GMKtec-US via Amazon[amazon.com] has for Prime Members GMKtec Mini PC Desktop Computer Nucbox K6 AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS 32GB DDR5 Dual Channel 1TB SSD Gaming Mini PC on sale for $499.98.Shipping is free
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GMKtec-US via Amazon[amazon.com] has for Prime Members GMKtec Mini PC Desktop Computer Nucbox K6 AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS 32GB DDR5 Dual Channel 1TB SSD Gaming Mini PC on sale for $499.98.Shipping is free
All of them seem to be about the same: Chinese companies all trying to make somewhat of a name for themselves. That's usually half decent products until the competition dwindles and the ones left shave costs too far.
The Beelink SER7 loses the 2nd network port but has 3 USB C ports vs the Gemtek's 1 port. So connectivity is going to be a big differentiating factor between all the mini PCs. They have to make sacrifices to keep them in the tiny form factor. The Beelink can also drive 4 monitors (and still have a USB C port available for an expansion dock) due to those extra ports vs 3 on the Gemtek. Little things like that make the differences but won't matter to most people buying the thing to put out of sight, connect 1 network cable and 1 monitor, and have a reasonably fast PC somewhere they didn't before.
I picked up an Aoostar Gem10 a couple weeks ago. I got the older and slower version with a 6800H in it and only a 512GB NVME, but it was only $360. They have a similarly spec'd model to these for $530. Its major differences in connectivity is 2 NICs, 3 monitor ports (one from the single USB C on the front), 3 NVME slots, and an Occulink port for an external GPU (which would likely double the cost of the setup). One of its biggest downsides is the RAM is soldered to the mainboard so it cannot be upgraded. It's supposed to be faster 6400 MT/s vs the 5600 MT/s SO-DIMMS users can change out which should mean a little better iGPU performance, but it is a complete non-starter for anyone wanting more than 32GB RAM in their mini PC. It's not as snappy as a desktop with a 12900K or 14900K but it's perfectly usable for a lot, and the 7840HS is a decent bit faster. I went with a multi NVME model so if I didn't like it under Windows, I could add some drives, put Linux or something like TrueNAS on it, and give it to my sister for her to have a NAS for backups other than cloud.
i have the ser7 as esxi server loaded with 64G ram. runs about 20 VMs 24/7, whisper quiet.
i am pretty impressed, other than the proprietary power supply. i do wish it comes with 2 NIC, but since neither of those 2.5G NIC is Intel, so it doesn't really make that much difference than using an adapter if you were to load esxi.
based on the side intake cooling design, i don't think this is going to run as cool or as quiet compare to SER7 which has a top intake cooling design, but at the same time, you can stack GMKtec if you going for a cluster, with SRE7 you are SOL if you want to go with cluster without effecting cooling
Last edited by seanleeforever September 8, 2024 at 08:02 PM.
I always worry about BIOS/driver support with these types of systems. They seem to always be coming out with a new model and makes me wonder how long they support the outgoing ones.
It seems like a lot of these 6000-series and 7000-series AMD APUs are going on-sale to clear out room for the 8000/9000 series. I did buy a GMKtec M5 mini PC earlier this year (lower end model, older 5000 series APU) to use as an opnsense router, which works really well for that. Overall happy with the build quality and stuff, but there's a few things that are wonky about it, like where settings are or how they are described in BIOS/UEFI Firmware. But I think at this price range, you might be able to get a lower-end 8000 series build that's a bit better.
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I personally got one of these from aliexpress for around 300-330 bare bones. I would suggest to get one without the ram and ssd because these are known to have offbrand parts that will die in a few months. I know beelink has been better about putting crucial parts etc, but i'm guessing gmk uses generics.
Its been a pretty stable box though after i loaded it with 64gb of ram and put xcp-ng (alternative to proxmox/vmware/esxi) on it.
I personally got one of these from aliexpress for around 300-330 bare bones. I would suggest to get one without the ram and ssd because these are known to have offbrand parts that will die in a few months. I know beelink has been better about putting crucial parts etc, but i'm guessing gmk uses generics.
Its been a pretty stable box though after i loaded it with 64gb of ram and put xcp-ng (alternative to proxmox/vmware/esxi) on it.
I was expecting the same thing when I ordered mine, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Aoostar had put a Samsung NVME in theirs. Now, it's a PM9B1 which isn't their most amazing drive, but at least it's a brand I've not only heard of but already own a few drives from which is always nice. Plus it's technically a Gen 4x4 which is how they market the system, even if it probably can't really get any benefit from the gen 4 bandwidth. I don't know since I immediately pulled the drive anyway after cloning it to a larger drive I'd intended to use in it. And now I'll always have their fresh Windows install ready to clone from a USB C enclosure if needed.
Barebones is definitely the way to go if you're wanting to know exactly what you're getting in either specs or reputation of the parts' brand.
All of them seem to be about the same: Chinese companies all trying to make somewhat of a name for themselves. That's usually half decent products until the competition dwindles and the ones left shave costs too far.
The Beelink SER7 loses the 2nd network port but has 3 USB C ports vs the Gemtek's 1 port. So connectivity is going to be a big differentiating factor between all the mini PCs. They have to make sacrifices to keep them in the tiny form factor. The Beelink can also drive 4 monitors (and still have a USB C port available for an expansion dock) due to those extra ports vs 3 on the Gemtek. Little things like that make the differences but won't matter to most people buying the thing to put out of sight, connect 1 network cable and 1 monitor, and have a reasonably fast PC somewhere they didn't before.
I picked up an Aoostar Gem10 a couple weeks ago. I got the older and slower version with a 6800H in it and only a 512GB NVME, but it was only $360. They have a similarly spec'd model to these for $530. Its major differences in connectivity is 2 NICs, 3 monitor ports (one from the single USB C on the front), 3 NVME slots, and an Occulink port for an external GPU (which would likely double the cost of the setup). One of its biggest downsides is the RAM is soldered to the mainboard so it cannot be upgraded. It's supposed to be faster 6400 MT/s vs the 5600 MT/s SO-DIMMS users can change out which should mean a little better iGPU performance, but it is a complete non-starter for anyone wanting more than 32GB RAM in their mini PC. It's not as snappy as a desktop with a 12900K or 14900K but it's perfectly usable for a lot, and the 7840HS is a decent bit faster. I went with a multi NVME model so if I didn't like it under Windows, I could add some drives, put Linux or something like TrueNAS on it, and give it to my sister for her to have a NAS for backups other than cloud.
For a little bit more, that AOOSTAR has oculink and faster ram capability. That's the cheapest I've seen a mini pc with good specs and oculink, thanks! Edit: aww, it has soldered ram
Last edited by TenderMint2618 September 10, 2024 at 10:39 AM.
For a little bit more, that AOOSTAR has oculink and faster ram capability. That's the cheapest I've seen a mini pc with good specs and oculink, thanks! Edit: aww, it has soldered ram
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Beelink who seems more known and reputable from my experience has same chip for 510 (after 90 coupon).
https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Co...B0CH7X9QHW
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Beelink who seems more known and reputable from my experience has same chip for 510 (after 90 coupon).
https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Co...B0CH7X9QHW [amazon.com]
The Beelink SER7 loses the 2nd network port but has 3 USB C ports vs the Gemtek's 1 port. So connectivity is going to be a big differentiating factor between all the mini PCs. They have to make sacrifices to keep them in the tiny form factor. The Beelink can also drive 4 monitors (and still have a USB C port available for an expansion dock) due to those extra ports vs 3 on the Gemtek. Little things like that make the differences but won't matter to most people buying the thing to put out of sight, connect 1 network cable and 1 monitor, and have a reasonably fast PC somewhere they didn't before.
I picked up an Aoostar Gem10 a couple weeks ago. I got the older and slower version with a 6800H in it and only a 512GB NVME, but it was only $360. They have a similarly spec'd model to these for $530. Its major differences in connectivity is 2 NICs, 3 monitor ports (one from the single USB C on the front), 3 NVME slots, and an Occulink port for an external GPU (which would likely double the cost of the setup). One of its biggest downsides is the RAM is soldered to the mainboard so it cannot be upgraded. It's supposed to be faster 6400 MT/s vs the 5600 MT/s SO-DIMMS users can change out which should mean a little better iGPU performance, but it is a complete non-starter for anyone wanting more than 32GB RAM in their mini PC. It's not as snappy as a desktop with a 12900K or 14900K but it's perfectly usable for a lot, and the 7840HS is a decent bit faster. I went with a multi NVME model so if I didn't like it under Windows, I could add some drives, put Linux or something like TrueNAS on it, and give it to my sister for her to have a NAS for backups other than cloud.
https://www.amazon.com/AOOSTAR-GE...Q3TJ9?th=1
Beelink who seems more known and reputable from my experience has same chip for 510 (after 90 coupon).
https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Co...B0CH7X9QHW
i am pretty impressed, other than the proprietary power supply. i do wish it comes with 2 NIC, but since neither of those 2.5G NIC is Intel, so it doesn't really make that much difference than using an adapter if you were to load esxi.
based on the side intake cooling design, i don't think this is going to run as cool or as quiet compare to SER7 which has a top intake cooling design, but at the same time, you can stack GMKtec if you going for a cluster, with SRE7 you are SOL if you want to go with cluster without effecting cooling
Beelink who seems more known and reputable from my experience has same chip for 510 (after 90 coupon).
https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Co...B0CH7X9QHW [amazon.com]
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Its been a pretty stable box though after i loaded it with 64gb of ram and put xcp-ng (alternative to proxmox/vmware/esxi) on it.
Its been a pretty stable box though after i loaded it with 64gb of ram and put xcp-ng (alternative to proxmox/vmware/esxi) on it.
Barebones is definitely the way to go if you're wanting to know exactly what you're getting in either specs or reputation of the parts' brand.
The Beelink SER7 loses the 2nd network port but has 3 USB C ports vs the Gemtek's 1 port. So connectivity is going to be a big differentiating factor between all the mini PCs. They have to make sacrifices to keep them in the tiny form factor. The Beelink can also drive 4 monitors (and still have a USB C port available for an expansion dock) due to those extra ports vs 3 on the Gemtek. Little things like that make the differences but won't matter to most people buying the thing to put out of sight, connect 1 network cable and 1 monitor, and have a reasonably fast PC somewhere they didn't before.
I picked up an Aoostar Gem10 a couple weeks ago. I got the older and slower version with a 6800H in it and only a 512GB NVME, but it was only $360. They have a similarly spec'd model to these for $530. Its major differences in connectivity is 2 NICs, 3 monitor ports (one from the single USB C on the front), 3 NVME slots, and an Occulink port for an external GPU (which would likely double the cost of the setup). One of its biggest downsides is the RAM is soldered to the mainboard so it cannot be upgraded. It's supposed to be faster 6400 MT/s vs the 5600 MT/s SO-DIMMS users can change out which should mean a little better iGPU performance, but it is a complete non-starter for anyone wanting more than 32GB RAM in their mini PC. It's not as snappy as a desktop with a 12900K or 14900K but it's perfectly usable for a lot, and the 7840HS is a decent bit faster. I went with a multi NVME model so if I didn't like it under Windows, I could add some drives, put Linux or something like TrueNAS on it, and give it to my sister for her to have a NAS for backups other than cloud.
https://www.amazon.com/AOOSTAR-GE...Q3TJ9?th=1 [amazon.com]
https://www.amazon.com/AOOSTAR-GE...B0D5R2C93Q
SO-DIMMs with stated support for up to 64GB, maintains the Occulink, but only 2 NVME slots.
https://www.amazon.com/AOOSTAR-GE...B0D5R2C93Q [amazon.com]
SO-DIMMs with stated support for up to 64GB, maintains the Occulink, but only 2 NVME slots.
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