Update: GMKtec has an updated BIOS which brings up the GPU clock to where it should be. After BIOS update. 3DMark Fire Strike went from 1547 to 1762, Time Spy from 430 to 505 and Steel Nomad Light from 325 to 377. It will perform like the Blackview MP80 it was compared against after the BIOS update or if you get a newer unit which already has the latest BIOS.
Fantastic channel always top reviews and often the only one to give important information on how to make the computer run better. Honestly the manufacturers should give you a kick back for the advertising and for testing and improving their products. Thanks keep up the good work.
N97 is a nice little chip, and this looks like a nice little toy. Just wish that USB-C had video as well as power. Aoostar have a similar sized mini with N100 and fully featured USB-C, so might order that for a play
That's an interesting little device, but I have the G3 GMKtec with the N100 and I'm happy with it. I was able to upgrade the RAM and storage and I've got it set up just right for me.
I have the M8S which is great, the older version of this one was my runner up. For anyone interested, you pretty much need a USB-hub if you are running speakers that need USB (mine do) and you want an occasional external HDD.
By the way, on the release of these mini PC with N97 they did not make sure the gpu is running at full capacity, only later on they released a BIOS update for it, so you should check in your bios and make sure it is enabled.
So it looks like the BIOS update was labeled 1.01 same as the one I have, but it's newer (by date). I'll update and pin a comment with the new 3DMark scores. Thanks for letting me know
@@Robtech Just check in the bios if the gpu can go to full capacity (it can be changed just like you changed the cpu power draw), if it is stuck on a lower level, the bios is not updated.
I wonder if the thermal paste needs replacing in order to improve thermal throttling. There is a TH-cam video highlighting this issue with excellent results. Apparently there was no thermal throttling at all. The video (G5 part 2) is located on the PiManiac TH-cam channel.
Rob, nice review. I have a hard time liking these mini-minis because for not much more you can get so much more for not much more, but that's the price for this size. Still, interesting to see.
Appreciate this review man Just wondering what you’d recommend for a live streaming setup as im weighing up between the gmktec g3 and the g5. Would it be worth paying more for the g5?
Hi! A question about these Nucbox min PCs: if I choose the option without internal storage (barebone), will the computer still be licensed when installing Windows 11? Or does the barebone option not have a Windows 11 license? Thanks!
G5 or the mp80 n97 both at around £160-£190? The G5 appears to have a whiny fan and only 12Gb. Is the MP80 still the better choice 7 months down the line?
What are you using for emulation? I'm trying to run gamecube through retroarch and it's dog shit. Any help would be appreciated, I'm about to send the thing back.
I'd like a Zen 5-based APU, 64GB DDR5 SODIMM RAM, 8 TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, 10Gb ethernet, and the latest USB-C, DP, and HDMI ports (4 each) on a Mini PC before GTA6.
Please check the pinned comment I just added first and then you can find the answer in the MP80 review th-cam.com/video/8EvsGAM1n4s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KB_LXOnxAVOixPt5&t=322
I love the size but I did tried one and I don't think I'll ever buy one again. Bought a Chuwi Larkbox Pro with some Intel Celeron J and 6GB RAM for less than $7 dollars brand new and it took a while for the first boot and was working fine but once you remove power it's like it kills itself. Tried for hours to make a clean install and did, worked fine, could turn off and reboot until I unplugged it and again, never booted again. And the issue with this is that it's so small that you can't really troubleshoot it. I tried opening it and broke some screw slots and didn't even try to go any further. For $7 was a nice try but I'd take the "Big" Mini PCs from now on.
![This Intel N97 Mini PC Is the New Budget King! 😱 [GMKtec NucBox G5 REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9-JK0-oR1M0/mqdefault.jpg)
![This Intel N97 Mini PC Is the New Budget King! 😱 [GMKtec NucBox G5 REVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
Update: GMKtec has an updated BIOS which brings up the GPU clock to where it should be. After BIOS update. 3DMark Fire Strike went from 1547 to 1762, Time Spy from 430 to 505 and Steel Nomad Light from 325 to 377. It will perform like the Blackview MP80 it was compared against after the BIOS update or if you get a newer unit which already has the latest BIOS.
Do you know if the NucBox G3 need an uodated BIOS too for the GPU?
No, it's a specific issue for the mini with the N97 chip. They set the wrong GPU clock.
@@Robtech thanks. Do you know if the gpu can be overclock in the bios manually?
Where and how to update bios? Version number?
No, these CPUs are locked.
This is the best mini PC review channel because you always include comparisons of fan noise with other systems!
2:34 This is the most scientific and precise m/ft conversion graph ever.
For 160 bucks and after setting up win11 the right way. This thing is awesome. I have been using mine for a couple months.
The graphs are beautiful!
Thanks was a lot of work to remake them in Excel and figure out the best way to represent the data. Glad the feedback is positive!
N97 is basically a N100 overclocked, and yes it doesn't make any sense numerically, they should have named it N101 or N150.
Just bought it through your link mate...thanks....saved me $60 Bucks.
Yes , i love it , really small one. More of this kind please ! ❤
Fantastic channel always top reviews and often the only one to give important information on how to make the computer run better. Honestly the manufacturers should give you a kick back for the advertising and for testing and improving their products. Thanks keep up the good work.
N97 is a nice little chip, and this looks like a nice little toy. Just wish that USB-C had video as well as power.
Aoostar have a similar sized mini with N100 and fully featured USB-C, so might order that for a play
Its not a toy wtf bro?
Really? What is it?@@mamory3791
Thanks! Got one via your link. Sick of using my tv software that lags and is full of ads.
That's an interesting little device, but I have the G3 GMKtec with the N100 and I'm happy with it. I was able to upgrade the RAM and storage and I've got it set up just right for me.
Good deal. Also DDR5 and removable m.2 cards! 👌
I have the M8S which is great, the older version of this one was my runner up. For anyone interested, you pretty much need a USB-hub if you are running speakers that need USB (mine do) and you want an occasional external HDD.
By the way, on the release of these mini PC with N97 they did not make sure the gpu is running at full capacity, only later on they released a BIOS update for it, so you should check in your bios and make sure it is enabled.
So it looks like the BIOS update was labeled 1.01 same as the one I have, but it's newer (by date). I'll update and pin a comment with the new 3DMark scores. Thanks for letting me know
@@Robtech Just check in the bios if the gpu can go to full capacity (it can be changed just like you changed the cpu power draw), if it is stuck on a lower level, the bios is not updated.
Thanks :D
I wonder if the thermal paste needs replacing in order to improve thermal throttling. There is a TH-cam video highlighting this issue with excellent results. Apparently there was no thermal throttling at all. The video (G5 part 2) is located on the PiManiac TH-cam channel.
Rob, nice review. I have a hard time liking these mini-minis because for not much more you can get so much more for not much more, but that's the price for this size. Still, interesting to see.
I wonder if you could drop the temps with a repaste with some higher quality paste
What budget mini pc would you recommend for a media server
Appreciate this review man
Just wondering what you’d recommend for a live streaming setup as im weighing up between the gmktec g3 and the g5. Would it be worth paying more for the g5?
Not sure how it will hold up for streaming. Not something I test and I don't know the requirements. Might do okay at 1080P.
@@Robtech all good man thanks for the reply
Hello Sir. Do you know if the integrated graphics on the G5 supports DirectX9 and Shader model 1.1? How much video RAM does it have?
It does not make sense when N97 is a bit faster than N100 while i9 faster than i7 i5 i3 respectively.
I didn't even know there was an N200. N97 is faster because it has higher clocks so, it makes sense.
@@godnyx117 N97 have higher power limit also
@@frankwong9486 Check at the video. G5 in performance mode, draws a maximum of 35Watts, which is more than most N100 Minis
Wait, is it actually smaller than the Minisforum EM780?
Technology is Amazing now
Hi! A question about these Nucbox min PCs: if I choose the option without internal storage (barebone), will the computer still be licensed when installing Windows 11? Or does the barebone option not have a Windows 11 license? Thanks!
No, it won't
G5 or the mp80 n97 both at around £160-£190? The G5 appears to have a whiny fan and only 12Gb. Is the MP80 still the better choice 7 months down the line?
Do you need the smaller size? If not, MP80 is a good choice.
Would you recommend the G5 or the G2 at the same price point? The G5 has the better chip but the G2 seems to have better hardware elsewhere.
G5 if that's the only two options. Don't recommend the G2 at all.
@Robtech would you recommend something else at that price point?
Previous two top 5 budget mini PC videos are here th-cam.com/video/gJyBvZgkw2o/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/hhym_WsQO2w/w-d-xo.html
What are you using for emulation?
I'm trying to run gamecube through retroarch and it's dog shit. Any help would be appreciated, I'm about to send the thing back.
Dolphin in Windows using Direct3D 12 API
How does this perform under large data spreadsheets on Excel?
Does DDR5 make any difference with these N-series minis compared to DDR4? Doesn't look like it does from those graphs, but what's your experience?
A few % at most.
I'd like a Zen 5-based APU, 64GB DDR5 SODIMM RAM, 8 TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, 10Gb ethernet, and the latest USB-C, DP, and HDMI ports (4 each) on a Mini PC before GTA6.
Only gigabit LAN? That's a big miss by GMKTek. This would have been an awesome pfsense/opnsense firewall if they would have added two 2.5 Gbe ports.
What tool are you using to measure power draw at the wall?
i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UxoAAOSwNf5iYNdj/s-l400.jpg
How does these compare to say Raspberry Pi 4B/5? Could be a good competitor for one of those
Significantly faster than Raspberry Pi 5, especially in gaming/emulation tasks.
X86/64 and better hardware. ARM is better for mobile>desktop. Less price than a full kit for Pi5, but lacks hardware upgradability.
nice little computer, but I don't see the value of it being 3 inches or 4 inches on a side, maybe that's just me.
NVME SSD is working won my NucBox G5
Jinx! We both said never at the same time.
How well does it handle LoL at very high?
Please check the pinned comment I just added first and then you can find the answer in the MP80 review th-cam.com/video/8EvsGAM1n4s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KB_LXOnxAVOixPt5&t=322
I love the size but I did tried one and I don't think I'll ever buy one again.
Bought a Chuwi Larkbox Pro with some Intel Celeron J and 6GB RAM for less than $7 dollars brand new and it took a while for the first boot and was working fine but once you remove power it's like it kills itself. Tried for hours to make a clean install and did, worked fine, could turn off and reboot until I unplugged it and again, never booted again.
And the issue with this is that it's so small that you can't really troubleshoot it. I tried opening it and broke some screw slots and didn't even try to go any further. For $7 was a nice try but I'd take the "Big" Mini PCs from now on.
Sounds like you bought an ancient mini. The plastic may have begun falling apart.
@@Bajicoy It was new at the time, a few months after it launched actually.
Maybe it was too tight or glued and when I tried to unscrew it broke.
I want one of these but with better CPU and Thunderbolt/USB4 😂 🤷🏻
Is it powered by usb C ?
Yes.
Unfortunately it does not support M.2 NVME SSD !!!