GMKtec K8 Plus mini PC Review with AMD R7 8845HS

The GMKtec K8 Plus is one of the most powerful mini PCs in its category thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS , 32 GB DDR5 and 1 TB SSD.

It performs excellently in 1080p gaming, video editing, and advanced multitasking.

It gets hot under load, and its integrated GPU limits AAA games to medium settings.

Even so, it's a top choice for gamers and creators looking for power in a compact size.

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Technical Specifications

Design and construction quality

The GMKtec K8 Plus continues the brand's premium line: a machined aluminum chassis with a matte finish that is both durable and elegant. It feels solid in the hand, with no creaks or weak points. Its compact size allows it to sit on any desk or even be mounted behind a monitor.

The ventilation is well distributed, with side intakes and a rear exhaust, preventing air from blowing directly at the user. It's a simple yet clearly professional design.

Screen and multimedia

Being a mini PC, it relies on an external monitor. However, in multimedia tests:

• Plays 4K at 60fps effortlessly.

• The Radeon 780M GPU decodes modern formats such as AV1, H.265, and VP9.

• Ideal for use on TVs or ultrawide monitors.

As for the sound, the audio output is clean, without electrical noise, and supports high-resolution audio via USB-C and HDMI.

Performance and software

This is where the K8 Plus shines. The Ryzen 7 8845HS is a beast in this form factor.

General fluency

Windows 11 runs extremely smoothly: fast boot-up, seamless multitasking, document editing and browsing without waiting.

Gaming

The Radeon 780M impresses at 1080p:

• Esports games like Valorant or Fortnite: 120–200 fps on medium-high settings.

• Modern AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring: between 35–55 fps on medium settings with FSR.

• Emulation: runs smoothly on PS3, Switch and WiiU in most titles.

Software

GMKtec delivers a clean system, free of bloatware.
Windows 11 updates seamlessly and hardware is automatically recognized.

Feeding

It includes a 120W power adapter , quiet and stable, sufficient to power the CPU at its maximum TDP without restrictions.

Connectivity and extras

The K8 Plus includes high-end connectivity:

• WiFi 6E with excellent stability even on congested networks.

• 2.5G Ethernet , essential for competitive gaming or home servers.

• USB-C with DisplayPort output , allowing up to three simultaneous monitors.

• HDMI 2.1 : output up to 8K/60 or 4K/144.

• Bluetooth 5.3 : no dropouts with headphones or accessories.

It does not have NFC or a fingerprint reader (normal in mini PCs), nor IP certification.

Reviews on well-known websites

The opinions gathered agree on several points:

Positive:

• Outstanding performance for its size.

• Capable of replacing a desktop PC.

• Excellent temperatures compared to other mini gaming PCs.

• Very quiet for light tasks.

Negative:

• The graphics performance, although good, doesn't reach the level of a dedicated GPU.

• Under continuous load (gaming + rendering), the fan becomes audible.

• The price is higher than other Ryzen 7 mini PCs from previous generations.

1. Reddit / Specialized Forums

• On r/MiniPCs , several users share positive experiences and also some warnings:

  • Some users point out that the order may be delayed if purchased from the official GMKtec website, as shipments are made from China.

  • There are complaints about Wi-Fi speed when gaming: one user claims that their connection drops dramatically when switching from light tasks to gaming, and that the most stable solution has been to use an Ethernet cable.

  • Regarding overall performance, one user says that some applications "take quite a while to open (5-15 s) or to close," which could be related to the BIOS settings or the SSD used.

  • Regarding fan noise: there are reports of annoying noise, although some have solved the problem by making spacers to separate the fans from the RAM modules, which improves things considerably.

  • More serious problems too: a user with a barebones version reports blue screens when running 3D games, investigating that it could come from the integrated GPU or even defects in the memory/SSD.

  • Despite some negative points, other users are very happy: for example, one claims to have two K8 Plus units and run Linux without problems (EndeavourOS and Proxmox) .

  • In another thread, it's mentioned that the K8 Plus has useful BIOS features like wake on LAN , which is attractive for use as a server.

• Also, an interesting technical point: some users have had problems with DisplayPort to HDMI video adapters. One user mentions that their adapter didn't work when connected to a TV, and others explain that some "basic" adapters aren't compatible with DisplayPort 2.0+ and suggest using quality cables instead of cheap adapters.

• Regarding purchases on the official website: there are debates about whether or not it's safe to buy directly from GMKtec. Some users warn that there may be delays and recommend buying through Amazon for a more convenient return policy.

2. Media and specialized reviews

• SiONo published a review in Spanish noting that the K8 Plus is "a compact beast": they highlight its excellent thermal management (even in hot summers), and that in light tasks it is almost imperceptible in noise.

  • Furthermore, it highlights the Oculink port , which allows you to add an eGPU — something highly valued by those who want graphics power beyond the integrated one.

  • They also mention that not all users receive premium brand RAM modules, and that some units have arrived with more "generic" brands, which can lead to discrepancies.

  • There are isolated reports of units being damaged during shipping, especially if purchased from distributors with weak shipping policies.

• Team Pandory gave a fairly positive review: they highlight that the K8 Plus has a very remarkable performance in emulation (PS3, Wii U, and even more demanding titles with upscaling).

  • They indicate that the temperatures are reasonable and that the fan only increases its speed in high-load scenarios if a high TDP is forced.

  • They also appreciate how easy it is to open the unit to upgrade memory or storage, and they value the well-organized interior design.

  • On the downside, they point out that the Wi-Fi could be better; some users were expecting Wi-Fi 6E, but the version used does not reach maximum performance on demanding wireless networks.

• Geeky Gadgets mentions in its analysis that the K8 Plus offers great memory and storage capacity : support for up to 96 GB of DDR5 and two M.2 NVMe slots, making it very scalable.

  • It also stands out that it comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, providing a modern and secure environment from the first boot.

  • In their synthetic benchmark tests, they explain that the K8 Plus shows very competent performance in both CPU and disk, justifying its price as a "very good power/size ratio".

• GizChina.es analyzes the specifications and highlights that it is uncommon to see mini PCs with a processor as powerful as the Ryzen 7 8845HS , since many more compact models make do with more modest CPUs.

  • It also values ​​its connectivity: ports such as HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, USB4, and also dual LAN at 2.5 Gbps , something highly appreciated by users of advanced networks or small servers.

  • They consider the K8 Plus a "robust" option for both professionals and gamers who don't want a large tower, and highlight that the maximum storage offered by some versions is very generous (up to 2 TB according to some models).

Interpretation of opinions

Based on all of the above, several conclusions can be drawn about how the GMKtec K8 Plus is perceived by the community:

• What people like most :

  • High performance in a very compact format.

  • Good connectivity (especially with Oculink for eGPU and dual LAN).

  • Good design and upgradeability (RAM, SSD).

  • Powerful for emulation and demanding tasks thanks to the CPU + iGPU.

• Criticized aspects :

  • Wi-Fi: Some users experience speed issues under load or prefer Ethernet cable.

  • Fan noise under load: especially if the memory is "fat" or there is little space, there may be more vibrations or noise.

  • Isolated problems with defective units: there are reports of integrated GPU or component failures, although they do not appear to be widespread.

  • Communication and logistics: orders from the official website can take time and some users complain about poor customer service.

Summary of technical tests

The technical tests performed show:

• Cinebench R23 : +15% over the Ryzen 7 7840HS.

• 3DMark Time Spy : around 3,100 points thanks to the Radeon 780M.

• SSD reads : 7,000 MB/s, writing 6,200 MB/s.

• Maximum CPU temperature : 84–88°C under prolonged stress, without significant throttling.

• Actual consumption : 65–80 W under load, efficient at standby (8–10 W).

The cooling system maintains a good balance between noise and performance, standing out from other compact mini PCs.

1. CPU benchmark

   • In Cinebench R23 tests (or other equivalent ones), the Ryzen 7 8845HS installed in this mini-PC delivers very solid multi-core performance: according to media such as Liliputing, by applying stress loops, the system maintains relatively stable consumption and achieves outstanding scores.

   • In Geekbench (according to public data) this processor achieves high scores in multithreaded mode, confirming its ability to handle demanding workloads and smooth multitasking.

2. Graphics performance (iGPU)

   • The integrated GPU is the Radeon 780M , with multiple execution cores (“compute units”), and official GMKtec reviews indicate that its performance is close to that of an entry-level dedicated card, especially when using FSR (image scaling).

   • In 3DMark (according to TechRadar) the K8 Plus registers: Fire Strike Overall: ~7.787 , Time Spy Overall: ~3.294 , which is quite competent for a mini-PC without a dedicated GPU.

3. Storage

   • According to TechRadar's tests, the K8 Plus's SSD offers very good read/write speeds: around 5,190 MB/s for reading and 4,741 MB/s for writing , suggesting that it is a fast NVMe SSD.

   • In the GMKtec model, the standard version includes a PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD, which provides very good bandwidth for loading games, running heavy applications, and transferring large files.

4. Temperatures and consumption

   • In the combined stress test (CPU + GPU), Liliputing reports that the CPU temperature can reach up to 90 °C , which is quite high, but the system does not immediately escape performance: a slight decrease in frequency is observed to contain the temperature.

   • At rest, according to those same tests, the consumption from the wall is very low: Liliputing measured about 8.5 W when the equipment is inactive.

   • Under heavy load, consumption increases: in its combined tests, consumption is around 24.8 W , which is quite efficient for a mini-PC with 8 active cores.

   • Regarding noise, the fan speeds up when the load increases, but according to reports it doesn't reach very annoying levels: Liliputing measured ~47.7 dBA under stress, which is audible but not excessive.

5. Thermal management

   • It has been mentioned in forums that changing the factory thermal paste for a better quality one (such as Arctic MX-6) can reduce temperatures by several degrees, suggesting that the stock thermal interface is good, but not optimal.

   • Some users have reported vibrations or strange noises in the fan after several months of use, which could indicate wear and tear or a design that is not entirely ideal in the long term.

6. Stability and errors

   • There are reports of users experiencing blue screens of death (BSOD) or black screen failures after Windows or driver updates, which points to possible driver problems or incompatibilities with certain versions of the operating system.

   • There are also users who comment that some applications take a long time to start (5-15 s) or close, and point to the SSD as a possible culprit, suggesting that there could be variability in the quality or type of SSD installed by GMKtec.

   • Regarding storage, some are asking if it's possible to do RAID on the two M.2 slots; users say that, from a hardware point of view, it might be possible, but there's no widespread official confirmation.

7. Use with eGPU

   • One of the most interesting points: thanks to the OcuLink port , several users have connected an eGPU (external graphics card) and report a significant increase in graphics performance compared to relying solely on the iGPU.

   • In these scenarios, the 8845HS acts as a powerful base for expanding graphics capabilities, turning the mini PC into a much more versatile platform for demanding games or demanding graphics tasks.

Interpretation of the technical summary

• Performance : The Ryzen 7 8845HS in this mini PC offers very capable power for its size. It can handle demanding tasks such as editing, rendering, and gaming, although with limitations inherent to an integrated GPU.

• Energy efficiency : The device is quite efficient at idle, making it ideal for a mini PC that will be left on for many hours.

• Heat and noise : Thermal management is well designed, but under heavy loads the fans are noticeable and the temperature rises considerably, which could lead to more aggressive use of cooling or BIOS/manual adjustments to balance performance and temperature.

• Storage : The SSD is fast and suitable for loading games or heavy programs without too serious bottlenecks, although some users report variability in quality depending on the unit installed.

• Stability : There is no consensus: while some users report excellent stability, others have experienced driver errors or blue screens, suggesting that there could be isolated cases related to operating system configuration, BIOS, or drivers.

Is the GMKtec K8 Plus worth it?

The GMKtec K8 Plus is a mini gaming PC ideal for:

• Gamers who want smooth 1080p without a dedicated GPU.

• Users looking for a powerful yet quiet machine.

• Content creators who need powerful video or photo editing capabilities.

• Minimalist offices or desks with little space.

• Advanced emulators or 4K multimedia centers.

It's not the best option if you need to play at 1440p/4K with ultra graphics or if you're looking for a budget alternative.

Recommended alternatives

• Minisforum UM790 Pro (Ryzen 9 7940HS)

• Beelink SER8 (Ryzen 7 8845HS)

• Minisforum HX100G (with dedicated GPU)

Do you want to buy it or see more information?

Check out the product here: More information about the GMKtec K8 Plus.