GMK is taking a different approach to budget mini PCs with the NucBox G3 Pro, now available starting at $150 (€138) with coupon code G3PV20. Instead of using Intel's newer Alder Lake-N or Twin Lake processors common in sub-$200 systems, GMK opted for an Intel Core i3-10110U from the 10th-gen Comet Lake family released in 2019. While older, this chip offers advantages in single-core performance and memory capacity that could make it more suitable for certain workloads.
The Core i3-10110U is a 15-watt dual-core processor with four threads, boost speeds up to 4.1 GHz, and support for up to 64GB of dual-channel DDR4-2666 memory. It features Intel UHD graphics with 23 execution units running at 1 GHz, built on a 14nm process. Benchmark comparisons show it outperforms Intel's newer N150 processor in single-core tasks, though it trails in multi-core performance. The N150 counters with lower power consumption at just 6 watts, four cores, and support for faster single-channel memory up to DDR5-4800.
The system measures 11.4 x 10.6 x 4.4 cm (4.5 x 4.2 x 1.7 inches) and includes two SODIMM slots supporting up to 64GB DDR4-3200, dual M.2 storage slots (one 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 for up to 8TB, one 2242 SATA for up to 1TB), dual HDMI outputs, four USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet with Intel i226, and WiFi 6 with Bluetooth 5.2. Cooling is handled by a fan and copper heat pipe. For Linux users and self-hosters, the hardware should prove straightforward to work with. Community reports indicate GMK's NucBox line runs major distributions without issue, and the Intel i226 network controller has native kernel driver support in recent kernels. Similar NucBox models have been deployed running Proxmox for home lab setups, making this an accessible option for virtualization and containerized workloads.
GMK offers three configurations: a barebones model for $150 (€138), 8GB RAM with 256GB storage for $220 (€202), and 16GB RAM with 512GB storage for $280 (€258), all with the G3PV20 coupon code applied.
