GMKtec K8 Plus

GMKtec K8 Plus

By GMKtec · Desktop Computers · Phones & Computers · More from GMKtec

  • Ryzen 7 8845HS, 8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz
  • 32GB DDR5 memory, 1TB SSD
  • 2 x 2.5 GbE ports, 2 x USB4
  • Up to 96GB RAM and 8TB storage supported
  • Up to 4 displays supported

Lowest price seen
~$919.99 (approx.)
from $919.99 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A compact mini PC built around the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS with Radeon 780M graphics, 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB NVMe SSD, aimed at 1080p gaming, home-lab and networking use. Its draw is the port set — OCuLink, dual 2.5GbE and dual USB4 — so check that you will actually use those ports, and that a one-year US warranty is enough.

Strengths

  • OCuLink, dual 2.5GbE, dual USB4 and four-display support set it apart at this price.
  • The Ryzen 7 8845HS and Radeon 780M handle 1080p gaming and creative work well.
  • RAM and SSD slots are reachable by twisting off the top cover, with no tools.
  • Dual fans keep the 8845HS within thermal limits, better than earlier GMKtec models.
  • Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed on bundled models.
  • Idle power is low, around 10-11W.

Weaknesses

  • Fan noise under load reaches 37-42 dB, which is noticeable in a quiet room.
  • Bluetooth can disappear after shutdown with a Code 10 error.
  • BIOS updates have bricked systems, and support can take weeks to answer.
  • CPU temperatures hit 90-93°C under heavy load, warmer than some rivals.
  • The OCuLink port sits on the front, which owners find awkward for external-GPU setups.
  • US warranty is one year, and you pay return shipping for repairs.

Verified specifications

ModelGMKtec K8 Plus, also sold as the NucBox K8 Plus.
CPUAMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, 8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz.
GraphicsAMD Radeon 780M, 12 CUs, 2700 MHz.
Memory32GB DDR5 5600 MT/s across two SO-DIMM slots; GMKtec lists a 96GB maximum in the US and 48GB in the EU and UK.
Storage1TB NVMe across two PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 slots, each up to 4TB; NVMe only, with no SATA support.
Ports2x USB4 (40Gbps, PD 3.0 and DP 1.4), 1x OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 x4), HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x 2.5GbE RJ45, 3.5mm audio and a Kensington lock.
WirelessWi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Displaysup to four.
OSWindows 11 Pro on bundled models.
Power120W external adapter, with TDP profiles of 35W, 54W, 65W and 70W.
Idle powerabout 10-11W; load power about 90-95W or 65-80W depending on the TDP setting.
Dimensions127 × 132 × 58 mm (GMKtec lists 125 × 132 × 58 mm).
Weight640 g (GMKtec lists 604 g).
In the boxpower brick, power cord, HDMI cable and a VESA mounting kit.
Full research notes and sources

Ports and expansion

The K8 Plus separates itself from other 8845HS mini PCs through its ports. It carries an OCuLink connector for an external GPU, dual 2.5GbE Ethernet, dual USB4 and support for four displays, which is unusual at this size. Two details are easy to miss: the OCuLink port is on the front of the chassis, which owners say adds cable clutter in eGPU setups, and the two rear USB ports are USB 2.0, not USB 3.0. Inside, twisting off the translucent top cover gives tool-free access to both SO-DIMM slots and both M.2 slots, so RAM and SSD upgrades are straightforward. The storage limit is worth noting too: the machine takes NVMe drives only, with no SATA.

Performance, noise and thermals

TechRadar’s December 2024 testing put 3DMark Time Spy at 3,294 and Cinebench R23 multi-core at 16,130, and the machine runs Hogwarts Legacy and Tekken 8 at 1080p comfortably. It is a 1080p machine; 4K gaming needs heavy setting cuts. The trade-off is noise and heat. Owners measure 31-32 dB at idle but 37-42 dB under load, which is audible in a quiet room, and CPU temperatures reach 90-93°C under heavy load — within spec, but warmer than a rival such as the Beelink SER8 at about 80°C. Fans also keep running in sleep mode for some owners. The dual-fan design keeps the 8845HS inside its limits, which owners see as an improvement over earlier GMKtec models.

Reliability, warranty and repairs

The documented risk is firmware. Several owners report that BIOS updates using GMKtec’s own files bricked the system, and one had to pay about $300 for a professional re-flash after support did not respond. Bluetooth is another recurring annoyance: at least one owner sees it vanish after every shutdown with a Code 10 error, fixed only by disabling and re-enabling it in Device Manager. Support response times are reported as slow, sometimes weeks. Warranty differs by region: one year in the US and UK, two years in the EU, with the buyer paying return shipping in every case, and it does not cover misuse or unauthorized repairs. Owners recommend installing AMD’s own Adrenalin drivers rather than relying on GMKtec’s.

Is it worth it?

At GMKtec’s US store sale price of $399.99 against a regular $619.99 (October 2026), the K8 Plus is strong value if you need its ports. Elsewhere it costs more: the GMKtec Store lists $519, Newegg lists the 32GB/1TB model at $919.99, and the EU and UK stores list €389.99 and £409.99. If you do not need OCuLink or dual 2.5GbE, the Beelink SER8 offers USB4 with a single 2.5GbE port and similar performance. The K8 Plus earns its keep when the port combination matters — home lab, networking, or a future external GPU. Budget for an OCuLink dock, which starts around $150, if you plan to use one.

Which model this is

This page covers the GMKtec K8 Plus, also sold as the NucBox K8 Plus, released in September 2024. It is distinct from the older K8, which used a Ryzen 7 5800H, and from the K11 and K12 models. The US 32GB/1TB variant is ASIN B0DHNTW3H6. Check the RAM and storage you are buying, because the K8 Plus ships in several configurations.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Parts and stores:

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