GEEKCOM A8 Mini PC Review: A Compact Powerhouse with Impressive Performance and Quiet Operation

In the ever-evolving world of computing, mini PCs are becoming increasingly popular for users seeking high performance in a compact form factor. If you’ve been looking for a small yet powerful desktop that doesn’t compromise on performance, the GEEKCOM A8 mini PC might just be the perfect solution. Packed with the latest AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Radeon 780m integrated graphics, this tiny machine is capable of delivering impressive performance that rivals traditional gaming graphics cards like the Nvidia GTX 1650. Let’s dive into the details of this mini PC powerhouse and explore why it could be a game-changer for your workspace.

Unboxing the GEEKCOM A8: A Tiny, Yet Mighty Machine

The GEEKCOM A8 mini PC comes well-packaged, with the main unit, HDMI cable, various components, and a warranty card. At just 112.4 mm in width and 37 mm in height, with a weight of only 0.4 kg, this mini PC is so compact that it can easily be held in the palm of your hand. Its small size makes it a perfect choice for those with limited desk space or those who prefer a more minimalist setup.

Despite its diminutive size, the GEEKCOM A8 doesn’t skimp on ports. On the front, you’ll find a power button, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports. While an additional USB port would have been a nice touch, the connectivity options on the front are still quite sufficient for everyday use. On the left side, there’s an SD card slot that supports UHS 2 standards, making it a fantastic choice for photographers and video editors who frequently work with large files.

Moving to the back, the GEEKCOM A8 offers a solid array of ports, including a DC power terminal, USB 4 Gen 3 Type-C port, HDMI 2.0 port, Intel RJ45 Ethernet port, and multiple USB ports (2.0 and 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A). The inclusion of the USB 4 Gen 3 Type-C port offers great flexibility for connecting high-resolution displays and external devices. This also allows for dual monitor support with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz, making it a great option for those who need multiple displays for multitasking.

Inside the GEEKCOM A8: Powerful Hardware in a Tiny Package

When you open the GEEKCOM A8, you’ll find that it’s thoughtfully designed for effective heat management. The interior is equipped with an aluminum panel that helps dissipate heat, ensuring the PC remains cool during extended usage. Inside, you’ll find a 2TB Ace SSD for storage and two 16GB DDR5 5600 MHz RAM modules, providing ample space for multitasking and light video editing tasks.

Despite its compact size, the GEEKCOM A8 delivers impressive performance. Basic tasks like photo editing in Photoshop or video editing in Premiere Pro are handled smoothly. For light content creators, this mini PC offers a fantastic balance of performance and space-saving design. You’ll be able to easily work on projects like Instagram posts, YouTube Shorts, and other content creation without experiencing lag or slowdowns.

Performance Benchmarks: How Does It Stack Up?

To see how the GEEKCOM A8 performs under pressure, let’s take a look at some of the benchmark results.

Cinebench R23 Performance:

• Multi-core score: 910 points
• Single-core score: 104 points
• Maximum temperature (Multi-core): 90°C
• Maximum temperature (Single-core): 77°C

These results show that the GEEKCOM A8 can handle demanding tasks like rendering and multitasking quite well. The temperature during these tests is slightly high but remains within an acceptable range for a mini PC. Under normal workloads, the CPU temperature hovers around 40-50°C, and during gaming, it can rise to the low 80s.

Fan Noise:

• Typical web browsing environment: 40 dB
• High-end gaming: 50 dB

The fan noise is relatively quiet, even when gaming, and won’t interfere with your work or entertainment. The noise level is drowned out by background sounds or game audio, so it won’t be a distraction in most environments.

3DMark Fire Strike & Time Spy:

• Fire Strike Basic Graphics Score: 88,276
• Fire Strike Extreme Graphics Score: 4,116
• Time Spy Graphics Score (Basic): 2,892
• Time Spy Graphics Score (Extreme): 1,344

These scores indicate that the GEEKCOM A8 can handle graphics-intensive tasks, such as gaming, with ease. The integrated Radeon 780m GPU performs well even in high-demand scenarios, making it suitable for casual gaming and light graphics work.

Gaming Performance: Can It Handle Modern Titles?

One of the standout features of the GEEKCOM A8 is its ability to play modern games at decent settings, despite its small size.

• Call of Duty Black Ops 6: At Full HD resolution and ultra settings, the GEEKCOM A8 averaged 29 FPS. Lowering the settings resulted in an average of 111 FPS, making it perfectly playable for both single-player and multiplayer modes.
• Monster Hunter Rise: At Full HD resolution and ultra settings, the GEEKCOM A8 averaged 23 FPS. However, with lower settings, it reached 42 FPS, providing a playable experience.
• Battlegrounds (PUBG): At Full HD resolution and ultra settings, the A8 averaged 52 FPS, with 85 FPS on lower settings. This is great for fast-paced games that require smooth performance.
• Cyberpunk 2077: At Full HD resolution and ultra settings, the GEEKCOM A8 averaged 28 FPS. With lower settings, it reached 44 FPS, showing that it can handle demanding titles, though lower settings are necessary for optimal play.

While the GEEKCOM A8 isn’t going to replace a high-end gaming PC, it’s certainly capable of running many popular titles at reasonable settings. For casual gamers or those looking to play less demanding games, this mini PC delivers fantastic value.

Final Thoughts: A Compact PC with Big Potential

The GEEKCOM A8 mini PC is a remarkable combination of performance, compact design, and quiet operation. Its small size makes it ideal for those with limited space or anyone who values a clutter-free desk. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945 HS processor, Radeon 780m GPU, and efficient heat dissipation system ensure that it can handle everyday tasks, light video editing, and even some gaming.

For users who need a powerful yet compact workstation for content creation or casual gaming, the GEEKCOM A8 is a solid choice. It strikes a perfect balance between performance, portability, and price. If you’re in the market for a mini PC that won’t take up much desk space but still delivers impressive power, the GEEKCOM A8 is definitely worth considering.

Pros:

• Compact and space-saving design
• Impressive performance for its size
• Quiet operation
• Dual monitor support up to 4K at 60Hz
• Great for light content creation and casual gaming

Cons:

• Limited storage expansion options (only one M.2 SSD slot)
• High temperatures under full load (but well-managed cooling system)

Overall, the GEEKCOM A8 offers a lot of value in a small package and is a top contender for users looking for a compact yet powerful mini PC.