GMKtec G11 Mini PC AMD

GMKtec G11 Mini PC AMD

By GMKtec · Desktop Computers · Phones & Computers

  • AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 4C/8T, up to 3.7GHz
  • AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics, up to 1200MHz
  • 16GB DDR4 (2x SO-DIMM, up to 32GB)
  • Dual M.2 2280 SSD slots, up to 16TB
  • Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2, dual 2.5Gbps LAN

Lowest price seen
~$169.99 (approx.)
from $169.99 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A compact, low-power AMD mini PC built for always-on work such as a NAS, firewall/router or light home server, with dual 2.5GbE LAN, two M.2 slots and WiFi 6E. Check which CPU a listing actually ships: the G11 name carries an embedded Ryzen R2514, while the near-identical G11 Plus is the one with the Ryzen 5 3500U named on the spec sheet.

Strengths

  • Dual 2.5GbE LAN is rare at this price and suits pfSense routing or link-aggregated NAS.
  • Draws only about 11–12W idle and runs near 60°C under sustained load.
  • Two M.2 2280 slots allow up to 16TB, an upgrade over the older G10.
  • WiFi 6E reaches about 600Mbps down and 1Gbps up in testing.
  • Linux works across reviews, with video, audio, WiFi and Bluetooth all functional.
  • Compact chassis with a VESA mount included.

Weaknesses

  • The R2514 is a 2019-era Picasso chip, roughly Intel N150/N300 class and not a gaming machine.
  • Vega 8 lacks AV1 hardware decode, so modern streams fall back to CPU decoding.
  • 4K60 YouTube playback drops frames, suggesting driver optimisation is still catching up.
  • High-bitrate 4K HDR transcoding spikes CPU use and buffers; Intel mini PCs transcode better.
  • Reviewers flag pre-installed GMK Tech Claw and Herdsman AI software with deep system access.
  • CPU identity is confusing: the G11 ships the embedded R2514, not the listed 3500U.

Verified specifications

ModelGMKtec NucBox G11 (G11 | R2514).
CPUAMD Ryzen Embedded R2514, 4 cores / 8 threads, up to 3.7 GHz, 4MB cache, Zen+ (Picasso).
GraphicsAMD Radeon Vega 8, up to 1200 MHz.
RAM2× DDR4 SO-DIMM, up to 32GB total, 2666 MT/s.
Storage2× M.2 2280 slots (PCIe 3.0 NVMe plus SATA/PCIe), up to 8TB each, 16TB total.
WirelessWiFi 6E (MediaTek RZ616) and Bluetooth 5.2.
LAN2× 2.5GbE Ethernet (Realtek RTL8125BG).
Video output2× HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz) plus 1× USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode (4K@60Hz), three displays.
USB ports2× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gbps), 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5Gbps), 1× USB 2.0, 1× USB-C (DP/data).
Audioone 3.5mm CTIA jack.
OSWindows 11 Pro pre-installed.
Power adapter19V / 3.42A (64.98W), 100–240V AC input.
Power modesQuiet 15W, Balanced 20W, Performance 25W, peak 35W.
Measured powerabout 11–12W idle, about 48W peak under heavy load.
Operating environment-10°C to 45°C, 30–85% humidity.
Dimensions128.5 × 127 × 51 mm.
Coolingcopper heat pipe with a turbine fan.
Includedmini PC, power adapter, VESA mount with screws, HDMI cable, user manual.
Kensington lock slot on the rear I/O.
Warrantyone year, with a 7-day return.
Full research notes and sources

Which model this is

GMKtec sells two mini PCs under the G11 name. The G11 (NucBox G11) uses the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2514; the G11 Plus uses the Ryzen 5 3500U in the same chassis. The two share the same Picasso Zen+ die, 4MB cache and Vega 8 graphics, and Notebookcheck calls the R2514 basically identical to the 3500U, but the R2514 is sold for industrial, robotics and thin-client use rather than consumer PCs. Listings that name the G11 and quote a 3500U are mixing the two up, so confirm the CPU before ordering. Don’t confuse either with the older G10, which has a different chassis, WiFi 5 and a single M.2 slot plus mSATA. This page covers ASIN B0CCDL6VS3.

Performance and what it is good for

The R2514 is entry-level by 2026 standards. Browserbench Speedometer came in at 12.7 and 3DMark Time Spy at 848, placing it alongside Intel’s N150/N300, while the Vega 8 graphics edge ahead of Intel’s low-end iGPU. That is enough for web browsing, office work, 4K streaming and light Docker or NAS duty, but not for heavy gaming, complex emulation or high-bitrate transcoding. No Man’s Sky ran below 30fps at 720p on the lowest settings, and PS2 emulation struggles at full speed. For Plex and similar transcoding work, Intel mini PCs generally hold an advantage.

Noise, heat and power

In default mode the G11 is quiet enough to sit on a desk or server shelf, and Vortex Gaming found the fan not overly distracting even in Performance mode. A 3DMark stress test passed at 95.7% with about a 4% drop under sustained load and a maximum of 60°C. GMKtec’s own spec sheet lists four power stages: Quiet 15W, Balanced 20W, Performance 25W and a 35W peak. Idle draw is a measured 11–12W and peak about 48W, which keeps an always-on box cheap to run.

Software, upgrades and upkeep

Both hands-on reviewers flagged the pre-installed GMK Tech Claw and Herdsman applications, which ship with deep system access; a clean Windows or Linux install is the usual advice. The hardware is friendly to work on: RAM and SSDs are user-upgradeable, and the WiFi card can be swapped. GMKtec backs the G11 with a one-year warranty and a 7-day return, and markets the R2514 as built for 24/7 operation, though that is a marketing claim rather than a measured reliability figure. One Trustpilot reviewer reported that the second M.2 slot would not detect non-storage NVMe drives, a single unverified claim.

Is it worth it?

The G11 makes sense as an always-on box. GMKtec lists the barebone at $169.99, the 16GB/256GB at $309.99 and the 16GB/512GB at $349.99 on its own store (GMKtec, 2026), and the G11 Plus barebone at $169.99. Guru3D’s April 2026 launch coverage put the barebone at $169.99 and the two configured units at $279.99 and $299.99, while Notebookcheck’s launch article quoted coupon prices as low as $157.99.

At or under about $170 the barebone is strong value for an always-on NAS, firewall or light Docker host; from about $250 to $310 it is fair, and above about $310 the dated Picasso CPU makes it weak value unless the dual 2.5G LAN and dual M.2 pairing is exactly what you need. Running costs are light: no subscription, Windows 11 Pro included, and the only extras are your own RAM and SSD if you buy barebone. As a general desktop or media centre it is outclassed by similarly priced machines with newer CPUs and better driver support.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Retailers:

Owner reports:

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