Ryzen Mini PC on the Cheap - Budget BEAST! ☝ [GMKtec NucBox M6 Review]

In this GMKtec M6 Review, we check a budget Ryzen Mini PC that uses the Ryzen 5 6600H processor. When producing the video, it was going for $299, but it jumped down to $289 on sale, just as we published this video😲
In this review, we test games in Steam, try out emulators, Batocera Linux, and see what's under the hood. Model tested is the 1TB 32GB model.
► Purchase links (GMKtec M6)
Amazon 16/512GB: amzn.to/4ck2y4R
Amazon 32/1TB: amzn.to/4bF9qsy
HP: go.teampandory.com/gmktecm6
►Note:
This product was received solely for the purpose of video review. Nothing of monetary value has been received. Affiliate links have been added which help the channel at no additional cost to yourself.
Thanks 🙏
► Specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 6600H / 6 Core 12 Thread Base 3.3Ghz Max 4.5Ghz
RAM: 2x16GB DDR5 @ 4800Mhz
GPU: AMD Radeon 660M / 6CUs at up to 1.9GHz
Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe3x4
OS: Windows 11 Pro 64bit
►Alternative Faster Mini PC (GMKtec K8)
GMKtec Website: go.teampandory.com/gmkteck8
Amazon: amzn.to/49hHiue
►We also have an Amazon Shopping list: amzn.to/3XIy9sF
►21 Games Tested on the GMKtec M6 6600H: • HUGE Game Test / AMD R...
►6600H vs 5800H vs 7735HS vs 8845HS Video: • The BEST BUDGET Ryzen ...
►Timestamps:
0:00 GMKtec NucBox M6 Mini PC Review
0:29 Unboxing
1:49 GMKtec M6 Specs and Price
2:24 A Closer Look
3:23 Size Comparison
3:59 First Boot, Windows Setup
4:10 Malware Check, Benchmarks and comparison
4:20 GMKtec M6 Gaming Tests
4:44 Into the Breach Review
5:25 Convoy Review
6:13 The Bureau XCom Declassified Review
7:06 XCOM 2 Review
8:02 Fallout 76 Review
8:55 Opening the GMKtec M6
9:36 BIOS
9:47 Batocera Linux Compatibility
10:02 Emulation Testing - PlayStation 2, XBOX, Amiga
10:25 Emulation Tests - Wii-U, PlayStation 3
10:48 Temps, Fan Noise, Power Draw
11:35 WiFi Signal Strength
11:43 Pros and Cons
12:07 Final Thoughts and Patreon Thanks
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►Credits
Animation titles created by:
/ icarogabriel17
'Dressed to Chill' by Chris Huelsbeck, used under a royalty-free license, please visit www.patreon.com/chris_huelsbeck for more info!
Pandory Intro Music by Disfunktional
surroundsoundrecordings.bandc...
breakingsaints.bandcamp.com/
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#minipc #ryzen #review #amdryzen #ryzen5 #gaming #gameplay

[@seanys]

The universal size comparison tool, the teabag.

[@hjmm5124]

Best summary of all time! 12:18 really creative! Thank you! I want to know how you did this, but i don´t ask! ;) Perfect!

[@flyingtonyw]

Love the Intro, what next go for president.

[@TeamPandory]

It was parodying "The heard around the world". Search the video "Sony 299", one of the shortest, most brilliant piece of marketing that exists to this date.

[@merman1974]

Love the price announcement skit.

[@TeamPandory]

You might be the only person who got the joke :-D

[@TheSektor13]

Great channel and music at the end is really awesome. I have one question, is there enough space inside to change 40mm fan with lets say 60mm ?

[@TeamPandory]

@@TheSektor13 there's enough space, but it may need redesigning slightly to give enough space for the heatsink on the nvme. Also: the fan inside is 5mm thick. Most fans on the market are larger. To be fair, I don't think it's "absurdly loud", it's just that it's noticeable when gaming.

[@Loyidus]

Cant wait for the new Strix Halo Ryzen Mini PCs

[@m.3.3.w]

I love you. Just want to tell you that. And thanks for all the tech reviews!

[@TeamPandory]

❤️ ✌️ - I'm glad you like them 😁

[@m.3.3.w]

@@TeamPandory Hey just a quick question, I'm really leaning torwards a mini (gaming) pc. What would be a great budgetable price (under 1k) but can satisfy the quota? Also can I replace the 2x 16gb DDR 5 ram for a 2 x 32gb DDR 5 ram? And if so which do you recommend on that? Please and thank you.

[@TeamPandory]

@@m.3.3.w It depends, what games do you personally play? - Yes you can add, or replace the DDR5, even add another stick of NVME to increase the storage.

[@m.3.3.w]

@@TeamPandory I want to say mostly indie and AAA but let's just go with a mix of and use Cyberpunk 2077 as a benchmark with 4k (or close to). Whatever your opinion is on this matter is fine just get some something that I can buy in the near future. And of course thanks for replying!

[@TeamPandory]

@@m.3.3.w Indie, AAA and Cyberpunk 2077, and 4K. Well if you want Cyberpunk 2077 (very demanding) and then in 4K (EXTREMELY demanding), I need to be frank and say it's not currently possible in a mini pc alone. You'll be needing a computer with a graphics board, and I think that'll be the case even with the arrival with the newer chips this year. Consider that currently, even the top tier of Ryzen mini pcs can't run Cyberpunk 2077 at a constant 60fps+ in 1080p / medium settings. Either: 1. Lower expectations and play what they can at 720p / 1080p, or 2. Look for a Small PC + GPU pairing (like the Acemagic TANK03 that uses an intel CPU paired with a Geforce 3060M)

[@r0galik]

I thought I'd never be surprised by youtube until this song...

[@TeamPandory]

@@r0galik wahey! 😂

[@simonced]

That outro blew my socks off!

[@TeamPandory]

@@simonced wahey! Thanks 👍

[@wilburr1316]

Tea bags for scale. Nice =)

[@leklektv9874]

I just bought one because of this video, im replacing my main pc of prodesk 800 g4 mini with this, hope its a good upgrade

[@WickedGamerCollector]

Yaah that is indeed a good deal !

[@TeamPandory]

@@WickedGamerCollector not bad eh? 😂

[@elvemoon]

Bought it without ram and ssd from gmktec, will put some lexar ssd and Kingston ram in it

[@avidwriter2882]

Nice work. Do you just have a box full of mini's at this point?

[@TeamPandory]

Yes, we do 😂

[@Mclaneinc]

Great little PC for the money, DO wish they would source better memory, sure the other stuff works, but people put faith in a brand. I'd pay a couple of dollars more for known MVE and Mem..As always Tim, fun info filled video..And from a Manc, who would have thought :) (Actually I liked it when I went there, nice folks).

[@TeamPandory]

ADATA is a reputable Japanese brand. The nvme tho, ummmm 🤔 How did you figure out I was from (near) Manc? Had some fun times in that city. Mainly in the students union at gigs 😁

[@harleyn3089]

@@TeamPandory ADATA is from Taipei Taiwan actually. But they are a reputable brand.

[@Mclaneinc]

@@TeamPandory You showed Manchester in a couple of vids and mentioned it at least once. Relax good sir, not an Internet stalker :) I used to be in Leeds, Manchester and Barnsley a lot as Maplin (my old employer) had a warehouse in Barnsley and the staff took me out a few times. I'm normally 'dan sarf' just on the edge of West London. Originally from Belfast :) At least the RAM is a known brand..

[@ShaneEstes-i2m]

will it play balders gate?

[@Lantement]

Actually one of the best mini pc on the market is the GMKtec K8 with a r7 8845hs for $550 rn! Edit: oh you are the guy testing some games for the 8845hs, thanks a lot for that and for having test diablo 4!

[@TeamPandory]

Yup 👍 Tbh I prefer the k6 over the k8. The ever so slightly higher clocks on the k8 create a bit more heat. Either way, solid computers 💯

[@Lantement]

@@TeamPandoryBtw did you tried to upgrade the fan of one of those? Was thinking bout it And do you advice to get the barebone one and buy better ram/nvme or the stock ones are great? Im happy w my k8 but i could get a k6 for an retro emulation device

[@TeamPandory]

@@Lantement the k6 is pretty much the same as the k8, with less ai cores and a ever so slightly clock speed. To be fair, it's excellent 👌 Regarding what's best, I'd check and compare prices. You'd also need to count Windows too, as gmktec are completely legit with their Windows licenses.

[@emptyenergy3750]

Bosgame also has excellent prices. I just don't know how good it is. The P3 (R9) or H77 (R7) are definitely on my list.

[@TeamPandory]

Their brand name is pretty boss 😅. I'll see if they're down for a review. I think companies started avoiding us after we reviewed the A7 😂

[@TrusteftTech]

1. Great song. 2. Good value mini PC, though I would love to see these companies offer an option with RAM and without SSD. 3. I love how we see more and more mini PC with 2 NVME connections. 4. Good video. PS. Are ALL these companies incapable or unwilling to create an easy way to reach the CPU fan to clean it and repaste it? FFS.

[@TeamPandory]

@@TrusteftTech I'll pass on your thoughts. Maybe they can do something regarding CPU access 😇

[@TrusteftTech]

@@TeamPandory For me it's the number one issue stopping me from buying a mini PC. Other than having no money now I mean. Thank you.

[@emptyenergy3750]

A few years ago I had the MN35 T-Bao, which had a way of opening the top (of the fan), just by opening the bottom, where the ram is. But unfortunately they don't make them like that any more. Extremely disappointing, because leaving the mini pc open is more advantageous than simply making access difficult and leaving it closed.

[@TrusteftTech]

@@emptyenergy3750 Exactly. I don't know the specific model, but making it difficult only makes it a worse product.

[@CJinMono]

I guess it's all relative, but I don't think "cheap" when I see $289. It'd need to be at least half that price before I'd even consider it.

[@TeamPandory]

Put it into context against other Ryzen mini pcs and it's cheap, for sure. Half that price would barely cover the nvme, ddr5 and windows 11 pro license. I'll keep prodding to see if they can sell computers to ship with Linux distros. That could cut costs a little.

[@sebastian_xvillalta3116]

I recently just purchased it due to its low price (it was $230 the version with 16Gb of ram and 512Gb of storage) and the truth is that I was looking for a device that will take me out of stress due to how slow my laptop was Intel Core I3 1115G4. Also looking at its specifications I know that it will give me excellent performance

[@TeamPandory]

It'll be a good noticeable jump from the 2-core i3, in both CPU and GPU performance. - And HOLY CRAP you got a great deal there! :-D Just remember the GPU shares the 16gb memory, so you may want to consider upgrading the RAM in the future.

[@beerhigh04]

I really love this mini pc, but I’ve seen some videos in youtube that some of them wont last a year.

[@craigprocter1232]

if that is the case, then you return it for full refund / get another one as it's covered by warranty.

[@dlewis9760]

@@craigprocter1232 If you buy direct from China, that might be a load of laughs though.

[@leklektv9874]

Hello, my m6 just arrived and noticed that the GPU shows AMD Radeon Graphics. I am expecting to see 660m but that is not case. I installed the latest AMD adrenalin driver but still dont show 660m. I worry that my m6 might be fake?

[@TeamPandory]

@@leklektv9874 if adrenaline loads up, then I doubt your computer will be fake. If you had no Ryzen / Radeon, it simply would error at the install. Try checking windows system device manager, hwinfo64, and again in the adrenaline driver (scroll through the hardware section to find any word of the 660m) - if you need more hands on help, come to the discord and post some screenshots and I can compare.

[@leklektv9874]

@@TeamPandory ok thanks for the reply. I see 660m model in hwinfo64. But is it same as yours that it doesnt show in gpu task manager, device manager and dxdiag? All these 3 only shows amd radeon graphics but in hwinfo64 it indeed show 660m

[@TeamPandory]

@@leklektv9874 I think the 660m is more of a stepping stone from the Vega to the upper Radeon, so it's likely that AMD decided to just skip the information (and the other options that the 680m may have over it) in adrenaline. I'll take a look in a few minutes. Just waking up right now

[@leklektv9874]

​@@TeamPandoryOk thank you, i just posted a screenshot in the discord questions chat as well. Thanks again.

[@TeamPandory]

@@leklektv9874 no worries. Hakuna matata

[@kingie66]

Thing is, that gap between igpus Vega 8 and 660M is smaller, than between 660M and 680M. I would consider 680M as minimum, if you plan to play RDR2 or Cyberpunk 2077 on better than low details. Just price of GMKtec K5 with Ryzen 7735HS(680M) is about 80USD more expensive, which is quite a lot.

[@harryniedecken5321]

Thanks for the review. If it can't run on a 12 volt battery, it isn't that interesting unfortunately

[@Ronny999x]

Bought for 231 dollars on Lazada ph. For 16GB version. Crazy low price. Weird its more expensive on Aliexpress or directly the Manufacturer.