GMKtec NucBox G2 REVIEW [Intel N100 Mini PC]

The GMKtec NucBox G2 has the Intel N100 processor, is GREAT value, and is amazingly tiny! It's NUTS to think that this Mini PC can FIT IN YOUR POCKET and is a fully-fledged computer!
This Mini PC can be found both directly from GMKTek and from Amazon (links are below)
Windows 11 Pro is installed, and in our review, we run benchmarks, test games, and also try many emulated systems from within Batocera Linux.

► Specs:
CPU: Intel N100 Processor / 4 Core 4 Thread @ 1Ghz-3.4Ghz
RAM: 12GB Samsung DDR5 @ 4800Mhz
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics Xe 24EUs ( - 750 MHz)
Storage: 1TB SATA SSD
OS: Windows 11 Pro 64bit

►Note:
This product was received for free solely for the purpose of video review. Nothing of monetary value has been received.
Affiliate links have been added which help the channel at no additional cost to yourself.
Thanks 🙏

► Purchase links

►Timestamps:
0:00 GMKtec NucBox G2 Intel N100 Mini PC
0:18 GMKtec NucBox G2 Unboxing
1:27 A Closer Look
2:24 Changing Lids, a look inside
3:02 Size Comparison
3:34 GMKtec NucBox G2 Specifications
3:55 VESA Mount
4:11 First Boot, Activating Windows 11 Pro, Updates
4:41 Office, Krita, Online Shopping
5:01 YouTube, NetFlix
5:13 Benchmarks
5:38 Game Testing - The Expendabros, C&C Remastered Collection
6:13 Game Testing - Boltgun, CSGO, Dota 2, Grid Autosport
7:04 Power draw, fan noise
7:21 BIOS
8:00 Emulation Tests- FBNEO, MAME, Model 3
8:26 Emulation Tests - Amiga, MS-DOS
8:48 Emulation Tests - Dreamcast, PSP, PS2
9:28 Emulation Tests - GameCube, Wii, Wii-U, XBOX
9:30 Inside the GMKtec NucBox G2
10:23 Pros and Cons of the GMKtec NucBox G2
11:41 Final Thoughts and Patreon Thanks

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►Credits

Pandory Intro Music by Disfunktional

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#minipc #gmktec #intel #n100 #gaming #retrogaming #review

[cybercookie]

your closing comments are EXACTLY what I was thinking, perfect replacement of the RPi. Thanks for all you do it helps out soooo much.

[CosmicJoeK]

Thank you for this spot on review! Especially for covering Bios-settings and idle/load power 👍👍I wish you well.✌

[harleyn]

The rhythm game with the dogs spinning in office chairs is classic. I've never seen that one before. ;-)

I especially like your reviews because I can always depend on you testing out Batocera. I use Batocera for probably 90% of my gaming, so it's an important factor for any PC.

[gorebish]

I really do enjoy your mini pc reviews. Do showcase more lightweight titles, always a joy to find them!

[ndrgerg]

I gotta admit that I was ready to look pass this, until I saw that it also included LED lighting as well. It's so unnecessary, but I think that along with the changeable face plates represents some amount of care went into the design of this mini PC. On the video itself, I enjoyed it very much, and lol'd heartily when I saw Ganja Farmer. Excellent video! :)

[stephenricks]

Thank you for this review. Black Fridayed this one for my son and glad to see it should do what he needs it to!... I will check your channel out BEFORE purchasing next time :)

[TerenceKearns]

0:03 Eight months later, they don't offer the 1TB version now and the 512GB one is $249 which is almost double the $139.99 pictured in this video (512GB).

[TheRealDonnyJepp]

This has been the absolute perfect set up for running my light gun collection via Batocera. It is very snappy and runs everything up to PS2 very cleanly. I was even able to load up Time crisis for PS3 although I didn't give it a run through yet. Thanks for another great suggestion, you honestly are a blessing to the Retro gaming community!

[anon]

I also have a N100 machine (AK2 plus) here: USB Boot Batocera / Coin Ops FW via Win11

1. On what res & hz do you run scud race? On my setup, it doesnt run THAT good…🤔 2. what exact bios settings did you change for better performance? 🤔

[marcq]

This would make a perfect OpnSense firewall :)

[patrickm]

Giant laugh out loud when you set the color to "Greed."

[srvuk]

I don't think that there is any other processor in it's class and price range that comes close to the N100 in terms of versatility, so the choice comes down to what the manufacturer does with it.

Size wise, this is quite generic, with other examples of others with similar specs being available, albeit with lesser known names (not that GMKtec is anything other than niche, only a little more so to those in the know).

Good to hear the exact spec of USB ports.

Most models come with either 8 or 16Gb RAM, so this one coming with 12, if done to keep pricing keen, would seem to be a logical step and give enough additional RAM to cover the likes of those wanting a gazillion web pages open at any one moment. The fact that it is DDR 5 5800 is a big bonus as some still ship with DDR4 3200, so can make quite the difference, especially with gaming/emulation.

Having a SATA SSD is not a bad thing but others come with NVME, giving somewhere in the region of 60% increase in performance. Nothing to sniff at, even if not factoring in particular processes that take advantage of it. 512Gb is generous though and expandable, although not able to add internal storage.

WiFi 6/BT 5.2 is a plus. Some come with WiFi 5/BT 4.2, although I think that this was done because of a lack of Linux based driver support for WiFi 6 cards earlier in the manufacturing process.

But, like other models of this size and form factor, I find myself wondering who this is aimed at.

Everybody has their idea of what constitutes ideal but I do wonder how many people are likely to use 3 monitors and even take advantage of both Ethernet ports.

In my humble opinion, a single Ethernet port (2.5Gbps?) would likely suit most, along with 2 x HDMI or 1 each of HDMI and Display Port (DP would be better through a multi function USB-C port though with added functionality into the bargain).

That could allow better I/O in terms of the USB ports, where there could either be 4 or 3 + USB-C, rated at Gen 2 (10Gbps) speeds, as at least one other manufacturer has done.

This would make it more rounded. Perhaps GMKTec could make a separate model in the same form factor to achieve this. 2 choices is always better than 1.

There is no doubt that even though the average mini PC is still light and small, this tiny size is even more portable and/or discrete.

The fan didn't sound too loud.

The BIOS seemed, on the surface to be largely unlocked, which I do personally like.

Good to see a Linux based distro boot as there are one or two N100 boxes where this fails.

Windows 11 Pro is a little bonus.

But then I look at an all important factor in a highly competitive N100 marketplace, $249.89

It is too high as a base price. Perhaps there are deals to be had via some vendors. Potential import duties/VAT and delivery may also have to be factored in.

For under £200 I often see those with USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, USB-C for more than power (although I credit GMKTec for using USB-C for power, rather than a barrel jack. Does it support PD bricks?), 16 Gb DDR5 5800 RAM and faster SSD storage

Not being able to add additional internal storage is not a bad thing for a PC this size, when you consider what is packed in, although I have seen mini PC's in recent times that actually have a pull away base that allows storage expansion, usually though 2.5" SATA but I would imagine could use M.2 2242 for smaller models. An idea to think about. Expand vertically instead, which could also allow for thoughts of passive cooling using large heatsinks (similar to what Odroid did with the N2+, making it a large heatsink).

Whilst M.2 2280 cannot fit in this box, in my part of the world, M.2 2242 is way more expensive, so something that may be considered in terms of future value.

The fancy light and coloured tops are fun but ultimately no more than gimmicks.

Overall, I can see some of what they were trying to achieve but in other areas, I scratch my head a little.

It is certainly competent in what it does but for me, the price alone tends to render it lower down in the list of prospective purchases.

But a slight redesign and more competitive price could put it much higher in lists and minds.

My consultancy fees are competitive too, 0£$ per hour, a bargain :-)

[Mclaneinc]

Nice little machine, but I think I'll head down the K2 / M4 (I probably got those mixed up)...Thanks Tim...(dreamcast windows :) )

[chromerims]

Excellent video 👍 Thank you.
What are your thoughts on doing video conference calls (e.g. Zoom, Teams) on N100 devices like this one?
Kindest regards, neighbours and friends.

[j_m_b_]

Wow -- I am looking EVERYWHERE to see if the RAM can be upgraded and can't find one review that touches that question.

Onward for my search. All I need to know is if the ram is in a slot or embedded.

[CallMeCJorDandy]

I will invest on some of this, this is serious deal and revolutionary and cheap ! Wow ! 😂🎉

[xxgg]

what chipset does it use for network ports?

[darknessblades]

Few questions: Is it also possible to UNDERCLOCK the miniPC. [how much would this reduce its power-usage]

also: How well would it run home-assistant? [planning on getting a Intel N100 based miniPC just for my smarthome]

[Timmyboy]

On the official website it says there's an expansion slot for an nvme ssd up to 2tb? does this mean the current installed sata ssd can be replaced by a nvme ssd?

[umirza]

Does this have an extra m.2 slot? Or is the WiFi6 card in a removeable slot?