For those who have been following the developments in mini PCs, you may have noticed that the number of brands launching mini PC products seems to be increasing. Regardless, the entry of more brands into the mini PC market is a good thing for users, as it provides more choices.
It seems I have digressed a bit. This article is a review of the mini PC from the newly established domestic brand “GMK”. So, how does the GMK K1 perform in terms of design and experience? If you want to know, just keep reading.
Minimalist Appearance, Quick-Release Top Cover, Rich Interface Design
As a mini PC, the first thing that stands out is its “mini, compact” appearance, which is one of the reasons some users choose mini PCs over large desktop models. From my hands-on experience, I find that the GMK K1 lives up to its name; the entire unit is about the size of an adult’s palm, making it easy to carry if needed.
The top cover of the GMK K1 is made of plastic and features a metal brushed finish. I personally feel that a breathable material would have improved the overall cooling performance, but this isn’t a major issue since the top cover is designed for quick release. It can be removed by hand, and if the company later offers a breathable cover, we can easily upgrade the GMK K1.
The reason for the quick-release design of the GMK K1’s top cover is to allow users to easily and quickly replace the memory and hard drive. This means that even if the GMK K1 is wall-mounted, users can replace the memory or hard drive without needing a screwdriver. This design is relatively rare among mini PCs I’ve experienced, most of which require a screwdriver to access the internals. Additionally, the GMK K1 features an aluminum alloy anti-roll frame to enhance its stability.
The interface design of the GMK K1 is quite rich. On the front of the unit, there is a power button, one 3.5mm headphone jack, one USB4.0 port (supports 100W PD power input, video output, and graphics dock connection), two USB3.2 ports, and a reset hole.
The power button also features a status indicator light, and is designed to be non-flat, allowing for “blind operation” when the GMK K1 is wall-mounted.
At the rear of the GMK K1, there are even more ports. In addition to the power port, it has two HDMI ports, one USB2.0 port, one USB3.2 port, and one Ethernet port. Counting the power port, there are a total of ten ports available; excluding the power port, there are nine ports, providing ample connectivity without the need for additional expansion devices.
The GMK K1’s side design is identical on both sides as shown in the picture.
On the surface, the bottom cover of the GMK K1 seems non-removable, but by removing the four corner anti-slip silicone pads, you can access the screws that secure the bottom cover. Once removed, you can see the cooling fan. Additionally, the holes on the bottom cover and the included wall mount bracket indicate that the GMK K1 can be securely wall-mounted using screws or brackets.
This is the power supply that comes with the GMK K1. In addition to the power supply and wall mount bracket, it also includes an HDMI cable.
Powered by Ryzen 6800H, Good Performance for Office or Gaming
The GMK K1 is a mini PC that comes with a genuine Windows 11 Professional system. I won’t go into detail about the experience provided by this system, as most users are likely familiar with Windows 11.
In terms of hardware, the GMK K1 currently has four versions: a barebones version (without memory, hard disk, or system), 16GB/512GB SSD, 16GB/1TB SSD, and 32GB/1TB SSD. The version I tested, 32GB/512GB SSD, is not yet available for sale and is an engineering sample, but it may be released in the future.
The GMK K1 is powered by the popular Ryzen R7 6800H processor. After running a hardware assessment using a benchmarking tool, I found that the GMK K1 scored a total of 1,064,509 points, with a processor score of 578,217 points.
This is the CPU-Z processor score for the GMK K1.
The GMK K1 achieved a score of 2,697 in the Time Spy test from 3DMARK, which is quite competitive compared to some desktop computers with dedicated graphics cards.
The above image shows the PCMARK 10 EXTENDED test results for the GMK K1. A score of 6,099 means that using the GMK K1 for regular office tasks is effortless, and it can even be described as “overkill” in terms of performance.
Additionally, some users may be concerned about the stability and cooling performance of the GMK K1 as a mini PC. I also conducted some simple tests regarding these aspects. First, I performed a stress test using “Game Plus” for 24 minutes, during which the GMK K1 was under high load. The test results showed that the GMK K1 had zero CPU calculation errors/WHEA errors/memory errors, indicating good stability.
As for cooling, I used AIDA64 to conduct a “single-thread FPU” test on the GMK K1 for about 20 minutes. The final CPU temperature stabilized at around 78°C, which I consider quite good for a mini PC. The temperature threshold for the GMK K1 is 92°C.
Regarding fan noise, I found the GMK K1 to perform reasonably well. If used for daily tasks such as office work or watching movies, the noise is barely noticeable. However, during gaming sessions, the fan noise becomes more apparent, but it is often masked by the game sounds. You would only notice the fan noise if you were playing in silence or late at night.
Although the GMK K1 does not come with a dedicated GPU and relies on integrated graphics, it performs quite well in gaming. For example, in popular online games like League of Legends, with the graphics settings maxed out, the FPS can reach around 180. I also tested other games such as DNF and World of Tanks, and the GMK K1 delivered impressive FPS results.
Now, let’s increase the testing difficulty. When playing Genshin Impact at a resolution of 1920×1080 with medium graphics settings, the GMK K1 maintains an FPS of around 60. If the graphics quality is set to high, the FPS drops to around 45.
The GMK K1’s performance is also sufficient for some AAA games. For example, at a resolution of 1920×1080 with default medium quality and FSR enabled while playing Hogwarts Legacy, the GMK K1 maintains an FPS of around 40.
If you continue to lower the quality settings, the FPS can improve, or if you reduce the resolution to 1280×720, the FPS can reach around 50.
Overall, playing AAA games on the GMK K1 can be a bit demanding. The FPS and visual quality cannot coexist perfectly. For instance, if you want decent visual quality, you should aim for an FPS above 30, which means playing at a resolution of 1920×1080 with low/medium graphics settings. Alternatively, if you prioritize FPS, you would need to lower the resolution to 1280×720 and set the graphics to medium/high. Of course, some AAA games can still perform well at 1920×1080 with medium/high settings, but such games are few, and some AAA titles require enabling FSR for a better experience.
Another option is to use a smaller screen, such as a portable monitor. For example, I connected a 13.3-inch portable monitor to the GMK K1, and due to pixel density, the visuals at 1280×720 were still quite good. Additionally, lowering the resolution resulted in better FPS performance.
In conclusion, I personally recommend using the GMK K1 for mainstream online and mobile games, as it can perform well with maxed-out settings. For AAA games, it’s best to consider your options.
Review Summary
In summary, I believe that the GMK K1, as one of GMK’s first products, has a solid design in various aspects, such as appearance and cooling, and does not feel like a “newbie product.” Instead, it gives me a sense of “maturity” and is quite user-friendly. Its performance rivals that of some desktop PCs, and it is not an exaggeration to say it can replace certain desktop models. If you have a limited budget but want a mini PC with good performance for daily office work, light video editing, online classes for kids, research, or occasional light to moderate gaming, the GMK K1 might be worth considering.
That concludes the review of the GMK K1. As for its shortcomings, I feel there is just one: it lacks a DP port, which I suggest should be included in future products.