GMKtec · Mini PCs
GMKtec K8 Plus review: the all-rounder mini PC with an OCuLink escape hatch
Ryzen 7 8845HS, Radeon 780M, USB4, dual 2.5GbE and an OCuLink port for an external GPU. Quiet day to day, louder in Performance mode.
Excellent
Best for Home office, 3D-printing workstation and light gaming
List price$919.99
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Preview review. Compiled from manufacturer specifications and published information. We will update the scores after hands-on testing.
Our verdict
The K8 Plus is the mini PC we would recommend to most people: fast enough for office work, photo editing, slicing big 3D prints and light gaming, with an OCuLink port that lets you add a desktop graphics card later. It is quiet at light load; in Performance mode the fan gets loud without much extra speed. The barebone version at $409.99 is a bargain if you have RAM and an SSD.
What we like
- Ryzen 7 8845HS (8 cores / 16 threads) with Radeon 780M graphics
- OCuLink PCIe 4.0 port for an external GPU dock, plus USB4
- Dual 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6, HDMI 2.1
- Upgradable: barebone option means RAM and SSD are user-installed
- Barebone from $409.99; 32 GB / 1 TB for $919.99
What could be better
- Performance mode is noticeably louder for little gain
- One tester measured 45–48 dB under sustained load
- Some owners report fan noise; a spacer fix circulates online
- Integrated graphics are fine for esports, not for new AAA games at high settings
Score breakdown
Overall = 35% Performance + 25% Build, cooling and noise + 20% Ports and upgradability + 20% Value. How we test
What is it?
The K8 Plus is GMKtec’s popular mid-range mini PC: an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS laptop chip in a box about the size of a sandwich, with an unusually generous set of ports. Its party trick is OCuLink, a direct PCIe 4.0 connection for an external graphics dock, so the same little PC can become a proper gaming or AI machine later.
You can buy it as a barebone for $409.99 (no RAM, SSD or Windows) or with 32 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD for $919.99 at the time of writing.
Technical overview
- CPU: 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz.
- Graphics: Radeon 780M, one of the strongest integrated GPUs in its generation.
- Memory: DDR5-5600. The configured model ships with two 16 GB modules, and the barebone option confirms RAM and SSD are user-installable.
- Ports: OCuLink, USB4, HDMI 2.1, dual 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6.
Performance
Japanese site PC Watch found it faster than a Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H machine, a high-end chip from two generations earlier. For a 3D-printing workstation that means large slicer projects, CAD and mesh repair are comfortable. The Radeon 780M handles esports titles and older games at 1080p; for modern AAA games at high settings, OCuLink plus a desktop GPU is the upgrade path.
Noise and power
This is where the reviews differ, so here is what each one found:
- Team Pandory: the fan only ramps up when TDP is raised to 65 W under stress tests, with power peaking around 83 W and modest noise.
- ETA Prime: Performance mode gave noticeable fan noise without substantial performance gains.
- Vivid Repairs: measured 45–48 dB under sustained load.
- Owners (via minipc-review.com): some report an annoying fan noise, and fitting spacers between the fan and the RAM fixed it for some.
Our reading: leave it in Balanced mode. It stays quiet for everyday work, and the extra noise in Performance mode doesn’t buy much speed.
K8 Plus vs the rivals
- vs GMKtec EVO-X2 ($2,199.99): in a different league for AI and graphics, at more than twice the price. See EVO-X2 vs K8 Plus.
- vs Beelink SER8: the same Ryzen 7 8845HS. Check which ports matter to you, especially OCuLink and dual LAN.
- vs Apple Mac mini (M4): quieter and very efficient, but no OCuLink, no RAM upgrades and macOS only.
Price and value
The configured model at $919.99 is fair. The barebone at $409.99 is the real deal if you have spare DDR5 SO-DIMMs and an NVMe drive, or don’t mind buying them separately.
Final thoughts
The K8 Plus is a sensible, fast, flexible mini PC. Keep it in Balanced mode, and it is quiet enough for a desk. The OCuLink port means it can grow with you instead of being replaced.
Sources
Full specifications
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, 8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz |
|---|---|
| GPU | Radeon 780M (integrated) |
| Memory | DDR5-5600, 32 GB (2 × 16 GB) in the configured model |
| Storage | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe (configured model) |
| Expansion | OCuLink PCIe 4.0, USB4 |
| Network | Dual 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Video | HDMI 2.1, USB4 |
| Price | Barebone $409.99 · 32 GB / 1 TB $919.99 |
| Released | 2024 |
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GMKtec K8 Plus
List price $919.99. Prices change often, so check the current deal.
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