Updated November 2026
Data from the official Beelink and GMKtec sites.
2026 verdict
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is the stronger of these two budget mini PCs, with twice the memory and more storage out of the box.
Its eight-core Ryzen 7 7730U is a step up from the Beelink SER5 Pro's six-core Ryzen 5 5500U, and it brings 32 GB of dual-channel DDR4, two 2.5G Ethernet ports and two M.2 bays, backed by a one-year warranty. The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) is the cheaper and better reviewed of the two, and its HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C outputs still drive three screens, but it starts at 16 GB and 480 GB and has only one wired network port. Pick the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) for more memory, storage and network ports, and the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) if the lower price and its owner record matter most.
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| Feature | Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.00 | $419.99 | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) |
| Storage Capacity | 480 GB | 512 GB | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Dual-slot | Dual-channel | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | AMD Radeon Graphics (7 cores) | AMD Radeon Graphics (8 cores, up to 2000 MHz) | Different strengths |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.4 | Tie |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | Tie |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MT/s | 3200 MT/s | Tie |
What the differences mean
Processor
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) uses an eight-core, sixteen-thread Ryzen 7 7730U. The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) uses a six-core, twelve-thread Ryzen 5 5500U. The extra cores make the GMKtec quicker at multitasking and heavier office work, though both are fine for everyday use.
Memory
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) ships 32 GB of dual-channel DDR4-3200 and takes 64 GB. The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) starts at 16 GB and also takes 64 GB. The GMKtec gives you twice the memory from the start, which matters when several apps run together.
Networking
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) has two 2.5G Ethernet ports, while the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) has one. On Wi-Fi, the Beelink lists Bluetooth 5.4 against the GMKtec's 5.2. The GMKtec is the better wired machine, the Beelink slightly ahead on Bluetooth.
Storage
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) arrives with 512 GB and two M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 slots, each taking up to 8 TB. The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) starts at 480 GB on a single M.2 2280 drive. The GMKtec offers more room to expand its storage.
Which one to buy if
- you want more memory and storage without paying flagship prices
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) starts with 32 GB and 512 GB, both upgradeable further.
- you are building an affordable firewall or Linux server
Its two 2.5G Ethernet ports and dual M.2 slots fit pfSense, Proxmox and Linux duty, and owners report clean installs.
- you need three monitors on a tight budget
The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) still drives three screens over HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C at a lower cost.
- the lowest price is the deciding factor
The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) is the more affordable option, provided 16 GB and 480 GB are enough.
$429.00
- - Price: $429.00 vs $419.99
- - Memory Capacity: 16 GB vs 32 GB
Winner
25% OFF
Prime exclusive deal$419.99
$559.99
- + Price: $419.99
- + Memory Capacity: 32 GB
- + Storage Capacity: 512 GB
What owners say
Owners of the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) keep coming back to performance per watt, saying the eight-core Ryzen 7 does far more than the power it draws and several benchmark it against older desktop i7 machines. They describe it as silent in normal use and praise Linux support in particular, reporting clean installs of Fedora KDE and Linux Mint that run flawlessly. Support is the pleasant surprise: multiple reviewers say GMKtec answered quickly and repaired or replaced units well after purchase, and the dual 2.5G Ethernet ports make it a common pick for pfSense and Proxmox. The consistent warnings are the older DDR4-3200 and PCIe 3.0 storage, integrated graphics that get hot under sustained gaming, no USB4 or SD slot, a one-year warranty, and an occasional sleep-wake bug that forced a hard reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) or GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is the more capable machine, with an eight-core Ryzen 7, 32 GB of memory, two 2.5G Ethernet ports and dual M.2 slots. The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) is the cheaper and better reviewed option with a longer Bluetooth version but less memory and only one network port.
What is the biggest difference between the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?
Memory and networking. The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) ships twice the memory at 32 GB and adds a second 2.5G Ethernet port, while the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) offers 16 GB and a single wired port on a six-core processor.
Which one is better for a home server, the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) or the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB), because its two 2.5G Ethernet ports, 32 GB of memory and two M.2 slots fit firewall, virtualisation and storage roles, and owners report running Proxmox and Linux on it without performance problems.
Can both drive three monitors?
Yes. The Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB) uses HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C, and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) uses HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C. The GMKtec's DisplayPort reaches 8K at 60Hz.
Who should buy the Beelink SER5 Pro (16GB + 480GB)?
Buyers who want an affordable office and media desktop that can drive three screens, with dual SO-DIMM memory slots for later upgrades, and who can accept 16 GB and a 480 GB drive to keep the cost down.
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