The GEEKOM AX8 Max mini PC combines premium craftsmanship with powerhouse performance, aiming to compete with tower PCs in a fraction of the space. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or tech-savvy professional, this mini PC promises flexibility and muscle. In this review, we explore its specs, real-world performance, and value for money.
Key Takeaways
- Equipped with AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS and Radeon 780M iGPU for serious gaming and productivity.
- Passively and actively cooled by IceBlast 2.0, ensuring stable performance under load.
- Dual USB4 ports and 2.5G LAN provide elite connectivity options.
- Supports up to 8K HDR output on four screens simultaneously.
- Built from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, tested for durability and heat resistance.
What Makes the GEEKOM AX8 Max Stand Out?
The AX8 Max mini PC stands apart due to its CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminum body, durability-focused testing (drop, altitude, vibration, temperature), and premium internal components. Designed for high-performance tasks, it challenges larger tower PCs with its AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS CPU and Radeon 780M iGPU.
How Powerful is the Ryzen 7 8745HS in the AX8 Max?
This Ryzen 7 8745HS is built on a 4nm Zen4 architecture with 8 cores and 16 threads, reaching up to 4.9GHz. In Cinebench R23 tests, it achieves 17,569 multi-core and 1,794 single-core scores, on par with the R7 8845HS and beating several Intel Core i7 and Ryzen 9 CPUs.
Can the Radeon 780M Integrated Graphics Handle Gaming?
The Radeon 780M iGPU features RDNA 3 architecture, 12 graphic cores, and up to 2600MHz GPU frequency. It competes with the GTX 1060 and performs well in 1080p gaming. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 hit 33 FPS on medium settings, with lighter titles delivering 60+ FPS.
How Does the GEEKOM AX8 Max Stay Cool?
The IceBlast 2.0 cooling system combines honeycomb vents, optimized heat pipes, and adjustable fan speeds to reduce thermal throttling. The design enables persistent cooling and lowers noise output by up to 50% under heavy loads.
What Kind of Ports and Connectivity Options Does It Offer?
Connectivity is a major strength. The AX8 Max mini PC features:
- 2 x USB4 (40Gbps) supporting DisplayPort 2.1 and 100W PD
- 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0
- 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
- Dual 2.5G LAN ports for advanced networking setups
How Many Displays Can the AX8 Max Handle?
The AX8 Max supports up to four displays simultaneously, including 8K HDR output. Two HDMI 2.0 and two USB4 DisplayPort outputs deliver a versatile multi-monitor workspace for creative professionals and gamers.
What’s Inside: Memory and Storage Specs
Out of the box, the AX8 Max includes 32GB DDR5-5600 (2x16GB dual-channel) and a 1TB PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD. Expandable to 96GB RAM and 4TB SSD, this device is future-ready.
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Is It Good for Gaming and Productivity?
Whether you’re launching AAA titles or editing 4K/8K video, this mini PC handles it with ease. Performance mode boosts FPS, productivity apps benefit from fast I/O and RAM speeds, and Windows 11 Pro comes pre-installed.
How Does It Compare to Other Mini PCs?
The GEEKOM AX8 Max mini PC rivals premium Intel NUCs and the ASUS ROG NUC, offering better integrated GPU performance, superior cooling, and multi-display support. It’s quieter, better cooled, and more versatile.
MJ Prompt (optional): “Side-by-side comparison graphic of GEEKOM AX8 Pro, Intel NUC, and ASUS ROG NUC showing dimensions, performance, and cooling systems in an infographic style”
Who Is the AX8 Max Best Suited For?
Ideal for gamers, video editors, coders, and remote workers, this device combines high-end internals with energy efficiency. With Quiet, Normal, and Performance modes, it adapts to both light and heavy workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What games can the GEEKOM AX8 Max Run?
It handles games like Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Fortnite, and similar titles well at 1080p with medium to high settings
Can I connect the GEEKOM AX8 Max Mini PC to an external GPU?
Yes. The USB4 Type-C ports support eGPUs, transforming the mini PC into a full desktop powerhouse.
Does the GEEKOM AX8 Max throttle under heavy loads?
Thanks to IceBlast 2.0, the system minimizes thermal throttling and keeps performance stable.
Is the GEEKOM AX8 Max Mini PC Upgradable?
Yes. You can expand it to 96GB DDR5 RAM and 4TB NVMe SSD.
Does the GEEKOM AX8 Max support Wake-on-LAN and advanced networking?
The dual 2.5G LAN ports support Wake-on-LAN, link aggregation, and advanced routing setups.
Conclusion
The GEEKOM AX8 Max mini PC is a standout in the compact computing space. It’s more than a stylish box—it’s a high-performance machine for gaming, productivity, and media creation. Backed by a 3-year warranty and top-tier specs, it’s a future-proof investment for serious users.
I am a retired software engineer with experience in a multitude of areas including managing AWS and VMWare development environments. I bought a relative a mini-PC a year ago and have become passionate about the technology and its potential to change how we deploy software.