GMKtec K11 Mini PC Review: Performance, Gaming & More!

I want to share my personal impressions and insights on the GMKtec K11 Mini PC, a device that fuses RGB style with serious performance. Whether you need a compact workstation, a mini PC for gaming, or a flexible system for entertainment and emulation, this Ryzen 9 8945HS-based rig aims to please. Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

• Introduction and Key Specs
• Design and Build Quality
• Connectivity Overview
• Internal Components and Maintenance
• Setup and Software Installation
• Performance Benchmarks
• Gaming and Graphics Capabilities
• BIOS and Customization Options
• Connectivity and Power Consumption
• Pros, Cons, and Other Considerations
• Comparing the GMKtec K11 to the K8 Plus
• Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Introduction and Key Specs

The GMKtec K11 Mini PC is a small form factor PC that comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor. It packs eight cores and sixteen threads, with a base clock of 4.0GHz and a boost up to 5.2GHz.

Also on board is an AMD Radeon 780M GPU, which leverages AMD RDNA 3 architecture for smoother, more reliable performance in graphically demanding tasks.

The system ships with DDR5 memory at 5600MHz and dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, plus an Oculink port and USB4 eGPU support for connecting external graphics solutions.

It’s designed as a budget gaming mini PC but still offers a robust feature set. This model arrives in multiple configurations, including bare-bones for DIY enthusiasts and fully pre-built with up to 1TB of PCIe Gen4 storage (expandable to 8TB across two slots).

It even sports flashy RGB lighting that can’t currently be turned off or customized. Regardless, this feature has attracted plenty of attention from those who like a dash of style with their performance.

Here’s a quick look at its official specifications, which align with GMKtec’s official website:

Design and Build Quality

The GMKtec K11 Mini PC embraces a sleek yet slightly larger footprint compared to some other compact models. Its metal case provides a premium feel and durable housing. One standout detail is the twist-off top shell with a translucent lid, revealing a built-in RGB fan that glows from within.

This approach preserves the internal airflow design while offering a modern accent. Users have praised the power button for its especially satisfying tactile press, underscoring GMKtec’s attention to small details.

Some buyers enjoy the RGB lighting; others wish it could be disabled or customized. As of now, that’s not an option.

Overall, this device stands out from typical small form factor PCs thanks to its distinctive looks. In everyday use, it can sit on a desk without drawing too much attention—beyond that multicolor glow—yet still manages to remain relatively compact for the performance it offers.

Connectivity Overview

For a mini PC, the GMKtec K11 boasts a remarkably comprehensive set of ports. This caters to gamers, streamers, office users, or anyone wanting a versatile workstation. One major attraction is the Oculink external GPU interface, which provides PCIe Gen4x4 speeds. This is a big deal if you want to connect a dedicated graphics card through an external dock.

Front Panel Ports

• Oculink Port: Offers fast external GPU support over PCIe Gen4.
• USB4 Type-C: Delivers up to 40Gbps data transfers, plus DisplayPort and Power Delivery.
• USB 3.2 Gen2 Ports: Two 10Gbps ports for modern external drives and peripherals.
• Audio Jack: Standard 3.5mm connection, CTIA style.
• Power Button: Remarkably “clicky” and satisfying to press.

Rear Panel Ports

• USB 2.0 Ports: Two for legacy devices or dongles.
• DP 2.1 and HDMI 2.1: Both support up to 4K at 60Hz. This can handle crisp, high-resolution displays.
• Additional USB4: Another 40Gbps port for Power Delivery, display output, or USB4 eGPU solutions.
• Dual 2.5G LAN: Intel-based interfaces for fast local networking or bridging connections.
• DC Power In: Powered by a 120W adapter (19V, 6.32A).

If you need multiple monitors, the combination of two USB4 ports, HDMI 2.1, and DP 2.1 can handle several displays simultaneously. Whether you want to set up a multi-monitor command center or just connect a single 4K screen, there’s flexibility here.

Wireless performance comes via an Intel AX200 WiFi 6 chip and Bluetooth 5.2. Some users have noted that swapping out this WiFi module for alternatives can yield better signal strength.

Internal Components and Maintenance

If you’re the type who likes tinkering under the hood, the GMKtec K11 doesn’t disappoint. Accessing the interior is straightforward: twist the top shell, remove four screws, and lift the lid carefully to avoid pulling on the fan cable.

Underneath, you’ll find the primary M.2 SSD with a heat sink, a secondary empty M.2 slot for expansion, and DDR5 RAM in SO-DIMM slots.

You can swap or upgrade components like NVMe storage and RAM. Even the WiFi card (an Intel AX200) can be exchanged if you prefer a different model to improve network performance. The dual-fan cooling system circulates air over the CPU and SSD, helping to sustain stable temperatures.

For deeper maintenance, removing the additional screws along the edges exposes the CPU cooler and the lower portion of the motherboard. Adjusting the thermal paste or re-seating the cooler can help if you aim to optimize temperatures.

However, proceed cautiously: incorrectly applied paste can lead to overheating. In most scenarios, the factory setup is adequate, though you might refine fan curves in the BIOS.

Setup and Software Installation

Getting started with the K11 is simple. Once your display, keyboard, and mouse are attached, power it on to find Windows 11 Pro pre-installed.

You’ll walk through a brief setup wizard for language and region preferences. After that, you’ll land on the desktop. You can activate Windows immediately or later online.

It’s good practice to perform a full system check for peace of mind. Typically, Windows Defender comes pre-enabled, so run a quick or full virus scan first. Installing the latest Windows updates is next, along with any AMD driver updates that might boost performance and stability.

Tools like ninite.com let you conveniently select and install multiple free applications—browsers, media players, compression tools, or developer utilities—in one go.

If you want to do serious creative work, the K11 can handle tasks like photo editing in Krita or even video editing in DaVinci Resolve. Despite its compact design, the Ryzen 8000 Series CPU and fast PCIe 4.0 SSD give you a smooth production environment.

Performance Benchmarks

The GMKtec K11’s Ryzen 9 8945HS delivers strong multi-core performance with scores often matching or closely trailing other Ryzen 8000 Series mini PCs. In Cinebench single-core tests, it’s right up there, sometimes with only marginal differences—on the order of a few points—when compared to competing models with similar specs.

Multi-core results show the K11 can hold its own for rendering, software compilation, and video encoding.

Time Spy 3D benchmarks place its integrated AMD Radeon 780M GPU near the top of the mini PC pack. While it may be slightly outperformed by some 7940HS-based rigs, the margins are typically small in real-world use.

Storage performance is noteworthy, especially with PCIe Gen4 NVMe drives. The device can read and write large files with ease, which is crucial for fast data access. A high-performance SSD also helps with quick application loading and smooth multi-tasking.

In a broad sense, the K11 often surpasses older models in I/O-heavy tasks thanks to the Gen4 support.

Gaming and Graphics Capabilities

Many mini PCs struggle with modern gaming at high settings, but the GMKtec K11 proves surprisingly capable. Its AMD Radeon 780M iGPU, paired with DDR5 memory, handles numerous eSports titles at 1080p with decent to high detail. Competitive games like “Rocket League” or “DOTA 2” easily maintain comfortable frame rates.

Gaming Performance with Integrated Graphics

In “Counter-Strike 2,” you can achieve around 140 FPS on lower or medium settings. For more demanding AAA releases like “Cyberpunk 2077,” dropping to low or enabling FSR can keep frame rates around 30-40 FPS at 1080p. Even “Tekken 8” is playable at medium settings, while “Fortnite” runs smoothly on the performance renderer at higher detail levels.

The integrated AMD Radeon 780M uses AMD RDNA 3 architecture, providing more graphical oomph than many older iGPUs. Though not on par with dedicated graphics cards, it’s sufficient for casual to moderate gaming needs, especially if you tweak settings for best performance.

External GPU Support (Oculink and USB4)

If integrated graphics aren’t enough, you can connect an external GPU enclosure via USB4 or Oculink.

Oculink is particularly compelling because it offers direct PCIe Gen4 bandwidth—up to 50% more than standard USB4 solutions. With an external dock and a desktop-class GPU, the K11 can transform into a capable gaming or workstation machine.

Whether you choose an NVIDIA RTX, AMD Radeon, or even Intel Arc card, re-sizeable BAR support helps optimize performance across these connections. If you’re looking for a single, compact system that can double as a low-profile daily PC and a gaming setup when docked, the K11 provides that option.

Emulation and Retro Gaming

Beyond modern titles, the GMKtec K11 also excels at retro gaming and emulation. Systems like PSP and GameCube can be upscaled significantly (sometimes 6x or 8x native resolution) with minimal slowdown.

Even Wii U or PlayStation 3 games can run on emulators at decent speeds, though you may need to dial in certain settings for consistent performance.

This all adds to the K11’s appeal as a compact powerhouse for both nostalgic and newer gaming experiences.

BIOS and Customization Options

The GMKtec K11 gives you direct control over performance modes in the BIOS. By tapping the Delete key during startup, you can access advanced settings for CPU power limits, GPU VRAM allocation, and fan curve profiles. Adjusting these can significantly affect both frame rates in games and overall system noise levels.

Typical TDP profiles range from a Quiet mode at around 35W, a Balanced mode (around 54W), and a Performance mode that can push the CPU to 65W. If you’re comfortable with extra fan noise, the Performance mode squeezes out a little more from the Ryzen 9 8945HS. For many, Balanced mode strikes a good equilibrium between thermals, power draw, and acoustics.

You can also expand the integrated GPU’s dedicated memory up to 4GB or more, which helps with 1080p gaming. Features like “Wake on LAN” and “Auto Power On” appear under advanced tabs, useful for remote access or hosting small servers.

Overall, the BIOS is more open than many mini PCs, letting you tailor settings to your workflow or gaming needs.

Connectivity and Power Consumption

In everyday operation, the GMKtec K11 draws around 10W of power at idle—a typical figure for high-performance mini PCs with multi-core CPUs.

The top end depends on the selected TDP profile. Pushing the CPU in Performance mode can take the draw closer to 100W, while Balanced usually hovers around 80–86W under full load.

While idle fan noise is never completely silent, it remains acceptable to most users in Quiet or Balanced mode. However, if you push to Performance mode, you’ll notice a more pronounced hum or whine as the dual fans ramp up.

If you’re sensitive to noise, you can manually adjust the fan curves in the BIOS or opt for a lower TDP limit to reduce acoustics.

Wireless range has historically been a weak spot in some GMKtec devices, but many owners report the K11 performing better in that regard. Still, if your signal is weak, upgrading the Intel AX200 card or tweaking antenna placement can boost connectivity. Dual 2.5G LAN ports come in handy for fast local file transfers or advanced network setups.

Pros, Cons, and Other Considerations

Here’s a quick breakdown of what I consider the main advantages and disadvantages of the GMKtec K11 Mini PC:

Pros

• Strong CPU and GPU Performance: The Ryzen 9 8945HS and AMD Radeon 780M deliver snappy responses for both work and gaming.
• Oculink and USB4 Support: Ideal for external GPUs, offering an upgrade path for serious gaming or workstation tasks.
• DDR5 Memory and PCIe 4.0: Fast RAM and next-gen storage keep the system future-proof for a while.
• Affordable for Its Feature Set: Competitive pricing in the world of mini PCs, especially considering the features it packs.
• Easy Maintenance: Simple to open, replace SSDs, RAM, or even the WiFi card.

Cons

• Non-Adjustable RGB Lighting: If you dislike LEDs, there’s no official way to disable or customize them at present.
• Fan Noise in High Performance Mode: Can become noticeable, though some users find Balanced mode perfectly fine.
• WiFi Card Could Be Better: Intel AX200 is serviceable but not the best at long-range reception; optional upgrades recommended.
• Larger Power Brick: The included 120W adapter is bigger than many expect, though it’s still manageable.

One more note: the K11 includes a DMIC digital microphone chip, which is occasionally controversial for privacy-minded users. Some prefer designs with easily locatable or removable mics. In practice, it’s no more intrusive than a standard laptop or smartphone mic, but it’s worth mentioning if you’re extremely privacy focused.

Comparing the GMKtec K11 to the K8 Plus

GMKtec offers multiple Ryzen mini PCs, and one question is whether to choose the K11 or the slightly older K8 Plus.

The K8 Plus houses an AMD Ryzen 9 8845HS with marginally lower clock speeds, lacks any RGB fan lighting, and sometimes bundles more storage (like 2TB) at a similar price to the K11’s 1TB version.

The K11 has a slight edge in CPU frequency (about 100MHz higher base/boost) and iGPU clock. Performance differences might be only 1–2% in many tasks, so it’s not a major leap.

The primary selling point for the K11 is the flashier design (that full RGB fan) and a bigger power envelope if you want to push the CPU. Meanwhile, the K8 Plus might come better tuned out of the box, with less emphasis on aesthetics and often at a comparable or lower cost.

So if you prioritize the absolute best clock speeds and don’t mind the color glow, the K11 is appealing. If you dislike RGB and want a more practical approach, the K8 Plus remains an excellent pick. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference and budget.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The GMKtec K11 Mini PC offers impressive horsepower in a compact, stylish enclosure. It bridges the gap between a midrange desktop and a portable mini system, packing strong AMD performance, an array of ports for connectivity, and upgradable internal components.

Yes, the fan can get loud in Performance mode, the power supply is on the larger side, and the unavoidable RGB lighting may be a turn-off for some. Still, it’s competitively priced for the feature set.

If you’re looking for a balanced, budget-friendly gaming mini PC that can also tackle creative tasks, or if you want an easy route to external GPU expansion, the K11 stands out. Just be sure to consider the K8 Plus if you want to save a bit of money and prefer a more understated look.

Overall, I recommend the GMKtec K11 to anyone seeking a versatile “do it all” compact powerhouse without sacrificing upgradability. It’s a confident step forward in the evolving mini PC landscape.

Thanks for reading! If you decide to give this mini PC a shot, enjoy exploring everything it can do—from everyday productivity to gaming, emulation, and beyond.