Unleash Gaming Power with the GMK Nook Box K1 Mini PC!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Design and Portability
3. Performance and Specs
   1. AMD Ryzen 7 6800H Processor
   2. Graphics Capabilities
   3. RAM and SSD Options
4. Gaming Performance
   1. 1080p Gaming
   2. AAA Titles and Higher Resolutions
   3. Frame Rates and Benchmarks
5. Connectivity and Ports
6. Cooling System and Noise Levels
7. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
8. Versatility for productivity
9. Streaming and Home Theater Experience
10. Final Verdict and Recommendation

🖥️ The gmk Nook Box K1: A Powerful Mini PC for Productivity and Gaming 🎮

Are you in search of a compact, yet powerful Mini PC that can handle both productivity tasks and gaming? Look no further than the gmk Nook Box K1. This small book-sized Mini PC houses an impressive 6th generation mobile-class Ryzen 7 6800H processor with RDNA 2 integrated Graphics. Despite fierce competition from PCs with RDNA 3 Graphics, the Nook Box K1 offers an enticing combination of solid integrated graphics performance, value, and versatility.

Design and Portability

The gmk Nook Box K1 boasts a fantastic design with its internals protected by an aluminum casing sandwiched between two detachable plastic panels. Measuring just 4.4 by 1.7 by 4.84 inches, it is about the size of a thick paperback book. While not as big as other Mini PCs, the difference in size is not significant. This low-power system features a single blower-style cooling fan, similar to those found in laptops and portable devices, ensuring efficient heat dissipation. However, it's worth noting that the fan can generate quite a bit of noise at maximum load.

Performance and Specs

The heart of the gmk Nook Box K1 lies in its AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor. Despite being primarily designed for laptops, this CPU with its 8 cores and 16 Threads is a strong performer for a Mini PC. The CPU's power, coupled with the Radeon 6800M integrated Graphics, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of multi-threaded tasks. To fully utilize the capabilities of the 6800M, it is recommended to add an extra sodium DDR5 RAM stick. While a single RAM stick limits the system's performance to a single Channel, the prices of RAM and SSD have fallen in recent months, making the Bare Bones alternative an attractive option.

Gaming Performance

1080p Gaming

The gmk Nook Box K1 is a capable machine for 1080p gaming. It can handle high-end games on minimal Graphics settings for this resolution, even titles as demanding as Cyberpunk 2077. The frame rates remain consistently playable, and the performance is commendable considering it's a Mini PC with integrated Graphics.

AAA Titles and Higher Resolutions

However, when it comes to playing the most demanding AAA titles at resolutions of 1440p or higher, the frame rates start to fall below 30 frames per Second. Benchmarks on 3DMark indicate that the gmk Nook Box K1 performs adequately on modern titles that use DirectX 12. With a graphics score of 193 in a single window, it falls significantly short of a dedicated graphics card. Despite this, it's still an acceptable score for gaming with integrated Graphics.

Frame Rates and Benchmarks

In synthetic benchmarks and 3DMark tests, the gmk Nook Box K1 proves its worth. Its eight-core, sixteen-thread Ryzen 7 processor handles most modern titles with ease, providing a smooth gaming experience. However, it's important to note that the frame rates may vary depending on the specific Game and its optimization for integrated Graphics.

Connectivity and Ports

The gmk Nook Box K1 strikes the right balance when it comes to connectivity and ports. It features two HDMI video out connectors, making it convenient for video playback on multiple screens or monitors. Additionally, it has one USB 3.2 port, one USB 2.0 port, and an Ethernet RJ45 connection, providing options for connecting various devices and peripherals. With the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6, the Nook Box K1 ensures excellent connectivity for gaming, especially when compared to older Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 standards. The lower latency of Wi-Fi 6 enhances the online gaming experience, while the increased bandwidth improves the smoothness of 4K streaming.

Cooling System and Noise Levels

As a compact Mini PC, the gmk Nook Box K1 handles its thermal constraints remarkably well. The single blower-style cooling fan effectively dissipates heat, maintaining optimal performance. However, it's worth noting that at maximum load, the fan can produce a significant amount of noise, measuring approximately 32 decibels. Nevertheless, during regular usage, the system remains relatively quiet.

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2

The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 greatly enhances the connectivity capabilities of the gmk Nook Box K1. Wi-Fi 6, with its lower latency and improved bandwidth, ensures a seamless online gaming experience. It provides a stable connection for competitive gaming and facilitates smoother 4K streaming. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.2 offers improved speed and range, making it ideal for connecting peripherals and other devices wirelessly.

Versatility for Productivity

While the gmk Nook Box K1 excels in gaming, it also proves to be a versatile machine for productivity tasks. Its powerful Ryzen 7 processor and integrated Graphics allow for efficient multitasking and handling of resource-intensive applications. Whether you need it for work or creative pursuits, the Nook Box K1 delivers reliable performance.

Streaming and Home Theater Experience

Thanks to its powerful processor, Graphics capabilities, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, the gmk Nook Box K1 is an excellent option for streaming and creating a home theater setup. It can effortlessly stream 4K HDR video and provide a smooth playback experience. With its compact form factor, it can be easily integrated into your existing entertainment system, offering an immersive audiovisual experience.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

In conclusion, the gmk Nook Box K1 is an all-rounder with impressive gaming abilities and business PC functionality. It is highly recommended for anyone in search of an affordable and efficient Mini PC. While it may not match the performance of dedicated gaming rigs or high-end workstations, its compact size, solid performance, and value make it a tempting alternative. Whether you need it for productivity, 1080p gaming, or as a home theater PC, the gmk Nook Box K1 delivers on its promises.

Click here to watch our video where we compare the gmk Nook Box K1 to other gmk products and learn more about their offerings.