GMKtec M5 Plus Gaming Mini PC Review | Ryzen 7 5825U

The mini-PC market is evolving fast, and the GMKtec M5 Plus shows just how far small-form computers have come. Packing an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U (8 cores / 16 threads), 32 GB DDR4 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD, this palm-sized system delivers desktop-class performance in a chassis small enough to fit behind a monitor. Add dual 2.5 Gb LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, triple 4K display output, and USB-C connectivity, and you get a remarkably capable PC for gaming, editing, and office multitasking alike.

GMKtec M5 Plus Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7 5825U (Upgraded 7430U/ 5700U),…
  • MINI PC FOR OFFICE GAMING – UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Plus Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over previous AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.


Key Specifications

ComponentDetails
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 7 5825U (8 C / 16 T, up to 4.5 GHz boost)
Integrated GraphicsRadeon Vega 8 GPU (1900 MHz)
Memory32 GB DDR4 (dual channel, upgradeable to 64 GB)
Storage1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD + 2.5″ SATA bay for extra drive
NetworkingDual 2.5 Gb Ethernet + Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2
Ports / I/O4 × USB 3.2, USB-C (Display/PD Support), HDMI 2.0, DP 1.4, Audio Jack
Display SupportTriple 4K output (HDMI + DP + USB-C)
CoolingActive fan with heat-pipe system
Operating SystemWindows 11 Pro (pre-installed)
DimensionsApprox. 4.5″ × 4.5″ × 1.8″

Design & Build Quality

The M5 Plus is built from a dense aluminum-alloy shell that feels sturdy and premium. The brushed-metal finish resists fingerprints, and the honeycomb vents at the sides and top provide excellent airflow.

Despite its size, it feels like a high-end workstation. The compact footprint allows you to VESA-mount it behind a monitor, keep it under a TV for an entertainment hub, or carry it between home and office setups.

Noise levels remain modest: under typical workloads the fan is nearly silent, and even during sustained gaming or rendering, it only rises to a gentle hum (~38 dB).


Performance & Real-World Experience

1. CPU Power & Multitasking

AMD’s Ryzen 7 5825U is an 8-core, 16-thread chip based on the Zen 3 architecture, delivering serious performance for productivity, office, and creative workloads. It easily handles demanding tasks such as Excel modeling, software compilation, code IDEs, and Adobe CC editing.

Benchmarks show it outperforming Intel’s i7-1165G7 and trading blows with the i7-1260P. Combined with the 32 GB RAM, it keeps multitasking fluid—switching between dozens of Chrome tabs, Photoshop, and 4K video playback without slowdowns.

2. Storage Speed

The included 1 TB NVMe SSD (PCIe 3.0 x4) reaches around 3,000 MB/s read / 2,700 MB/s write, keeping boot and load times nearly instant. You can add another SATA SSD/HDD for extra storage, perfect for large media libraries or project archives.

3. Graphics & Gaming

While this isn’t a dedicated gaming rig, the integrated Radeon Vega 8 GPU performs admirably for its class. You can expect smooth gameplay in e-sports and older AAA titles at 1080p:

Game (1080p Medium)FPS Average
Valorant120 FPS +
CS 2110 FPS
GTA V70 FPS
Fortnite80 FPS
Cyberpunk 2077 (Low)35 FPS

It also supports hardware-accelerated 4K video playback, so streaming or HTPC usage is seamless.


Connectivity & Expandability

Connectivity is where the M5 Plus shines.

  • Dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports let you use link aggregation, separate VLANs, or set it up as a lightweight server or router.
  • Wi-Fi 6E ensures top-tier wireless speed and stability.
  • Bluetooth 5.2 supports modern peripherals with low latency.
  • USB-C Display + PD means you can power the device and output to a monitor with a single cable.

Internally, it’s upgrade-friendly: you can swap the RAM, SSD, or add a 2.5″ drive easily by removing four screws.


Display & Media Experience

Supporting three simultaneous 4K displays (via HDMI + DP + USB-C), the M5 Plus doubles as a powerful workstation for traders, developers, and content creators. It’s also an outstanding home-theater PC, capable of decoding 4K HDR streams effortlessly. The Radeon GPU handles AV1 and HEVC playback smoothly, producing crisp, vivid output on modern TVs or monitors.


Thermals & Noise

The built-in fan and copper heat pipes do a great job keeping the Ryzen chip below 80 °C even under heavy load. In idle or office tasks, it stays around 45–50 °C — warm but safe. The fan curve is intelligently tuned; there’s no sudden ramping.

If you plan to game for hours or stress the CPU with renders, ensure good ventilation or consider a laptop stand for airflow. For most users, it runs cool, quiet, and stable.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Powerful 8-core Ryzen 7 5825U CPU (excellent multi-thread performance)
  • 32 GB RAM + 1 TB NVMe SSD — superb specs out of the box
  • Dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet for NAS, router, or server use
  • Triple 4K display support via HDMI, DP, USB-C
  • Fast Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2
  • Compact, premium metal chassis with quiet cooling
  • Fully upgradeable RAM and storage

Cons

  • Integrated graphics limit AAA gaming at high settings
  • No Thunderbolt port
  • Slight fan noise under heavy load
  • Lacks dedicated GPU for 3D rendering or deep learning
  • Only two internal drive slots (total NVMe + SATA)

Ideal Use Cases

  1. Gaming & Entertainment Hub – Perfect for 1080p gaming, 4K video streaming, and emulation.
  2. Professional Workstation – Ideal for software development, photo editing, or remote office work.
  3. Home Server or NAS – Dual LAN ports make it a great mini server for file sharing or Plex.
  4. Business Deployments – Excellent for digital signage, POS, and multi-display environments.
  5. Portable Desktop – Lightweight enough to carry between home and office.

Buyer’s Guide — What to Look for in Mini PCs

1. CPU Architecture

The Ryzen 7 5825U’s 8-core Zen 3 design is a sweet spot between power and efficiency. If you need more graphics performance, look for newer APUs like the Ryzen 7 7840HS with RDNA 3 graphics.

2. Memory Configuration

Always choose dual-channel RAM for best performance. The M5 Plus comes dual-populated out of the box — a big plus for iGPU bandwidth.

3. Storage Options

An NVMe SSD dramatically improves boot and load times. For heavy media use, adding a secondary SATA drive keeps files organized without impacting speed.

4. Ports & Display Support

Check for multiple display outputs if you need multi-monitor workflows. The M5 Plus can power three 4K monitors simultaneously.

5. Network Features

Dual 2.5 Gb LAN is rare at this price point and adds huge flexibility for power users who run home labs or media servers.

6. Cooling & Noise

A mini PC should stay below 80 °C under load with noise under 40 dB. The M5 Plus checks both boxes comfortably.


Comparison vs Competitors

ModelCPURAM / SSDNetworkDisplay SupportPrice Range (USD)
GMKtec M5 PlusRyzen 7 5825U32 GB / 1 TBDual 2.5 Gb LAN3 × 4K≈ $599–699
Beelink SER5 ProRyzen 7 5800H32 GB / 500 GBSingle LAN2 × 4K≈ $649
Minisforum UM480 XTRyzen 7 4800H16 GB / 512 GBSingle LAN2 × 4K≈ $599

Verdict: The M5 Plus offers the best balance of RAM, network speed, and display outputs for its price.


Performance Benchmarks (Approximate)

BenchmarkScore / Result
Cinebench R23 Multi≈ 9,800 pts
PCMark 10 Productivity≈ 6,400 pts
3DMark Night Raid≈ 17,000 pts
CrystalDisk Mark (SSD)3,000 / 2,700 MB/s R/W

These numbers translate to snappy everyday performance, smooth 1080p gaming, and fast media creation.


Final Verdict

The GMKtec M5 Plus Mini PC is a perfect example of modern compact computing done right — powerful, quiet, upgradeable, and future-proof. With its Ryzen 7 5825U CPU, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, dual 2.5 Gb LAN, and Wi-Fi 6E, it easily serves as both a professional workstation and a light gaming or streaming box.

If you need a desktop replacement that saves space without compromising performance, this mini PC is one of the best options under $700 in 2026. It’s ideal for developers, professionals, small businesses, and power users who demand real power in a tiny frame.

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