ASRock DeskMini B860 + Core Ultra 7 265 vs GMKtec NEO-X1 Pro

Sycom and DunamisTek both offered complete DeskMini B860 systems with the 20-core Core Ultra 7 265, confirming a real build path. Their memory, storage, cooling, and software choices do not define this barebone record.

Exact-processor configuration verification · DeskMini B860 with Core Ultra 7 265

AMD specifies 16 Zen 5 cores, 32 threads, a 5.4 GHz maximum boost clock, and 128MB of L3 cache for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. These processor specifications are not measured NEO-X1 Pro productivity results.

Manufacturer processor specification · AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Intel rates the Core Ultra 7 265 for 65W base power and up to 182W turbo power, while ASRock limits the DeskMini B860 to 65W processors and supplies a 120W adapter. Sustained 265 performance therefore depends on the chassis BIOS limits and cooler rather than the processor's unrestricted desktop maximum.

Processor and chassis power-specification check · Core Ultra 7 265 reference build

GMKtec provides 54 W Silent, 85 W Balanced, and 160 W Performance CPU modes, with a claimed 170 W peak. The company says its three-fan liquid-cooling design passed an internal one-hour CPU stress test at 160 W, but it does not publish the test method or resulting clocks and temperatures.

Manufacturer sustained-load claim · NEO-X1 series liquid CPU cooler; internal test

The only exact hands-on review available at launch concentrated on gaming. It did not publish a repeatable sustained CPU benchmark, so no external rendering or compilation result is substituted here.

Exact-model evidence check · NEO-X1 PRO-2-85S

The Mini-STX chassis has no PCIe graphics-card position. Gaming and GPU-compute capability is limited to the four-Xe-core Intel Graphics engine integrated into the selected Core Ultra 7 265.

Expansion and processor-graphics specification check · DeskMini B860 with Core Ultra 7 265

ASRock permits CPU coolers up to 47mm tall. CT.nl recommended a larger-fan low-profile cooler such as the Noctua NH-L9i-17xx or Alpenfohn Silvretta to reduce the boxed cooler's load noise.

Chassis clearance and acoustic inspection · DeskMini B860 chassis

Daniel Owen could hear the fans while gaming in the default Performance mode but described the sound as similar to a normal desktop and much less objectionable than the high-pitched noise from smaller laptop-derived systems he had tested. No calibrated sound-pressure result was supplied.

Subjective gaming-noise assessment · Performance BIOS mode; measurement distance and room floor not reported

The reviewer monitored CPU and GPU temperatures during the gaming comparisons and reported no concern, but did not state a reproducible numeric maximum in the narration. No temperature is inferred from the on-screen overlay.

Gaming benchmark suite · Performance BIOS mode; exact 64GB/2TB review unit

Neither GMKtec nor the exact hands-on review published idle, gaming, or full-load wall-power measurements. The CPU's selectable power modes and the power-supply rating are not treated as system consumption.

Exact-model power evidence check · NEO-X1 PRO-2-85S

The board provides one PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 2280 slot, one PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 2280 slot, and two SATA 6Gbps connectors for 2.5-inch drives up to 9.5mm thick. ASRock includes the proprietary SATA power/data cables.

Manufacturer specification and teardown · DeskMini B860 barebone

CT.nl measured up to 3.8GB/s through rear Thunderbolt 4, about 2.03GB/s through the front 20Gbps USB-C port, and roughly 300MB/s over 2.5GbE on its DeskMini B860 test build.

External storage and network throughput checks · Core Ultra 5 235 test build; chassis interfaces match

Unlike most mini PCs, the LGA1851 processor can be replaced independently. ASRock officially limits the system to supported Core Ultra Series 2 processors at 65W or below and requires integrated graphics because the chassis has no GPU slot.

Manufacturer CPU-support and expansion check · DeskMini B860 barebone

Daniel Owen removed the Yeston desktop RTX 5070 from the exact review unit and confirmed that it uses a standard PCIe card and 12V-2x6-style power connection. He considered a future GPU swap feasible, subject to case clearance, cooling, and power requirements.

Hands-on internal inspection · Exact 64GB/2TB review unit

The NEO-X1 Pro has two DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 96GB and two PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 slots supporting up to 16TB total. One M.2 slot accepts a 22110-length drive.

Manufacturer expansion check · NEO-X1 Pro

GMKtec specifies an RZ717/MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 radio, Bluetooth 5.4, and Realtek RTL8125 2.5GbE. The exact review reported fast wired and wireless transfers but did not publish controlled throughput numbers.

Connectivity specification and hands-on check · Exact 64GB/2TB review unit

A US eBay importer listed exact global part 90BXG5501-A10GA0W for $295 when checked. ASRock did not publish a global USD MSRP, and the listing does not include the Core Ultra 7 265, memory, storage, wireless, or Windows.

Exact-part retail-price check · 90BXG5501-A10GA0W barebone only

Intel publishes a recommended customer price range of $384 to $394 for the boxed Core Ultra 7 265. The total working-system cost must also include memory, storage, wireless if wanted, and an operating system.

Processor price and included-components check · Boxed Core Ultra 7 265

No exact Amazon listing was found for global barebone part 90BXG5501-A10GA0W or the defined Core Ultra 7 265 reference build.

Exact retailer-identity search · DeskMini B860 and Core Ultra 7 265 reference build

GMKtec listed the exact US 64GB/2TB configuration at $2,899.99 when checked, reduced from a $3,699.99 compare-at price.

Manufacturer retail-price check · NEO-X1 PRO-2-85S; 64GB DDR5; 2TB SSD; US variant

Daniel Owen found the price broadly consistent with duplicating the listed component class in a compact prebuilt, but argued that 64GB of RAM and a 16-core CPU direct too much of a gaming budget away from the GPU. This is the reviewer's purchasing analysis, not a MiniPCBench value score.

Reviewer configuration and price analysis · $2,899.99 exact 64GB/2TB configuration

The socketed CPU, two SO-DIMMs, two M.2 drives, two SATA drives, and optional wireless module are independently replaceable. This avoids the motherboard-level memory and storage repair limits common to soldered mini PCs.

Hands-on assembly and serviceability inspection · DeskMini B860 barebone

Because this is a parts build, the barebone, processor, memory, storage, and optional wireless card may each have separate warranty providers and terms. ASRock's global product page does not publish one universal coverage period for part 90BXG5501-A10GA0W.

Warranty-scope review · User-assembled reference build

ASRock continued publishing B860M-STX firmware updates in August 2026, including CPU microcode, Intel Management Engine, and compatibility changes. Builders should verify CPU support and update procedure before changing processors.

Manufacturer firmware-support check · B860M-STX motherboard

After opening the chassis, removing the graphics card, and testing the system, Daniel Owen reported no shipping, build-quality, or functional concerns with the review sample. This single launch review is not long-term reliability evidence.

Review-unit inspection and gaming suite · Manufacturer-provided exact 64GB/2TB sample

GMKtec states a one-year warranty and a seven-day return period for direct purchases. No field-failure data was available for this newly launched model.

Manufacturer warranty-policy check · GMKtec US direct store