Picking between two nearly identical-looking mini PCs is one of the most frustrating parts of shopping for small-form-factor computing. The GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus and the Minisforum UM880 Plus both build around AMD’s Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, and both promise desktop-class performance in a case smaller than a hardcover book. Each targets the same buyer: someone who wants a quiet, low-power machine that can still edit video, run a home server, or drive multiple 4K monitors. But a shared chip doesn’t mean an identical computer — the two brands make different calls on port counts, wireless hardware, chassis size, and price, and those differences decide which box actually fits your desk, your budget, and your workload. This guide breaks down every publicly documented spec for both machines side by side, from port counts to chassis dimensions, so you’re not guessing based on marketing photos. We’ll cover the processor and graphics, memory and storage, ports and connectivity, size and thermal design, power and pricing, then answer the most common buyer questions. By the end, you’ll know exactly which 8845HS mini PC matches your use case.
Quick answer: Both the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus and the Minisforum UM880 Plus use AMD’s 8-core/16-thread Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU (Minisforum also offers a Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS configuration) and Radeon 780M integrated graphics, per GMKtec and Minisforum‘s official product pages. Both also support up to 96GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, so memory capacity isn’t a differentiator anymore. The real gap is in ports and chassis: the K8 Plus packs two USB4 ports and two 2.5GbE LAN ports into a slightly larger case, while the UM880 Plus trims down to one USB4 port and one 2.5GbE LAN port in a smaller footprint. Choose the K8 Plus for maximum connectivity, and the UM880 Plus if a compact chassis matters more to you.
Quick Facts: Full Spec Comparison
| Spec | GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus | Minisforum UM880 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, 8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1GHz boost | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS option available), 8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1GHz boost |
| Integrated GPU | AMD Radeon 780M, 12 compute units, RDNA 3 | AMD Radeon 780M, 12 compute units, RDNA 3 |
| RAM (max) | 96GB DDR5-5600, 2x SO-DIMM slots | 96GB DDR5-5600, 2x SO-DIMM slots |
| Storage | 2x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe (no 2.5-inch bay) | 2x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe (no 2.5-inch bay) |
| USB4 ports | 2x USB4 (40Gbps) | 1x USB4 (40Gbps, DisplayPort Alt Mode + Power Delivery) |
| USB-A ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB 2.0 |
| Display outputs | 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1 (plus 2x USB4 video out) | 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (plus USB4 video out) |
| Ethernet | 2x 2.5GbE LAN | 1x 2.5GbE LAN |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Audio | 3.5mm combo jack | 3.5mm combo jack |
| Power adapter | External adapter sized for the platform’s 35-54W configurable TDP; exact wattage varies by region | External adapter sized for the platform’s 35-54W configurable TDP; exact wattage varies by region |
| Dimensions | 127 x 127 x 55mm (about 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.2 in) | approx. 130 x 127 x 55mm (about 5.1 x 5.0 x 2.2 in) |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro (pre-installed) | Windows 11 (edition unspecified) |
Sources: specs above are drawn from GMKtec’s and Minisforum’s official product pages (gmktec.com, minisforum.com), the MiniPCDB spec database, and manufacturer listings referenced via Amazon, checked October 2025. A few measurements are marked approximate where an exact manufacturer figure wasn’t publicly available.
Processor and Graphics: Same Chip, Same Ceiling
Both machines are built around close siblings of the same silicon, so this is the one area where performance potential is essentially identical. The AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS is an 8-core, 16-thread mobile processor built on Zen 4 cores at a 4nm process node, with a base clock around 3.8GHz and a boost clock rated up to 5.1GHz. It carries 16MB of L3 cache and a configurable TDP typically set between 35W and 54W depending on how each brand tunes its firmware. Minisforum also lists a Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS configuration option for the UM880 Plus, which adds AMD’s PRO manageability and security features without changing the core count or clock speeds.
The graphics side is handled by the Radeon 780M, an RDNA 3 integrated GPU with 12 compute units running up to roughly 2.7GHz. This iGPU supports hardware AV1 encode and decode, HDR output, and can typically drive up to three displays at once when you combine HDMI, DisplayPort, and a USB4 port with DisplayPort Alt Mode. Because the CPU and GPU are the same parts sourced from AMD, any real-world performance difference between these two mini PCs comes down to cooling design and power limits set by each manufacturer’s firmware, not the silicon itself.
Memory: Both Now Top Out at 96GB
Earlier spec sheets for the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus listed a 64GB ceiling, but GMKtec’s current published specs confirm the K8 Plus actually supports up to 96GB of DDR5-5600 RAM using two 48GB SO-DIMM modules — matching the Minisforum UM880 Plus exactly. Memory capacity is no longer something that separates these two machines.
For most everyday use — browsing, office work, media playback, even moderate photo editing — 32GB is already comfortable and 64GB is generous. The extra headroom up to 96GB mainly matters if you plan to:
- Run several virtual machines simultaneously for development or testing
- Use the mini PC as a home lab server hosting multiple containerized services
- Work with large in-memory datasets, such as certain data science or CAD workflows
If none of that applies to you, either machine’s memory ceiling is more than enough, and you can pick based on ports and chassis size instead.
Storage: Two NVMe Slots on Both, No 2.5-Inch Bay
Storage is another area where the two machines turn out to be more alike than older listings suggested. Both the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus and the Minisforum UM880 Plus include two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe slots, and neither ships with a 2.5-inch SATA bay — GMKtec’s current spec sheet confirms storage is NVMe-only on the K8 Plus, despite some older listings implying otherwise.
| Storage feature | GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus | Minisforum UM880 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| M.2 slots | 2x M.2 2280, PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2x M.2 2280, PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| 2.5-inch drive bay | Not included | Not included |
| Expansion path beyond two NVMe drives | External USB storage only | External USB storage only |
In practice, your total internal capacity on either box comes down to how large an NVMe drive you’re willing to buy for each of the two slots. If you need more storage than two NVMe drives provide, both machines rely on external drives connected over USB rather than an internal SATA bay — worth planning around if you were counting on a built-in spot for a bulk backup drive.
Ports and Connectivity
Port selection is where these two mini PCs actually diverge. The GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus is the better-equipped of the two: it includes two USB4 ports (40Gbps each), two 2.5GbE Ethernet ports for dual-network or link-aggregation setups, and Wi-Fi 6 with Bluetooth 5.2 — note that retailer spec sheets and independent reviews list the K8 Plus as Wi-Fi 6, not Wi-Fi 6E, so the UM880 Plus is the one to pick if 6E support is essential for your setup.
The Minisforum UM880 Plus trims connectivity to fit its smaller chassis: teardown data and spec-database listings show it has one USB4 port (with DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery for single-cable docking), one 2.5GbE LAN port, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 — a newer Bluetooth revision than the K8 Plus.
Both machines include one HDMI 2.1 port plus a DisplayPort output — DP 2.1 on the K8 Plus, DP 1.4 on the UM880 Plus — supporting at least three simultaneous displays when you add USB4 video output (GMKtec advertises up to four on the K8 Plus).
| Port type | GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus | Minisforum UM880 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| USB4 (40Gbps) | 2 | 1 (DisplayPort Alt Mode + Power Delivery) |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A | 2 | 2 |
| USB 2.0 Type-A | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI 2.1 | 1 | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 1 (DP 2.1) | 1 (DP 1.4) |
| 2.5GbE LAN | 2 | 1 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| 3.5mm audio jack | 1 | 1 |
Size and Thermal Design
Chassis size is where the two products feel most different in practice, even though the internal hardware is nearly identical. The GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus measures a compact 127 x 127 x 55mm (about 5.0 x 5.0 x 2.2 in), per manufacturer-listed dimensions, though some spec databases measure it slightly larger at roughly 132 x 127 x 58mm — treat both figures as approximate and check the current listing before planning tight clearances. The Minisforum UM880 Plus is close in size at roughly 130 x 127 x 55mm (about 5.1 x 5.0 x 2.2 in) per retailer listings, giving both machines a similar squat, square-ish footprint that’s easy to tuck behind a monitor or on a shelf.
Both use active cooling — a fan paired with heat pipes — rather than a passive, fanless design, which is standard for a chip with a 35-54W configurable TDP in this size class.
Power Supply and Efficiency
Both mini PCs ship with a proprietary external power adapter sized for the 8845HS platform’s 35-54W configurable TDP; exact wattage and voltage figures aren’t consistently published across every regional listing, so we won’t guess at a specific number here. What matters more in practice: always use the adapter that came with your specific unit rather than swapping in a generic laptop-style brick. An underpowered or mismatched adapter can cause instability or prevent the system from reaching its rated boost clock.
Price and Value
Neither company publishes one fixed price — like most mini PCs, both models are sold in multiple RAM/storage configurations and see frequent promotional discounts. At the time of writing, the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus (32GB RAM / 1TB SSD configuration) has been listed anywhere from about $520 to $750 depending on the retailer and active promotion, while the Minisforum UM880 Plus (32GB RAM / 1TB SSD) launched around $649, with promotional pricing frequently bringing it down to roughly $520.
| Configuration | GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus | Minisforum UM880 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD (street price range) | ~$520-$750 | ~$520-$649 |
| 96GB RAM configuration | Available at a higher price point | Available at a higher price point |
At those overlapping price ranges, the two are close enough that spec fit — not cost — should drive your choice.
Software and Operating System
The GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus ships with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, confirmed via GMKtec’s own product listing for this line. Minisforum’s documentation confirms the UM880 Plus ships with Windows 11 pre-installed but doesn’t specify which edition; if Windows 11 Pro-only features like BitLocker management or Hyper-V matter to you, that’s worth weighing against the K8 Plus’s confirmed Pro installation.
Both chipsets are also broadly compatible with mainstream Linux distributions, since AMD’s Zen 4 mobile silicon is well supported upstream, though neither manufacturer publishes an official Linux driver commitment for these exact models.
Which One Should You Buy?
Since the CPU, GPU, and RAM ceiling are now identical, your decision comes down to ports and chassis size.
- Choose the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus if: you want the most connectivity — two USB4 ports and two 2.5GbE LAN ports — and don’t mind a slightly larger chassis.
- Choose the Minisforum UM880 Plus if: you want the smallest footprint, you’re fine with a single USB4 port (with confirmed DisplayPort Alt Mode and Power Delivery for docking) and a single 2.5GbE LAN port, and you’d like the newer Bluetooth 5.3 radio.
- Either one works well if: your workload is general productivity, media consumption, light development, or a home server running two or three services — both handle that comfortably on the shared Ryzen 7 8845HS platform, and both scale up to 96GB of RAM if you need it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus and Minisforum UM880 Plus use the exact same processor?
Essentially, yes. Both manufacturers list the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, an 8-core/16-thread Zen 4 mobile processor with a boost clock up to 5.1GHz, paired with the same Radeon 780M integrated graphics. Minisforum additionally offers a Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS configuration for the UM880 Plus, which adds AMD PRO manageability features without changing core count or clock speed.
Which one supports more RAM?
Neither — both the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus and the Minisforum UM880 Plus support up to 96GB of DDR5-5600 RAM across two SO-DIMM slots. Earlier spec sheets suggested the K8 Plus topped out at 64GB, but GMKtec’s current documentation confirms it matches the UM880 Plus’s 96GB ceiling.
Can I install a discrete graphics card in either mini PC?
No. Both are fixed integrated-graphics systems with no internal slot for a discrete GPU. If you need more graphics performance, both machines expose an OCuLink port (PCIe 4.0 x4) for an external GPU dock, and both can also drive an eGPU enclosure over USB4, where performance is capped by that port’s 40Gbps bandwidth ceiling.
Does either mini PC have a 2.5-inch drive bay?
No. Neither the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus nor the Minisforum UM880 Plus includes a 2.5-inch SATA bay. Both are limited to two internal M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe slots for storage.
Which one has more ports?
The GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus, by a clear margin: it has two USB4 ports versus one on the UM880 Plus, and two 2.5GbE LAN ports versus one. The UM880 Plus counters with a newer Bluetooth 5.3 radio (versus 5.2 on the K8 Plus) and a smaller chassis.
What power adapter does each one ship with?
Both ship with a proprietary external adapter sized for the platform’s 35-54W configurable TDP. Exact wattage and voltage ratings vary by region and retailer listing, so always use the adapter that came with your specific unit rather than a generic replacement.
Are these good for gaming?
The Radeon 780M integrated GPU in both machines can run many esports titles and older or lighter games at 1080p on reduced settings, but neither machine is built for demanding modern AAA gaming at high settings. They’re better categorized as productivity, home-server, and media mini PCs that happen to include capable integrated graphics.
Which one is smaller?
The Minisforum UM880 Plus and the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus are close in overall footprint — about 130 x 127 x 55mm for the UM880 Plus versus 127 x 127 x 55mm for the K8 Plus — closer in size than some early listings suggested. Official weight figures for either model aren’t consistently published, so we can’t make a confident weight comparison.
Do both support triple-monitor setups?
Both list one HDMI 2.1 port, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and USB4 ports capable of DisplayPort output, which together can typically support up to three displays at once, subject to your specific display’s input compatibility and cabling.
Reviewed and edited by Jason Paik. Spotted an error? Tell us — we verify and correct. See how we create content.