Winner
Updated October 2026
Data from the official Geekom and GMKtec sites.
2026 verdict
Both aimed at the same budget office desk, the Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) is the better equipped mini PC of the two, offering 16GB of memory against 8GB and a 512GB drive against 256GB, plus a longer warranty than the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB). This is a narrower gap than the flagship comparisons in this category: both machines use DDR4 memory and land close together on owner satisfaction, so the difference comes down to configuration rather than a different class of hardware. The AMD Ryzen 5 7430U in the Geekom A5 brings six cores and a rare third storage bay (an M.2 NVMe slot, an M.2 SATA slot and a 2.5 inch bay), while the Intel N95 in the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB) is a simpler four-core chip built for the lowest possible price. Buyers who want more room to grow, either in memory or drive bays, should choose the Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB); buyers who just need a basic Windows box for a monitor and a browser should choose the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB).
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The biggest differences
Where these two are furthest apart, and by how much.
- Warranty3×Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB)3 years vs 1 year
- Memory Capacity2×Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB)16 GB vs 8 GB
- Storage Capacity2×Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB)512 GB vs 256 GB
| Feature | Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) | GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $249.99 | GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB) |
| Rating | 4.3 | 4.2 | Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year | Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 16 GB | 8 GB | Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) |
| Storage Capacity | 512 GB | 256 GB | Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | Intel Processor N95 | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Dual-slot | Single-channel | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | AMD Radeon Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1200 MHz) | Different strengths |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | Tie |
Winner
$279.00
- + Rating: 4.3
- + Warranty: 3 years
- + Memory Capacity: 16 GB
- - Price: $279.00 vs $249.99
29% OFF
$249.99
$349.99
- + Price: $249.99
- - Rating: 4.2 vs 4.3
- - Warranty: 1 year vs 3 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) or GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB)?
The Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) is ahead, with double the memory, double the storage and a longer warranty than the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB). Owner ratings and memory type are close between the two, so the GMKtec's advantage is really price.
What is the biggest difference between the Geekom A5 and the GMKtec NucBox G3S?
Configuration and storage bays. The Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) ships with 16GB of memory, a 512GB drive and three separate storage slots (NVMe, SATA M.2 and a 2.5 inch bay), while the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB) ships with 8GB of memory, a 256GB drive and two M.2 slots.
Are both machines upgradeable?
Yes. The Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) supports up to 64GB of DDR4 across two SODIMM slots, while the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB) supports up to 16GB of DDR4 in a single slot, a much lower ceiling.
How do their display outputs compare?
The Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB) can drive up to four screens using dual HDMI 2.0 and two USB-C DisplayPort outputs. The GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB) is limited to two 4K displays over its dual HDMI 2.0 ports, with no DisplayPort.
Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB)?
Buyers on the tightest budget who only need a basic Windows desktop for browsing and office work should choose the GMKtec NucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB).
Who should buy the Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB)?
Buyers who want more memory headroom, more storage bays and a longer warranty for only a modest step up in price should choose the Geekom A5 (Ryzen 5 16GB + 512GB).
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