Geekom A6 Review – Premium Mini PC for Games that costs $499

Over the previous few years, proudly owning a really compact mini-game PC has proven that it’s not only a dream. Geekom A6 It is an ideal instance, hiding an honest spec set inside that small aluminum chassis, all surprisingly inexpensive.

One space I actually recognize in regards to the Geekom merchandise I reviewed is the construct high quality and regardless of the finances stage value, this Geekom A6 Mini PC seems to be like a premium product. The 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM present plenty of energy for on a regular basis workplace work, and a minimum of for many trendy video games, prepared for 1080p gaming classes in a minimum of probably the most trendy video games.

It is essential to know what you are getting from such gadgets. These are mini PC laptop computer grade specs for simply $499. As earlier Geekom AX8 Professional evaluations present, prime specs can value tons of extra. Can this mini PC actually deal with the calls for of recent video games? To seek out it, I put my Geekom AX8 Professional in assessments over a number of days to see the way it labored as a PC for work and gaming.

specification

For $499, the Geekom A6 is an extremely succesful machine, not like the AX8 Professional I reviewed, and there is just one mannequin to purchase. It is going to be the 8-core 16-thread AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU, which was initially launched in 2022. Together with scores of 45W Thermal Design Energy (TDP), it might improve speeds as much as 4.7GHz.

In the meantime, the built-in AMD Radeon 680M GPU makes use of the confirmed AMD RDNA 2 structure. RDNA 2 GPUs are sometimes seen in trendy laptops and handhelds with 1080p gameplay. With its most notable steam deck, the just lately launched Legion Go S handheld with the Z2 Go APU additionally options the identical built-in 680M GPU because the A6 right here.

A pleasing shock, particularly contemplating the worth, is that Geekom did not get low cost in RAM or storage. The A6 comes with 32GB (2 x 16GB) of vital DDR5 RAM operating at 5,600MT/s, supporting as much as 64GB upgrades. There’s additionally a 1TB Kingston NVME SSD, leaving a considerable quantity of storage left for video games and apps.

Nevertheless, additional upgrading your RAM or SSD can show to be extra troublesome than you’ll anticipate, as we’ll clarify later.

Options

This Geekom A6 Mini PC doesn’t have a brief connection. Just like the Premium AX8 Professional, the A6 contains Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth assist, and a 2.5G Ethernet port. So long as your own home community can deal with it, whether or not it is a streaming, high-end sport, it is sufficient to deal with day by day demand.

Extremely, the rear I/O reveals 4 separate ports for the exterior show. Together with two HDMI 2.0 ports for traditional monitor output, in addition to Sort-C USB 4 Gen 3 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, it helps DisplayPort on USB, USB 4 port helps resolutions as much as 8K at 30Hz, and USB 3.2 port helps 4K at 60Hz. Nevertheless, you’ll need to make use of USB-C to view USB-C and join it to the monitor except you assist USB-C immediately.

The rear I/O panel additionally contains two extra Sort A USB ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 and one other USB 2.0. There may be additionally a 2.5G Ethernet port and DC energy jack on the again, however on the facet there’s a built-in SD card reader.

Switching to the entrance, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, together with a 3.5mm headphone jack, in addition to each the 2 USB Sort-A ports. The Geekom A6 additionally contains a Vesa mount that helps you connect your small PC to the again of your PC or monitor, holding you fully out of the way in which.

The guarantee can be the usual Geekom case with a 30-day return interval and a three-year guarantee masking each components and labor. The coverage features a disclaimer concerning “fraudulent” adjustments and intentional misuse, however there may be little details about what this covers outdoors of normalcy.

design

The metallic casing of the Geekom A6 is the true star of the present so far as its design is worried. The silver aluminum design is sort of harking back to the Apple Mac Mini, with Inset Geekom Branding on prime with rounded edges and mirrors. The chassis itself is ridiculously small, taking on solely 4.42 x 4.42 x 1.45 inches (11.24 x 11.24 x 3.7cm) of area and turns into one of many small mini PCs on the market.

Silver aluminum seems to be traditional so far as I am involved, and appears a lot increased high quality than the worth tag suggests. On the again, the aluminum is switched for the black plastic, the I/O panels are neatly embedded, and regardless of the change to plastic, the ports really feel well-used.

Not like the AX8 Professional’s giant honeycomb-esque grille design, the A6 minimizes air flow with rounded fan holes on both facet for air circulation. There may be additionally a big grille set above the exterior I/O panel on the again.

One among my greatest complaints with the AX8 Professional was that it was loaded with fan noise like jets, however I am glad to find that this challenge shouldn’t be so severe with the Geekom A6. Sure, the followers are nonetheless notably loud during times of intense system stress, particularly throughout gameplay, however the noise within the A6 wasn’t as distracting as I used to be afraid. The included VESA mount generally is a good workaround for this challenge as effectively, hiding the rig behind the monitor to scale back among the influence on speedy noise.

As talked about earlier, the Geekom A6 is upgradeable, however it’s a bit of extra concerned than anticipated. Once you flip by means of the mini PC, you will notice that you have to take away the sticky rubber toes that cowl the screws on the underside. After getting eliminated these screws, fastidiously eliminated the backplate, and brought care to not pull out the hooked up Wi-Fi antenna wire, you will notice a metallic panel masking the SSD and RAM.

That is the place the method has develop into extra concerned. I used to be in a position to take away the panel, however throughout the technique of eradicating the again plate, I pulled out the antenna cable. The WiFi chip itself is mounted beneath the SSD, so I needed to take away it. I then eliminated the small plastic covers, holding the 2 components individually, then spent a minimum of 20 minutes attaching the (very small, very nasty) cable connector to the Wi-Fi chip. This can be a bit disappointing given how easy and accessible the Geekom AX8 Professional is, however that is not an enormous deal.

That being mentioned, so long as you maintain that antenna wire, there are nonetheless loads of upgradeable alternatives right here. Two 16GB Essential DDR5 RAM SODIMM modules could be changed at a later date with two 32GB modules of one of the best RAM, whereas the 1TB Kingston PCIE 4.0 NVME SSD could be modified to one of the best SSD that fits your wants.

There may be additionally a second unused M.2 2242 slot that helps solely SATA III SSDs as much as 1TB, in line with Geekom. Because of this you can’t use NVME SSDs on these slots. There may be additionally a 16-pin FPC SATA port that connects a 2.5-inch SATA drive, however with a versatile flat cable much like that discovered on some laptops, the chassis doesn’t have the area to assist the set up of such a drive.

benchmark

The Geekom A6 reportedly helps 4K (and 8K!) decision, however a minimum of so far as gaming goes, let’s put the brakes on. This isn’t a 4K powerhouse, so do not anticipate to hit 4K or 1440p throughout your favourite video games. This can be a 1080p gaming rig, or a 720p rig that is extra snug, however as benchmark information reveals, if you wish to benefit from that potential, you have to fastidiously choose your sport.

Cyberpunk 2077 is a well-known sport, even one of the best graphics playing cards, and was playable on Geekom A6. Utilizing a low graphics preset at 1080p, the sport averaged 32fps, however its 1% low dropped to 24fps. This elevated 54fps with the AMD FSR on, however the 1080p FSR shouldn’t be a terrific possibility for avid gamers because of the Blurrier graphics attributable to upscaling.

Nevertheless, F1 2024 has been significantly better. The Geekom A6 was operating the sport with low graphics presets with fewer graphics presets, permitting for a mean of 70fps, with 1% of 1% at 65fps. The F1 2024 is a extra graphically demanding sport than Cyberpunk, making it simpler to experience the Radeon 680M GPU.

Lastly, Whole Warfare: Warhammer 3 averaged 50fps utilizing low graphics presets, with 1% at 46fps. With a barely smaller render than F1 2024, this complete battle sport is actually playable, however you might even see some unusual studs during times of intense exercise.

Within the artificial benchmark check of the AMD Ryzen 7 6800H CPU utilizing the Cinebench R24, the Geekom A6 scored 701 within the multi-threaded check and 87 within the single-core check. From each Intel and AMD, you’ll be able to truly get sooner efficiency from a contemporary CPU with 6 or extra cores, however this CPU nonetheless covers the fundamentals.

value

Because of that $499 MSRP, you are getting an actual discount with the Geekom A6. That value will purchase a small PC that may act as each a succesful workplace machine PC and an informal gaming rig that enables for a similar gaming efficiency in 1080p that you simply may discover on a finances handheld of comparable costs.

You can even beat most of the finest finances gaming PCs on the market, avoiding the standard compromises like 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, or an inexpensive plastic chassis. If in case you have specs that rival one of the best gaming laptops, you may pay extra to your efficiency. You may have a tough time discovering a $500 laptop computer that gives 1080p gaming efficiency on the very same stage because the A6.

Presently, Geekom is providing readers an extra 5% off on this mini PC with a reduction code that can be utilized in Amazon or Geekom’s personal shops till June thirtieth.

Be sure that to make use of the code to benefit from this transaction PCGNGKA6 Checkout course of is underway from now till June thirtieth. You should utilize this hyperlink right here to seize a Geekom A6 from the Geekom website. If you’re based mostly within the UK, the Geekom A6 could be obtained immediately from the Geekom UK web site utilizing this hyperlink as an alternative.

Amazon prospects may seize a Geekom A6 by utilizing this hyperlink for US prospects or Amazon UK.

verdict

For simply $499 and now priced at a reduction of $449 on each the Geekom web site and Amazon, the Geekom A6 is an extremely inexpensive mini-PC with loads of RAM and storage. This can be a succesful machine for on a regular basis work that’s powered sufficient to fairly deal with 1080p video games in 2025 so long as you regulate your expectations.

There are not any compromises on RAM or storage right here. Construct high quality is normally glorious. It is cool and, given the scale, I am additionally quieter than I anticipated. In brief, the Geekom A6 is what I need for a mini PC at this value vary.

However is it honest to name it a mini gaming PC? Positively, sure. It is not one of the best or probably the most highly effective, however the built-in AMD Radeon 680m continues to supply sufficient efficiency energy to hit at 1080p or 30fps within the newest video games, and handles much less demanding video games as effectively.

You get what you pay, however you get so much for $499 (or $449). Sure, there are higher PCs and laptops on the market, however if you happen to’re not focused on proudly owning a handheld, the Geekom A6 is among the finest methods to play PC video games at this low value with out resorting to consoles, and there are few rooms both. It is a first rate selection for informal avid gamers, with specs that keep away from the disagreeable compromises that finances rigs generally pressure us. Nevertheless, in case you are in search of severe gaming energy or are nervous in regards to the longevity of the sport on this machine, you may wish to see elsewhere.

Subsequent, take a look at one of the best mini gaming PC information. Right here you’ll be able to see a few of your favourite small kind issue PCs which you could purchase now at totally different costs.

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