Introduction
Let's be honest—when someone says "mini PC," most of us picture those underpowered boxes that struggle with basic multitasking, right? I mean, how many times have you been burned by something that promised desktop performance in a tiny package, only to end up with a glorified streaming device?
But here's where things get interesting. I've been testing the GEEKOM AX8 Max for the past three weeks, and I'll admit—I went into this pretty skeptical. A mini PC with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and claims of handling AAA gaming? Yeah, I've heard that song before. But after putting this thing through its paces—from video editing marathons to some surprisingly intense gaming sessions—I'm actually sitting here reconsidering what a "mini PC" can really do.
The GEEKOM AX8 Max isn't just another compact computer. It's basically trying to replace your full tower setup while taking up about as much desk space as a sandwich. Ambitious? Absolutely. But does it actually deliver? Let's dig in, because the answer is more nuanced than you might think.
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First Impressions: Unboxing and Build Quality
The moment I pulled the AX8 Max out of its box, one thing hit me immediately—this thing feels premium. And I don't mean that in the typical reviewer way where everything is "premium" just because it's not plastic. The aircraft-grade aluminum alloy chassis has this substantial weight to it that screams quality. It's like holding a piece of precision engineering rather than consumer electronics.
The CNC machining is genuinely impressive. Running my fingers over the surface, you can feel how meticulously crafted this is. No rough edges, no weird seams, nothing that makes you think "yeah, they cut corners here." The honeycomb vent design on top isn't just for show either—it's part of what GEEKOM calls their IceBlast 2.0 cooling system, and honestly? It's one of the smartest thermal solutions I've seen in a compact form factor.
Measuring roughly the size of a thick hardcover book, the AX8 Max manages to look both understated and sophisticated. It's not trying too hard to be "gamer" with RGB lighting everywhere (thank goodness), but it's also not boring. You could put this on a professional desk or in a living room entertainment center, and it would fit right in.
Performance: The Heart of the Matter
Here's where things get really interesting. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor is built on 4nm Zen4 architecture, which is a fancy way of saying it's seriously efficient while packing serious punch. We're talking 8 cores, 16 threads, boost speeds up to 4.9GHz, and that 16MB cache doesn't hurt either.
But specs are just numbers until you actually use the thing, right?
Daily Workload Performance
For regular office work—browsing with about 30 Chrome tabs open (because apparently I'm incapable of closing anything), running Excel spreadsheets, Slack, Spotify, and having three different documents open—the AX8 Max doesn't even break a sweat. It's in Normal Mode by default, and honestly, that's where I've kept it for most tasks.
What surprised me was how silent it stays during these operations. I'm used to hearing my old desktop tower sound like a jet engine just from opening Photoshop, but the AX8 Max? Dead silent. Like, I actually checked a few times to make sure it was still on.
Video Editing and Creative Work
Here's where I really wanted to push things. I do quite a bit of video editing—nothing Hollywood-level, but 4K footage from my camera, color grading, effects, the works. Loaded up DaVinci Resolve, imported some 4K 60fps clips, started layering effects and transitions.
The AMD Radeon 780M integrated graphics handled it surprisingly well. Scrubbing through the timeline was smooth, rendering times were respectable (not bleeding-edge workstation fast, but definitely faster than I expected from a mini PC). The fact that this integrated GPU supposedly rivals a GTX 1060 in performance? I'm actually inclined to believe it after this experience.
One project I worked on involved editing an 8-minute 4K video with color correction, stabilization, and audio mixing. Export time? About 12 minutes. For a machine this size, that's honestly impressive.
Gaming: The Real Test
Okay, let's talk gaming—because this is where most mini PCs fall flat on their face. I switched to Performance Mode (super easy—just hit F7 during boot, navigate to the BIOS, done), and decided to throw some demanding titles at it.
Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with medium settings? Totally playable. I was getting around 45-55 fps, which yeah, isn't going to win any frame rate competitions, but for a mini PC with integrated graphics, I was genuinely shocked. The game looked good, ran smooth enough that I could actually enjoy it, and the system stayed surprisingly cool.
Forza Horizon 5 ran beautifully at 1080p high settings, easily maintaining 60+ fps. Racing games are a bit less demanding, sure, but the visual fidelity was there, and the experience was buttery smooth.
Counter-Strike 2—because of course I had to—ran at over 100 fps at 1080p maxed out. Competitive players will be happy.
Now, here's the catch: you're not going to be running everything at ultra 4K settings. This is integrated graphics, after all. But for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings? It's shockingly capable.
The Secret Weapon: USB4 eGPU Support
And here's where GEEKOM really showed they understand their audience. Those USB4 Type-C ports aren't just for show—they support external GPU enclosures. Connect something like a Razer Core X with an RTX 4070, and suddenly you've got legitimate desktop gaming performance in a form factor that barely takes up any space.
I tested this briefly with a friend's eGPU setup, and the performance jump was massive. We're talking going from medium settings at 1080p to ultra settings at 1440p or even 4K in many titles. The bandwidth of USB4 (40Gbps) means you're not bottlenecking the external GPU nearly as much as with older Thunderbolt 3 setups.
Cooling System: The IceBlast 2.0 Difference
Let me tell you something that genuinely impressed me—after three hours of continuous gaming in Performance Mode, I placed my hand on top of the AX8 Max expecting to burn my palm off. Know what I felt? Warm. Not hot, not "this is concerning," just... warm.
GEEKOM claims their IceBlast 2.0 system reduces noise by up to 50% under heavy workloads. I can't verify the exact percentage, but what I can tell you is that even when this thing is working hard, it's quieter than my laptop was just browsing the web.
The honeycomb vents aren't just aesthetic—they genuinely maximize airflow. Combined with reinforced heat pipes, expanded cooling fins, and what I assume is some seriously good thermal paste, this cooling solution punches way above its weight class.
You can even adjust fan speeds through the BIOS or a desktop app, which is a nice touch for the tinkerers out there.
Connectivity: Where This Thing Really Shines
Okay, confession time—I'm the kind of person who never has enough ports. USB hubs everywhere, cables running all over the place, it's a mess. The AX8 Max actually made me put away one of my hubs.
Port Selection:
- 2 x USB4 Type-C (40Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1, Power Delivery 3.0)
- 5 x USB 3.2 Type-A
- 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A
- Dual 2.5G Ethernet ports
- Dual HDMI outputs
- DisplayPort
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Security lock slot
The dual 2.5G Ethernet is particularly interesting if you're into networking. You can set up link aggregation for doubled bandwidth, use one port for internal network and one for external, or even configure it as a lightweight NAS. I just use it for blazing-fast wired internet, but the flexibility is there.
Display Capabilities: Quad 8K Support
This is kind of wild—the AX8 Max supports up to four displays simultaneously, with 8K capability. I don't have four 8K monitors lying around (who does?), but I did test it with three displays: my main 4K monitor via HDMI, a 1440p secondary via the second HDMI, and a 1080p third monitor via DisplayPort.
Everything worked flawlessly. No lag, no weird scaling issues, just three displays doing their thing. For productivity work—especially if you're coding, trading, or managing complex workflows—this is an absolute game-changer.
Storage and Memory: Built to Expand
Out of the box, you get 32GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600MHz RAM. That's already overkill for most people, but it's expandable up to 96GB if you're doing serious professional work. The 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD is fast—like, "Windows boots in 8 seconds" fast—and you can upgrade it to 4TB if needed.
WiFi 6E with triple-band support (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz) means wireless speeds are legitimately competitive with wired connections in many scenarios. Bluetooth 5.3 handles all my peripherals without any of the weird connection drops I've experienced with other systems.
Performance Modes: More Than a Gimmick
I was initially skeptical of the three performance modes (Quiet, Normal, Performance), thinking it might be marketing fluff. But after actually using them, they make sense:
Quiet Mode is perfect for late-night browsing, writing, or any scenario where you want the PC to basically disappear. Power consumption drops noticeably—I measured about 15-20W at idle.
Normal Mode handles 90% of what I throw at it. Video editing, moderate gaming, heavy multitasking—it's the sweet spot between performance and efficiency.
Performance Mode unleashes everything. The fans spin up (but still remain reasonably quiet), power draw increases, and you get every ounce of performance the hardware can deliver.
Real-World Daily Use Scenarios
Let me paint a picture of how this actually fits into life:
Morning: Boot up in 8 seconds, coffee in hand. Open 15+ Chrome tabs, Spotify streaming, email client running, Teams call in the background. Monitoring task manager: 18% CPU usage, system RAM at 12GB. Dead silent.
Afternoon: Switching to video editing. Imported yesterday's footage, scrubbing through 4K timeline, applying color corrections, tweaking audio levels. Occasional render preview—fans spin up slightly, still quieter than conversation volume. Export project while making lunch. Done before the sandwich is.
Evening: Flip to Performance Mode, load up a game. An hour of Cyberpunk, genuinely enjoying the experience without thinking "man, I wish this was better." System stays cool, no thermal throttling, no weird frame drops.
Night: Back to Quiet Mode, browsing Reddit and watching YouTube before bed. Could sleep with this thing running—that's how quiet it is.
Check current pricing and availability here 🔥
📊 Pros & Cons
Pros:
✅ Genuinely impressive performance for the size
✅ Premium build quality that feels like it'll last
✅ Excellent cooling system—cool and quiet
✅ Insane connectivity options (dual 2.5G Ethernet, USB4, quad display)
✅ Expandable RAM and storage
✅ eGPU support via USB4 for future-proofing
✅ Three performance modes that actually matter
✅ Windows 11 Pro included
✅ 3-year warranty with 24/7 support
Cons:
❌ Integrated graphics limit gaming to 1080p medium/high (unless you add eGPU)
❌ Premium price point—not cheap
❌ No RGB lighting (okay, this is actually a pro for some of us)
❌ Performance Mode can get warm under sustained load
❌ BIOS interface could be more intuitive
📋 How Does It Compare?
vs. Apple Mac Mini M2: The Mac Mini has better power efficiency and that Apple ecosystem integration, but the AX8 Max destroys it in expandability, port selection, and gaming capability. Plus, Windows 11 Pro vs macOS is a personal choice.
vs. Intel NUC 13 Extreme: The NUC supports discrete graphics natively, which is cool, but it's also bulkier, louder, and more expensive. The AX8 Max's eGPU support via USB4 gives you similar flexibility while maintaining a smaller footprint.
vs. Beelink SER7: Similar processor, but the GEEKOM wins on build quality, cooling solution, and that dual 2.5G Ethernet. The SER7 is a bit cheaper, but you definitely feel the difference in materials and thermal management.
❓ FAQ
Q: Can this really handle AAA gaming?
A: At 1080p medium to high settings, absolutely yes. You won't max out Cyberpunk at 4K, but for most modern games at reasonable settings, it's surprisingly capable. Add an eGPU, and you're in high-end territory.
Q: How loud does it get under load?
A: Even in Performance Mode with demanding tasks, it stays quieter than most laptops. In Normal and Quiet modes, it's essentially silent unless your ear is right next to it.
Q: Is 32GB of RAM overkill?
A: For most people? Probably. But if you're doing video editing, 3D rendering, running VMs, or serious multitasking, you'll use it. Plus, it's nice having headroom.
Q: Can I use this as a home server or NAS?
A: Technically yes, thanks to dual 2.5G Ethernet and expandable storage. It's overkill for a basic NAS, but if you want a multipurpose machine that can serve files and do actual work, it's perfect.
Q: Does it really last 2-3x longer than competing models?
A: Can't verify that specific claim yet (obviously), but the build quality, cooling system, and component selection suggest this is built for longevity rather than planned obsolescence.
Q: What accessories should I get with it?
A: A good USB-C hub if you need even more ports, a quality external SSD for backups, and if you're serious about gaming, consider an eGPU enclosure down the line.
Q: Is this good for software development?
A: Excellent, actually. Fast compile times, enough RAM to run multiple Docker containers, can handle VMs easily, and all those displays make workflow management a breeze.
✅ Conclusion: Who Is This Really For?
After three weeks with the GEEKOM AX8 Max, here's my honest take: this isn't for everyone, but for the right person, it's absolutely perfect.
If you're a content creator tired of loud, bulky workstations... if you're a gamer who doesn't need ultra settings but wants a clean setup... if you're a professional who values desk space but refuses to compromise on performance... this mini PC genuinely delivers.
Is it cheap? No. At this price point, you could build a budget tower with similar specs. But you'd lose the premium materials, the whisper-quiet operation, the tiny footprint, and the sheer elegance of having a powerful computer that doesn't dominate your workspace.
The three-year warranty and 24/7 US-based support show GEEKOM stands behind this product. That matters when you're investing this much in a machine.
Would I recommend it? If you value quality over rock-bottom pricing, if you appreciate thoughtful engineering, and if you need serious power in a compact package—absolutely. This is what mini PCs should have been all along.
Check current pricing and availability here 🔥
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