GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro

Budget-Friendly Mini PC — Intel® Core™ i3-10110U (Comet Lake)

The GMKtec NucBox G3 Pro is a deliberately simple machine with a deliberately clear purpose: to provide the minimum capable, modern, and expandable mini PC for everyday computing at the lowest reasonable price. Launched globally in February 2026 at $169.99 for the barebone version, it pairs an Intel Core i3-10110U Comet Lake processor with a surprisingly forward-looking specification — Wi-Fi 6, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, dual M.2 storage slots supporting up to 9 TB, a VESA 75×75 mount bracket, three configurable power profiles, and Windows 11 Pro. For buyers whose computing needs consist primarily of web browsing, office applications, video conferencing, and media streaming, the G3 Pro delivers all of that reliably and quietly at a price that more capable mini PCs cannot match.

Specifications

Processor — Intel® Core™ i3-10110U: Two Cores, 4.1 GHz, Three Power Profiles

The Core i3-10110U is a Comet Lake-U processor with two cores, four threads via Hyper-Threading, a 2.1 GHz base clock, and a 4.1 GHz Turbo Boost peak. Its 14 nm manufacturing process places it several generations behind current AMD and Intel silicon, and it has been surpassed in multi-threaded performance by virtually every modern competitor. In single-threaded workloads at 4.1 GHz, however, it remains adequately responsive for the brief, sequential tasks that dominate everyday computing: opening browser tabs, launching applications, joining video calls, editing documents. Real-world user feedback consistently describes the G3 Pro as fast and smooth for everyday use — booting to Windows login in approximately 16 seconds, handling simultaneous browser tabs and office applications without stutter, running Zoom and Teams calls without dropped frames.

GMKtec’s three BIOS-configurable power profiles genuinely differentiate this machine for specific deployment scenarios. The Silent profile at 8W keeps the fan at near-inaudible speeds — appropriate for bedroom, library, classroom, and recording studio environments where fan noise from conventional hardware is a practical nuisance. The Balanced profile at 10W is the recommended everyday default. The Performance profile at 15W extracts the processor’s rated maximum capability, maintaining total fan noise below 38 dB — quieter than a normal office conversation. These profiles can be configured once in the BIOS and left unchanged, making them practical for fixed deployment environments.

Graphics — Intel® UHD Graphics: Dual Display, Hardware Video Decode

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics for 10th generation processors operates at a base frequency of 300 MHz and a maximum dynamic frequency of 1.0 GHz. Its capabilities are firmly entry-level: smooth desktop operation at 1080p and 4K, dual 4K display output at up to 24 Hz via the two HDMI 1.4 ports, AV1 and H.265 hardware decode for smooth 4K media streaming without CPU load, and basic 2D graphics for office and productivity applications. Gaming beyond browser-based or retro titles is not practical at any settings. The 24 Hz maximum refresh rate at 4K via HDMI 1.4 is appropriate for static productivity content and video playback — for users connecting to a 1080p monitor, which covers the majority of everyday desktop deployments, the UHD Graphics provides a perfectly smooth desktop experience.

Memory — Up to 64 GB DDR4, Two User-Upgradeable SO-DIMM Slots

Two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots support up to 32 GB per slot for a maximum of 64 GB — an unusually generous ceiling for a budget mini PC at this price point. The standard 16 GB dual-channel configuration (2×8 GB) is the recommended baseline, providing both adequate capacity and dual-channel bandwidth for the integrated GPU. Upgrading to 32 GB or 64 GB requires only a compatible DDR4 SO-DIMM module and a screwdriver to access the bottom panel — a straightforward process that opens the G3 Pro to light virtualisation, developer environments with multiple containers, and memory-intensive NAS applications that a single 8 GB module cannot support.

Storage — Dual M.2 Slots, Up to 9 TB Total

Primary storage uses an M.2 2242 SATA slot — the shorter form factor that reduces board space — pre-populated with a 256 GB or 512 GB SSD. The secondary expansion slot accepts a full M.2 2280 NVMe drive at PCIe 3.0 ×4 speeds up to 8 TB capacity, and ships empty for immediate user-configured expansion. Combined, the two slots provide approximately 9 TB of internal storage — a figure that makes the G3 Pro genuinely practical as a home media server, Plex host, or household backup destination where storage volume matters more than sequential speed.

Connectivity — Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5 GbE at a Budget Price

The G3 Pro’s networking specification consistently exceeds expectations for its price. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) via Realtek RTL8852BE provides dual-band connectivity at up to 1,201 Mbps theoretical throughput — the current Wi-Fi standard that competing mini PCs at similar prices frequently compromise to Wi-Fi 5. The 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port powered by Intel’s i226-V controller delivers file transfers to a compatible NAS at up to 270–300 MB/s — 2.5× the ceiling of standard Gigabit Ethernet. For home server users and NAS-connected setups, this wired bandwidth advantage is immediately practical. Bluetooth 5.2 covers wireless peripherals. Four USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports at 5 Gbps — two front, two rear — cover standard peripheral needs without requiring a hub.

Thermal Design — Single Copper Heat Pipe, Below 38 dB, 5–8W Idle

A single copper heat pipe transfers heat from the i3-10110U die to an aluminium fin stack exhausted by a variable-speed fan. At the 15W Performance profile, the cooling solution maintains stable clock speeds without thermal throttling — total noise remains below GMKtec’s stated 38 dB specification. At the Silent 8W profile, the fan operates at near-inaudible speeds that make the G3 Pro genuinely appropriate for environments where any mechanical noise is unacceptable. Idle power consumption of approximately 5–8W makes it viable for always-on deployments — home servers, media centres, and digital signage installations — where electricity cost and heat output over continuous operation are real considerations.

Design — 114 × 106 × 42.5 mm, 260 g, VESA Mount Included

The G3 Pro measures 114 × 106 × 42.5 mm and weighs approximately 260 grams — among the smallest and lightest mini PCs available at any price. The matte black plastic chassis presents as clean and professional. The VESA 75×75 mount bracket in the box enables rear-of-monitor installation that removes the computer from the desk footprint entirely — an important practical feature for classroom deployments, digital signage installations, and clean desk setups where the machine must be invisible. Windows 11 Pro ships pre-installed and activated with local account creation supported at first boot without requiring a Microsoft account — a detail that simplifies managed and shared environment deployment.