Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official GMKtec and MINISFORUM sites.
2026 verdict
A four-port network stack is what makes this one lopsided: the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) wins this mini PC comparison over the GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB).
The MINISFORUM MS-03 pairs a 16-core Intel Core Ultra 9 386H with a 50 TOPS NPU, 64GB of DDR5 in two SO-DIMM slots that reach 128GB, a 1TB drive across three M.2 bays, a half-height PCIe slot and four wired ports including two 10G SFP+ and 10 Gigabit Ethernet. The GMKtec NucBox K13 is the smaller, more affordable machine, with faster 8533 MT/s memory, dual USB4 ports, 5 Gigabit Ethernet and a 523 g chassis. Choose the MINISFORUM MS-03 for a home lab, router or storage node, and the GMKtec NucBox K13 for a compact, low-cost Windows desktop with a modern Intel chip.
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| Feature | GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $589.99 | $1919.00 | GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.9 | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| Memory Type | LPDDR5X | DDR5 | GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Speed | 8533 MT/s | 5600 MT/s | GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) |
| Memory Capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| Storage Capacity | 512 GB | 1 TB | MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) |
| CPU Model | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H | Different strengths |
| Memory Configuration | Soldered (non-upgradeable) | Dual-channel | Different strengths |
| GPU Model | Intel Arc 140V | Intel Graphics | Different strengths |
| NPU Model | Intel AI Boost NPU (47 TOPS) | Integrated NPU (50 TOPS) | Different strengths |
What the differences mean
Networking
The MINISFORUM MS-03 has four wired ports: two 10G SFP+ cages, a 10 Gigabit RJ45 and a 2.5 Gigabit RJ45. The GMKtec NucBox K13 has a single 5 Gigabit Ethernet port, plenty for a desk but nothing like a lab.
Memory
The MINISFORUM MS-03 ships 64GB of DDR5-5600 in two SO-DIMM slots that reach 128GB. The GMKtec NucBox K13 has 16GB of LPDDR5X-8533 soldered, faster per transfer but a quarter of the size and fixed.
Storage and expansion
The MINISFORUM MS-03 takes a 1TB drive across three M.2 bays and adds a half-height PCIe slot for a network or controller card. The GMKtec NucBox K13 has a 512GB drive and two M.2 slots, with no PCIe slot.
Processor
The MINISFORUM MS-03 runs a 16-core Intel Core Ultra 9 386H with vPro management and a 50 TOPS NPU. The GMKtec NucBox K13 runs an eight-core Intel Core Ultra 7 256V with a 47 TOPS NPU, aimed at lighter desktop loads.
Warranty and size
The MINISFORUM MS-03 is covered for two years and weighs 1.4 kg with a 240W external brick. The GMKtec NucBox K13 is covered for one year, weighs about 523 g and uses a 100W adapter.
Memory speed
The GMKtec NucBox K13 runs its memory at 8533 MT/s against 5600 MT/s in the MINISFORUM MS-03. Bandwidth per transfer is the one memory row the K13 wins, even though it carries far less of it.
Which one to buy if
- you are building a home lab, router or NAS
The MINISFORUM MS-03 adds four wired ports, a half-height PCIe slot and three M.2 bays that a software router or storage node needs.
- you want the lowest cost and a small desk PC
The GMKtec NucBox K13 is the more affordable of the two and fits behind a monitor at about 523 g.
- you need 10 Gigabit networking or SFP+
Only the MINISFORUM MS-03 has two 10G SFP+ cages and a 10 Gigabit RJ45 port.
- you want memory you can upgrade later
The MINISFORUM MS-03's two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots reach 128GB, while the GMKtec NucBox K13's memory is soldered at 16GB.
- you want the lighter box and faster memory
The GMKtec NucBox K13 weighs about 523 g and runs LPDDR5X-8533, against 1.4 kg and DDR5-5600 on the MINISFORUM MS-03.
$589.99
- + Price: $589.99
- + Memory Type: LPDDR5X
- + Memory Speed: 8533 MT/s
- - Rating: 4.7 vs 4.9
- - Warranty: 1 year vs 2 years
Winner
$1919.00
- + Rating: 4.9
- + Warranty: 2 years
- + Memory Capacity: 64 GB
- - Price: $1919.00 vs $589.99
- - Memory Type: DDR5 vs LPDDR5X
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) or MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)?
The MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) is the more capable machine for networking and expansion, with four wired ports, three M.2 bays, a PCIe slot, 64GB of upgradeable memory and a two-year warranty. The GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) is the smaller, more affordable desktop with faster memory bandwidth.
What is the biggest difference between the GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) and the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)?
Networking and expansion. The MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) offers four wired ports, two of them 10G SFP+, plus a half-height PCIe slot and three M.2 bays, while the GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) has one 5 Gigabit Ethernet port and no PCIe slot.
How many network ports do the GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) and the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) have?
The GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) has one 5 Gigabit Ethernet port. The MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) has four wired ports: two 10G SFP+ cages, a 10 Gigabit RJ45 and a 2.5 Gigabit RJ45.
Can the memory be upgraded on the GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) or the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)?
Only the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB) is upgradeable, using two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots that reach 128GB. The GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB) has 16GB of LPDDR5X soldered, so its memory is fixed.
Who should buy the MINISFORUM MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)?
Anyone building a software router, a 10 Gigabit NAS, a virtualisation host or an edge box, who needs four wired ports, PCIe expansion and memory that reaches 128GB.
Who should buy the GMKtec NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB)?
Buyers who want a compact, affordable Windows 11 Pro desktop with a modern Intel Core Ultra processor, dual USB4, 5 Gigabit Ethernet and a 47 TOPS NPU for everyday work.
Full comparison table
Compare all 105 Mini PCs side by side
You are looking at two of them. The full table lines up all Mini PCs in the catalog with the same specs, so you can filter by what you need and sort by price or rating.
- 105 Mini PCs
- 41 specs compared
- 38 filters
AsusNUC 15 Pro+ (Ultra 9 32GB + 1TB)
$1902.44
MINISFORUMMS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX 96GB + 2TB)
$2099.00
AsusROG GR70 (RTX 5070 32GB + 2TB)
$2499.00
AppleMac Studio (M5 Max 36GB + 512GB)
8% OFF$2499.00$2299.00
AsusNUC 13 Pro Slim (i7 16GB + 512GB)
$979.99
MINISFORUMMS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)
$1919.00
AppleMac Mini (M4 Pro 24GB + 512GB)
Unavailable
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
$3879.00
MINISFORUMMS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
$2599.00
AsusNUC 16 Pro (Ultra 7 16GB + 512GB)
$1548.07
AppleMac Mini (M2 Pro 16GB + 512GB)
Unavailable
AppleMac Mini (M4 16GB + 512GB)
Unavailable
GMKtecK17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
15% OFF
$1299.99$1099.99- GMKtec
NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB)
$589.99 
MINISFORUMG1 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
$1719.00
GeekomA9 Mega (128GB + 2TB)
5% OFF$3999.00$3799.00
BeelinkMini S12 Pro (N100 16GB + 500GB)
$339.00
BeelinkMini S12 (N95 8GB + 480GB)
$279.00
MINISFORUMM1-1390 (32GB + 1TB)
$767.00
MINISFORUMM1 Pro-125H (32GB + 1TB)
$895.00
Mini PCsGMKtecEVO-X3 (128GB + 2TB)
4.3(71)31% OFF$5499.99$3799.99
Mini PCsGMKtecEVO-X5 Pro (192GB + 2TB)
$6799.00
Mini PCsGMKtecG10 (16GB + 512GB)
4.1(313)$389.98
Mini PCsGMKtecG11 (16GB + 512GB)
4.4(1,918)32% OFF$499.99$339.99
Mini PCsGMKtecG11 Plus (16GB + 256GB)
$459.99
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox G3 Pro (16GB + 512GB)
4.4(1,918)33% OFF$459.99$309.99
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox G3S (8GB + 256GB)
4.2(1,489)29% OFF$349.99$249.98
Mini PCsGMKtecK15 (32GB + 512GB)
4.4(787)$669.99
Mini PCsGMKtecK16 (32GB + 1TB)
4.3(310)36% OFF$999.99$639.99- Mini PCsGMKtec
K17 Plus (32GB + 1TB)
4.7(50)15% OFF$1299.99$1099.99 
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox M2 Pro S (16GB + 1TB)
4.4(787)23% OFF$649.99$499.98
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox M5 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
4.3(1,007)25% OFF$559.99$419.99
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox M6 Ultra (32GB + 1TB)
4.2(497)15% OFF$799.99$679.99
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox M7 Ultra (32GB + 512GB)
4.4(1,021)18% OFF$679.99$559.99
Mini PCsGMKtecNucBox M8 (16GB + 512GB)
4.1(313)19% OFF$479.99$389.99- Mini PCsGMKtec
NucBox K13 (Ultra 7 256V 16GB + 512GB)
4.7(50)$589.99
- Mini PCsMINISFORUM
G1 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
4.6(26)$1719.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
M1-1390 (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$767.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
M1 Pro-125H (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$895.00 
Mini PCsMINISFORUMMS-02 Ultra (Ultra 9 285HX, 32GB + 1TB)
4.3(31)$1659.00- Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-03 (Ultra 9 64GB + 1TB)
4.9(12)$1919.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX 96GB + 2TB)
5.0(5)$2099.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-S1 Max (128GB + 2TB)
4.8(13)$3879.00 - Mini PCsMINISFORUM
MS-S1 Max (64GB + 2TB)
4.8(13)$2599.00 
Mini PCsMINISFORUMUM870 Slim (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$799.00
Mini PCsMINISFORUMUM890 Pro (32GB + 1TB)
4.3(400)$989.00
Mini PCsMINISFORUMX1 Lite-255 (32GB + 1TB)
4.5(224)$759.00