GMKtec NucBox 5

The GMKtec NucBox 5 is a tiny Intel Celeron N5105 mini PC, barely larger than a deck of cards, aimed at low-power everyday computing: media streaming, web and document work, and retro gaming. It ships with 8GB of soldered LPDDR4 and a 128GB M.2 SSD that you can swap for a larger drive. It drives two 4K displays at 60Hz over its dual HDMI 2.0 ports and has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. GMKtec now sells the same 72mm chassis as the NucBox G5S, with the closely related Celeron N5095 in place of the N5105.

Pros and cons

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GMKtec NucBox 5 Comparison Chart

	GMKtec NucBox 5	GMKtec NucBox 5
Price	List Price: $129.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $229.99 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Version	8GB/128GB/Intel N5105	8GB/128GB/Intel N5095 (G5S)
Performance Rating	2.6	2.6
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro	Windows 11 Pro
Processor	Quad-core 2.00 Ghz (max 2.90 Ghz) Intel Celeron N5105	Quad-core 2.00 Ghz (max 2.90 Ghz) Intel Celeron Processor N5095
GPU	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics	Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM	8 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	128 GB	128 GB
Dimensions width x length x thickness	2.83 x 2.83 x 1.75 inches (71.88 x 71.88 x 44.45 mm)	2.83 x 2.83 x 1.75 inches (71.88 x 71.88 x 44.45 mm)
Weight	0.45 lbs (0.2 kg)	0.45 lbs (0.2 kg)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)	Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2
Ethernet	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps	1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps
HDMI	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports	2 Full-Size HDMI Ports
DisplayPort	No DisplayPort	No DisplayPort
VGA	No VGA Ports	No VGA Ports
USB Ports	3 USB 3, 1 USB-C	3 USB 3, 1 USB-C
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No
OCuLink	No	No
Internal SATA Ports	No SATA ports	No SATA ports
Card Reader	microSD Card Reader	microSD Card Reader
Headphone Jack	combo	combo
Fanless	No	No
VESA Mount	Yes	Yes
In the Box	GMKtec NucBox 5, power cable and adapter, user manual	GMKtec NucBox 5, power cable and adapter, user manual
Expandability	RAM not user-upgradable, storage expandable via M.2 slot	RAM not user-upgradable, storage expandable via M.2 slot

A soldered 8GB, one M.2 slot, and a full port set

The Celeron N5105 (Jasper Lake, up to 2.9 GHz) with Intel UHD graphics and 8GB of LPDDR4 is enough for web browsing, documents, and media, not heavy work. Storage is a single M.2 slot (a 2242 SATA drive ships, and the slot also takes NVMe), user-replaceable for a larger SSD, plus a microSD reader. Despite the size, the port set is full: three USB 3.2, a USB-C power port, two HDMI 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm jack, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless. It ships with Windows 11.

It draws about 18 watts at most and plays back 4K video smoothly, which makes it a tidy home-theater PC, digital-signage box, or retro-emulation machine. Modern 3D gaming is beyond the Intel UHD graphics on this chip.

Reviewer Insights

Retro Game Corps: smooth 4K playback, PSP fully playable

Russ at Retro Game Corps liked the price-to-performance and walked the ports: “I love the fact that it has two USB ports here in the front, and then on the back we have dual HDMI ports, the USB-C charging port, headphone jack, gigabit ethernet, and then another USB 3.2 port.” He ran 4K playback and said it could likely serve as a Plex server, found it handled 2D games, indie titles, and emulation (PSP fully playable, about three quarters of GameCube at 60 frames per second, about half of PS2) but struggled with demanding 3D games, and was surprised by the cooling: “Surprisingly, the fan is super quiet.” His verdict was that the price-to-performance suited retro gaming and streaming.

Team Pandory found the G5S quiet but slow in Windows

Team Pandory tested the current G5S version (Celeron N5095) in Windows, games, and Batocera emulation, and took it apart. They measured about 7 watts at idle, just under 13 watts under load, and around 17 watts in a CPU and GPU stress test at about 77°C, with the fan still quiet. Windows felt slow at 4K but usable at 1080p, and a full malware scan took 12 hours and 57 minutes, which they put down to the SATA SSD. Emulation ran PSP at full speed, while demanding PS2 titles such as Gran Turismo 4 needed frame skip. Their verdict: “Most, if not all, components feel like they’ve been taken from 5 years ago, giving us ultimately a slow mini PC with poor value, especially in 2026.”

ETA Prime measured about 18 watts under full load

ETA Prime liked the tiny size and the snappy feel for browsing and video, and ran older games like Minecraft and Skyrim at adjusted settings plus emulation. He measured a maximum draw of about 18 watts under full load, and rated it a decent step up over earlier NucBox models for light gaming and emulation.

A lighter Linux gave RetroBreeze a noticeable boost

RetroBreeze focused on retro gaming and daily use, praising the size, low power, and quiet operation. He found stock Windows 11 heavy on the N5105 and got a noticeable boost from a lighter Linux OS (Zorin OS), and used it for Batocera retro gaming and a live video call without trouble.

The G5S is the current version of this box

GMKtec now sells this design as the NucBox G5S. It keeps the 72 x 72 x 44.5mm case, 8GB of soldered LPDDR4, the 128GB M.2 2242 SSD, dual HDMI 2.0, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, and swaps the Celeron N5105 for the Celeron N5095. Both are four-core Jasper Lake chips with Intel UHD graphics and a 2.9 GHz boost.

Best as a near-silent media and emulation box

The N5105 and 8GB of RAM cover media streaming, a home-theater or signage role, and retro emulation. The dual HDMI 2.0 outputs, gigabit Ethernet, and VESA mount make it easy to park behind a TV and leave alone.

The RAM is soldered at 8GB, and the single M.2 slot keeps storage tight until you fit a larger drive. Modern 3D gaming and heavy multitasking are out of reach; if you need either, look at a Ryzen or N150-class box instead. To compare it with other models, use Starry Hope’s Mini PC Comparison Chart.