Intel N100 vs N305 Mini PCs: Which Should You Buy for Your Homelab in 2025?

If you're building a homelab in 2025, you've probably noticed Intel's N-series processors taking over the mini PC market. The N100 and N305 have become the go-to choices for budget-conscious homelab enthusiasts, but which one should you actually buy?

I've spent months researching these processors and analyzing real-world performance data from the homelab community. Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice.

The Quick Answer

Get the N100 if: You want the best value, run lightweight services (Docker containers, Home Assistant, PiHole), or care about power efficiency and silence.

Get the N305 if: You need more CPU power for multiple VMs, plan to run Proxmox with several guests, or want better multi-tasking performance.

Specifications Comparison

Real-World Performance

Power Consumption

The N100's biggest advantage is power efficiency. In real-world testing:

• N100 idle: 6-8W
• N100 under load: 10-15W
• N305 idle: 10-12W
• N305 under load: 20-30W

What this means for you: If you run your homelab 24/7, the N100 will cost about $50-70 less per year in electricity compared to the N305 (at $0.13/kWh). Over three years, that's $150-210 in savings.

CPU Performance

The N305's 8 cores make a real difference in multi-threaded workloads:

• Geekbench 6 Single-Core: N100 (~1216) vs N305 (~1180) - essentially tied
• Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: N100 (~2950) vs N305 (~4800) - N305 is 62% faster
• Cinebench R23 Multi-Core: N100 (~2949) vs N305 (~4700) - N305 is 59% faster

Bottom line: Single-threaded performance is nearly identical. The N305 shines when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Container Performance

For Docker-heavy setups, both processors perform admirably:

• N100: Can easily handle 15-20 lightweight containers (PiHole, Uptime Kuma, Portainer, Nextcloud, etc.)
• N305: Can handle 30-40 containers without breaking a sweat

Most homelab users run fewer than 15 containers, making the N100 perfectly adequate.

Virtual Machine Performance

This is where the N305 pulls ahead significantly:

• N100: Can run 2-3 lightweight Linux VMs or 1-2 Windows VMs comfortably
• N305: Can run 5-6 lightweight Linux VMs or 3-4 Windows VMs

If you're planning a Proxmox cluster or need multiple VMs running simultaneously, the N305's extra cores become essential.

Use Case Recommendations

Best for N100:

• Docker-focused homelabs - Running containerized services
• Network services - PiHole, AdGuard, WireGuard VPN
• Media servers - Jellyfin, Plex (with hardware transcoding)
• Home Assistant - Perfect for smart home hubs
• Always-on services - Low power draw matters
• Silent operation - Many N100 systems are fanless
• Budget builds - Best performance per dollar

Best for N305:

• Proxmox virtualization - Multiple VMs running simultaneously
• Development environments - Testing across multiple OSes
• Kubernetes clusters - K3s or similar setups
• Heavy multi-tasking - Many services running at once
• TrueNAS Scale - More headroom for apps and VMs
• 4K transcoding - Better GPU for multiple streams

Network Performance

Both processors support 2.5GbE networking (depending on the mini PC model):

• VPN throughput: N100 can saturate gigabit Ethernet via Tailscale/WireGuard using ~40% CPU
• N305 offers similar network performance but with more headroom for other tasks

For homelab networking, both are excellent. The N100 won't be a bottleneck unless you're doing extreme routing tasks.

Common Mini PC Models

N100 Options:

• Beelink S12 Pro ($150-180) - DDR4, 1GbE
• Beelink EQ12 ($180-220) - DDR5, 2x 2.5GbE
• GMKtec NucBox G3 ($159-199) - DDR5, 2.5GbE
• CWWK N100 ($180-250) - 4x 2.5GbE, great for pfSense/OPNsense

N305 Options:

• Beelink SER5 Max ($280-320) - Good all-rounder
• Minisforum UM350 ($299-350) - Solid build quality
• GEEKOM Mini IT8 ($320-380) - Premium option

Storage Considerations

Most mini PCs come with:

• 1x M.2 NVMe slot (2280 size, PCIe 3.0)
• 1x 2.5" SATA bay (optional in some models)

For homelabs:

• 512GB NVMe is the sweet spot for most builds
• Add a 2.5" SSD for extra storage if needed
• Both processors handle NVMe speeds equally well

RAM Recommendations

• N100: 16GB is plenty for most homelabs (8GB minimum)
• N305: 16GB minimum, consider 32GB for heavy VM use

DDR4 vs DDR5:

• DDR4 is cheaper and widely available (max 32GB)
• DDR5 costs more but supports 48GB SO-DIMMs
• Performance difference is negligible for homelab use

Operating System Support

Both processors work great with:

• Proxmox VE - Full support, hardware transcoding works
• TrueNAS Scale - Excellent ZFS performance
• Ubuntu Server - Perfect compatibility
• OpenWrt - Great for custom router builds
• pfSense/OPNsense - Full support
• Windows 11 - Official support

Noise & Thermals

N100:

• Many models are completely fanless (0dB)
• Fanless models stay under 60°C under load
• Active cooled models are whisper-quiet

N305:

• Requires active cooling (small fan)
• Usually inaudible from 1+ meter away
• Stays under 70°C with proper cooling

Value Analysis

Let's compare total cost of ownership over 3 years:

N100 Build:

• Mini PC: $180
• RAM upgrade (16GB): $30
• Power (3 years @ 10W): $34
• Total: $244

N305 Build:

• Mini PC: $300
• RAM upgrade (16GB): $30
• Power (3 years @ 25W): $86
• Total: $416

Difference: $172 - Is the extra performance worth it for your use case?

My Recommendation

For 80% of homelab users, the N100 is the smarter choice. Here's why:

1. Sufficient performance for most homelab tasks
2. Incredible power efficiency for 24/7 operation
3. Silent or near-silent operation
4. Best value for the performance you get
5. Lower total cost of ownership

Choose the N305 only if:

• You're running 5+ VMs regularly
• You need heavy multi-tasking capabilities
• Power cost isn't a concern
• Budget allows for the premium

What I'd Buy Today

If I were starting fresh, I'd get:

• CWWK N100 with 4x 2.5GbE ports ($200)
• 32GB DDR4 RAM ($40)
• 512GB NVMe SSD ($35)

Total: ~$275 for a capable, efficient homelab server that'll handle anything I throw at it.

Bottom Line

The N100 represents an incredible value proposition for homelab enthusiasts. It offers desktop-class performance in a power-sipping package that won't break the bank or heat up your room.

The N305 is a worthy upgrade if you genuinely need the extra cores, but most homelab users will never max out an N100.

Start with the N100. You can always add a second N100 box later for less than the cost difference to an N305.

Have you built a homelab with an N100 or N305? Share your experience in the comments below!

Last updated: November 2025