GMKtec G10 (NucBox G10) Review (2026): Old CPU, Handy Ports

If you want a small desktop for budget multi-monitor office work or a light home server, this GMKtec G10 (NucBox G10) review covers what the machine offers and where it falls short. It is a compact mini PC built around an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U with Radeon Vega 8 graphics. It is aimed at people who want budget multi-monitor office use or a light home-server build, not a gaming or video-editing rig.

This review is based on manufacturer specs and what independent experts report, not hands-on testing by us.

What the GMKtec G10 is, and why people look at it

Mini PCs appeal because they take a fraction of the desk space of a tower and still run a full desktop operating system. The G10 follows that formula. It ships with Windows 11 Pro preinstalled, so it is ready to use out of the box, and it includes a VESA mount and an HDMI cable. The VESA mount lets you tuck it behind a monitor.

What sets it apart is a practical mix: graphics that outperform entry Intel N-series chips, three video outputs, two RAM slots, two M.2 storage slots and a LAN port that supports 2.5G. The catch is the processor. The Ryzen 5 3500U is a dated 2019-era Zen+ chip.

Design and build

The G10 measures 103 × 98 × 42 mm, so it is a small box that fits on a shelf, under a monitor or on a VESA bracket. Power comes from a USB-C PD charger rated at 19V/3.42A.

There are two USB 3.2 Gen1 (5Gbps) ports and one USB 2.0 port. There are also two USB-C ports: one carries DisplayPort, USB 3.2 Gen1 and power delivery, and the other is power delivery only. A 3.5mm CTIA jack handles headsets. The split between the two USB-C ports matters. Only one of the two USB-C ports carries video and data (DP + USB 3.2 Gen1 + PD); the other is power delivery only, so check which port you plug into.

Features and what they mean day to day

Triple-screen output

Video comes from HDMI 2.1 (4K60Hz), DisplayPort 1.4 (4K60Hz) and USB-C (DP 1.4 4K@30Hz). That means three displays at once. For spreadsheets, browser tabs, dashboards and chat windows, three screens from a box this small is a real draw. The USB-C output tops out at 4K@30Hz, while HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 both support 4K60Hz.

Upgradeable memory and storage

There are two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots running at 2400 MT/s, with 16GB and 32GB configurations offered and support up to 64GB. Two M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0×4 slots take storage, with 512GB and 1TB options and expansion up to 16TB (2×8TB). The two SO-DIMM and two M.2 slots make RAM and storage upgrades easy.

2.5G-compatible LAN

The Ethernet port, based on a Realtek 8125BG controller, supports 2.5G, 1G, 100M and 10M speeds. This makes the G10 a candidate for a NAS, a small Proxmox host or another light home-server job. The 2.5G-compatible LAN is listed as a plus for NAS, home-server and Proxmox use.

Windows 11 Pro

Windows 11 Pro is preinstalled. That means the machine is ready to use out of the box.

Performance: what the specs suggest

The Ryzen 5 3500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, runs up to 3.7GHz and is built on a 12nm process with 4MB of L3 cache. Its TDP is 25W (max 35W). The verdict places the G10 in office work, streaming and 4K playback.

The Radeon Vega 8 graphics have 8 cores running up to 1200 MHz. They outperform entry Intel N-series chips in graphics tests. That suits the office work, streaming and 4K playback the G10 is aimed at. It does not turn the G10 into a machine for demanding games or 4K video editing, and the verdict is clear that buyers wanting those should look elsewhere.

Balanced versus Performance mode

There is a wrinkle to know about. By default the G10 runs in Balanced mode, which is slow. A BIOS Performance mode raises the power limit for more sustained speed, but it requires a BIOS change, and the fan becomes audible when it is active. If you plan to keep the G10 on a desk within earshot, weigh that trade-off.

Connectivity

Wireless is Wi-Fi 5 (up to 866.7 Mbps) with Bluetooth 5.0. It works, but it is a limitation: the G10 only offers Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.

What experts like and what they criticise

The plus points are the Vega 8 graphics, the three-display support, the simple RAM and storage upgrades, the 2.5G-compatible LAN and the compact USB-C-powered body with Windows 11 Pro. TechRadar scores it 4/5, and it is recommended in one expert guide.

The criticisms are clear from the specs. The Ryzen 5 3500U is a dated 2019-era Zen+ chip. Wireless is limited to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. The default Balanced mode is slow, and the faster Performance mode needs a BIOS change and brings audible fan noise. None of these is a surprise given the platform, but together they define who the G10 is for.

Who should buy it

• Office and multi-monitor users who want three screens from a very small box for documents, browsing and calls.
• Home-lab and NAS tinkerers who value the 2.5G-compatible LAN and two M.2 slots, for example for Proxmox or a small file server.
• People who want to upgrade over time, since both RAM and storage can grow well beyond the starting configuration.
• Casual media users who want streaming and 4K playback from a compact machine.

Who should skip it

Skip the G10 if you want to play demanding games, edit 4K video or have a modern CPU and wireless stack that will feel current for years. Gamers who want real graphics power should look elsewhere. Also think twice if you will sit next to the machine in Performance mode and are sensitive to fan noise.

Strengths and weak points at a glance

Its triple-screen output, 2.5G-compatible LAN and two SO-DIMM plus two M.2 slots are its strengths, while the dated CPU and Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.0 are its weak points.

Verdict

The GMKtec G10 (NucBox G10) is a sensible pick when your needs match its strengths: several monitors, light server work, everyday office tasks and room to upgrade. Its age shows in the CPU and wireless, and its faster Performance mode needs a BIOS change and brings audible fan noise. If your expectations stay in the office, streaming and home-lab range, it is a capable and flexible little box. If they stretch to gaming or editing, aim higher.

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