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GMKTec NucBox K10: 30-second review
The GMKtec NucBox K10 is a mini PC with a focus on workspace. With the K10, GMKtec utilises slightly older technology in order to deliver a powerful and well-balanced workstation. It runs all Microsoft Windows apps better than almost any other mini PC I’ve looked at and can even handle a decent amount of multimedia editing and 4K video production as long as the edits are not too involved.
There’s a lot to like about the design, with plenty of ports and upgradeability when it comes to both the RAM and the internal storage; the only thing that really lets down this machine overall is the fact that it uses the older Iris Xe integrated graphics. The graphics limitations start to show when playing back 4K video within Premiere Pro as well as with the latest games where graphics processing is key.
When it comes to the physical design of the K10, it instantly strikes you as something a bit different, with a larger form factor than most mini PC and a greater footprint that takes up more valuable desktop space. While the machine is relatively slim in height, it’s a shame that GMKtec hasn’t included some sort of vertical stand to complement this style of design.
That larger form factor also enables this machine to have plenty of ports on both the front and back, with a total of eight USB Type-A ports of different generations and three display ports on the back, which are matched by a USB Type-C port on the front that supports both display and data, although unfortunately, it doesn’t support power delivery.
There are a few other features that really make the K10 stand out. Unlike most other mini PCs, the Wi-Fi antennas screw in at the back to boost the reliability and strength of any wireless signals. This became especially apparent during testing, with a strong Wi-Fi connection even in the studio, with faster transfer speeds than I would usually expect.
The other aspect about the machine that I really liked was that coupled with the slightly older but still powerful Intel Core i9 CPU, there was plenty of processing power and space for up to three M.2 SSDs. Obviously, one of those slots is taken up by the operating system, but that still leaves two free to vastly expand internal storage. So, if you’re thinking about a corporate machine for video editing, then while it’s not going to tackle large jobs due to the limited GPU, for purposes like social media edits, this machine is absolutely going to fly, using CapCut, short edits in Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve.
Windows applications run as smoothly as I’ve ever seen, really highlighting just how well-optimised this machine has been for office use. With the RJ45 port enabling fast networking into the local area network and the ability to connect up to four monitors, there’s plenty of potential.
Although not tested in this review due to lack of need, there is also a COM port, which can be used in industrial applications, something many businesses, especially engineering, will be interested in.
Overall, by the end of testing, I was impressed by the performance of this machine at the price point. With the ability to upgrade both RAM and internal storage, it can be optimised for whatever type of work is needed.
While it might struggle with the latest games and 4K video edits, the CPU and the speed of the supplied M.2 SSD ensure that most games will play back relatively well. It’s only when playing the latest graphics-intensive titles that you’ll really see the system start to struggle.
As a powerful workplace mini PC, there’s a lot to like about the GMKtec NucBox K10. As one of the best mini PCs for the home or office, it might appeal to home users, if you’re just thinking about multimedia and day-to-day office tasks, then this NucBox will be absolutely superb.
GMKTec NucBox K10: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? From ÂŁ569 / $569
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? Directly from gmktec.com and online retailers.
The GMKtec NucBox K10 can be purchased directly from the GMKtec website by clicking here, starting at $419 for the barebones system. Versions with 32GB and 64GB RAM, both with a 1TB SSD, take the price up to $569 or $589, respectively.
For that small increase in cost, it’s probably worth opting for the 64GB version, especially if you’re going to be doing video editing or more demanding office tasks. The K10 is also available from many major retailers, including Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
GMKTec NucBox K10: Specs
CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HK
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: DDR5 5200MHz, 32GB
Storage: PCIe x4 NVMe M.2 2280 2TB (1 x Gen 4 x4, 1 x Gen 3 x2 M.2 2280)
Front Ports: 3.5mm, 2 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-A 2.0, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (DP/Data)
Rear Ports: USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-A 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.0, DP, RJ45 2.5G, COM Port
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
Audio: 3.5mm
Camera: N/A
Size: 38.9 x 188.6 x 178mm
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: Power Supply, VESA Mount
GMKTec NucBox K10: Design
The GMKtec NucBox K10 is something a little bit different when it comes to mini PCs. First and foremost, it has a larger footprint, although in height, it is slightly slimmer than most, with total dimensions of 38.9 x 188.6 x 178 mm and weighing in at 1065g.
Like many premium mini PCs, it features a full metal case, but rather than aiming for a sleek consumer look, it’s clearly designed for the workplace, with a more industrial appearance and two large antennas sticking out the back.
These antennas arrive in the box alongside the machine and screw directly into the two ports at the back, enhancing wireless and Bluetooth connections.
Checking over the body of the machine, there’s a good selection of ports across the front, including two USB-A 3.2 and two USB-A 2.0 ports, with a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the middle. This supports display and data, but unfortunately, not power delivery. To the right of all the ports is the power button in the distinctive GMKtec green.
Switching around to the back of the machine, you can see there’s a good amount of venting at the top, front, and rear. Again, we find two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, two USB-A 2.0 ports, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort, an RJ45 networking port, and a COM port used for industrial applications.
One of the features I really like, especially if you work in an IT department for a small business, is how easy it is to access the internals. Flip the machine over, unscrew a small bolt, and the entire bottom plate slides forward and lifts away.
Inside, you’ll find dual channel RAM slots filled with 2 x 16GB DDR5 5600 SO-DIMM modules; these can be upgraded to a maximum of 96GB.
To the right are the three M.2 2280 slots. The two closest to the edge are Gen 4 x4, while the third, closer to the centre, is Gen 3 x2. For faster SSDs, you’ll want to use the outer two slots, while the third can support larger storage drives. Having three M.2 slots in a machine of this size is extremely unusual and allows for up to 12TB of internal storage, which is huge for a mini PC.
The design and build of the NucBox K10 is very work-focused. It doesn’t have the stylish design you’d expect from a consumer unit, but for office or industrial use, it’s very user-friendly, particularly for IT departments.
Alongside the machine in the box comes the usual VESA mount, so you can fix it to the wall or the back of a monitor. Interestingly, there are also two additional mounts on the base of the computer, allowing it to be mounted into another type of system if needed.
GMKTec NucBox K10: Features
The GMKtec NucBox K10 is a mini PC workstation that has been distinctly designed for the workplace. At its core is an Intel Core i9-13900HK processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, a 24MB internal smart cache, a 5.4GHz turbo boost, and a 45–70W TDP.
What’s interesting here is that you can adjust the performance, and there are three performance modes: the base performance is Silent at 45W; a Balanced mode increases this to 54W; and the Performance mode, used during benchmarks, draws between 65 and 70 watts.
Coupled with that Intel Core i9 is the Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96EU. While both CPU and GPU are a little old, the GPU still enables some respectable graphics processing for an integrated chip, particularly suited to Microsoft Office and other office-based applications.
One of the features that really marks this out as a workplace machine is the ability to upgrade both the RAM and storage. As covered in the design section, you’ve got the option to include up to three M.2 2280 SSDs with a maximum combined capacity of 12TB and dual-channel DDR5 SO-DIMMs with up to 96GB possible using two 48GB modules.
When it comes to display, there’s plenty of flexibility, with two HDMI 2.0 ports, DisplayPort, and USB-C, all able to connect at up to 4K at 60Hz. If you’re using a single display, you can even reach 8K at 60Hz. For a machine of this scale, that’s good and perfectly suited to applications like DaVinci Resolve for video editing as well as more generic administration work.
Although the CPU and GPU aren’t cutting-edge, they still perform and with that comes significant heat. As such, GMKtec has included a large cooling fan system with a good amount of venting on the top, back, and front of the machine to ensure sufficient airflow. As you switch through the performance modes, you’ll hear the fans ramp up or down depending on the cooling required.
Networking includes a 2.5Gbps LAN high-speed Ethernet port, which connects directly to most standard local area networks. Supporting this is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a range of reliable wireless options.
Another feature I liked is the easily accessible internals. If you’re looking for a machine to distribute across your office, this makes for a great option, especially for IT support staff who may need to upgrade RAM or storage over time.
A further useful addition is the COM port, which makes the K10 suitable for use in industrial applications where legacy serial connectivity is required. A good example is engineering, where professional CNC machines are often equipped with this style of port, which on a PC is usually only found on larger desktop machines.
When it comes to features, everything about this machine is designed for the office space, integrating into larger network systems and handling everyday office tasks, including some light multimedia editing, media playback, and, of course, full compatibility with Microsoft Office tools.
The COM port also adds an interesting twist, enabling the small machine to replace larger and often far older desktop PCs that are often linked to large engineering machines such as Lathes and CNC. To have a small COM-equipped modern machine is something that will be welcomed by many smaller engineering firms.
GMKTec NucBox K10: Performance
Benchmark scores
CrystalDiskMark Read: 5184.51 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 4751.62 MB/s
Geekbench CPU Multi: 12,670
Geekbench CPU Single: 2,801
Geekbench GPU: 17,343
PCMark Overall: 6,238
Cinebench CPU Multi: 13,880
Cinebench CPU Single: 1,812
Fire Strike Overall: 6,009
Fire Strike Graphics: 6,350
Fire Strike Physics: 26,007
Fire Strike Combined: 2,352
Time Spy Overall: 2,089
Time Spy Graphics: 1,828
Time Spy CPU: 11,090
Wild Life Overall: 15,136
Steel Nomad Overall: 206
Windows Experience Overall: 8.5
In real-world testing, the GMKtec NucBox K10 proved to be exceptionally powerful when it came to day-to-day office tasks using Microsoft Office. It delivered one of the best experiences I’ve had with a mini PC, fast and responsive across all applications, from Word through to PowerPoint and Excel.
Browsing the internet also proved no issue, and multimedia playback was handled exceptionally well, highlighting that, if you are looking for an office machine, the small size, upgradeability, and wide range of ports make this a solid choice.
As testing continued, I worked through some images from a recent shoot, first in Lightroom Classic and then in Adobe Photoshop. In both cases, the single-core CPU scores in Cinebench demonstrated how well the machine could handle high-resolution images from the Sony A7 IV. Opening a series of images in Adobe Bridge, making adjustments, and exporting them also showed that the Cinebench multi-core score of 13,880 translated into strong real-world performance.
With an i9 processor, I didn’t expect any issues with core Adobe imaging applications. I pushed things further by testing Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve with 4K video footage. Again, I was surprised by how well the machine handled video editing. While the GPU is relatively low-powered by current standards, the multi-core CPU enabled smooth scrubbing through footage with decent editing and export speeds.
The one area where performance dropped was playback, especially with longer timelines or effects-heavy projects. In Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, some stuttering and dropped frames occurred, which is where a discrete GPU would really help. So, while the machine can be used for video editing, for longer productions or more complex edits, playback will struggle.
Moving into gaming, the results were mixed. Older and less graphically intensive games played smoothly and delivered a great experience. However, when loading up Hogwarts Legacy and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, limitations became immediately clear. Hogwarts Legacy, even with the resolution lowered to 1080p and most effects on low, still showed stutter, although it was just about playable. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, on the other hand, was unplayable from the outset with the games requirements simply not being met.
The real-world test proved that this machine is exceptionally well-tuned to office use, Microsoft Office and mid-level video and image editing, highlighting the intended users of the K10.
GMKTec NucBox K10: Final verdict
Having run tests with the GMKtec NucBox K10, it’s very clear that this is a powerful, slightly larger mini PC that’s perfectly adapted to life in the office and being used as a workstation for professional use. The CPU gives the machine the power to handle almost every task within the Windows operating system, and it runs Microsoft applications, especially Microsoft Office, extremely smoothly, making it an ideal everyday office solution.
While there are many machines out there that run Windows and Microsoft applications smoothly, this one has a few standout features. The number of ports on the front and back is significant, and while they are slightly dated compared to the latest USB Type-C, the many additional USB Type-A ports allow for easy connection of peripherals. The ability to plug in up to three displays using the two HDMI and one DisplayPort at the back enables a triple-monitor setup straight out of the box.
The networking capabilities are another positive, not only offering a solid RJ45 2.5Gbps wired connection but also delivering one of the best Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performances I’ve seen from a mini PC, enabling fast download speeds and reliable connectivity for internet browsing or video conferencing.
The other area in which this machine excels is its upgrade potential. With support for up to 12TB of internal storage and 96GB of RAM, it’s well-suited for short-form corporate video editing, as long as the clips aren’t too long or graphics-heavy.
Considering the price, this is an extremely powerful machine. While the graphics capabilities are limited, that’s not a drawback in a product clearly focused on workplace functionality rather than home entertainment. While I was unable to test the COM port functionality, this is a feature that will appeal to many working in the engineering sector where usually larger desktop machines are the only choice.
Should I buy the GMKTec NucBox K10?
|
Value |
Great value for money with plenty of options to expand the system as and when needed |
4.5 |
|
Design |
With tool-less access to RAM and memory, it’s a perfect design for a small office |
4 |
|
Features |
CPU and GPU are slightly last-generation, but for a workspace machine, it has all the features you need |
4.5 |
|
Performance |
The Core i9 is still a powerful CPU, even with the Iris Xe GPU, meaning for office work, it’s exceptionally good |
4 |
|
Overalls |
A fine balance of performance, upgradeability, and cost in a machine that’s well-suited to the small office |
4 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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