The NucBox K2 is the most recent mini PC from GMKtec for house and place of work environments. Whilst its identify would in all probability recommend that it immediately replaces the NucBox K1, the NucBox K2 is in its private elegance given that K1 goals a singular subset of mini PC consumers.
Our analysis unit comes configured with the Zen 3+ AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, built-in Radeon 680M GPU, 1 TB PCIe3 SSD and 32 GB RAM for roughly $580 USD or simply $480 when on sale. SKUs with segment the ram and garage also are to be had and there may be even one with the quicker Zen 4 Ryzen 9 7940HS for slightly underneath $800. There are in recent years no barebone conceivable alternatives.
Choices to the NucBox 2 come with different mini PCs operating on built-in graphics similar to the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini, Geekom Mini iT13, Trigkey Pace S, or Intel NUC 13 Professional.
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The NucBox K2 is noticeably lighter than many different mini PCs of an an identical dimension in conjunction with the Intel NUC 13 Professional and Geekom Mini IT11. The downside, then again, is that the K2 makes use of extra plastic on its very best conceivable and backside surfaces whilst most productive the perimeters and edges are steel. Its all-matte design is surely additional delicate than mini PCs similar to the Beelink SER7 the place its glossy chrome-cut seems to be are supposed to attract eyes. Chassis stress remains to be very good then again and and not the use of a compile top of the range problems on our explicit unit.
Essentially necessarily probably the most notable port at the NucBox 2 is without a doubt the USB 4 port. This flexible port can be utilized for exterior GPUs, exterior presentations, docking stations, or even third-party AC adapters will have to you ever lose the proprietary energy brick that ships with the field. Sadly, there is just one USB-C port not like at the Beelink SER7 which integrates 3 USB-C ports.
A MediaTek RZ608 comes usual for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E support. Regardless that connection is dependable, capacity is slower than anticipated when paired to our 6 GHz group as showed under. As a result of this the wi-fi antennae could also be at the prone side.
Bluetooth could also be problematic. Our Bluetooth mouse would fail to reconnect every time despite the fact that it could art work completely on different gadgets.
The NucBox K2 is one of the easiest mini PCs to provider in particular after having simply reviewed the Beelink SER7. The plastic very best conceivable panel pops off inside of seconds and not the use of a apparatus required for direct get right to use to the 2x SODIMM slots, 1x M.2 SSD, and WLAN module. Even the machine fan is well available by means of flipping the unit upside-down, eliminating the 4 rubber feet, and unscrewing the 4 screws.
The retail field contains the guidelines, AC adapter, HDMI cable, and detachable VESA mounting bracket. The usual one-year restricted producer guaranty applies if bought in the united states.
We set Area house home windows to Efficiency mode previous to operating the benchmarks under. GMK contains no pre-installed keep watch over center systems or bloatware.
The Ryzen 7 7735HS is largely a rebranded final technology Ryzen 7 6800H in particular since they’re every in line with the Zen 3+ development. This is not to mention that the CPU is slow, then again consumers short of to possess the most recent Zen 4 technology will have to take a look at the higher-end configuration as an alternative with the Ryzen 9 7940HS which is able to be offering as much as 45 to 50 % sooner multi-thread capacity over our Ryzen 7 unit.
Normal capacity is in a position 30 % slower than the twelfth gen Core i7-12700H typically discovered on high-performance gaming laptops and mini PCs similar to the Intel NUC 12 Serpent Canyon.
PCMark ratings are excellent with effects which may also be sooner than maximum different mini PCs powered by means of twelfth gen or older Intel CPUs. Its Virtual Content material subject material topic subject material Advent ranking is especially notable given that Radeon 680M can run laps across the Iris Xe assortment.
LatencyMon unearths minor DPC problems when opening a few browser tabs of our homepage. 4K video playback at 60 FPS finds problems as we are in a position to report 30 dropped frames inside of a one-minute time period. The stuttering suggests a possible AMD driving force factor that are supposed to be addressed.
The way in which ships with a midrange PCIe3 x4 Lexar NM610 Professional which gives sooner most switch charges than the everyday NM610 non-Professional taste (3300 MB/s vs. 2100 MB/s). Pricier PCIe4 fashions similar to the Samsung PM9A1 are supported for as much as 2x the aptitude, then again throttling may well be a topic since there’s no further cooling for the facility.
The Radeon 680M remains to be one of the most important quickest built-in GPUs available in the market despite the fact that it is nearing a few years old-fashioned. The GPU is powerful sufficient to play fashionable 3D titles at local 1080p as long as the settings are tuned decrease. We advise connecting to a FreeSync-compatible show if you’ll be able to be gaming at the NucBox K2 on a not unusual foundation given that Radeon 680M has a tendency to hover between the 45 to 60 FPS vary.
Upgrading to the Ryzen 9 7940HS configuration with the Radeon 780M is anticipated to spice up graphics capacity by means of about 10 to twenty % in line with our time with the Beelink SER7.
Body charges when idling on Witcher 3 are most often constant then again now not with out some highs and lows as showed by means of our graph under. The fluctuations are fortunately now not excessive sufficient to be on any fear whilst gaming.
Fan noise is a prone spot for the NucBox K2. The internal fan pulses somewhat often from silent to 36 dB(A) even during low such a lot like surfing or video streaming. We are in a position to reach a most noise of virtually 42 dB(A) somewhat in brief midway all the way through the principle benchmark scene of 3DMark 06.
Floor temperatures at the most efficient of the unit can achieve over 36 C when operating not clean such a lot like video video video games. Waste warmth escapes from the rear as showed by means of the temperature maps under.
It is secure to position the unit vertically as an alternative of horizontally given that NucBox 2 design contains further air float grilles at the backside plate.
When operating Prime95 to worry the CPU, clock charges and board energy draw would spike to a couple of.5 GHz and 45 W, respectively. After a couple of seconds, then again, this is in a position to drop to a couple of.1 GHz and 38 W to signify that top turbo spice up potential is proscribed.
Core temperature when operating Witcher 3 would stabilize at 67 C in comparison to 64 C at the pricier Beelink SER7. Core temperature most productive reaches 70 C or hotter when operating not clean such a lot for prolonged classes.
The machine is additional not clean than different mini PCs powered by means of older CPUs similar to the NucBox 2 or Trigkey Pace S. However, the aptitude benefits greater than offset the better energy intake. As an example, our NucBox K2 would draw almost about 30 % additional energy than the Trigkey Pace S when operating video video video games, then again capacity may also be 60 to 70 % sooner to be smartly well neatly definitely worth the uptick in intake.
The GMKtec NucBox K2 has the entire core alternatives that house or place of work consumers can respect with out slightly a large number of the flashy extras. The super-easy accessibility and serviceability, fast Zen 3+ CPU and built-in GPU, and USB4 port in particular are all highlights of the best way. The truth that our configuration can also be discovered for as little as $480 USD makes it extraordinarily horny as you may well be compromising most productive little or no on capacity and lines.
However, there are a couple of lower corners and a few problems worth mentioning. In the beginning, the machine helps only one inside of SSD not like maximum different mini PCs which is able to support two. Secondly, the only USB-C port can in fact in point of fact really feel proscribing whilst you happen to imply to glue a few USB-C gadgets. And in the end, we recommend double-checking Bluetooth capability and any body skipping problems as we skilled every on our analysis unit.
The NucBox K2 punches above its weight and worth elegance. You will have to maintain some distinct drawbacks, then again.
We might in all probability additionally like to appear enhancements made to the ability of the WLAN sign and to the conduct of the machine fan. Our Wi-Fi 6E connection is slower than anticipated whilst the pulsing fan might be very noticeable. If you’ll be able to to search out the best way for lower than $500, then again, then those drawbacks might be worth accepting.
Amazon is now provide the GMKtec NucBox K2 as reviewed for $580 USD or $480 after making use of the present coupon code.
Allow 48h for review and removal.