GMKtec M3 review

GMKtec M3: 30-second review

The GMKtec M3 features an Intel 12th Core i5 12450H processor at its heart, and offers a powerful yet budget-friendly mini PC. Priced at $479 for the 1TB HDD and 32GB RAM configuration, it's one of the best mini PCs we've tested if you're after great value for both professional and home use. With an 8-core, 12-thread setup and a max turbo frequency of 4.4 GHz, the M3 is well-spec'd to handle a range of tasks from Microsoft Office to a little moderate gaming.

Performance-wise, the GMKtec put in some solid results. In the Crystal Disk benchmark, it achieves read and write speeds of 3501 MB/s and 3195 MB/s, respectively; this is impressively quick data transfer, and 1TB is decent enough capacity for everyday use. The machines GeekBench scores, with 2108 in single-core and 7684 in multi-core tests, highlight that it's a decent solution for handling Office applications as well as having the processing power to handle the likes of Lightroom. The Compute score of 8805, though not overly impressive, is respectable for a mini PC in this price range and will enable some 4K video editing as well as moderate gaming.

When it came to the gaming benchmarks, the GMKtec M3 delivered a more moderate performance with the Fire Strike scores, including an overall score of 2902 and a graphics score of 3085, showing that while it can handle less demanding games, it will struggle with high-end gaming. The Time Spy scores, which showed that it received an overall score of 986 and a graphics score of 859, further emphasise this. The Wild Life score of 7172 and a Windows Experience Index of 8.1 further highlight this as a machine that is ideally suited to running office tasks, some multimedia editing, and gaming as long as it isn't pushed to hard on the processing.

One of the standout features of the M3 is its support for triple screen display connections, something that will appeal to many office workers, creatives, as well as gamers. In addition to the display options, there is also a good range of ports, including USB 3.2 and 2.5G Ethernet, all helping with the ability to connect to networks as well as accessories and making it suitable for both office and home use. Upgrades are also easy for some hardware, such as the RAM and SSD, so, as your budget allows, you can upgrade it to suit your needs.

Overall, the GMKtec M3 is a great mini PC, especially if you're on a tight budget and want a machine that's fast, easy to update, and doesn't cost too much. It did well on the standard benchmark tests, and the fact that it can handle three displays and has many connectivity options makes it a great choice for many uses. Some high-end games might not be able to use it, but as a whole, it's a great deal.

GMKtec M3: Price & availability

The GMKtec M3 Mini PC, ships with a 1TB HDD and 32GB RAM, and is priced at $479, offering a great solution if you're looking for a reliable, high-performing mini PC. Available directly from GMKtec by clicking here or via Amazon by clicking here, as well as other retailers. 

Its affordability, paired with the powerful Intel 12th Core i5 and plenty of storage options, make the M3 suitable for both professional and personal use, and other configurations can be spec'd to your requirements. 

• Score: 4/5

GMKtec M3: Design & build

The GMKtec M3 Mini PC boasts an elegant and compact design with dimensions of 105mm x 115mm x 44mm. The silver metal body feels and looks premium with the white top, making it look a little like a compact first-generation Mac Mini. 

The mounting options for this Mini PC add to the flexibility as to how this PC can be mounted and mean that if you are really tight on desk space, then it can easily be mounted elsewhere. This mini PCs compact size does however enable it to comfortably sit on a desk without occupying much space, otherwise that integrated mounting on the back enables it to easy attachment to a wall or various types of brackets and mounts.

The front of the M3 maintains a clean, minimalistic look, with only the power button and two USB Type-A ports. The sides of the unit feature the usual ventilation slits that all help with the cooling system, an essential aspect given the machine's size and power. The rear is arranged with additional ventilation, two HDMI ports, one Type-C USB, two more Type-A USB ports, audio out, and a network port. 

Upgradability is a key strength of the M3. By simply removing four screws from the base, you can gain access to the internals, where RAM and SSD slots are neatly laid out for upgrades when your budget allows. This ease of access will be of particular interest if you opt for the barebones version or plan future enhancements. 

• Design: 4/5

GMKtec M3: Features

At the heart of the GMKtech M3's is the Intel 12th Generation Core i5-12450H processor, which features 8-cores and 12-threads that achieve a max turbo frequency of 4.4 GHz. This is backed by a substantial 12 MB of Intel Smart Cache. Essentially, this processor is tuned for efficiency, with a TDP of 45W, meaning that while it is powerful it also isn't going to draw huge amounts of power. Something that's important if you're using this off grid.

Graphically, the M3 is equipped with standard Intel UHD graphics featuring 48 execution units that can reach dynamic frequencies up to 1.20 GHz. While not huge, this should be enough to handle most graphic tasks and of course supports triple-screen displays, which is handy for creatives as well as anyone working on office-based tasks. The machine's graphic outputs are capable of 4K resolution at 60Hz across dual HDMI ports and a DisplayPort 1.4.

The system's memory and storage sees dual SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB of DDR4 memory at 3200 MHz; in our review sample, the machine is equipped with 32GB, which is more than enough for most tasks. Storage comes in the form of an M.2 2280 slot with PCIe 3.0 interface, compatible with up to 2TB of NVMe SSD storage.

The GMKtec M3 also features the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 enabling network connections and linking to a wide variety of accessories. Wired network connection is also possible through the 2.5G Ethernet port.

When it comes to upgradeability, the bottom cover is easily removable, secured by four screws, providing access to the RAM and SSD slots. 

The cooling system is also impressive, with the large venting along the sides of the case and internally dual copper heat pipes. This cooling mechanism is designed to sustain performance while keeping operational noise to a minimum.

• Features: 4.5/5

GMKtec M3: Performance

The GMKtec M3 Mini PC powers through everyday computing tasks such as office applications, web browsing, and 4K video playback. But if you were looking for the best photo editing PC or the best video editing PC - and one that really saves on space - the M3 proved itself as an excellent performer here.

Its capability extends impressively to more demanding software like Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve, where the Intel i5-12450H's multi-threading capability comes to the fore, managing complex image processing and video editing tasks. 

The test results echo this operational competence. With a PC Mark score of 4945, it demonstrates a strong capacity for general productivity tasks. The GeekBench scores — 2108 for single-core and 7684 for multi-core — further confirm its ability to handle a variety of workloads smoothly. For creative professionals, this translates to reliable performance in applications such as Adobe Premiere Pro, where processing speed is essential for rendering and exporting video content. An attached storage drive is available for larger files and projects. 

However, the GMKtec M3's limitations become apparent with graphically intensive gaming. While the Intel UHD Graphics (48EU) can support light gaming, its performance isn't quite up to par for the latest AAA titles. Games like Red Dead Redemption II and Cyberpunk 2097 require more graphical horsepower than the M3 can muster, as indicated by the Fire Strike and Time Spy scores. The graphics scores of 3085 in Fire Strike and 859 in Time Spy highlight the GPU's limitations in rendering complex gaming graphics at high resolutions. 

Nevertheless, by adjusting the game settings — lowering the resolution and effects — the M3 makes mid-weight gaming possible, as reflected by the Wild Life score of 7172. This suggests the mini PC can provide an enjoyable gaming experience with older or less demanding titles. 

The M3 is an impressive performer for productivity and creative software, making it an excellent day-to-day work machine. Its performance in Microsoft Office is excellent, and its handling of creative applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro is also good. However, you do have to wait when rendering in the latter. The limitations in gaming can be mitigated with settings adjustments, making it suitable for casual gaming rather than a dedicated gaming setup. 

• Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the GMKtec M3?

The GMKtec M3 Mini PC is an impressive Mini PC, capable of handling day-to-day tasks and proving its power with processor-intensive applications like Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro. As an ultra-compact alternative to some of the best laptops for photo editing or the best video editing laptops, it's a capable if slow performer. The Intel i5-12450H processor in this small PC performs well for Microsoft Office and most creative work, but it has trouble with demanding games. While lighter games function well, games such as Red Dead Redemption II require lower quality settings.
The M3 has limits for advanced gaming, but overall it performs well for general and professional use. For people who require a powerful, multipurpose PC in a compact package, this is the perfect option.

• Value: Exceptional value for performance and features offered. (4/5)
• Design: Sleek, compact, and minimalistic with efficient cooling. (4/5)
• Features: Well-equipped for multitasking and casual gaming. (4.5/5)
• Performance: Strong in productivity tasks, moderate in gaming. (4/5)
• Total: A solid, all-around mini PC at a great price. (4/5)

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