Geekom Mini IT13 — Quick Specs Summary
| Component | Specification | Upgradeable? |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13900H (14-core, up to 5.4 GHz) | No |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 SO-DIMM (2 slots, max 64GB) | Yes — UPGRADEABLE |
| Internal SSD | 512GB M.2 NVMe + optional 2.5″ SATA | Yes — both replaceable |
| Ports | 2× USB-A 3.2, 2× USB-C 3.2, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet | Expandable via dock |
| Wireless | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | No |
| Power Supply | 90W USB-C PD | No |
| Price | £400–500 | N/A |
Mini IT13: Budget i9 with Legacy Storage Options
Key Difference: DDR4 Not DDR5
Mini IT13 uses older DDR4 SO-DIMM (vs DDR5 on GT13/XT13 Pro). This makes it cheaper to upgrade RAM (DDR4 modules are ~£20–30 less per pair). Performance difference: negligible for most workloads.
Hybrid Storage: M.2 + 2.5″ SATA
Unique feature: supports both M.2 NVMe AND 2.5″ SATA SSD. This is unusual for mini PCs and useful for legacy storage or tiering (fast NVMe for OS, slower SATA for archives).
Performance & Use Case
i9-13900H is identical to GT13 Pro models—excellent for developers, virtualisation, media work. DDR4 vs DDR5 difference is <5% in real-world performance.
RAM Compatibility & Upgrades
DDR4 SO-DIMM: Budget-Friendly Upgrade Path
Mini IT13 has 2× DDR4 SO-DIMM slots (laptop form factor). Upgrade cost is lower than DDR5 models:
- Factory: 16GB (2× 8GB DDR4)
- Upgrade to 32GB: 2× 16GB DDR4 (£50–80)
- Upgrade to 64GB: 2× 32GB DDR4 (£100–150)
Installation Steps
- Power down, unplug
- Remove bottom panel
- Push RAM clip tabs outward, eject at 45°
- Insert new DDR4 SO-DIMM at 45°, press down until clicks
- Reassemble, boot, verify
Compatible RAM Brands
Compatible: Crucial DDR4-3200 16GB SODIMM, Kingston ValueRAM DDR4-3200.
SSD & Storage Flexibility
M.2 NVMe Slot (Primary)
Mini IT13 includes 1× M.2 2280 NVMe slot (factory 512GB). Replaceable with any NVMe drive up to 2TB.
2.5″ SATA Slot (Secondary)
Rare feature: dedicated 2.5″ SATA bay. Use this for:
- Archive storage (slower but cheaper)
- Legacy 2.5″ SSD migration from old systems
- Tiered storage (NVMe for OS/apps, SATA for projects)
Upgrade Strategy
| Configuration | Cost (approx) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 512GB NVMe + no SATA | +£0 | Minimal setup, external SSD for expansion |
| 512GB NVMe + 500GB SATA | +£40 | Tiered storage (OS on NVMe, projects on SATA) |
| 1TB NVMe + 1TB SATA | +£80 | 2TB total internal storage, solid throughput |
Installation
M.2 NVMe: Push at 30°, pull out; insert new drive at 30°, press down, screw if needed.
2.5″ SATA: Locate SATA bay (usually bottom-left), insert drive, secure screws, connect SATA cable to logic board.
Compatible: Samsung 990 EVO M.2 NVMe, WD Blue SN580, Crucial P3 Plus, Samsung 870 EVO 2.5″ SATA.
Power & Cooling
90W USB-C Power Delivery
Adequate for sustained i9-13900H workloads. Peaks at 60–75W during compilation/export; ~20–30W at idle.
Active Cooling
Small fan; ~30–35 dB under load. Thermal throttling only above 30°C ambient in sustained workloads.
Connectivity & Limitations
Minimal USB Ports
Mini IT13 has only 2× USB-A + 2× USB-C (vs 4× USB-A on GT13 Pro). If you need more ports, consider a USB hub or dock.
No Thunderbolt 4
Unlike GT13 Pro, Mini IT13 lacks TB4. Connectivity via USB 3.2 Gen 2 only. This limits high-speed external RAID expansion but adequate for most workflows.
Display Support
HDMI 2.0 (4K 60Hz) only. Single external display. For multi-display setups, use USB-C to HDMI adapters (adds complexity).
Upgradeability Score
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RAM Upgrade | 9/10 | DDR4 SO-DIMM; 64GB max; cheaper than DDR5 |
| SSD Upgrade | 9/10 | M.2 + 2.5″ SATA slots; unique hybrid flexibility |
| Ports & Connectivity | 6/10 | Minimal USB ports; no TB4 (limitation) |
| Display Support | 5/10 | Single HDMI only; limited multi-monitor |
| Overall Upgradeability | 8/10 | Excellent RAM/storage options; connectivity limited |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy Mini IT13 or GT13 Pro?
Mini IT13 saves £100 and offers DDR4 (cheaper upgrades) + 2.5″ SATA slot. GT13 Pro has more USB ports + TB4. Choose Mini IT13 if budget-focused and DDR4 upgrade appeals; GT13 Pro if port flexibility matters.
Can I use both M.2 and 2.5″ SATA simultaneously?
Yes. Boot from M.2 NVMe (OS), use 2.5″ SATA as secondary drive for archives or projects. Both accessible at same time.
How much cheaper is DDR4 vs DDR5 upgrade?
32GB DDR4 upgrade: £50–80. 32GB DDR5 upgrade: £80–120. Savings of ~£30–40, but performance gap is minimal (<5%).
Can I add a 2.5″ SATA drive if factory lacks one?
Depends on factory config. Most Mini IT13 units ship with empty SATA bay. Check product listing or ask before purchase. If empty, £40–50 2.5″ SSD is straightforward add.
Is lack of Thunderbolt 4 a deal-breaker?
Not for most users. USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) is adequate for external SSDs, USB hubs, and peripherals. Only issue: can’t daisy-chain TB4 RAID arrays (rare use case).
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Best overall DDR4 upgrade kit | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Reliable alternative with tight latency | View on Amazon UK |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Top-rated DDR5 kit for gaming & productivity | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Excellent DDR5 alternative with XMP support | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Related Geekom Upgrade Guides
- Geekom GT1 Mega Mini PC Compatibility
- Geekom A8 Mini PC Compatibility
- Geekom Mini PC Upgrade Guide
- Geekom A5
- Geekom A7
- Geekom Upgrade Guide
Not sure what fits? Use our free Compatibility Checker covering 3,195+ models.
