GMKtec NucBox G5 mini PC review

GMKtec NucBox G5: 30-second review

For a mini PC of its size, or really Micro PC, the GMKtec NucBox G5 powered by the Alder Lake N97 packs more than enough power for most day-to-day tasks such as office work and multimedia playback. The small size of the machine, equipped with both WiFi and Bluetooth, makes connections easy if you're running it behind a display, and with the familiar Windows 11 Pro OS, interaction is straightforward for non-IT professionals.

We've reviewed all the latest and best mini PCs and for us, the overall performance of the machine is impressive for its size, with the OS loading quickly. However, there is a slight pause as apps open, and while you can switch from one office app to another, there will be a noticeable delay. Using this machine, like other N97 and N100-powered mini PCs, requires a balance. As long as you don't overload the system with numerous open browser windows, documents, and spreadsheets, this compact computing solution will serve you well.

However, if you're looking for a small machine that can handle image or video processing, you'll be pushing the limits of this small box. Loading an application like Photoshop will see the machine struggle, with actions taking time to process and the editing experience becoming slow and cumbersome. But then, this isn't what the machine was designed for.

For light to medium-weight office work, it fares OK, packing the same power as larger machines and balancing its resources well between power draw and performance. When it comes to power this comes through the single USB Type-C port and only draws between 15 and 25W, making it ideal if you need a lightweight machine for on-site or off-grid systems or Van life use. Overall, considering its small size and low cost, its performance is incredibly impressive.

GMKtec NucBox G5: Price and availability

• How much does it cost?  From £142 / $179
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from GMKtec or Amazon.com

With a retail price of around £142 / $179, this machine is cheap at almost every level and widely available. The base G5 is available with 12GB RAM and 256 SSD at Amazon. You can get two color models, Black G5 with 12GB RAM and 512 SSD at Amazon and the Teal G5 variant with 12GB RAM and 512Gb at Amazon

The mini PC is also available from the GMKtec official website, which you can check out by clicking here.

• Value: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Specs

GMKtec NucBox G5: Design

Maybe because of the small size of the machine the plastic casing simply has less room to flex than it's larger counterparts and therefore gives it a higher quality feel, or then it could simply be the small details, such as the ports and venting that give it a solid quality feel. However, you can tell that this is plastic, and the build quality, while good, reflects its price point. 

That small size is convenient when it comes to placing the machine, with small screw holes on the back enabling it to be mounted onto a VESA Mount if needed. Although attaching a mount may be a little overkill seeing as how the small size and weight mean that a bit of Velcro will likely suffice to hold this machine in place on the back of a monitor. The design is compact, yet GMKtec has managed to ensure there are plenty of ports around the body, utilizing every millimetre of space.

One small disappointment with the design is the single USB Type-C port, which is reserved for power delivery rather than data transfer. However, with four USB Type-A ports of different denominations and two HDMI ports, you have plenty of connectivity options. Upgrade options are limited due to the compact design. However, removing the four screws on the base allows the cover to be lifted away, revealing the small form factor SSD, which can be replaced with a model up to 2TB in size.

For such a small machine, an external SSD might be a more budget-friendly option, especially with all those USB ports. The design features plenty of details that enable easy connectivity for networks and accessories. The venting across the top also helps keep the machine cool during long periods of use. Its small size means that the design has had to be refined in order for it to pack in the features the surprising amount of features that it has.

• Design: 4 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Features

The GMKtec NucBox G5 is packed with features that make it a great choice for everyday light home office use or for companies looking for a full Windows machine to power displays. The fact that it is so small enables it to be placed almost anywhere, and while it isn't that powerful, it has enough to enable it to run office apps, playback multimedia, and browse the internet well enough.

One of the standout features of the NucBox G5 is its LAN and wireless network support, again reinforcing the fact that this is a machine that would be ideal for running displays. The built-in dual-band WiFi and compatibility with RJ45 Giga LAN (10/100/1000Mbps) ensure a decent network connection. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2, making it easy to connect with wireless keyboards, mice, and headphones - again a great option if the machine is tucked away out of reach.

Weighing just 206 g and 60% smaller than a mainstream mini PCs, the NucBox G5 is incredibly small and therefore portable. If you want to take it with you, that's perfectly possible, although you will need the keyboard, mouse, and monitor to go with it. Measuring 7.2 x 7.2 x 4.4 cm, it is ideal for tight spaces, whether you need a compact solution for a home office or a discreet device to power displays in a business location, for which it is perfectly suited.

Inside, the NucBox G5 is an Alder Lake N97 processor; this features 4 cores and 4 threads and offers a burst frequency of up to 3.60 GHz. This, coupled with Intel UHD Graphics 1200 MHz, as this is integrated, the performance of the graphics will be limited and best for light graphics applications and use. This makes it suitable for everyday computing needs such as Microsoft Office apps and browsing the internet; however, it is not great for creative applications or gaming.

The ability to hook up to two monitors at the same time through its dual HDMI 4K display is also a great feature. It enables you to work on multiple documents, browse the web, stream videos, or adjust the content of a playback display on a separate admin display.

When it comes to connectivity, the NucBox G5 has a variety of ports, including USB 3.2, TF/MicroSD, and an audio jack. This means the additional hard drives and accessories can be easily attached to boost the core system. 

• Features: 3.5 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Performance

The overall performance of the GMKtec NucBox G5 is excellent considering its small size and affordable price. Designed for light office work, writing in Word, small to medium-sized spreadsheets, internet browsing, and multimedia playback, it performs well. However, through the test, it did struggle with large spreadsheets with multiple calculations, and trying to run Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve was pushing it a little too far. However, a little light image and HD video editing is possible using basic apps, but using Photoshop or Premiere Pro will be pushing the machine's abilities, and a more powerful machine would be preferable if this is what you need. 

These test results highlight that the NucBox G5 handles everyday tasks such as Word and Excel with ease but will show limitations with more demanding applications. The scores in Crystal Disk Read and Write show decent data access speeds, which the machine definitely benefits from in use and also enables decent application loading times and a decent speed when transferring files. The GeekBench and CineBench scores show a decent CPU performance again for light multitasking and general tasks rather than anything too intensive. However, the Fire Strike and Time Spy scores reveal that the G5 is not suited for intensive gaming or high-end graphics work; even running older games such as Portal 2 while possible is slow.

• Performance: 3 / 5

GMKtec NucBox G5: Final verdict

The GMKtec NucBox G5 is an impressive machine considering its compact size, price, and its ability to handle light office tasks as well as being able to playback most multimedia well. It is, however, not be suited for more demanding applications, such as Photoshop; more it's a machine for everyday use or powering office or business displays. If you need a cheap computing solution for browsing the internet, office displays, or watching back video, the NucBox G5 is a great choice. However, if you need it for anything more demanding then you will need to consider a more, powerful option. 

Should I buy a GMKtec NucBox G5?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

Acemagic F2A
Using the latest Ultra 5 class processor from Intel with the ARC-integrated GPU, this is another powerhouse solution, but it is from a different stable.

The downsides to this option are that it is more expensive and it doesn't have USB 4.0 or Thunderbolt. But it's another powerful small system to consider.

Check out our Acemagic F2A hands on

Minisforum Venus NPB7
The NPB7 is the flagship of the Venus series and features the excellent Intel Core i7-13700H (14 cores, 20 threads) mobile CPU and up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM. It can be bought as barebones with only the processor installed. If you want a high-quality Intel NUC with bags of performance and Thunderbolt baked in, the NPB7 is a worthy investment.

Check out our Minisforum Venus NPB7 review