Intel N100 vs i3-N305 vs a Used ThinkCentre Tiny for a Home Server
Affiliate links. Disclosure
Date: 2026-10-24; Lenovo PSREF models checked 2026-10-25. Jellyfin version referenced: v12.3 (https://github.com/jellyfin/jellyfin/releases/tag/v12.3), as pinned in our Jellyfin guides. CPU data comes from Intel's spec pages, read 2026-10-24.
For a home server, the Intel N100 has 4 cores at a 6 W TDP, the i3-N305 has 8 cores at 15 W, and a used ThinkCentre Tiny with an i5-8500T has 6 cores at 35 W. The N100 and N305 are limited to 16 GB of RAM in one channel. Compare cores, RAM limit and iGPU first.
The three CPUs on paper (Intel spec pages)
A used ThinkCentre Tiny can contain many different CPUs. As an example we use the Core i5-8500T (8th gen), a 35 W "T" desktop chip of the kind found in used tiny business PCs. For current (new) Tiny models, see the Lenovo PSREF table below. For a used unit, check the exact CPU in the listing or BIOS, and that model's own PSREF sheet.
| Intel Processor N100 | Intel Core i3-N305 | Intel Core i5-8500T (example used-Tiny CPU) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code name | Alder Lake-N | Alder Lake-N | Coffee Lake |
| Launched | Q1'23 | Q1'23 | Q2'18 |
| Cores / threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 8 | 6 / 6 |
| Max turbo | 3.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz | 3.50 GHz |
| TDP | 6 W | 15 W (configurable down to 9 W) | 35 W (configurable down to 25 W) |
| Max memory | 16 GB, 1 channel | 16 GB, 1 channel | 128 GB, 2 channels (DDR4-2666) |
| iGPU | UHD Graphics, 24 EUs, 750 MHz | UHD Graphics, 32 EUs, 1.25 GHz | UHD Graphics 630, 1.10 GHz |
| Quick Sync Video | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VT-x / VT-d | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| Servicing status | — | — | "End of Servicing Updates Date: June 30, 2025" |
| Source | intel.com | intel.com | intel.com |
TDP is a design figure, not measured wall power.
Current ThinkCentre Tiny models (Lenovo PSREF, checked 2026-10-25)
From Lenovo's PSREF spec sheets (M70q Gen 5 sheet dated September 10 2026; M90q Gen 5 sheet dated September 15 2026). Both are "Tiny (1L)" chassis, 179 x 182.9 x 36.5 mm.
| ThinkCentre M70q Gen 5 | ThinkCentre M90q Gen 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU options | 13th/14th Gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7 "T" (e.g. i3-13100T, i3-14100T, i5-13400T … i7-14700T) or Intel 300T | 13th/14th Gen Intel Core i5/i7/i9, 35 W or 65 W (e.g. i5-13500/13500T … i9-14900/14900T) |
| Chipset | Intel Q670 | Intel Q670 |
| Max memory | Up to 64 GB (2x 32 GB DDR5 SODIMM), two slots, dual-channel; DDR5-4800/5200/5600 | Up to 64 GB (2x 32 GB DDR5 SODIMM), two slots, dual-channel; DDR5-4800/5200/5600 |
| Storage | Up to two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs, up to 2 TB each; RAID 0/1 | Up to two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs, up to 2 TB each; RAID 0/1 (special-bid models only) |
| Ethernet | Intel I219-LM GbE; optional 2.5 GbE (Realtek RTL8125BGS) | Intel I219-LM GbE; optional 4x GbE (Intel I350-T4 card, not in EMEA) or 2.5 GbE punch-out port |
| Front ports | 1x USB-C 5 Gbps, 2x USB-A 10 Gbps, audio jack | 1x USB-C 20 Gbps, 2x USB-A 10 Gbps, audio jack |
| Rear ports | 1x USB-A 2.0, 1x USB-A 5 Gbps, 2x USB-A 10 Gbps, HDMI 2.1 TMDS, DP 1.4a, RJ-45; two optional punch-out ports | 2x USB-A 5 Gbps, 2x USB-A 10 Gbps, HDMI 2.1 TMDS, DP 1.4a, RJ-45; two optional punch-out ports |
| Power adapter | 65 W, 90 W or 135 W (300 W by special bid) | 65 W, 90 W, 135 W or 230 W |
| Source | PSREF spec PDF | PSREF spec PDF |
PSREF notes that max memory and storage are "based on the test results with current Lenovo memory offerings" / storage offerings. Adapter wattage is the supplied adapter, not measured wall power. Compared with the N100/N305 (16 GB, one channel per Intel), both Tiny models take two DDR5 SODIMMs up to 64 GB.
What the Jellyfin docs say about these iGPUs
From Jellyfin's Intel hardware acceleration guide:
- UHD 630 is in the "Mainstream" tier, described as "capable of multiple 4k HDR HEVC 10-bit transcoding at the same time".
- HEVC 10-bit decode/encode needs "Gen 9.5 Kaby Lake (7th Gen Core)… and newer". AV1 decode needs "Gen 12 Tiger Lake (11th Gen Core) and newer". By those rules, a Coffee Lake (8th gen) chip has no AV1 decode.
- For "the latest products like N95/N100", OpenCL runtime support "is provided in
23.xx.xxxxxand newer". The guide doesn't place the N100/N305 UHD Graphics in a tier, and we could not confirm Alder Lake-N AV1 decode support from an official Intel source, so we make no claim either way.
Trade-offs (our reading of the specs)
- Memory: the N100 and N305 top out at 16 GB in one channel, per Intel. That covers Immich's 8 GB recommendation (requirements) but limits running many VMs. The 8500T allows up to 128 GB in two channels on paper, but a Tiny chassis' own limit may be lower. The current M70q/M90q Gen 5 list 64 GB (see the PSREF table); for older used units check that model on Lenovo PSREF.
- Cores: the N305 has twice the N100's cores at 15 W TDP. The 8500T has six full cores at 35 W TDP.
- Age and support: the 8500T launched in 2018, and Intel lists its servicing updates as ended (June 30, 2025). Used units also vary in condition. Check the seller's BIOS version, drive health and power adapter.
- Codecs: if your library has AV1, the Coffee Lake example lacks AV1 decode (per the Jellyfin docs). The Alder Lake-N status is unconfirmed here.
⚠️ Caution: these are spec-sheet comparisons only. Real power draw, noise and transcoding throughput depend on the box's BIOS limits and cooling, and none of that was measured. Before you buy, check the exact CPU of a used unit in the listing or BIOS, and Lenovo's PSREF for the chassis limits.
Tools: see how much RAM your apps need with the hardware sizing calculator, and turn watts into yearly cost with the power cost calculator.
Related: install Proxmox
Sources
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/231803/intel-processor-n100-6m-cache-up-to-3-40-ghz/specifications.html
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/231805/intel-core-i3n305-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz/specifications.html
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/129941/intel-core-i58500t-processor-9m-cache-up-to-3-50-ghz/specifications.html
- https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/post-install/transcoding/hardware-acceleration/intel
- https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkCentre/ThinkCentre_M70q_Gen_5/ThinkCentre_M70q_Gen_5_Spec.pdf
- https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/ThinkCentre/ThinkCentre_M90q_Gen_5/ThinkCentre_M90q_Gen_5_Spec.pdf
- https://psref.lenovo.com/ (check your specific used Tiny model there)