Mini Gaming PC that Home Labs // GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro Review

We take a powerful little mini PC for a spin, the GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro. This is an interesting little mini PC that packs a punch for both gaming, with an Oculink port, and beefy hardware that can also be used for a powerful little mini home lab configuration. Is this the best little mini PC towards the end of 2024? Let's find out!

Introduction - 0:00
Video sponsor - 0:33
Specs of the GMKtec Nucbox M7 Pro - 1:17
Talking specifically about graphics - 1:42
Home lab - dual Intel 2.5 gig ports - 2:21
Can run Proxmox and VMware ESXi both - 2:35
It is offered in a barebones configuration - 2:40
(2) M.2 slots and 96 GB of memory - 3:00
NVMe memory tiering possibilities - 3:13
More details on installing VMware ESXi - 3:30
Gaming potential with integrated graphics - 3:56
Oculink port to use external GPU with the M7 Pro (ETA Prime vid on GMKtec site) - 4:13
Power Efficiency and numbers when idle and under full load - 5:00
Looking at the front I/O on the M7 Pro - 5:33
Looking at the back I/O on the M7 Pro - 6:07
Looking at the top cover, removing, and fingerprints - 6:25
Removing the screws for the inside top cover - 7:05
Looking at the internals (RAM and M.2 slots) - 8:00
Pros of the Nucbox M7 Pro - 8:20
Cons with the Nucbox M7 Pro - 9:14
Wrapping up my thoughts on the Nucbox M7 Pro - 9:45

[markmonroe]

Thank you for reviewing this unit. I have actually been looking at this one along with the M6 and some AMD versions. My biggest concern with most of them is how noisy they are and actually having some data that shows how they compare. The M6 version seems to have a *lot* of comments about being "noisy". The web site on the M7 says "ultra low fan noise". Would be really nice to have some 2-3ft DB checks at idle, 50% and 100% loads so we can compare unit both within the same brand but with their competitors.. Many folks buy these thinking they will be "laptop quiet" only to find that at anything above idle they have whine that can be very annoying. I would gladly spend a bit more on a low wattage unit with very low DB's even when under some load.

[glamorousphotog]

Hi Brandon! Thanks so much for this awesome video. I am looking to get the M7 Pro for a second PC, to run Lightroom and batch edit. Is there any chance you could advise if the M7 Pro performs in Lightroom ? Any lag with images previews under "Develop" Mode or when applying presets (AI including?) or even moving slide bars to edit? In my current set up, Ryzen 9 5900X with 32 gig of RAM, LR runs pretty smoothly. I expect the M7 Pro to be a little slower, but I was hoping to get some answers making sure it's not lagging too much :) thank you very much in advance :)

[ValeriyPolushkin]

What about AMD IGPU passthrough? I can't get it to work with my NUCBOX M5 so far. Is it possible with an M7?

[kristopherleslie]

Hey buddy good to see you again :) hope you remember I got the minisforum myself and I am looking for a 2nd system :) let’s find out what you learned ✔️✔️✔️

[KapitanMokraFaja]

Is the 4TB nvme limit for a single slot or total?

[kamertonaudiophileplayer]

How frequently are you taking apart your home PC? It's probably once a year. But how frequently do you observe it? Perhaps several times a day. So, you got an idea of fingerprints.

[SaruwatariMasahiro]

Wow, so early. I have the older one with 5700u. Curious how different it is.