Benchmarks: Our analysis explained

> Geekbench 4 single–core test

This tests the capability of a single processor core. Many more common tasks on a Mac will only use a single core at a time. Intel’s Turbo Boost technology comes into play here. The Core i3 processor in the entry– level Mac mini doesn’t feature Turbo Boost, so its clock speed remains 3.6GHz. However, the Core i5 model ($1,099) and Core i7 option (an upgrade option on both) have it. This enables the former to reach 4.1GHz and the latter 4.6GHz. They have 9MB and 12MB of level 3 cache, compared to the Core i3’s 6MB. Apple didn’t give us a Core i5 model to test, but you can see the big gains the Core i7’s spec brings to the table.

> Handbrake video encoding

We transcode a Blu–ray–quality video file into H.264 format using HandBrake to test the processor’s multicore performance, which pushes all cores to maximum output. This intense workload can be observed roughly and graphically in Activity Monitor by double–clicking the chart at the bottom of the CPU tab. The Core i3 isn’t weak for general use, but see the difference the Core i7 makes here, reducing the total time taken to process our roughly half–hour video by an appreciable amount. The more of this kind of work you do, the harder you should consider that faster option.

> TomB Ra ider

For a real–world gaming test, we use the built–in benchmarking tool in this game, with the graphics set to the High quality preset and the display resolution set to 1920x1080 pixels. Unlike the iMac, where you get a slightly better graphics processor with each price step, all models of the Mac mini — whether you spend $799 or several grand — have an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 processor. It’s fine for general tasks, but struggles with demanding 3D graphics, with frame rates on average below the 30fps ideal minimum for gameplay. Other tasks that run on the graphics processor rather than the Intel Core suffer too — see below.

> Da vinci resolve

In Blackmagic Design’s editing tool for video professionals, we exported an effects–laden, 2.5–minute project to the H.264 format. We limited the app’s hardware acceleration to use one graphics processor at a time. This intensive test enables us to quickly show the relative strength or weakness of any graphics processor. Right now, the best time we have on record comes from a Vega 64 card in a Thunderbolt 3 enclosure (or eGPU). The mini’s integrated Intel GPU just can’t compete, so if you want it to be a workstation for high–end tasks that can be accelerated on the graphics processor, adding an eGPU can save you having to look to the iMac.