In the beginning look, the Geekom A5 is paying homage to the Mini IT11 and Mini IT12 fashions. Technically and visually, they had been similar to the Intel NUC circle of relatives of mini PCs. However, opposite to expectancies, the A5 is powered by way of an AMD CPU. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H discovered right here would possibly no longer reasonably be a contemporary SoC, however, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, this can be a chip that may nonetheless recently ship ok functionality. We will be able to to find out later whether or not or no longer this seems to be the case. As well as, buying the Geekom A5 gets you 32 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. At $399, the A5 stands eye-to-eye with the contest. In the meantime, choice specs or perhaps a barebone choice aren’t to be had.
We have now selected comparability gadgets which fit the A5 performance-wise and also are in the similar worth class. We have now compiled a abstract of those competing gadgets within the following desk.
When you took a handy guide a rough take a look at the Geekom A5, you can right away assume this turns out acquainted. And, the truth is, the similarities to the Geekom IT11 and IT12 are there to be noticed and that is obviously highlighted within the photographs. With regards to area necessities, there may be no distinction and this underlines the similarities.
There aren’t any adjustments in the case of the fabric selection both: The interior steel cage is enclosed by way of a plastic casing that provides the tool very good solidity. Design-wise, Geekom has taken a special course and decorated the A5 with a rose-gold colour. It is probably not everybody’s cup of tea however it is undoubtedly other to drab grey or black. Paired with its white peripheral gadgets, the Geekom A5’s rose gold suits in with the whole idea. In terms of construct high quality, the A5 is on no account not so good as the IT11 and IT12. Each and every section suits completely and there aren’t any noticeable gaps. The one level of complaint value bringing up is the fabric selection since a top rate steel case may have taken the haptic comments to an excellent upper stage.
By the way, identical to many different mini PCs, it’s conceivable to mend the Geekom A5 without delay to a observe by way of the provided VESA mount.
In terms of connectivity, we to begin with noticed a sensible choice of ports which can also be discovered at the entrance and rear of the tool. There are a complete of six USB ports to be had, of which two are type-C connectors. Alternatively, the producer has accomplished with out USB 4 Thunderbolt. Nonetheless, some of the two USB-C ports means that you can without delay regulate a observe. This implies the Geekom A5 can care for as much as 3 screens concurrently. We additionally should not fail to remember the two.5G community connector in addition to the rapid, splendidly acting, UHS II SD card.
Geekom has fitted the A5 with an SD card reader that delivers very good effects when paired with our (Angelbird AV Professional V60) reference card. Because of the UHS II connectivity, the cardboard reader may be appropriate for moving massive quantities of information.
The radio module discovered within the Geekom A5 is a Wi-Fi 6 style from Realtek. Alternatively, the tool lacks fashionable 6 GHz radio connectivity with the Wi-Fi module running in both the two.4 or 5 GHz frequency band. However, the measured switch speeds when sending and receiving knowledge are excellent and that is underlined by way of the tool sitting in pole place within the present comparability. The radio module additionally helps Bluetooth connections (5.2) which means both a headset or a mouse can also be wirelessly hooked up. For this take a look at, we used our Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 take a look at router.
A various number of equipment are incorporated and all of the essential pieces are there to lend a hand get the tool up and working. Along with the tool itself, there’s a 120-watt PSU, in addition to a mounting plate for the VESA set up. An HDMI cable, a handy guide a rough information and a thanks card also are a part of the field contents.
The Geekom A5 is so easy to open. The bottom is fastened by way of 4 screws and may be used to deplete warmth from the SSD. A 2d M.2 slot is to be had however a thermal pad is lacking at the rear facet. A complete of 3 mass garage gadgets can also be put in, as used to be the case with the Geekom Mini IT11 or the Geekom Mini IT12. To be able to achieve get entry to to the CPU fan, the tool needs to be disassembled additional. Sadly, fast cleansing isn’t conceivable.
With the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, the Geekom A5 has a excellent SoC, even supposing it is not probably the most up-to-date fashions. With the 8 Zen-3 cores, the A5 has no reason why to cover as a result of our assessments printed excellent multi-core functionality. The Geekom A5 additionally copes simply with memory-intensive packages due to its 32 GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD.
We performed the entire functionality assessments the use of the balanced
power profile. We didn’t adjust the SoC’s functionality and left the BIOS configurations based on the manufacturing unit settings.
The Geekom A5 is provided with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H. The SoC gives 8 cores and 16 threads which each lend a hand to reach excellent multi-thread functionality. The direct functionality comparability displays that the Geekom A5 is on par with the Geekom Mini IT12. Alternatively, within the person disciplines, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H has some disadvantages in the case of single-core functionality. Nonetheless, with regards to the functionality score, that is nonetheless sufficient to safe 3rd position, however, the Geekom A5 is left in its tracks by way of the Minisforum Venus Sequence NAB6. With the Intel Core i7-12650H-based mini PC, you’ll be able to be expecting kind of 10 % extra functionality.
For extra comparisons and benchmarks, check out our CPU comparability desk.
With the Cinebench R15 steady loop, we were given our first glimpse into the put in cooling machine’s potency and the way it interacts with the processor’s energy intake. First of all, we noticed the most productive outcome which used to be additionally accompanied by way of the best possible energy intake. With regards to temperatures, we most effective recorded 100 °C in the beginning of the second one run. That signifies that the functionality needed to be decreased fairly. This destiny impacts virtually all gadgets which function underneath steady load. The Geekom A5’s aid in functionality is considerably smaller, and, when put next, our evaluate pattern delivered the most productive outcome over 50 runs (1,715 issues). In the similar take a look at, the Minisforum Venus Sequence NAB6 most effective controlled a median of one,627 issues.
Within the machine performance-related artificial benchmarks, the Geekom A5 confirmed a rather excellent PCMark 10 outcome. Within the Crossmark take a look at, our evaluate tool may not stay up which means the Geekom A5 may most effective safe a mid-table putting. Likewise, the evaluate pattern finished the RAM assessments very effectively even supposing this used to be most effective excellent sufficient to regulate fourth position. On this house, the Morefine M600 unearths itself on the best of the pack because of its DDR5. In on a regular basis use, we noticed no boundaries. Easy and rapid paintings is conceivable with the entire comparability gadgets and the Geekom A5 isn’t any exception to this rule.
The Geekom A5’s measured latencies had been unconvincing and no longer the most productive at school. The evaluate machine already accomplished the ones latencies when opening a couple of Edge browser tabs. Alternatively, we would not view those values as essential and would we nonetheless counsel the use of the Geekom A5 as a streaming shopper since 4K video playback did not lead to an build up in latency. Throughout this, the iGPU used to be applied to only over 30 %. Prime95 additionally did not lead to any worse latencies.
Geekom has handled the A5 to a Lexar 512 GB NVMe SSD. The put in style makes absolute best use of the NVMe interface and because of this gives very good switch speeds. The Minisfourm UN1245 and the Miniforum NAB6‘s very good SSD functionality isn’t matched by way of the style present in our evaluate tool. Alternatively, the cast 3rd position accomplished in our comparability provides no purpose for fear because the distinction in functionality isn’t perceptible in on a regular basis use. What’s extra essential is the continual functionality and that’s one thing the Geekom A5 copes with hopefully. The learn functionality stays strong over longer classes of time. The Minisfourm UN1245 falters relatively on this house which we see as a bonus for the Geekom A5.
The Geekom A5 can also be provided with two M.2 SSDs. Along with the M.2 slots, the tool gives a 2.5-inch slot which means as much as 3 mass garage gadgets can also be put in. However, consideration must be paid to the utmost top of seven millimeters.
Further comparisons and benchmarks can also be present in our comparability desk.
The Geekom A5 depends on the AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 as its built-in graphics unit and can also be discovered within the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H. Opposite to all expectancies, the Geekom A5 delivers ok functionality that is helping it safe first position. In comparison to Intel, AMD has at all times had a very easy journey with its Vega sequence iGPUs. However, the inner duel with the Morefine M600 could be very fascinating and tilts in prefer of Geekom’s A5. Within the artificial benchmarks, the AMD Radeon 660M is not able to ship the AMD Radeon RX Vega 8’s functionality.
Further comparisons and benchmarks can also be present in our GPU comparability desk.
Regardless of the great three-D functionality within the artificial benchmarks, you should not be expecting an excessive amount of from the AMD Radeon RX Vega 8. At its core, we’re nonetheless coping with a easy iGPU. Alternatively, as soon as once more, the Geekom system controlled to claim itself in opposition to the contest, within the comparability. Since lots of the comparability gadgets are provided with Intel processors, the primary 3 puts are completely occupied by way of mini PCs possessing AMD processors. On this house, Intel’s built-in graphics resolution is solely no longer aggressive. Alternatively, despite the fact that the Geekom A5 can’t be thought to be a gaming PC, our evaluate pattern can care for easy and older titles. You get noticeably extra gaming functionality with the HX99G in addition to the NUCXi7 either one of which come from Minisforum. They ship very good gaming functionality because of their devoted graphics card.
The quantity measurements disclose a transparent weak point within the Geekom A5. With none load provide, the mini PC runs very quietly, virtually silently. However, if the Geekom A5 is taxed, issues temporarily get loud. At as much as 47.8 dB(A), this little computing better half can longer be unnoticed. Within the present comparability, most effective the Blackview MP200 is even louder, at as much as 51.8 dB(A),
As with many different mini PCs, the Geekom A5’s case most effective heats up relatively. Contemporary air is sucked in on the facets and directed out of the tool on the rear. With the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, underneath load, we noticed rather prime temperatures which might counsel that Geekom is neither restricting the SoC thermally nor with regards to energy intake. The SoC reached simply in need of 100 °C in a while after the startup. This temporary spice up led to the prime temperatures which we had additionally noticed when examining the Cinebench R15 multi-loop. Within the persisted process the tension take a look at, the CPU temperature settled to an uncritical 89 °C. At 35 watts underneath steady load, the SoC ran at a strong stage.
Mainly, mini PCs are very economical when in comparison to conventional desktop PCs. Compared to the competing gadgets on this evaluate, we to begin with noticed low power necessities when working idle. Alternatively, underneath load, this adjustments, and at simply shy of 90 watts, the Geekom A5 in brief required extra energy than one of the most festival. Underneath moderate load, we recorded virtually 61 watts, which may be relatively greater than the A5’s competition. The provided 120-watt PSU is suitably sized – even for 2 further mass garage gadgets.
With the Geekom A5, you presently get a smart-looking mini PC this is treading pastures new in the case of colour design. It is going with out announcing, to start with look, the colour takes somewhat being used to, even supposing the rose-gold colour tone is not specifically dominant. Possessing a equivalent development to the Geekom IT11 and the Geekom IT12, the Geekom A5 has a virtually similar case with the similar benefits and drawbacks. To be able to distinguish itself extra from the Intel-powered gadgets, we might have most popular to have noticed a marginally extra journey within the house. An absolutely new case would had been excellent and, with a contemporary design, Geekom may have left in the back of its now old-fashioned design language.
With its AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, the Geekom A5 has no reason why to cover. Its connectivity choices are excellent even supposing Thunderbolt isn’t on board.
With regards to the selection of processor, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H is an SoC that delivers ok functionality. Despite the fact that the processor does not belong to the present fashions of its type, the 8-core chip can stay alongside of the extra fashionable processors. With 32 GB of RAM, the Geekom A5 may be provided with a beneficiant quantity of RAM, although the 512 GB SSD is quite standard-sized. Geekom has principally designed a excellent mini PC that impresses with its excellent number of ports, despite the fact that, Thunderbolt is sadly absent. On this house, the IT11 and IT12 fashions revel in a transparent benefit and this may be mirrored within the upper worth.
The distinctly audible background noise underneath load is worthy of complaint and, along with the tool’s look, we might have preferred to have noticed using a extra fashionable Wi-Fi module.
The Geekom A5 can also be bought without delay from the producer. With 32 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, the Geekom A5 recently adjustments fingers for $399. Nowadays, Amazon may be promoting the Geekom A5 with an asking worth of round $449.
Allow 48h for review and removal.