This is the review of GEEKOM Mini IT8, a mini PC that is not of the latest generation but still has a lot to say. Let’s listen to it together!
Nowadays mini PCs have become a very valid alternative to desktop PCs or laptops because they are powerful, compact and consume less energy. They’re great for fulfill most of the needs of the average userwhether it’s at home or in the office. This GEEKOM Mini IT8, protagonist of the review, is what we consider an entry level model. Let’s find out why!
Technical specifications
- Dimensions: 117 x 112 x 45.6 mm, 572.6 g
- CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8279U (4 cores, 8 threads, 6M cache, up to 4.10GHz), TDP 28W
- iGPU: Intel Iris Plus 655
- RAM: Dual channel DDR4 SODIMM, 8GB/16GB, expandable up to 32GB
- Storage:
- 1 x SSD (M.2 SATA/PCIe), 256GB/512GB; expandable up to 1TB
- 1 x 2.5″ (7mm) SATA hard drive slot, expandable up to 2TB
- Operating system: Windows 11 Pro
- Connectivity: Bluetooth v4.2, Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps, WiFi 5
- I/O size: 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports, 2 x USB-C Ports (Data Only), 1 x SD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Headphone Jack, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 Port, 1 x HDMI 2.0 Port , 1 x Mini DisplayPort
GEEKOM Mini IT8 review: design and construction
The design is in full GEEKOM style. We have a mini PC in front of us square shape, with rounded corners and black in color, opaque on the sides – rightly so because it is the part that will be touched most often – and glossy on top to give a touch of elegance. Even if there aren’t huge innovations in terms of design, if not the color, we can say that it is a minimal and beautiful product to look at, both at home and even more so at the office. And, in case you don’t want to have it under your eyes, it’s very easy to hide thanks to its very compact size.
The construction is excellent. Crunches almost absent and excellent solidity to the touch. The internal aluminum frame and rubber inserts do their job and make it not only resistant, but also well attached to the support surface. If you want to find a hair in the egg, we can say that the shiny parts tend to accumulate dirt easily, but just a wipe with a cloth every now and then and the fear passes.
The package is very complete as always and contains, in addition to the mini PC:
- VESA support, to hang it behind the monitor or wherever you want
- power supply
- HDMI cable
- User guide
- Thank you card
GEEKOM Mini IT8 Review: Performance Analysis
Now let’s move on to the part dedicated to the technical analysis of performance. How does the I processor perform today?ntel Core i5-8279U inside this small case? The model we tested also comes with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of mass storage. Let’s see how he performed in our tests!
For the CPU stress test we used Cinebench. The score obtained by our mini PC was 1022 for the single core and 4123 for the multi core. This is a result that fits perfectly into the expectations placed on this processor. Taking a more detailed look, we see how the CPU manages to stay around 3.6 GHz for the entire duration of the test. Therefore, the maximum peak of 4.10 GHz is not reached, but the system limits the power – in fact it stops at 15 W – forr provide more stable performance throughout the 10-minute test. The management of temperatures that remain below 70 °C is also good with some sporadic peaks at 75 °C.
In the multi core test, all four run stably around 3.2 GHz. a temperature that exceeded 90 °C, then the CPU worked stably. Excellent control therefore of the power, even if in this case the temperatures are around 80 °C.
This GEEKOM Mini IT8 is also equipped with a iGPU Intel Iris Plus 655. This is one of Intel’s first experiments when it tried to make the leap in quality to its integrated graphics solutions. Result? We tested the GPU with Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0 in 1080p and high settings obtaining an average frame rate of 18.7 fps, with noticeable and frequent drops down to fps. It improves the situation by reducing the resolution to 720p, with an average 46 fps and never going below 19. In fact, it is therefore difficult to play in FHD with this mini PC, but probably we can play some older games in HD with high settings. The more advanced graphic part will help us instead in other contexts such as photo editing or the reproduction of high resolution content.
The memories installed they don’t cry out for a miracle, but with their approximately 500 MB/s speed in both sequential reading and writing they can guarantee good fluidity and usability. You’ll just have to wait a few more seconds to start up compared to a modern PC. Random reading is a bit of an Achilles heel because it doesn’t reach 40 MB/s.
GEEKOM Mini IT8 review: usability
We come to the user experience. We think this is a very good device in everyday use. The applications open quickly and are responsive, even in multitasking thanks to the powerful processor with 4C/8T and the abundant RAM. No problem managing office files – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc… – even of large dimensions. We also tried some photo editing and graphics work with GIMP and we didn’t encounter major problems even if for professional use it might be better to move towards something more powerful. For amateur use it is more than fine combined with a good monitor.
Per surfing the web or enjoying multimedia content is also oversized. If your target is only and exclusively this, perhaps with a Mini Air 11 you can be happy.
Conclusions
Let’s sum up this GEEKOM Mini IT8 review. We reviewed the model equipped with Intel Core i5-8279U processor 16 GB of RAM and 512 of mass storage. Globally we feel ourselves very satisfied with the value for money. It is a mini PC suitable for use at home, school and office for studying, working and relaxing. Very flexible, it can cover most of the daily activities even if gaming and video editing still remain outside. If we want to find some flaws, it is on the slightly high temperatures under stress and the memories that are not exactly of the latest generation.
You love each other a very compact solution to free up space on your desk in the office or a home, GEEKOM Mini IT8 is a great solution! That’s all from the hardware section, keep following us!
Plus points
- Compact size
- Design and construction
- Excellent value for money
Points against
- Temperatures a bit high under stress
- Still not suitable for gaming or video editing
- Not top notch memories