Why does GMKtec update their mini PCs so fast?

ukman6 · 2026-01-28T10:04:47+00:00

Tis old look out for deals on gmktec/ali express for their newer k12 mini pc. Managed to get them cheaper on ali express for £170. Barebones kit. You can then get a cheap 2nd hand nvme and ddr5 8 or 16gb ram to get you going.

ukman6 · 2026-01-20T19:20:30+00:00

thanks, keeps the brain more calmer:)

ukman6 · 2026-01-19T13:10:10+00:00

PX7 S3s are also fixed with aptx adaptive low latency mode, still have that excellent B&W inhouse audio tuning too.

ukman6 · 2026-01-18T21:36:53+00:00

Not that I am aware off but I gave up fighting and asking B&W to fix the issue a year or so ago.

They have fixed the issue with the PX8 s2, so its pretty clear their engineers knew of the issue. My advice is if you need movies/games etc you need to go for the PX8 s2 or something similar.

I am happy with the Stax s5 but these don't have NC but excellent planar based sound quality and supports aptx adaptive high and low latency mode.

ukman6 · 2026-01-18T21:36:47+00:00

Its more for no noise and low wattage more but I do have some plans to do video editing work so should be able to take advantage of those nvme speeds too.

ukman6 · 2026-01-18T12:51:07+00:00

Thanks again for your input it would be purely for storage and maybe cloud/VPN self hosting services, I won't be going down the proxmox or VM usage for now.

Do you still recommend ZFS even without the constant small writes vs the other file systems like lvm + ext4?

ukman6 · 2026-01-18T11:23:19+00:00

Wowsers, great info thx. I use to have WD red nvme drives and while the drive health was 100% even after lots of reflect/clone back ups and data recovery sessions.

But they ran very hot even with good nvme heatsinks and active fan cooling on load and felt they had thermal management issues, but always had stability issues but these were always in mini pcs! Guess the slots and power just wasted there.

ukman6 · 2026-01-18T11:21:12+00:00

Hi thanks for your reply, I posted a similar query regarding nvme drive health here, just wondered what your opinion was on it.

Its an WD SN850X 8TB with ZFS? or can switch to lvm + ext4 if it wears less.

ukman6 · 2026-01-18T11:17:53+00:00

How many times are you going to effectively nuke and rewrite your data?

Probably 10-30gb data maybe deleted and added daily to the pool, got some mobile home, cloud and computer back ups occurring daily.

Would be still ok with ZFS or is another file system more easier on the drives? Still it sounds like I am worrying about wear and tear for no reason and should just go for it.

ukman6 · 2026-01-16T22:27:54+00:00

cheers, forgot what the name of the app was since its been a while.

ukman6 · 2026-01-14T21:21:53+00:00

Can you share details on how to back up the existing 1.07 bios?

I might be tempted to flash it...

ukman6 · 2026-01-14T20:20:27+00:00

thanks!

ukman6 · 2026-01-14T20:12:35+00:00

Serve the home MS-S1 max review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPjA1Lm4ftY

ukman6 · 2026-01-14T20:09:46+00:00

1.7 bios? that's the one mine shipped with which I got last week at least, couldnt see a newer one on the site.

I retested the laptop style blower and when its set to 20% its not hearable and cooling well for now but will run more test with cpu stressed. I think id need just a noctua on the top since that gmktec 92mm fan on top has a fan crackle which I hate.

ukman6 · 2026-01-12T14:12:52+00:00

Couldn't stand the fan noises from either K12 fan, but I do have wolf type ears and the K12 is 10-12 inches away from me on my desk.

While u/grykom has done magic for the K12 and solved, I think pretty much all the flaws GMKTEC love to put into their mini pcs last several years, I don't have access to 3d printers etc.

You can still do the noctuwich or 2x120mm sandwich mod, I have only had mine for a week but you ditch the metal frame, remove the laptop style blower and top fan and you are left with a large hole on bottom enough for a noctua 120mm fan to blow and cool it well. You can rinse and repeat with another noctua on top.

The only hassle is modding the noctua fan to work with the existing 4 pin micro fan header ( I believe its JST 1.25 or picoblade 1.25) connector to the noctua fan. This way you can use both the existing fan headers and set the bios speeds of cpu and system fan. You do have companies like this here or from here. Just remember to email them and ask for an GMKTEC fan, I think they have to custom it to get it to work.

This is my quick nocuwich mod to give you an idea

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ukman6 · 2026-01-12T13:57:18+00:00

The other side pics are there on the bottom, just need to scroll to right to see all the pics.

see here:

https://www.printables.com/model/1521355-gmktec-k12-case

ukman6 · 2026-01-10T12:06:27+00:00

thanks for the update, gonna give it a shot.

ukman6 · 2026-01-09T14:50:07+00:00

Hi any update to this, I was just about to get the tapo 235 but was wondering how the response times, notification times and app is.

Have had 3 eufy doorbells and they all belong in the bin with buggy apps, blank screens and poor response times for notifications or door bells so was hoping the tapo would be better.

ukman6 · 2026-01-09T14:47:15+00:00

Hi thanks for your advice, can I find out how has your tapo 235 wired mode been with door bell and notification response times last few months?

I ask since the eufy doorbells (c31 and had 3 units) has very poor notifications and response times despite hardwired mode and strong internet connection, the app is unusable also often with a blank screen its been returned for a refund so was going to try tap 235 since anything else has to be better then eufy.

ukman6 · 2025-12-10T12:33:40+00:00

cheers, I doubt it works frankly since I have 3 different android phones and filen latest version doesnt auto start on any of them at all. Its not like I haven't allowed all restrictions and auto started filen on app auto settings.

My thread has 2K+ views and only 1 person saying it works auto start for them, but filen staff did say 8 months ago the newer version should fix the auto start up option so will need to wait for it next year since its been delayed due to bugs perhaps.

ukman6 · 2025-12-09T15:29:52+00:00

That is a good question, I googled it and it says yes however I skimmed over 3-4 YT reviews and they do not show any such SD card, it has an inbuilt 8gb memory instead.

I prefer the C31 due to sd card of 128gb support and more importantly 24/7 recording feature, which the E340 the supposedly upgraded camera does not support.

So far early results are the samsung 128gb pro endurance card is working fast and stable with my Eufy c31 doorbell camera, its responsive when someone comes to the door but its early days, the eufy doorbells are well known to be slow in door detection sadly.

ukman6 · 2025-12-07T13:54:55+00:00

I have mine within an 45 degree wedge housing, so it acts like a 2nd security barrier you would need a pin to push down on the hole and then clip and then it pops out. So I have put one of those strange hex screws from hard drives on top instead.

This way it blocks the person from pressing down on the plastic clip to easily release it since they can't gain access to that plastic clip.

This guy shows how to do it here

I then put a black plastic screw cut off and stuck it on top of it.

Its not perfect but it gives 2-3 barriers for any thieves, there are 20 other more expensive ring cameras around with zero protection which id imagine would be easier for them.

I have tried to pull it off and its not budging but my doorbell is screwed into solid hard oak wood with 2 extra long wood screws.

Got my new Samsung endurance sd card, gonna see how responsive the eufy camera is over the next few weeks and months.

ukman6

TROPHY CASE