GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC

Updated on January 26, 2026

The GMKtec NucBox M4 is a flat, Optiplex-style mini PC built on Intel's 11th-gen Core i9-11900H (8 cores, 16 threads). It ships with DDR4 and an M.2 NVMe SSD, and the case opens up for upgrades: it takes up to 128GB of RAM and adds a 2.5-inch SATA bay alongside the M.2 slot, which is unusual at this size. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed without bloatware.

The draw is connectivity and expandability for the price, not graphics. With six USB-A ports, a USB-C with display output, HDMI, DisplayPort, and dual 2.5GbE, it suits a multi-monitor productivity desk or a home server. The integrated Intel UHD graphics handle desktop work and light or older games but not modern titles, and the most common owner complaint is a fan that surges up and down even during light tasks.

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GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC Comparison Chart

	GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC	GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC	GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC
Price	List Price: $589.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $899.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $599.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon
Version	32GB/1TB/Intel i9-11900H	32GB/2TB/Intel i9-11900H	16GB/512GB/Intel i9-11900H
Performance Rating	8.1	8.1	7.4
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro	Windows 11 Pro	Windows 11 Pro
Processor	Octa-core 2.50 Ghz (max 4.90 Ghz) Intel Core i9-11900H	Octa-core 2.50 Ghz (max 4.90 Ghz) Intel Core i9-11900H	Octa-core 2.50 Ghz (max 4.90 Ghz) Intel Core i9-11900H
GPU	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM	32 GB	32 GB	16 GB
Internal Storage	1 TB	2 TB	512 GB
Dimensions width x length x thickness	7 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches (177.8 x 175.26 x 35.56 mm)	7 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches (177.8 x 175.26 x 35.56 mm)	7 x 6.9 x 1.4 inches (177.8 x 175.26 x 35.56 mm)
Weight	unknown	unknown	unknown
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2
Ethernet	2 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps	2 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps	2 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps
HDMI	1 Full-Size HDMI Port	1 Full-Size HDMI Port	1 Full-Size HDMI Port
DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort	1 DisplayPort
VGA	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports
USB Ports	6 USB 3, 1 USB-C (USB-C supports DisplayPort)	6 USB 3, 1 USB-C (USB-C supports DisplayPort)	6 USB 3, 1 USB-C (USB-C supports DisplayPort)
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
OCuLink	No	No	No
Internal SATA Ports	1 SATA port, includes 2.5" drive bay (Supports adding 2.5" SATA drive)	1 SATA port, includes 2.5" drive bay (Supports adding 2.5" SATA drive)	1 SATA port, includes 2.5" drive bay (Supports adding 2.5" SATA drive)
Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader	No Card Reader
Headphone Jack	combo	combo	combo
Fanless	No	No	No
VESA Mount	No	No	No
In the Box	Mini PC, power adapter, SATA hard drive adapter, HDMI cord	Mini PC, power adapter, SATA hard drive adapter, HDMI cord	Mini PC, power adapter, SATA hard drive adapter, HDMI cord
Expandability	RAM and storage can be upgraded, bracket for 2.5 inch SATA drive, Support for up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage.	RAM and storage can be upgraded, bracket for 2.5 inch SATA drive, Support for up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage.	RAM and storage can be upgraded, bracket for 2.5 inch SATA drive, Support for up to 128GB of DDR4 RAM and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage.

How the M4 performs

The Core i9-11900H is an 8-core, 16-thread 11th-gen chip that boosts to 4.9 GHz. It is a capable productivity processor but a generation or two behind current minis; in TechDweeb's testing it scored 10,555 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with the NVMe SSD reading about 3,440 MB/s. For everyday use it is quick, which TechDweeb described as "super quick and snappy" for web browsing and general work.

Graphics are the limit. The integrated Intel UHD GPU posted a 3DMark Time Spy score of 793 and managed roughly 40 FPS in Skyrim at 1080p high and 40 to 50 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 on low, but heavier games need 720p and reduced settings. As TechDweeb put it, "it has power but not gaming power." Emulation fares better: he found GameCube, Wii U, and Switch ran smoothly, while PS3 was only "sort of playable."

Storage and expansion are where the M4 stands out for its class. Alongside the M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe slot there is a bracket and adapter for a 2.5-inch SATA drive, and the case takes up to 128GB of DDR4. Six USB-A ports, a USB-C with display output, HDMI, and DisplayPort drive up to three monitors, and dual 2.5GbE covers wired networking.

What reviewers found

TechDweeb

TechDweeb framed the M4 as a small-business alternative to a Dell Optiplex, liking the port selection and the bundled SATA adapter, HDMI cord, and 120W power brick. For ordinary computing he called it "super quick and snappy," and he was level-headed about gaming, summing it up as "it has power but not gaming power" and landing on the line "this isn't terrible, and sometimes not terrible is all you need." Emulation up to Switch ran well in his testing, with PS3 the sticking point, and he recommended it on value against an Optiplex.

TechRadar (Alastair Jennings)

Alastair Jennings reviewed the M4 for TechRadar and scored it 4 out of 5, calling it an "all-purpose mini PC that packs power for demanding jobs and casual gaming." Testing the 16GB configuration, he credited the i9-11900H for processor-intensive work, along with the triple-display support and the competitive price, while keeping expectations to casual gaming rather than the latest titles.

Customer Reviews of the GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC

Across 64 ratings on Amazon, the GMKtec Nucbox M4 Mini PC averages 4.1 stars, with a real split behind that number: 69 percent of buyers leave five stars, but 13 percent leave one. Owners who like it praise the speed and the solid metal build, and several note it ships with Windows 11 Pro activated. A verified buyer, irobonxt, called it "One of the fastest mini PCs I've used" and ran games, web browsing, and general workloads on it. Verified buyer Rick Potz ran trading software with multiple charts plus a browser and music at the same time and reported it "handles everything easily with no issues."

The most common complaint, raised even by buyers who rated it well, is fan noise that surges up and down during light tasks. A verified buyer posting as Amazon Customer rated it three stars over exactly that, writing "Fan too loud. Stops and starts from 0-100 even when doing basic tasks such as browsing the internet." Another four-star verified buyer liked the specs but returned the unit, got a replacement, and found the second one "behaved exactly the same." Reliability complaints also appear: verified buyer Kevin R, in a one-star review, said "the graphics card is glitchy and it crashes constantly," and a three-star verified buyer in Mexico reported the unit stopped powering on after three months. If a quiet machine matters to you, weigh that fan behavior before buying.

Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Who should consider the M4?

The M4 suits a budget productivity or home-server build: someone who wants an 8-core i9, plenty of USB ports, dual 2.5GbE, and room to add both an M.2 drive and a 2.5-inch SATA disk, without paying for current-generation silicon. The triple-display support makes it a workable multi-monitor desk.

Skip it if you want gaming beyond older or light titles (the Intel UHD graphics are not built for it), the smallest possible footprint (this is an Optiplex-style slab, larger than minis like the GMKtec NucBox 5), or quiet operation, since the surging fan is the most common owner complaint. To compare it with other models, see Starry Hope's Mini PC Comparison Chart.