33% OFF
Prime exclusive deal$309.99
$459.99
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Updated October 2026
Data from the official GMKtec site.
2026 verdict
Building a homelab node on a budget? The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) is the stronger pick of these two GMKtec mini PCs.
It doubles the memory to 32 GB at a faster 3200 MT/s and pairs its Ryzen chip with a Radeon iGPU that clocks well past the G3 Pro's Intel UHD Graphics, and it adds a second 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port and a DisplayPort output the smaller machine skips entirely. The GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) counters with the lower price, a slightly higher owner rating, and a spare M.2 2242 SATA slot the bigger machine does not have. Both share a 64 GB memory ceiling, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, a VESA mount and an HDMI cable in the box, and neither offers Thunderbolt, an SD card slot or a fingerprint reader. Pick the M5 Ultra for Proxmox, pfSense or anything that leans on memory and graphics, and the G3 Pro for a lighter office or media desktop at a lower entry price.
vs
Winner
25% OFF
Prime exclusive deal$419.99
$559.99
Join Prime to buy it at $419.99
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| Feature | GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $309.99 | $419.99 | GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.3 | GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Speed | 2666 MHz | 3200 MT/s | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) |
| GPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000 MHz) | AMD Radeon Graphics (8 cores, up to 2000 MHz) | GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) |
| CPU Model | Intel Core i3-10110U | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U | Different strengths |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Tie |
| Memory Configuration | Dual-channel | Dual-channel | Tie |
| Memory Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | Tie |
| Storage Capacity | 512 GB | 512 GB | Tie |
What the differences mean
Processor platform
The G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) runs an Intel Core i3-10110U with Intel UHD Graphics topping out at 1000 MHz, while the M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) runs an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 7730U with a Radeon iGPU clocked up to 2000 MHz across 8 cores, a real jump for anything graphics- or thread-heavy.
Memory speed and capacity
16 GB of DDR4 at 2666 MHz against 32 GB of DDR4 at 3200 MT/s: the M5 Ultra starts with double the RAM at a faster clock, which matters for running several VMs at once, though both machines share the same 64 GB ceiling if you upgrade later.
Ethernet ports
The G3 Pro has one 2.5 Gigabit port, the M5 Ultra has two, the difference between a single network link and a machine that can double as a pfSense router or a dual-homed Proxmox node.
Video outputs
The G3 Pro relies on two HDMI 1.4 ports, capping dual 4K at 24 Hz and skipping DisplayPort entirely. The M5 Ultra pairs HDMI 2.0 with DisplayPort 1.4 rated for 8K at 60 Hz, plus a USB-C video output for a third monitor.
Storage expansion
The G3 Pro's second M.2 slot is a 2242 SATA bay next to its main PCIe drive, letting you add storage without touching what's installed. The M5 Ultra instead ships two full M.2 2280 PCIe slots, more capacity per slot but no built-in SATA option.
Weight and power draw
At 280 g, the G3 Pro is the one you would actually carry between rooms; the M5 Ultra weighs 528 g and draws more power at full load, 65 W against 36 W, the cost of the stronger CPU and GPU.
Which one to buy if
- you're running Proxmox, pfSense or a home lab that needs memory headroom
32 GB at 3200 MT/s and dual 2.5 Gigabit ports make the M5 Ultra the natural virtualization or router node.
- you just want a light office or media desktop on a budget
16 GB is plenty for browsing and streaming, and the G3 Pro costs less to get there.
- you drive two or three external monitors
HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4 and USB-C together support far more than the G3 Pro's dual HDMI 1.4 outputs.
- you want to add a second drive without touching the one already installed
The G3 Pro's free M.2 2242 SATA slot sits right next to the main drive, ready to expand.
33% OFF
Prime exclusive deal$309.99
$459.99
- + Price: $309.99
- + Rating: 4.4
- - Memory Speed: 2666 MHz vs 3200 MT/s
- - Memory Capacity: 16 GB vs 32 GB
Winner
25% OFF
Prime exclusive deal$419.99
$559.99
- + Memory Speed: 3200 MT/s
- + Memory Capacity: 32 GB
- + GPU Model: AMD Radeon Graphics (8 cores, up to 2000 MHz)
- - Price: $419.99 vs $309.99
- - Rating: 4.3 vs 4.4
What owners say
Owners of both machines describe them as reliable for daily use, with neither reporting the kind of dropouts or crashes that would send it back. What they single out beyond that reflects the different jobs each one does. GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) owners like how quickly it's ready out of the box and value the tool-free access to a second M.2 slot for extra storage, though several note the fan gets audible under load and there's no USB-C at all. GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) owners are consistently surprised by how much performance it delivers for the price, running Proxmox and Kubernetes without complaint, and several single out GMKtec's support for replacing units quickly when something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) or GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?
For a homelab, router or anything memory- and graphics-hungry, the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB), thanks to its faster, larger memory and stronger Radeon iGPU. The GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) is the better budget pick for light office or media use, and it costs less to get there.
What is the biggest difference between the GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) and the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?
The processor platform. The GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) runs an Intel Core i3-10110U with modest UHD graphics, while the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB) runs an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 7730U with a considerably stronger Radeon iGPU.
Which one is better for a Proxmox or pfSense home server?
The GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB), because it ships with two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports against the GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB)'s one, plus double the memory at a faster clock for running several virtual machines at once.
Can either mini PC drive more than two monitors?
Only the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB), which pairs HDMI 2.0 with DisplayPort 1.4 and a USB-C video output for a third display. The GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB) has two HDMI 1.4 ports and no DisplayPort or USB-C video.
Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB)?
Buyers who want a lighter office or media desktop at a lower entry price, plus the flexibility of a spare M.2 2242 SATA slot to add storage without replacing the drive already installed.
Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)?
Buyers setting up a homelab node, a virtualization host or a pfSense router, who want more memory bandwidth, a stronger integrated GPU and a second 2.5 Gigabit port, and don't mind the higher price and heavier chassis.
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