software, 2024) | CNX Software measured on Windows 11 Pro with Wi-Fi, USB keyboard/mouse and drawing tablet attached. This is another system-specific result, not an Intel platform average. CNX Software review |
The AMD and MINIX Intel readings are not an apples-to-apples comparison: the AMD result is 4K/60 in Firefox on Ubuntu, while the Intel result is 8K/60 in Chrome on Windows 11. The systems also differ in their display and device configurations. The separate Mini Air12 Lite result shows that measured power varies even between two Intel N100 mini PCs. These data do not support a general claim that Intel or AMD is more efficient.
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Estimate electricity use and cost
Use the wall-watt reading for your actual task
For a 30-day month, calculate energy from average whole-system wall power:
monthly kWh = average watts × hours per day × 30 ÷ 1,000
Then estimate the energy charge:
estimated energy charge = monthly kWh × your marginal electricity price per kWh
Rank #2
- Office Gaming Mini PC - UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Ultra Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.
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- DUAL NIC LAN 2.5G RJ45 - Fast Network Speeds: Enjoy up to 2500Mbps data transmission speed without worrying about lagging. Ideal for working, gaming, and surfing the internet. Great for Untangle, Pfsense or as a server office PC.
- Mini Desktop Computer with 4K Triple Screen Display - Nucbox M5 Ultra integrates AMD Radeon Graphics 8 Cores 2000 MHz GPU to deliver powerful graphics processing power to easily handle the demands of complex design software, 4K@60Hz UHD video editing, and playback. It can connect to 3 display screens simultaneously.
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For uninterrupted operation across a year:
annual kWh = average watts × 24 × 365 ÷ 1,000 = average watts × 8.76
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Using the cited playback ranges as arithmetic inputs, 24/7 operation would correspond to approximately 201.5–254.9 kWh per year for the tested GEEKOM A7 range and 128.8–156.8 kWh per year for the tested MINIX range. These are extrapolations from review readings, not measured annual consumption. Neither range is a bill estimate: multiply the kWh by your own tariff, and remember fixed charges, taxes or tiered rates can change the amount on a bill.
Example calculation
If your own PC averages 20 W at the wall and plays for 12 hours daily, its 30-day energy use is 20 × 12 × 30 ÷ 1,000 = 7.2 kWh. At a local marginal rate of 0.20 currency units per kWh, the energy charge would be 1.44 currency units, before any fixed charges or taxes. Replace both the measured watts and the example rate with your own values.
Rank #3
- 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
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- 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
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How to make a useful comparison at home
- Measure at the wall. Use a plug-in wall-power meter with the mini PC and the equipment you plan to leave connected. The cited reviews used wall meters; their published values include the review setups, rather than CPU-only readings.
- Match the workload. Use the same YouTube video resolution and frame rate, browser, operating system, playback duration and hardware-acceleration settings on each candidate PC. Record whether the video plays smoothly and whether frames are dropped.
- Keep connected equipment consistent. Use the same monitor and peripherals where practical, or include their power in both readings. Display choice, network equipment and attached devices affect whole-setup results.
- Include the hours that matter. If the computer remains on between playback sessions, account for those idle hours as well as active playback. A short peak reading alone will not represent a full day.
- Test live broadcasting separately. If the intended job is an always-on broadcast, measure the computer at the wall while it is encoding and uploading that exact stream. Browser playback figures cannot stand in for that workload.
Why a continuous live loop can draw different power
A PC playing YouTube receives and decodes a video. A creator’s live loop setup may also read a local file, encode video and send an upstream stream; its draw depends on the software, codec, output resolution and frame rate, encoder settings, network equipment and peripherals. The cited tests did not measure that combination, so they cannot provide a live-stream watt figure or a defensible AMD-versus-Intel live-broadcast cost comparison.
For a DIY live setup, a wall meter reading taken during the actual broadcast is the sound basis for the calculation above. Include the monitor and anything else that must stay on, and use the average over a representative operating period rather than a processor specification.
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Rank #4
- 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
- Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
- Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
- GMKtec WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 1-year limited GMKtec's warranty for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the cited readings show what an always-on YouTube live broadcast costs to run?
No. They measure browser playback. A live broadcast needs its own wall-meter measurement while encoding and uploading.
Can I compare these readings as a direct AMD-versus-Intel test?
No. The test conditions differ, and the second Intel system also has a separate result. They are examples of particular mini PCs, not a controlled processor-brand comparison.
Quick Recap
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