GMKtec K13 vs MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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GMKtec K13
Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone
Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Storage |
1Is it fast for normal work?
GMKtec K13
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Speedometer 32.5 points
Lon.TV measured 32.5 in the browser-based Speedometer test on the exact 16GB/1TB configuration.
BrowserBench Speedometer · High Performance BIOS profile; Windows 11 Pro; Core Ultra 7 256V; 16GB LPDDR5X; 1TB SSD
Lon.TV · 7:15 -
4K media playback 4K60 playback checked
Lon.TV observed a few dropped frames when a 4K60 YouTube video started, then uninterrupted playback afterward.
YouTube 4K60 playback · High Performance BIOS profile; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 7:04 -
Geekbench 6 single-core Not available
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Geekbench 6 multi-core Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Speedometer Not available
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4K media playback Not available
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Geekbench 6 single-core 2957 points
ETA PRIME's configured review system scored 2,957 in Geekbench 6 single-core with a 90 W PL1, 110 W PL2, and an RTX 5060 installed.
Geekbench 6 single-core · Core Ultra 9 285HX; 64GB RAM; 1TB SSD; RTX 5060; 90 W PL1 and 110 W PL2
ETA PRIME · 8:17 -
Geekbench 6 multi-core 17992 points
The same configured system scored 17,992 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
Geekbench 6 multi-core · Core Ultra 9 285HX; 64GB RAM; 1TB SSD; RTX 5060; 90 W PL1 and 110 W PL2
ETA PRIME · 8:21
2Can it handle sustained work?
GMKtec K13
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Time Spy stress-test stability 99.6 %
Lon.TV's exact review unit passed the 3DMark Time Spy stress test at 99.6 percent, with the CPU reaching about 60 C.
3DMark Time Spy stress test · High Performance BIOS profile; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 10:19 -
4K editing behavior Simple 4K60 timeline checked
A simple 4K60 DaVinci Resolve timeline played transitions without reported dropped frames, while Lon.TV cautioned that heavier effects were slower on the integrated GPU.
DaVinci Resolve timeline playback · 4K60 project; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 7:28 -
Sustained CPU cooling rating Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Time Spy stress-test stability Not available
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4K editing behavior Not available
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Sustained CPU cooling rating 100 W sustained
MINISFORUM states that the six-heatpipe, dual-fan cooler can sustain a 100 W CPU load and handle a 140 W turbo limit.
Manufacturer thermal-design rating · Core Ultra 9 285HX cooling system
MINISFORUM
3Can it game?
GMKtec K13
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3DMark Time Spy 4375 points
Lon.TV measured 4,375 in 3DMark Time Spy on the exact K13 configuration.
3DMark Time Spy · High Performance BIOS profile; Intel Arc 140V; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 9:51 -
Forza Horizon 5 89 fps
ETA PRIME reported an 89 FPS average in Forza Horizon 5 at native 1080p high without XeSS upscaling.
Forza Horizon 5 gameplay · 1920x1080; High preset; native rendering; exact 16GB/1TB configuration
ETA PRIME · 6:52 -
Counter-Strike 2 110 fps
Team Pandory observed more than 110 FPS in Counter-Strike 2 at 1080p low on its exact 16GB/1TB unit.
Counter-Strike 2 gameplay · 1920x1080; Low settings; result reported as over 110 FPS
Team Pandory · 6:19 -
Shadow of the Tomb Raider with RTX 5060 Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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3DMark Time Spy Not available
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Forza Horizon 5 Not available
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Counter-Strike 2 Not available
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Shadow of the Tomb Raider with RTX 5060 121 fps
With a low-profile RTX 5060 installed, ETA PRIME measured a 121 FPS average in the built-in benchmark at native 1440p very high without DLSS.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider built-in benchmark · 1440p very high; native resolution; DLSS off; low-profile RTX 5060
ETA PRIME · 10:34
4Is it loud or hot?
GMKtec K13
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Balanced-mode idle temperature 38 C
Team Pandory measured 38 C at idle in the Balanced profile and described the machine as whisper quiet.
Windows idle · Balanced BIOS profile; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 9:41 -
Combined stress temperature 80 C
After about five minutes of combined CPU and GPU stress, Team Pandory observed the CPU settle near 80 C. The fan was louder than in normal use, but the reviewer framed this as a worst-case load.
Combined CPU and GPU stress test · Approximately five minutes; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 10:20 -
Fan character Audible under load
Lon.TV also found the fan audible under load but not offensively loud, and said it did not run unnecessarily during light use. Neither review supplied a calibrated sound-pressure measurement.
Subjective fan-noise assessment · High Performance BIOS profile; measurement distance and room floor not reported
Lon.TV · 10:37 -
Idle noise Not available
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CPU stress noise Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Balanced-mode idle temperature Not available
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Combined stress temperature Not available
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Fan character Not available
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Idle noise 35 dBA
ServeTheHome reported about 35 dBA at idle in a studio with a 34 dBA noise floor.
Windows desktop idle · 34 dBA studio noise floor
ServeTheHome · 15:11 -
CPU stress noise 36 to 39 dBA
ServeTheHome reported 38 to 41 dBA during the initial fan ramp and 36 to 39 dBA after it settled.
CPU stress test after the fan ramp settled · Initial ramp reported separately as 38 to 41 dBA
ServeTheHome · 15:43
5How much electricity does it use?
GMKtec K13
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Balanced-mode idle wall power 6 W
Team Pandory measured just over 6 W at the wall while the exact review unit was idle in Balanced mode.
Windows idle · Balanced BIOS profile; wall measurement; result reported as just over 6 W
Team Pandory · 9:41 -
Balanced-mode gaming wall power 36 W
The same review measured about 36 W at the wall while gaming in Balanced mode.
Game workload · Balanced BIOS profile; wall measurement; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 9:54 -
Combined stress wall power 48 W
Team Pandory measured about 48 W at the wall during its combined CPU and GPU stress test.
Combined CPU and GPU stress test · Approximately five minutes; wall measurement; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 10:20 -
Idle wall power Not available
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CPU stress wall power Not available
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25GbE adapter power Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Balanced-mode idle wall power Not available
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Balanced-mode gaming wall power Not available
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Combined stress wall power Not available
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Idle wall power 18.3 to 20.6 W
ServeTheHome reported 18.3 to 20.6 W at idle with the Intel E810 25GbE adapter enabled.
Windows desktop idle · Intel E810 25GbE adapter enabled
ServeTheHome · 15:00 -
CPU stress wall power 145 W
ServeTheHome reported a brief rise to about 190 W during a CPU stress test, followed by about 145 W at the system level after the initial burst.
CPU stress test after the initial burst
ServeTheHome · 15:37 -
25GbE adapter power 8 to 12 W
ServeTheHome estimated that disabling the Intel E810 25GbE adapter could reduce idle consumption by roughly 8 to 12 W.
Estimated idle-power reduction · Intel E810 25GbE adapter disabled
ServeTheHome · 14:30
6Can I upgrade and connect everything?
GMKtec K13
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Memory is upgradeable No
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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USB4 is present Yes
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Dual-storage access 2x M.2; fixed memory
Team Pandory confirmed quick access to both M.2 slots. GMKtec rates the primary slot at PCIe 4.0 x4 and the secondary at PCIe 4.0 x2; the on-package memory cannot be replaced.
Hands-on expansion check · Exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Team Pandory · 10:38 -
5GbE and dual USB4 5GbE + 2x USB4
Lon.TV saturated the 5GbE interface in a local network transfer and confirmed both 40Gbps USB4 ports worked with Thunderbolt devices. GMKtec also specifies USB-C power input and display output on both ports.
Network and peripheral checks · Exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 2:29 -
Internal expansion Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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USB4 is present Yes
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Dual-storage access Not available
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5GbE and dual USB4 Not available
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Internal expansion 4x M.2 and 3x PCIe
The 285HX model provides four M.2 2280 slots plus PCIe 5.0 x16, PCIe 4.0 x16, and PCIe 4.0 x4 expansion slots; the 25GbE card occupies one internal slot as shipped.
Manufacturer expansion-layout check · MS-02U-285HX
MINISFORUM
7Is it good value?
GMKtec K13
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Manufacturer price $739.99
GMKtec listed the exact US 16GB/1TB configuration at $739.99 when checked, reduced from a $949.99 compare-at price.
Manufacturer retail-price check · K13-1-34S; 16GB LPDDR5X; 1TB SSD; US variant
GMKtec -
Verified Amazon configuration B0GFSZ63YB
Amazon ASIN B0GFSZ63YB was active for the exact K13 16GB/1TB configuration from seller GMKtec-Shop when checked.
Exact retailer-variant check · K13 16+1TB; seller GMKtec-Shop
GMKtec -
Barebone list price Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Manufacturer price Not available
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Verified Amazon configuration Not available
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Barebone list price $1,449
MINISFORUM lists the Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone at $1,449 before temporary discounts.
Manufacturer retail-price check · Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone, US adapter
MINISFORUM
8Will it be dependable?
GMKtec K13
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Windows image check Clean scans; unwanted AI app
Lon.TV reported no malware after several checks, but criticized a preinstalled Chinese-language Cherry AI assistant as unwanted software. Team Pandory independently reported clean Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes scans while raising the same bundled-app concern.
Fresh-install malware and bundled-software check · Exact 16GB/1TB review units
Lon.TV · 5:34 -
Ubuntu compatibility Core devices worked
Lon.TV reported working video, audio, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet with a current Ubuntu release on the exact machine.
Ubuntu live-system compatibility check · Ubuntu version not named; exact 16GB/1TB review unit
Lon.TV · 11:01 -
Limited warranty 1 year
GMKtec states a one-year warranty and a seven-day return period for direct purchases. No long-term failure-rate data was found for this 2026 model.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check · GMKtec direct store
GMKtec -
Setup complexity Not available
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Seller warranty Not available
MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
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Windows image check Not available
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Ubuntu compatibility Not available
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Limited warranty Not available
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Setup complexity Manual tuning recommended
NASCompares said the system was not at its best without manual tuning and cautioned that it required more setup work than a typical ready-to-use mini PC.
Review conclusion after configuration and testing · Core Ultra 9 285HX review unit with non-ECC memory
NASCompares · 25:07 -
Seller warranty 2 years
The MINISFORUM US store lists a two-year seller warranty for the MS-02 Ultra.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check
MINISFORUM
References
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GMKtec. GMKtec K13 Mini PC Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: K13-1-34S: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X-8533, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, US variant
Disclosure: Manufacturer product specifications, variant identity, direct price, availability, warranty, and return-policy claims.
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Lon.TV. GMKTec K13 Mini PC Review : 5 Gig Ethernet & Intel Meteor Lake Chipset. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
Disclosure: GMKtec provided the unit free of charge. The reviewer said no other compensation was received and GMKtec did not review or approve the video. The description contains compensated affiliate links.
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Team Pandory. This Intel Mini PC Beats 780M… Seriously [GMKtec NucBox K13 Review]. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Disclosure: Product provided for review; the channel states no payment was received. The description contains affiliate links.
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ETA PRIME. Intel FINALLY Fixed Mini PC Gaming! GMKtec K13 First Look. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
Disclosure: The video contains an unrelated URCDKeys sponsorship. The description links the exact 16GB/1TB K13 through an Amazon affiliate URL but does not state how the review unit was obtained.
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MINISFORUM. MINISFORUM product specifications. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone
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ServeTheHome. The BEST 25GbE Homelab Node Minisforum MS-02 Ultra. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB DDR5-4800, 1TB SSD, 25GbE adapter
Disclosure: ServeTheHome did not state how the review unit was acquired.
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ETA PRIME. The Most Versatile Mini PC Ever! MS-02 Ultra First Look. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB DDR5, 1TB SSD, Windows, low-profile RTX 5060; 90 W PL1 and 110 W PL2
Disclosure: ETA PRIME did not state how the unit was acquired; the description contains affiliate links and the video includes a sponsored software-key segment.
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NASCompares. Minisforum MS-02 Ultra Review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX, non-ECC memory and installed storage; capacities not stated
Disclosure: NASCompares said MINISFORUM supplied the hardware without payment or advance review; the description contains affiliate links.
Value for money
No value comparison is available. It requires eligible test scores and at least four current price observations in seven days.
Specification differences
Differences supported by the listed manufacturer specifications
Higher listed specifications for GMKtec K13
- Uses a smaller 0.6 liter enclosure
- Has a manufacturer list price about $499 lower
Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra
- Supports 240 GB more memory
- Provides 4 storage slots versus 2
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | K13 | MS-02 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX |
| Cores / threads | 8 / 8 | 24 / 24 |
| Processor default TDP | 17 W | 55 W |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Arc 140V, 8 Xe cores | Intel Graphics |
Memory and storage
| Specification | K13 | MS-02 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | LPDDR5X-8533 on-package | DDR5-4800 ECC SODIMM |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 256 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | No | Yes |
| Storage slots | 2 | 4 |
Connectivity
| Specification | K13 | MS-02 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 5GbE | Dual 25GbE + 10GbE + 2.5GbE |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | No | No |
Size and price
| Specification | K13 | MS-02 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 0.6 liters | 4.8 liters |
| List price | $950 | $1,449 |
| Product class | Compact low-power gaming | Mini workstation |