My latest review, I dive into the GMKTec G3, a budget-friendly Mini PC equipped with an Intel N100 processor.
The model reviewed came with 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. The base model with the same processor but 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD starts at around $140 on Amazon after discounts. The device offers easy upgrades, with two drive slots and replaceable single-channel DDR4 RAM. Despite the plastic build, the Mini PC manages heat well and includes sufficient ports for basic connectivity, though it lacks USB Type-C.
Upon setup, the Windows 11 Pro installation process was straightforward, adhering to Microsoft’s standard onboarding procedure. The device includes Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, though speeds were slightly below what I would expect. The 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, powered by an Intel chipset, performed well.
Performance tests showed the GMKTec G3 handling 4K video smoothly, even on high-resolution displays, with no frame drops. The integrated Intel graphics managed to run GTA 5 at a playable 30 frames per second at 720p with low settings and it was able to handle PS2 emulation effectively. While it won’t run many modern AAA titles it does make for a decent emulation station that can run games from the mid 2000’s back.
The Mini PC’s cooling system is relatively quiet and usually silent when the machine isn’t placed under heavy load. My testing did not reveal any significant thermal throttling when placed under load.
Linux is also a good use case for this machine with the latest version of Ubuntu booting up without issue and performing just as well as Windows did in my testing.
In summation, the GMKTec G3 is a great alternative to a Raspberry Pi for small server applications, general computing and gaming. You’ll spend about the same getting everything needed for a Pi 5 to do the same things but here you’ll get better performance and Windows compatibility.
Be sure to check out my other Mini PC reviews!
Disclosure: GMKTec provided this to the channel for my review but no other compensation was received. They did not review or approve my video or this post before it was uploaded.