GMKtec K13 vs MINISFORUM MS-A2
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GMKtec K13
Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD
MINISFORUM MS-A2
Ryzen 9 9955HX barebone, US adapter
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 -
Desktop and operating-system support Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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Speedometer Not available
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4K media playback Not available
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Desktop and operating-system support Windows and Ubuntu tested
Robtech found Windows 11 Pro free of detected malware on its configured sample and reported that Ubuntu recognized every network interface. A barebones retail unit includes neither operating system nor storage.
Operating-system installation and device-detection check · Configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample; barebones retail configuration differs
Robtech · 2:59
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 -
CPU performance mode Not available
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Video encoding behavior Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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Time Spy stress-test stability Not available
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4K editing behavior Not available
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CPU performance mode Fast CPU, cooling-limited
Robtech found that the 9955HX's strongest benchmark gains appeared after enabling Performance mode in BIOS, but also observed thermal throttling under load and said the multi-core uplift over its 7945HX comparison was modest.
Cinebench and Geekbench CPU benchmark suite · Normal and Performance BIOS modes; configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
Robtech · 3:25 -
Video encoding behavior No AV1 hardware encoding
Robtech reported that Performance mode did not shorten its brief H.264 encode and only shaved seconds from the longer AV1 test. The reviewer also noted that the Radeon 610M lacks AV1 hardware encoding.
H.264 and AV1 encoding benchmarks · Configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
Robtech · 4:07
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 -
Integrated-graphics capability Not available
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Add-in GPU limits Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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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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Integrated-graphics capability Basic Radeon 610M
ServeTheHome emphasized that the Radeon 610M is intended for display output and media acceleration rather than high-end gaming. Robtech likewise found its 3D and GPU-AI results far below systems with discrete mobile GPUs.
3DMark and Geekbench AI GPU tests · Ryzen 9 9955HX configured review systems; no add-in GPU
Robtech · 4:25 -
Add-in GPU limits Single-slot, bus-powered GPU
The internal slot provides PCIe 4.0 x8 bandwidth in a physical x16 connector. Robtech says a GPU must be single-slot, shorter than 170 mm, and require no auxiliary power; active blower cooling is preferable in the confined bay.
Chassis and expansion compatibility inspection · MS-A2 chassis
Robtech · 2:05
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 -
Maximum observed CPU temperature Not available
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Idle sound level Not available
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Load sound level Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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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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Maximum observed CPU temperature 90 C
Robtech observed about 90 C under load and reported thermal throttling, describing the 9955HX as difficult to cool in this chassis.
Full-load benchmark suite · Configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
Robtech · 6:18 -
Idle sound level 39 dBA
ServeTheHome measured roughly 38 to 39 dBA at idle in its 34 dBA studio after the system had warmed up.
Warm system idle · Approximately 34 dBA room floor; configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
ServeTheHome · 16:24 -
Load sound level 50 dBA
ServeTheHome measured sound levels reaching roughly 50 dBA under load and said the system was clearly audible.
Sustained system load · Approximately 34 dBA room floor; configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
ServeTheHome · 16:24
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 -
Low-end idle wall power Not available
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Maximum observed wall power Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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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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Low-end idle wall power 25 W
ServeTheHome observed roughly 24 to 25 W at the low end of its idle configurations, with more populated configurations reaching about 35 to 45 W.
System idle · Ryzen 9 9955HX review system; measured values varied with installed memory, storage, and expansion
ServeTheHome · 15:31 -
Maximum observed wall power 160 W
Robtech measured 148 W from the wall at full load in the standard mode and 160 W after enabling Performance mode.
Full system load · Performance mode; configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
Robtech · 5:54
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 -
Thunderbolt is present Not available
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Memory compatibility Not available
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Network interfaces Not available
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Storage expansion Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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USB4 is present Not available
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Dual-storage access Not available
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5GbE and dual USB4 Not available
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Thunderbolt is present No
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Memory compatibility 96GB official; 128GB tested
MINISFORUM officially supports 96GB across two DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots. ServeTheHome also booted and exercised 128GB using two 64GB non-ECC modules, but found that ECC SO-DIMMs operated without ECC protection.
Memory installation and ECC-function check · Ryzen 9 9955HX review unit
ServeTheHome · 7:12 -
Network interfaces 2x 10GbE plus 2x 2.5GbE
The MS-A2 provides two Intel X710 10GbE SFP+ ports, one Intel I226-V 2.5GbE port, and one Realtek RTL8125 2.5GbE port. Its two rear USB-C ports are 10Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort, not USB4.
Manufacturer and controller inspection · MS-A2 chassis
ServeTheHome · 2:56 -
Storage expansion 3x NVMe, including U.2
Three PCIe 4.0 x4 storage positions include two M.2 2280/22110 slots and one position that accepts M.2 2280 or a 7 mm U.2 drive through the included adapter. The two conventional M.2 slots default to PCIe 3.0 x4 and must be changed in BIOS for Gen 4.
Manufacturer specification and hands-on teardown · MS-A2 chassis
ServeTheHome · 11:02
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
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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Manufacturer price $799
MINISFORUM listed the exact Ryzen 9 9955HX barebones US configuration for $799 when checked, against a $999 compare-at price.
Manufacturer retail-price check · MS-A200US barebone; no memory, storage, or operating system
MINISFORUM -
Verified Amazon configuration B0F8JG2SHN
Amazon ASIN B0F8JG2SHN matched the exact Ryzen 9 9955HX barebones configuration with no RAM, SSD, or operating system when checked.
Retailer identity check · MS-A2-9955 barebone
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 -
Seller warranty Not available
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Sustained-load cooling Not available
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Storage-lane default Not available
MINISFORUM MS-A2
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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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Seller warranty 2 years
MINISFORUM advertises a two-year seller warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee on the US product page.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check
MINISFORUM -
Sustained-load cooling Throttling observed
Robtech observed thermal throttling around 90 C and called cooling the system's largest weakness. ServeTheHome independently found load noise near 50 dBA, so the compact form factor has measurable thermal and acoustic tradeoffs.
Sustained benchmark load · Configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review systems
Robtech · 6:18 -
Storage-lane default Gen 3 default
Robtech found the two M.2 2280 slots configured for PCIe 3.0 by default. The BIOS exposes PCIe 4.0, but its warning says higher speed may increase overheating risk.
BIOS and storage configuration inspection · Configured Ryzen 9 9955HX review sample
Robtech · 2:39
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 MS-A2. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: MS-A200US: Ryzen 9 9955HX barebone, no RAM, no storage, no OS, US adapter
Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications, current price, availability, warranty, and return terms.
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ServeTheHome. Homelab Perfection Minisforum MS-A2. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen 9 9955HX sample configured with multiple tested DDR5 capacities and NVMe storage, including 96GB ECC-function testing and 128GB non-ECC testing
Disclosure: The description says the unit was purchased and contains Amazon affiliate links.
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Robtech. Powerful Mini PC Workstation - Minisforum MS-A2 Review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen 9 9955HX configured sample with Crucial DDR5-5600, 2TB Crucial SSD, and Windows 11 Pro
Disclosure: The description identifies the unit as a free review sample and contains retailer 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 $49 lower
Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-A2
- Supports 80 GB more memory
- Provides 3 storage slots versus 2
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | K13 | MS-A2 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX |
| Cores / threads | 8 / 8 | 16 / 32 |
| Processor default TDP | 17 W | 100 W |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Arc 140V, 8 Xe cores | AMD Radeon 610M integrated graphics |
Memory and storage
| Specification | K13 | MS-A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | LPDDR5X-8533 on-package | 2x DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 96 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | No | Yes |
| Storage slots | 2 | 3 |
Connectivity
| Specification | K13 | MS-A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 5GbE | 2x 10GbE SFP+ (Intel X710) plus 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 (Intel I226-V and Realtek RTL8125) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E (MediaTek RZ616) + Bluetooth 5.2 |
| USB4 | Yes | No |
| Thunderbolt | No | No |
Size and price
| Specification | K13 | MS-A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 0.6 liters | 1.78 liters |
| List price | $950 | $999 |
| Product class | Compact low-power gaming | Home labs and compact servers |