Verdict - The GMKtec NucBox K17 impresses with its efficiency and low noise level
The GMKtec NucBox K17 made a strong overall impression in our test. With the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, this compact mini-PC delivers high performance for everyday and productivity applications without consuming an excessive amount of energy. Particularly noteworthy are its extremely quiet operation, modern features including USB4, and straightforward maintenance. The integrated NPU and Arc Graphics 130V also make the K17 a future-proof platform for multimedia and AI applications.
There are limitations with soldered-on RAM, as well as with the Huawei eKitStor Xtreme 200E, whose performance drops under sustained load. Those who regularly benefit from high multithreaded performance or need a more powerful integrated GPU will find more powerful alternatives in the latest Ryzen AI systems, such as the Minisforum AI X1 or the Alliwava GH8. For users looking for a compact, energy-efficient, and exceptionally quiet mini-PC with good everyday performance, the GMKtec NucBox K17 is still one of the most interesting devices in its class.
Pros
Cons
Price and Availability
The GMKtec NucBox K17 is available both on Amazon and directly from the online store. On Amazon the NucBox K17 is priced at $619. In the GMKtec online store, however, the NucBox K17 is already available starting at $559.
With the NucBox K17, GMKtec is expanding its mini-PC portfolio with a particularly efficient model based on the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V. This compact computer is designed for users who value quiet operation, modern connectivity, and high everyday performance with low power consumption.
Specifications
Case & Connectivity
The GMKtec NucBox K17 fits seamlessly into the manufacturer’s familiar design concept. The case features a deliberately understated design and avoids flashy design elements—only the strikingly placed power button on the front adds a subtle touch. The combination of a robust metal chassis ensures high torsional rigidity without unnecessarily increasing the weight. The selection of ports is well-rounded overall. In addition to several USB ports, including USB4, a Gigabit Ethernet port is available, making the NucBox K17 a solid foundation for everyday use and productivity applications.
EVO-X3: Next-Gen AI Workstation in a Compact Format
The EVO-X3 from GMKtec, one of the leading providers of desktop AI supercomputers, combines desktop-class AI performance with a compact mini-PC form factor for local applications and use as a workstation. Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, it integrates a 50-TOPS-XDNA-2 NPU and up to 126 TOPS of AI computing power, enabling 2.2 times faster LM Studio inference for local workloads compared to an RTX 4090.
It supports native deployment of large models such as Qwen3 235B and comes equipped with the pre-installed GMKtec Claw AI Suite, which enables immediate offline AI setup. The Radeon 8060S RDNA 3.5 graphics card delivers gaming performance on par with the RTX 4070, while 4 TB of storage, OCuLink, and Wi-Fi 7 expand the workstation’s flexibility.
USB4 Speed (ADATA SE920)
| Connectivity - USB 3.x / USB4 / TB - AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Average of class Mini PC (423 - 3906, n=44, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
Accessories
Maintenance
Maintenance on the GMKtec NucBox K17 is straightforward. Once the bottom panel is removed, the internal components are directly accessible, and the motherboard—including the cooling unit—can be easily removed. The only component that can be upgraded is the storage, via an additional M.2 slot. The RAM is soldered in place, while the Wi-Fi module can be replaced if necessary.
Sustainability
The manufacturer does not provide specific information regarding sustainability or environmental measures in the manufacturing process of the GMKtec NucBox K17. The packaging consists mainly of cardboard and includes only a few foam inserts to protect the mini-PC during shipping.
Test Conditions
All benchmarks were run using the factory settings. The SoC operates at a TDP of 25 watts. The BIOS offers various options for adjusting performance limits and fan control to suit your needs.
Processor
The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V delivers high performance for everyday and productivity applications in the GMKtec NucBox K17. The processor handles Office tasks, multitasking, and image editing with ease. The cooling solution also ensures consistently stable performance. In multithread benchmarks, however, the Core Ultra 5 226V falls short of the latest Ryzen APUs, such as those featured in the Minisforum AI X1 or Alliwava GH8.
| Performance rating - Percent | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Cinebench R10 | |
| Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| WinRAR - Result | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekbench 4.4 | |
| 64 Bit Multi-Core Score | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| 64 Bit Single-Core Score | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance Physics | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - 4k Preset | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| R Benchmark 2.5 - Overall mean | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| LibreOffice - 20 Documents To PDF | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - 1M | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - 2M | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Affinity Photo 2 - Combined (Multi CPU) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
* ... smaller is better
AIDA64: FP32 Ray-Trace | FPU Julia | CPU SHA3 | CPU Queen | FPU SinJulia | FPU Mandel | CPU AES | CPU ZLib | FP64 Ray-Trace | CPU PhotoWorxx | CPU CheckMate
| Performance rating | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 -1! | |
| Average of class Mini PC | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS -1! | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) -1! | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| AIDA64 / FP32 Ray-Trace | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (974 - 82725, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / FPU Julia | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (6115 - 363782, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU SHA3 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (385 - 9475, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU Queen | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (20501 - 162855, n=87, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / FPU SinJulia | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (1116 - 31931, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / FPU Mandel | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (3322 - 192994, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU AES | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (9915 - 204742, n=103, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU ZLib | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (127.2 - 2431, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / FP64 Ray-Trace | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (537 - 43587, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU PhotoWorxx | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (8069 - 96843, n=104, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU CheckMate | |
| Average of class Mini PC (1743 - 19453, n=17, last 2 years) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro (v8.20.8100) | |
System Performance
The GMKtec NucBox K17 impresses in everyday use with smooth system performance and fast response times. Thanks to the NPU integrated into the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, the mini-PC is also suitable for AI-powered applications, provided they are supported accordingly. DPC latencies are at an average level, so there are no limitations for most use cases.
WebXPRT 4: Overall
WebXPRT 3: Overall
Mozilla Kraken 1.1: Total
CrossMark: Overall | Productivity | Creativity | Responsiveness
* ... smaller is better
| AIDA64 / Memory Latency | |
| Average of class Mini PC (88.1 - 184.8, n=105, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
* ... smaller is better
| UL Procyon for Windows / Overall Score Integer NPU | |
| Khadas Mind Pro (OpenVINO) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (OpenVINO) | |
| Geekom A9 Max, AI 9 HX 470 (Ryzen AI) | |
| UL Procyon for Windows / Overall Score Integer GPU | |
| Khadas Mind Pro (Windows ML) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom A9 Max, AI 9 HX 470 (Windows ML) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (Windows ML) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (Windows ML) | |
DPC Latencies
| DPC Latencies / LatencyMon - interrupt to process latency (max), Web, Youtube, Prime95 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
* ... smaller is better
Storage devices
In our test configuration, the GMKtec NucBox K17 is equipped with a Huawei eKitStor Xtreme 200E with 1 TB of storage capacity. The M.2 SSD, connected via PCIe (4.0 x4), offers high transfer rates and ensures fast loading and response times in everyday use. However, under sustained load, maximum performance cannot be maintained continuously, which suggests temperature-induced throttling. A second M.2-2280 slot is also available for storage expansion.
| Drive Performance rating - Percent | |
| Average of class Mini PC | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
* ... smaller is better
Disk Throttling: DiskSpd Read Loop, Queue Depth 8
Graphics Card and Gaming Performance
The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V features the integrated Intel Arc Graphics 130V with seven Xe2 cores. The iGPU offers sufficient performance for everyday multimedia tasks, high-resolution video playback, and hardware-accelerated media processing. In games, the performance is sufficient for older or less demanding titles at medium to high detail settings. Compared to faster integrated graphics solutions such as the Intel Arc Graphics 140V or AMD’s Radeon 780M and Radeon 890M , however, the Arc Graphics 130V falls short in benchmarks. Under sustained load, graphics performance remains largely consistent.
| 3DMark Performance rating - Percent | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Unigine Valley 1.0 | |
| 1920x1080 Extreme HD DirectX AA:x8 | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| 1920x1080 Extreme HD Preset OpenGL AA:x8 | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Affinity Photo 2 - Combined (Single / Multi GPU) | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
SPECworkstation 4.0: Graphics Score | Accelerator Score | Viewport Graphics | HandBrake | ONNX Inference
| Performance rating | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / Graphics Score | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / Accelerator Score | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / Viewport Graphics | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / HandBrake | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / ONNX Inference | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox K17, Intel Arc Graphics 130V Core Ultra 5 226V | Khadas Mind Pro, Intel Arc B390 12 Xe3 Panther Lake iGPU Ultra X7 358H | Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370, AMD Radeon 890M Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255, AMD Radeon 780M Ryzen 7 255 | GMK NucBox M7 Ultra, AMD Radeon 680M R7 PRO 6850U | Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS, AMD Radeon 780M R9 8945HS | Geekom A5 Pro, AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 R5 7530U | Ninkear M7, (16+512), AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 R5 7430U | Average of class Mini PC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPECviewperf 2020 | 75% | 399% | 320% | 231% | 195% | 34% | -9% | 483% | |
| 3840x2160 Medical (medical-03) (fps) | 4.32 | 9.48 119% | 25.9 500% | 12.6 192% | 11.9 175% | 10.4 141% | 2.76 -36% | 2.05 -53% | 22.9 ? 430% |
| 3840x2160 Energy (energy-03) (fps) | 3.32 | 7.67 131% | 14.3 331% | 19.1 475% | 7.66 131% | 8.17 146% | 3.05 -8% | 2.32 -30% | 33.7 ? 915% |
| 3840x2160 Creo (creo-03) (fps) | 18.7 | 28.9 55% | 38.2 104% | 33.7 80% | 29.8 59% | 24.5 31% | 13.7 -27% | 8.66 -54% | 49.8 ? 166% |
| 3840x2160 Siemens NX (snx-04) (fps) | 6.7 | 7.09 6% | 74.9 1018% | 63.1 842% | 59.3 785% | 51.3 666% | 26.8 300% | 17.6 163% | 51.5 ? 669% |
| 3840x2160 Maya (maya-06) (fps) | 42.1 | 69.4 65% | 59.1 40% | 47.5 13% | 45.1 7% | 38.9 -8% | 17.6 -58% | 11.6 -72% | 141.1 ? 235% |
| 3DMark 05 Standard | 32742 points | |
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 34075 points | |
| 3DMark Vantage P Result | 33968 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 10448 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 155213 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 28090 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 7518 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score | 3734 points | |
| 3DMark Time Spy Score | 3415 points | |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Score | 644 points | |
Help | ||
| GTA V | |
| 1024x768 Lowest Settings possible | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| 1920x1080 High/On (Advanced Graphics Off) AA:2xMSAA + FX AF:8x | |
| Khadas Mind Pro | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
FPS Chart - 30 Min. Cyberpunk 2077 1920 x 1080 Ultra Preset (FSR off)
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA V (2015) | 115.9 | 111.1 | 57.9 | 23.6 |
| The Witcher 3 (2015) | 149.9 | 100 | 53.4 | 23.2 |
| Dota 2 Reborn (2015) | 94.5 | 78.9 | 52.3 | 77.6 |
| X-Plane 11.11 (2018) | 34.8 | 29.3 | 25.3 | |
| Baldur's Gate 3 (2023) | 32.6 | 25.5 | 22.9 | 22.5 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (2023) | 36.2 | 28.2 | 25 | 21.8 |
| F1 24 (2024) | 74.3 | 64.3 | 47.1 | 14.8 |
Emissions
System noise
The GMKtec NucBox K17 is one of the quietest mini PCs in its performance class. The compact cooling system operates very quietly during everyday use and remains pleasantly quiet even under load. The fan control is well-calibrated and prevents annoying sudden changes in speed, so the mini PC is barely audible even during extended periods of use.
Noise level
| Idle |
| 25.3 / 25.4 / 26.1 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 27.4 / 28.6 dB(A) |
![]() | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min: | ||
| GMK NucBox K17 Core Ultra 5 226V, Arc 130V | Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 Ryzen 7 255, Radeon 780M | GMK NucBox M7 Ultra R7 PRO 6850U, Radeon 680M | Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS R9 8945HS, Radeon 780M | Geekom A5 Pro R5 7530U, Vega 7 | Ninkear M7, (16+512) R5 7430U, Vega 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -25% | -30% | -33% | -9% | -5% | |
| off / environment * (dB) | 25.1 | 24.9 1% | 24.8 1% | 25 -0% | 25 -0% | 24.8 1% |
| Idle Minimum * (dB) | 25.3 | 31.1 -23% | 31.9 -26% | 27.2 -8% | 26.6 -5% | 25.3 -0% |
| Idle Average * (dB) | 25.4 | 31.2 -23% | 31.9 -26% | 27.2 -7% | 26.6 -5% | 25.7 -1% |
| Idle Maximum * (dB) | 26.1 | 31.2 -20% | 31.9 -22% | 27.3 -5% | 26.7 -2% | 25.7 2% |
| Load Average * (dB) | 27.4 | 36.7 -34% | 41.7 -52% | 45.5 -66% | 33.5 -22% | 33.6 -23% |
| Witcher 3 ultra * (dB) | 28 | 37.9 -35% | 37.8 -35% | 44.9 -60% | 31.2 -11% | 28.8 -3% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * (dB) | 29.1 | 37.8 -30% | 39.1 -34% | 45.5 -56% | 31.2 -7% | 28.7 1% |
| Load Maximum * (dB) | 28.6 | 38.4 -34% | 40.8 -43% | 45.4 -59% | 33.8 -18% | 34.3 -20% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
Despite sustained load, the GMKtec NucBox K17 shows no signs of overheating. Surface temperatures remain within safe limits at all times, and the cooling system operates reliably even inside the unit. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V maintains a stable power consumption without any temperature-induced throttling.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 36.3 °C / 97 F, compared to the average of 35.4 °C / 96 F, ranging from 20.6 to 69.5 °C for the class Mini PC.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 35 °C / 95 F, compared to the average of 36.1 °C / 97 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 31.8 °C / 89 F, compared to the device average of 32.1 °C / 90 F.
(±) 3: The average temperature for the upper side is 33.8 °C / 93 F, compared to the average of 32.1 °C / 90 F for the class Mini PC.
Energy Management
The GMKtec NucBox K17 impresses with its low power consumption and high efficiency. Even when idle, the mini PC is exceptionally energy-efficient, and even under load, its power consumption remains impressively low given the performance it delivers. The included 100-watt power supply provides sufficient power reserves and reliably powers the mini PC throughout the test.
| Off / Standby | |
| Idle | |
| Load |
|
Key:
min: | |
| GMK NucBox K17 Core Ultra 5 226V, Arc 130V | Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 Ryzen 7 255, Radeon 780M | GMK NucBox M7 Ultra R7 PRO 6850U, Radeon 680M | Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS R9 8945HS, Radeon 780M | Geekom A5 Pro R5 7530U, Vega 7 | Ninkear M7, (16+512) R5 7430U, Vega 7 | Average Intel Arc Graphics 130V | Average of class Mini PC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | -55% | -104% | -59% | 22% | -34% | -1% | -94% | |
| Idle Minimum * (Watt) | 4.7 | 4.4 6% | 12.5 -166% | 6.5 -38% | 3.2 32% | 9.3 -98% | 3.91 ? 17% | 8.63 ? -84% |
| Idle Average * (Watt) | 6.1 | 5.9 3% | 14.4 -136% | 8.9 -46% | 4.3 30% | 10.7 -75% | 6.02 ? 1% | 10.7 ? -75% |
| Idle Maximum * (Watt) | 9.6 | 6.9 28% | 15.2 -58% | 10.7 -11% | 5.1 47% | 12.6 -31% | 7.39 ? 23% | 13.6 ? -42% |
| Load Average * (Watt) | 32.7 | 70.4 -115% | 66.6 -104% | 60.3 -84% | 32.1 2% | 37.7 -15% | 34.2 ? -5% | 64.5 ? -97% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra external monitor * (Watt) | 39.5 | 85.8 -117% | 69.9 -77% | 68.4 -73% | 29.4 26% | 32.3 18% | ||
| Load Maximum * (Watt) | 41.3 | 97.4 -136% | 75.5 -83% | 82 -99% | 43.5 -5% | 43.4 -5% | 58.6 ? -42% | 111.9 ? -171% |
* ... smaller is better
Power efficiency
| Performance rating - Percent | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Power Consumption | |
| Cinebench R23 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Cinebench R23 Single Power Efficiency - external Monitor | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Cinebench R15 Multi Efficiency (external Monitor) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra Efficiency | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom A5 Pro | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) | |
energy consumption with an external monitor
energy consumption with an external monitor
Notebookcheck Rating
GMK NucBox K17
- 07/03/2026 v8
Sebastian Bade
Possible alternatives in comparison
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMK NucBox K17 Intel Core Ultra 5 226V ⎘ Intel Arc Graphics 130V ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 569€ | 461 g | 185 x 187 x 44.5 mm | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 AMD Ryzen 7 255 ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 579€ | 658 g | 126 x 128 x 52 mm | |
| GMK NucBox M7 Ultra AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U ⎘ AMD Radeon 680M ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 469€ | 637 g | 125 x 132 x 58 mm | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 32 GB Memory | Amazon: List Price: 769€ | 516 g | 127 x 130 x 50 mm | |
| Geekom A5 Pro AMD Ryzen 5 7530U ⎘ AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 619€ | 423 g | 112 x 112 x 37 mm | |
| Ninkear M7, (16+512) AMD Ryzen 5 7430U ⎘ AMD Radeon RX Vega 7 ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 399€ | 400 g | 107 x 116 x 36 mm |
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
This is how Notebookcheck is testing
Every year, Notebookcheck independently reviews hundreds of laptops and smartphones using standardized procedures to ensure that all results are comparable. We have continuously developed our test methods for around 20 years and set industry standards in the process. In our test labs, high-quality measuring equipment is utilized by experienced technicians and editors. These tests involve a multi-stage validation process. Our complex rating system is based on hundreds of well-founded measurements and benchmarks, which maintains objectivity. Further information on our test methods can be found here.
















































































