GMKtec K8 Plus Ryzen 7 8845HS Review: OCuLink Mini PC

Here's the bottom line upfront: the GMKtec K8 Plus is a very capable mini PC, and the Ryzen 7 8845HS inside it is doing serious work. But "capable" and "perfect" aren't the same thing, and there are a couple of things to weigh before you hand over a premium-tier sum. So let me give you the full picture, spec by spec.

Mini PCs have come a long way in the past three years. What used to be a category defined by underpowered Intel Celeron chips and frustrating thermal throttling has quietly evolved into something interesting. The 8845HS is one of AMD's Hawk Point mobile chips, an 8-core, 16-thread chip clocked up to 5.1GHz with a Radeon 780M integrated GPU that's legitimately competitive for light gaming. Pair that with 32GB of DDR5, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and connectivity that includes OCuLink, USB4, and dual 2.5G NICs, and you've got a spec sheet that reads more like a compact workstation than a budget desktop replacement.

The GMKtec K8 Plus Ryzen 7 8845HS mini gaming PC earns its place in the premium tier, but not without caveats. Read on.

Memory is 32GB of DDR5 running at 5600MHz in dual-channel configuration, fitted in two SO-DIMM slots. It isn't soldered, so you can upgrade it later. The 1TB SSD is a PCIe 4.0 NVMe unit in an M.2 2280 slot, and there's a second M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slot for adding another drive, which is a meaningful win.

The connectivity package is where GMKtec has clearly put its effort. OCuLink support is the headline feature, allowing you to attach an external GPU enclosure for a significant performance uplift. Beyond that, you get two USB4 ports (40Gbps), dual 2.5G Ethernet via Intel NICs, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, a pair of USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and two USB 2.0 ports. That's an impressive I/O spread for a device this size.

The dual 2.5G Ethernet is another standout. Two Intel i226-V 2.5G ports are a meaningful step up from a single gigabit port, particularly for home lab users, NAS setups, or anyone running a small business network. If you're building a compact server or a network appliance, this spec alone makes the K8 Plus worth a serious look.

The Radeon 780M deserves its own mention because it's impressive for an integrated GPU. AMD's RDNA 3 architecture gives the 780M a meaningful performance advantage over Intel's older Iris Xe graphics. It's not a replacement for a discrete GPU, but for casual gaming, older titles, or emulation, it's more than adequate.

Wi-Fi 6 rounds out the wireless side. In a device that's likely to sit on a desk near a router, Wi-Fi is arguably secondary to the wired Ethernet options, but having Wi-Fi 6 rather than Wi-Fi 5 does matter if you're in a congested wireless environment or need the improved power efficiency. Bluetooth 5.2 takes care of keyboards, mice and headphones.

For gaming, the 780M is fine for older titles, esports games and emulation, but if you're serious about gaming, the OCuLink eGPU path is the one to pursue.

The 32GB of DDR5 running in dual-channel is a meaningful advantage over machines shipping with 16GB, particularly for multitasking.

For cooling, GMKtec uses a twin-fan system, which makes sense for a chip that can be pushed this hard in a box this small.

The two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports sit on the front, where you'll reach for them most often, and the two USB 2.0 ports are on the rear. Those rear USB 2.0 ports feel like an odd choice, and I'd have preferred USB 3.2 across the board, but it's a minor complaint. Power comes from a 120W external adapter.

As a primary machine for writing, research, video calls and light photo editing it has plenty in hand, and it's small enough to tuck beside a monitor or under a desk.

The OCuLink port is the more interesting connectivity story. OCuLink uses the PCIe physical layer directly, bypassing the protocol overhead of Thunderbolt. This makes it more efficient for eGPU use but also means it's a less common connector. Compatible eGPU enclosures are available from several manufacturers, but you'll need to specifically look for OCuLink-compatible units rather than the more common Thunderbolt enclosures. GMKtec also says the port isn't hot-swappable, so connect the enclosure before you switch the PC on. The performance uplift when using an eGPU via OCuLink is substantial, and for users who want to build a compact gaming setup around this machine, it's the right approach.

The K8 Plus can run up to four displays at once, using the HDMI 2.1 port, the DisplayPort 2.1 port and both USB4 ports, at up to 4096 x 2160.

Home lab and networking use is another strong fit. The dual 2.5G Intel NICs make this a compelling option for running pfSense, OPNsense, or Proxmox. The 8845HS has more than enough CPU headroom for virtualisation workloads, and the 32GB of RAM gives you room to run several VMs simultaneously. A basic Proxmox setup with three VMs is well within what the machine can handle. For a compact server that can also double as a desktop when needed, the K8 Plus is a strong option.

Light gaming and emulation is a legitimate use case here, particularly if you're willing to invest in an OCuLink eGPU enclosure. Without the eGPU, the 780M handles esports titles, older games, and emulation very well. With an eGPU, you're looking at a system that can compete with a mid-range gaming desktop. The compact form factor makes it appealing for living room gaming setups where a full tower would be impractical.

Content creation at the prosumer level is also viable. The 780M's hardware encode and decode help with video work, and 32GB of RAM gives editing apps room to breathe. It's not a replacement for a workstation with a discrete GPU, but for a freelancer or content creator who needs a compact machine, it's a credible option.

For home lab users and networking enthusiasts, the dual Intel 2.5G NICs alone add real value. For straightforward productivity use without those specific requirements, there are cheaper options that deliver comparable day-to-day performance. The value proposition is strong for the right buyer, and less compelling for users who won't use the differentiating features.

But it's not without compromises. The two USB 2.0 ports on the rear feel like a spec sheet anachronism on a machine at this price. And the value proposition is strongest for users who will actually use the OCuLink and dual NIC features. If you just want a compact desktop for productivity work and won't touch those features, a cheaper mini PC will cover it.

For the specific buyer this machine is designed for, though, it's hard to fault. Home lab enthusiasts, compact gaming setup builders, power users who want strong integrated graphics, and anyone who needs dual 2.5G networking in a mini PC form factor will find the K8 Plus to be exactly the right tool. It's a focused product with a clear target audience. I'd score it 8.5 out of 10, on the strength of the 8845HS platform and the OCuLink port.

Skip it if: You're primarily doing light productivity work and don't need the premium spec. A cheaper mini PC will cover writing, browsing and video calls.

Wait if: You're not in a hurry. GMKtec and its competitors refresh their lineups regularly, so if the K8 Plus's current price feels steep, a sale could change the calculus.

Vivid Repairs operates as an independent review site. This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through them. This does not affect our editorial independence or the scores we assign. We assess products on their merits and call out weaknesses as readily as strengths.