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GMKtec M3 Ultra: 30-second review
The GMKtec M3 Ultra is one of the smallest mini PCs on the market, with its size making it an ideal option if you need a full-blown computer that’s highly portable with plenty of connection options, including two HDMI ports and wired LAN.
If you’re looking for a machine solely for office work, then this compact mini PC could be a great solution, as it takes up very little room if you do want your desk to have a completely flat then there’s a VESA mount option, enabling you to attach it to the back of the monitor, wall mount, or other location with relative ease.
Once again, with this machine, GMKtec have gone for absolute reliability, selecting some slightly older hardware that’s been tried and tested. For example, the SSD used as the main storage for the machine is only PCIe 3.0, and whilst there are two M.2 slots, one is the more standard 2280, while the other is the smaller 2242.
Likewise, when it comes to the RAM, there are plenty of expansion options, which is great to see, especially if you do need to do some light video editing work, but here again, the RAM is only DDR4 3200, so slightly older generation and slower than many of the memory solutions seen on the latest models.
However, while the hardware might be a little bit older than some mini PCs being newly released at the moment, there’s no doubt about this machine’s absolute performance. When it comes to straight office work, there really is little not to like. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed and works as smoothly as any other machine, if not more so, and as you start to apply more pressure using Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel, it’s more than capable of coping with those applications on a 4K monitor.
Through this test, as I started to apply more demanding applications, the small fans did kick in, just to keep everything cool and running at speed. As I started to utilise Photoshop and Lightroom, once again, the power of the CPU and integrated GPU was still more than enough to cope with light editing within both applications.
However, with no AI integration, the generative AI, especially within Photoshop, was a little bit sluggish, and as I progressed onto video editing, initially in Premiere Pro and then DaVinci Resolve, I started to see the limits of the processing power.
Push demands further into gaming, and the machine really does start to struggle. At the same time, older titles such as DiRT Rally run absolutely fine; however, as soon as you start to look at Tekken 8 or Hogwarts Legacy, the machine’s power does start to falter. And with no Vulkan device support, if you do want to play some of the latest graphically intensive games, then this just won’t be possible.
As a purely office-focused machine, the small, lightweight design is easy to take with you and also takes up minimal space on your desktop. The GMKtec M3 Ultra is one of the best mini PC machines around, particularly for office work and most tasks, as long as you don’t need to run applications that are too graphically intensive.
GMKtec M3 Ultra: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? From £229 / $379
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? Directly from GMKtec or Amazon
The M3 Ultra is available in a variety of variants includes a barebone version (no RAM/SSD) and bundled versions (e.g. 16 GB + 512 GB, 32 GB + 1 TB). The M3 Ultra is available from GMKtec’s official store, Amazon, and a good selection of other online retailers. The configuration that I have looked at in this review retails for $379/£299.
Here are a few quick links I found on Amazon for a variety of configurations:
Amazon.com
M3 Ultra 32GB / 1TB
M3 Ultra 16GB / 1TB
M3 Ultra 32GB / 2TB
Amazon.ca
M3 Ultra 16GB / 1TB
M3 Ultra 32GB / 1TB
Amazon.co.uk
M3 Ultra 16GB / 1TB
M3 Ultra 32GB / 1TB
GMKtec M3 Ultra: Specs
CPU: intel core i7‑12700h, 14 cores / 20 threads, up to 4.7 ghz turbo
Graphics: intel iris xe (integrated)
RAM: 32 gb (dual‑channel ddr4), expandable to 64 gb
Storage: 1 tb m.2 pcie 2280 ssd (expandable) + second m.2 2242 slot (up to 4 tb)
Front Ports: 2 x usb3.2 gen2
Rear Ports: usb3.2 gen2 (10gbps), usb2.0 (480mbps), type‑c (supports dp/data), 2x hdmi: 4k@60hz, audio jack: 3.5mm
Connectivity: wi‑fi 6, bluetooth 5, 2.5g ethernet
Audio: integrated audio via standard jacks (line out / mic)
Camera: none built in
Size: approx. 114 mm × 106 mm × 42.5 mm
OS Installed: windows 11 pro
Accessories: power adapter, vesa mount bracket, cables, manual
GMKtec M3 Ultra: Design
Despite the small size, the GMKtec M3 Ultra is relatively well-made, with a nicely CNC-machined main casing that ensures that if you are looking for a small portable mini PC, this one will be robust enough to be carried around with you. Likewise, if you’re looking for a machine for van life, then again, this would be a great option with its compact size, easy mounting, and its robust nature able to withstand life on the road.
While the main surround is metal, the top and bottom are plastic, and the shiny finish of the top with the large GMKtec logo emblazoned across the surface definitely gives it a good mid-range feel, although I wouldn’t say that it really hits that premium-looking design of a mini PC.
With its relatively powerful CPU and integrated GPU, alongside the option for plenty of internal storage and RAM, it’s important that the airflow through this small machine is exceptionally good, in fact, more important than most due to its small size. It’s great to see that on both sides of the machine and along the back, there’s a good amount of venting. As the machine comes under pressure from more intensive apps, you can hear those fans kick in, making sure that everything inside keeps running smoothly and avoids any thermal throttling.
Alongside the fan is GMKtec’s cooling system, which incorporates a copper cooling fan, two-way convection air vents, all helping to dissipate the heat. Through testing, I was actually really impressed with just how well this worked.
Looking at the physical dimensions and weight, it measures 114 × 106 × 42.5 mm, weighing just 430 g for the barebones unit. Once you add in the relatively large power supply and cable, the full weight comes in at a more noticeable 1470 g, still lightweight for this style of machine. The small size and weight of the actual base unit also mean that if you do want to mount it, it’s light enough to pretty much fit anywhere, including neatly behind your monitor, saving you plenty of space.
Taking a look at the front of the GMKtec M3 Ultra, and it’s very minimalistic, with just two USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports and the green power switch. It’s a bit of a shame that there isn’t a USB-A and USB-C port on the front, as USB-C is now pretty much standard across the board.
On the back of the machine, alongside the venting, are the power input ports (20 V / 5 A), two HDMI sockets that offer 4K at 60 Hz, a 2.5G LAN, one USB 2.0 Type-A and one USB 3.2 Gen 2. What’s also nice to see is that there is a USB-C port, this enables data and video output, and finally, there’s a standard 3.5 mm audio jack.
GMKtec M3 Ultra: Features
A quick run-through of the features, and at the heart of this machine is the 12th-generation Intel Core i7‑12700H processor. This features 14 cores and 20 threads with a maximum frequency of 4.7 GHz. This is complemented by an integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU. Because of the style of this machine, there’s no NPU, so it isn’t AI-enhanced.
The processing is supported by 32 GB of RAM in my review sample. This is SODIMM dual-channel DDR4 3200 MT/s. If you need to upgrade the RAM, say if you’re doing a little bit of video editing for your business, then that’s perfectly possible, up to 64 GB. And because it is DDR4, it’s going to be a lot cheaper than the latest DDR5.
When it comes to internal storage, there is an M.2 SSD, 1 TB in my review sample, and this is only PCIe 3.0, which is relatively slow compared with most modern mini PCs, but should be perfectly adequate for office use.
While my review sample arrived with just 1 TB, it’s possible to upgrade this to 8 TB using the dual SSD slots, although it’s worth noting that it’s only 4 TB per slot and those slots are of different physical sizes, the main being 2280 and the secondary being 2242.
One of the important features for any office machine is the ability to connect multiple monitors, so you can do work on one while keeping an eye on email and other data on another. While this machine is small, it still offers triple display support, with the two HDMI and the USB-C ports on the back all enabling 4K at 60 Hz.
While the feature set of the GMKtec M3 Ultra is relatively narrow, it is extremely compact and offers a huge amount for a machine purely designed for office work.
GMKtec M3 Ultra: Performance
Benchmark scores
CrystalDiskMark Read: 3559.17
CrystalDiskMark Write: 2616.46
Geekbench CPU Multi: 10026
Geekbench CPU Single: 2472
Geekbench GPU: 15352
PCMark Overall: 5590
Cinebench CPU Multi: 11842
Cinebench CPU Single: 1803
Fire Strike Overall: 5177
Fire Strike Graphics: 5590
Fire Strike Physics: 21326
Fire Strike Combined: 1925
Time Spy Overall: 1864
Time Spy Graphics: 1637
Time Spy CPU: 8824
Wild Life Overall: 13599
Steel Nomad Overall: 176
Windows Experience Overall: 8.3
Starting out with the GMKtec M3 Ultra is as straightforward as any: simply plugging in the AC adapter, keyboard, mouse and display, and powering on will instantly get you into the Windows 11 Pro setup process. Running through this takes a few minutes, but once done, I noticed one of the instant standout features of this small machine, which is just how quickly it boots up.
It might only be small and use slightly older hardware inside; however, when it comes to performance, it’s extremely fast, enabling you to log in faster than many far more expensive machines. As I started to go through the test, the speed and efficiency at which Windows 11 Pro, and all Microsoft productivity apps ran just seemed to be a level above many others. Even browsing the internet was really quick.
This machine’s performance really highlights from the outset, that you don’t need a huge CPU and GPU in order to get on with office work these days, and this machine absolutely hits the nail on the head when it comes to straightforward performance.
As I got on with typing this Review using the GMKtec M3 Ultra was that, with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, there was more than enough processing power to get through not only writing the Review but also editing the images in Adobe Photoshop, and giving them a quick tweak in Lightroom just as a test.
I then wanted to push the creative side a little bit more, so took some shot 4K video that I had shot on the Sony A7 IV, and again, running Premiere Pro, it was able to handle the footage with relative ease. I was only editing a five-minute segment, so not a great deal, but the machine had enough processing power and storage on board to handle it perfectly well. The internal SSD, while not the latest technology, does still offer superb transfer rates, well over 2000 MB/s, so more than enough for the type of video editing that I was doing. Likewise, in DaVinci Resolve, doing light colour grading, again for that short edit at both 1080p and 4K, it was just about able to handle the footage. However, as I started to push the machine’s abilities, the fans did kick in to help keep everything cool.
Taking things down a gear, I booted up CapCut, and again, this is absolutely perfectly optimised for this machine. Creating video content for work was a really smooth process, with edits working well on all the videos I put through. As I applied themes, it just felt like a really streamlined process.
Feeling very impressed by the performance I was seeing from such a small machine, I decided to really push things, sitting back with a little gaming. Starting off with DiRT Rally, this game played absolutely superbly, with the graphics looking clear and crisp, and the motion actually keeping up with the action well.
I then switched over to Hogwarts Legacy and Tekken 8 for testing. Both games booted up fine, although even at low settings, there was definitely some jitter within both. Tekken 8 was playable but had several breaks in the image. Hogwarts Legacy was again playable, but the low frame rate was clearly noticeable, and it wasn’t, to be honest, the greatest experience
The final game I tried was Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Unfortunately, without Vulkan device support, this game simply didn’t run.
After the real world tests it was obvious where this machines strength laid and checking through the benchmarking tests really reinforced what I’d experienced. CrystalDiskMark transfer rates showed read speeds of 3559 MB/s and write speeds of 2616 MB/s, more than adequate for mid-range video editing.
While most of the other results were in line with what I would’ve expected from a machine of this size, what really did stand out was the Windows Experience score, overall 8.3. This is extremely high for any mini PC, and the fact that it’s a mini PC with such tried and tested hardware really highlights what a great fit this is for standard office work, giving you a highly optimised machine for day-to-day tasks and some light video editing.
However, if you’re looking for an office machine that will enable you to do some light gaming as well, as long as you keep those games at the lower end of the graphics requirements, then you should be absolutely fine.
GMKtec M3 Ultra: Final verdict
The GMKtec M3 Ultra is a machine that has been absolutely designed for office use. Its small and compact design means it takes up very little desktop space, and if you do need a machine that is highly portable, then its small size and weight also make it easy to transport.
When it comes to connectivity options, because of its small form factor, it doesn’t have as many as most mini PCs. However, it does provide plenty of display, peripheral and network connection options, meaning it integrates perfectly well into almost any office or home environment.
Despite its small size, one of the things I really liked was that there are plenty of upgrade options. So if, in the future, you do need to upgrade the RAM for a little more boost with video editing, you can take that already impressive 32 GB up to 64 GB. Likewise, that 1 TB of internal SSD can be upgraded to 8 TB using those two M.2 slots.
Used for day-to-day tasks in Windows 11 Pro, browsing the internet, watching media, and getting on with writing this Review in Microsoft Word , the small M3 Ultra was an absolutely ideal machine. I was really impressed by the speed and fluid nature of switching between apps.
There was just something about the use of Windows 11 Pro during both real-world use and benchmarking that put it slightly above the majority of other mini PCs.
Likewise, while it might not be the most powerful machine out there, its performance for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and some light video editing was also exceptionally good, far better than I had expected. Although when you are editing 4K video, you have to make sure that it isn’t a high bitrate, log or RAW format. It really is designed just for simple edits, not full-blown productions.
Then on the gaming front, again, keep it light and you’ll be happy. Anything more advanced, and you’ll really start to see those graphics struggle. In all cases, when pressure is applied to the CPU, you will hear the small fans kick in. But I have to say, they’re not overly loud, and while you can hear them, they’re not distracting.
If you’re looking for a very solid, high-performance mini PC for the office, then the GMKtec M3 Ultra is a solution with plenty of upgrade options that should give you a few years of very reliable use.
Should I buy the GMKtec M3 Ultra?
|
Value |
Great value for money considering its small size and power for office use |
4 |
|
Design |
Good mid-level design and build quality; robust enough if you need portability |
3.5 |
|
Features |
Plenty of connection options and upgradeability add to the feature set |
4 |
|
Performance |
Outstanding for office and Word; decent creative performance, lacking for gaming |
4.5 |
|
Overalls |
Excellent, well-priced mini PC designed for office use |
4.5 |
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