Most desktop PCs are modular by nature: you can remove and replace memory, storage, and even the processor and motherboard. But small desktop PCs often sacrifice some of that versatility in order to take up less space. So while many mini PCs have user-replaceable memory and/or storage, you’re usually stuck with the other hardware that comes with your system.
The Clink-X xCraft is a modular mini PC that takes a different approach. Expected to ship as a DIY kit that lets you snap a chassis together around a set of key components, it should be a snap (literally) to swap out components including fans, memory, storage, and even the case itself. Theoretically you could even upgrade the motherboard… assuming the company behind this mini PC continues to offer compatible upgrades in the future.
WinFuture’s Roland Quandt got a look at a pre-release version of the hardware at CES 2025, and reports that manufacturer Emdoor plans to launch a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in March with barebones models priced around $500.
While crowdfunding campaigns always carry some risk, it’s worth noting that Emdoor is a Chinese PC maker that’s been around for nearly two decades, and which has been shipping products for much of that time (although they’re sometimes marketed and sold under different brand names outside of China).
The basic xCraft kit includes a case with top and side panels that snap magnetically onto a core frame. This design lets you swap out a plain silver/grey panel for one with different colors or patterns on it. And you can open the case by removing a set of (proprietary) screws that hold the motherboard in place.
That board does have processor attached to it, so in order to upgrade the processor you would probably have to replace the entire board. But at least it should be easier to do that with the Clink-X xCraft than with most mini PCs.
At launch, Emdoor plans to offer a motherboard with either an AMD Ryzen 7 250 or Ryzen 7 260 “Hawk Point” processor with a Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 graphics, two SODIMM slots with support for up to 128GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and two M.2 2280 slots with support for PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe storage.
Ports include:
- 2 x USB4 (20 Gbps)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps)
- 1 x USB Type-C (20V power input)
- 1 x HDMI 2.1
- 1 x DisplayPort 2.1
- 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN (RTL8125BG-CG)
There’s also support for WiFi 6 and a fan for active cooling.
But since this system is designed to be modular, upcoming modules could let you alter some features. For example, WinFuture reports that Emdoor says it could offer a passive cooling module that would most likely include a heat sink for silent operation. Other options might include modules that provide additional ports or discrete graphics, although these would most likely be external modules that would not fit inside the chassis, which measures 144 x 144 x 49.5mm (5.67″ x 1.95″).
Keep in mind that so far the Clink-X xCraft is still in the pre-production/prototype stage, so it’s possible some specs, features, or design elements could change before the product launches… if it actually launches at all.