GMKtec NucBox M5chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Multiple users found the checkout price far above the advertised $199-200, ranging from $270 on AliExpress to $400-500 on Amazon and the official site. This led several commenters to call the promotion clickbait or false advertising.

@znt_

$200 *BAREBONE*. Means, you won't be able to use it out of the box. You still have to buy SSD and RAM (and Windows). Click bait scam title.launch

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December 30, 2023

@TeamPandory

NOTE: There have been some confusion about the 199$ deal.😯\nIt is only available on the GMKTEC site (check link in description), and then after using the Pandory-M5 code at checkout. This is mentioned in this very video @0:58 \nThis coupon is only on for the next two weeks, however gmktec have regular sales on both their site and amazon.\nAmazon and aliexpress add their own extra fee, so don't be surprised if it's a little more expensive on those websites.launch

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December 27, 2023

@snoflahke6575

not availableat that price you advertised onamazon.. its 400$ on amazon then theres a 70$ off coupon. not even close to 200$. false advertising on your end.launch

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December 27, 2023

@CareyHolzman

Has anyone found this at or below $200? Even AliExpress has the barebones at $270. Am I not understanding the title or is it click bait?launch

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December 27, 2023

Some users found the fan noisy, especially under Linux where it reportedly runs constantly, and noted no easy way to adjust fan speed via BIOS. A buzzing noise under load was also reported, audible through headphones.

@mrstanlez

Helpful tutorial. Have you noticed a buzzing noise when is cpu under load or iddle ? And with headphones is noticed this noise too. My fix was using $5 usb sound card. Now headphones have a clear sound efven with stopped video, there's no noise. Any similarities and how to fix it ? Thank you.launch

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December 20, 2024

@ruby19462

How to control the fan?\nI tried to update the BIOS and install fan control, but I can't control the fan speed. The noise bothers me.launch

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February 9, 2024

@MrQuay03

How is the fan noise under Windows vs under Linux?\nI have the GNKtec Nuc 5 and fans is constantly on in Linux, very annoyinglaunch

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December 26, 2023

Commenters cautioned that for real gaming performance, a PC with a dedicated GPU would outperform this mini PC significantly, and one pointed to a competing mini PC with a discrete-class GPU as a better choice at similar price.

@Shruti_Apparel

At same price Minisforum mini PC with arc 730M gpu IS way BETTER THAN THIS it has a rtx 4050 laptop level GPUlaunch

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April 12, 2024

@salva24

It's fun an very entertaining but people have to keep in mind that it doesn't make much sense to buy a 300 eur minipc to run PC games, for 300eur you can buy a second hand or build a cheap PC with dedicated graphics and run the games at a higher resolution and quality. But I yeah... it's entertaining and if you have 300eur left over it's coollaunch

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February 5, 2024

@ADesertVoice

I don't understand. How does a Ryzen 7 chip based computer come from China when there is currently a ban on them acquiring the latest chips? Something sounds fishy here.\n\nAlso, I have the Beelink Ser 5 5700U Ryzen mini pc myself. I find that if you are going to setup a server, mini PC's are a great option as it consume low power and saves a lot of space considering it's small form factor. Otherwise, I really don't think there is no other uses for mini pc's. For gaming I would NOT recomment mini PC's at all as any PC with a dedicated GPU will run rings around these mini PCs.launch

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December 29, 2023

Some buyers reported units failing within hours or days of use, followed by unresponsive or extremely slow warranty/return processes lasting months. This raised concerns about build quality and after-sales support.

@IbnNeo

I did the mistake buying this unit. It worked for 2-3 hours, then dying..\r\nNow it only goes to boot screen, but will not enter bios...!\r\nI ordered mine from Banggood, and is now waiting since 17days to return it(still no reply..!)\r\nLook for something in better quality, and with better service...!launch

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June 6, 2025

@LjiljaDivic

Received at october 2024 not working.Fight with them for warranty til december 2024.Sent them his PC at 22.dec.2024 with promise that wheh they receive item i will get refund or replacement. Now is 23.may.2025 no respoce from them ! Think about buying and good luck !!!launch

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May 23, 2025

Users receiving the 'Pro' variant found WiFi and Bluetooth drivers unavailable through Windows Update or the manufacturer, requiring third-party sources. One also noted the manufacturer hadn't published driver files for the newer variant at all.

@wing_105

Hello, I just bought this as barebones, but it's the pro version of it that has dual m.2 nvme slot. One issue that I notice is that it doesn't download wifi and bluetooth drivers in windows update. I managed to find a wifi driver via 3rd party app and it's working fine now, but still I can't find a bluetooth driver in this unit. Is there anyone here have a link on the bluetooth driver? 🥲launch

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April 16, 2024

@pomdapi2804

Please since you seem to be on good terms with them, could you ask GMKtec to put online the drivers (and everything else while they are at it) for the M5 Pro (for windows) that seems to have replaced the M5 that you are selling? (bought an M5, received an M5 pro). At least for the WiFi/BT adapter. It uses the very much criticized RZ616 part number, still from mediatek. It seems that the RZ608 drivers work on it but... not sure.\r\nbasically you are/were promoting barebone purchases that need an OS install but the manufacturer doesn't have any files online as for the time of my comment...launch

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January 30, 2024

One user couldn't access the BIOS at all despite trying multiple key combinations, and another flagged that Wake-on-LAN cannot be disabled in BIOS, raising a security concern.

@Mr_Cantankerous

I've got one of these but it's the 5825u.\nYou mentioned the \"kensington\" what the feck is that lock for?\nAlso, I can't enter the bios, I've tried delete, escape, all the F's at best I get a blank screen at worst it boots straight into win11. I wonder if it's my choice of screen connection, currently HDMI.\nI just want to install Mint 22 (Win 7 to win 11 is just too much of a jump) but this thing is fighting every inch of the way. Any help would be appreciated.launch

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September 17, 2024

@ehwestonful

Why does the BIOS on the M% prevent Disabling WoL, (Wake On LAN)? In the BIOS setup menu, the ONLY option for Wake On LAN is \"Enable\". This can be a security issue.launch

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March 3, 2024

The unit ships without RAM, SSD, or an OS, meaning the advertised low price doesn't reflect the full cost needed to get a working system, which some called a 'clickbait scam' framing.

@znt_

$200 *BAREBONE*. Means, you won't be able to use it out of the box. You still have to buy SSD and RAM (and Windows). Click bait scam title.launch

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December 30, 2023