GMKtec M8 “AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H” Mini PC Review

GMKtec has been making Mini PCs for years now. They are based in the technology hub of Shenzhen, China, have maintained strategic partnerships with AMD, Intel & Microsoft, and currently offer a wide array of solutions, from entry-level to enthusiast-grade designs based on mobility chips from AMD & Intel.

While we have looked at several GMKtec Mini PC options in the past, ranging from AMD to Intel CPUs, the company recently introduced a new Intel model, the NuxBox M8, which features an AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650H CPU priced at around $350 US.

GMKtec M8 Mini PC – Specifications At A Glance

The GMKtec M8 Mini PC is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650H CPU. Our unit was decked out with the Ryzen 5 6650H, LPDDR5-6400 16 GB (8 GB x2) soldered memory, and a 512 GB PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 M.2 drive. There are two M.2 slots, both of which are rated at up to PCIe 4.0 specs, but GMKtec offers a single PCIe 3.0 SSD on the pre-configured models.

Coming to the specifications, the GMKtec M8 Mini PC features the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H CPU, which features 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 3+ architecture, 16 MB of L3 cache, and a boost clock of up to 4.50 GHz. The CPU has a base TDP of 45W.

For the GPU, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H CPU is packing an Iris Xe chip, which features a total of 6 CUs and clocks up to 1.9 GHz. The GPU is based on the RDNA 2 IP, which means that it is a bit older than the modern RDNA 3.0 and RDNA 3.5 generations, but it still packs a punch. Plus, it supports AMD’s FSR 3 and Fluid Motion Frames technologies while offering DX12U and the latest graphics AI compatibility.

Other specs for the GMKtec M8 Mini PC include 16 GB LPDDR5-6400 (Dual-Channel) memory. The Mini PC comes with soldered memory, and 16 GB is the highest configuration you can get. Storage comes in the form of two M.2 2280 (2 x Gen3 x4) slots that support up to 8 TB capacities (each). One of these slots is populated by a 512 GB SSD (Gen3x4).

I/O on the GMKtec M8 Mini PC includes an OCuLink port on the front, two USB 3.2 10 Gbps Type-A ports, a single USB 4.0 Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, a CMOS Reset button, and the Power button. The rear includes a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.2 10 Gbps Type-A port, two 2.5GbE LAN ports, an HDMI and DP1.4 display output configuration, a DC Power Input, and a security lock slot.

GMKtec M8 Mini PC – Unboxing & A Closer Look

The GMKtec M8 Mini PC comes in a silver colored cardboard package, which has a simplistic look with a “GMKtec” logo on the front.

The back of the box has some basic specifications that list the specific configuration for this model. We got the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H variant with 16 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage capacity.

Within the box, you get a guide and a warranty holder alongside two separate boxes, which contain the power cord, an HDMI cable, and the adapter.

The adapter is a 120W brick, which is more than enough to power the M8.

GMKtec’s Mini PCs really do stand out from the rest of the market offerings, with a stylish dual-tone design. The front features a matte grey colour palette, while the exterior shroud is silver.

There are exhaust vents on the sides of the Mini PC. These ensure that the PC receives adequate airflow and remains cool with higher heat dissipation through the vents.

The front I/O on the GMKtec M8 Mini PC includes two USB 3.2 10 Gbps Type-A ports, a single USB 4.0 Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, a CMOS Reset button, and the Power button.

The rear includes a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.2 10 Gbps Type-A port, two 2.5GbE LAN ports, an HDMI and DP1.4 display output configuration, a DC Power Input, and a security lock slot.

The sides have large vents that push air out of the chassis.

The interiors of the Mini PC can be accessed by removing the four screws at the bottom. These also feature rubber feet.

The only upgradable parts on the M8 are the storage. There are two M.2 slots, which can hold 8 TB capacities each for up to 16 TB of storage capacity.

GMKtec M8 Mini PC – CPU Performance

For performance testing, we used the 45W power profile for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H when testing the GMKtec M8 Mini PC.

GMKtec M8 Mini PC – 1080p Integrated GPU Performance

For gaming, we tested a couple of the latest and most played esports titles, along with a mix of AAA titles at 1080p resolution. The performance was measured between the AMD Radeon 890M, Radeon 780, Radeon 680M, Radeon 660M, AMD Vega 8, Vega 7, Vega 6, Intel Iris Xe, and Intel Iris Xe-LP integrated graphics.

GMKtec M8 Mini PC – Thermals & Power Consumption

The following are the power and thermal numbers of the GMKtec M8 Ultra Mini PC using its default 45W profile.

Conclusion – Tiny & Good For Everyday Use

The GMKtec M8 is a surprisingly compact Mini PC which is easier to carry around in a backpack, and offers a suitable hardware configuration, powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H, which delivers decent CPU and GPU horsepower given its entry-level price point. At $359, it is definitely a good choice for those who want to take their PCs and do everyday work while enjoying some lightweight gaming. Plus, the M8 doesn’t consume a lot of power, and that leads to lower temperatures and very quiet operation.

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