GEEKOM AX8 Max Review: Ryzen 7 8845HS Mini PC
At $750, this aluminum-clad mini PC delivers strong multi-core performance with dual 2.5G LAN and upgradable DDR5 RAM. We benchmarked it for gaming, video editing, and office tasks in 2026.
- Excellent build quality in aircraft-grade aluminum (681g light).
- Upgradable to 128GB DDR5 and 8TB SSD—future-proof for pros.
- Dual 2.5G LAN and USB4 for multi-network and 8K displays.
- IceBlast 2.0 cooling keeps noise low (50% quieter under load).
- Strong Ryzen 7 8845HS performance rivals GTX 1060 in light gaming.
Best for: Video editors, office multitaskers, and light gamers seeking value amid RAM shortages.
Table of Contents
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GET THE AX8 MAX ON AMAZON NOWUnboxing & Design
Premium aluminum build with thoughtful port selection
The GEEKOM AX8 Max arrives in compact packaging, ready to use with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed. Weighing just 681g, its aircraft-grade aluminum chassis offers a chic, elegant design with flawless workmanship. The silver finish resembles the GT1 Mega, but the larger case (compared to prior models) enhances cooling without adding bulk. The 261g power supply is unobtrusive, and build quality aligns perfectly with its $750 price point.
Ports are abundant: Front has four USB-A, side features a fast UHS-II SD card reader, and rear includes dual 2.5G LAN, two USB4 (40Gbps), and dual HDMI for quad 8K displays. Testing with an ADATA SE920 SSD confirmed high-speed USB4 transfers. The honeycomb vents and IceBlast 2.0 cooling system ensure efficient airflow, dropping noise by up to 50% under load.
Specifications & Upgrades
Ryzen 7 power with massive expandability
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (upgraded from 8745HS, 8C/16T up to 4.9GHz) on 4nm Zen 4 architecture, it includes Radeon 780M graphics rivaling GTX 1060. Comes with 32GB DDR5 RAM (upgradable to 128GB) and 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD (expandable to 8TB). Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure stable connectivity.
Three modes via BIOS: Quiet for office (low noise), Normal (balanced multitasking), and Performance (up to 65W TDP for editing/gaming). Amid 2026 RAM shortages driven by AI demand, this upgradable design is a smart choice—lock in now before potential price adjustments post-Christmas.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C/16T, up to 4.9GHz) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 780M |
| RAM | 32GB DDR5 (up to 128GB) |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD (up to 8TB) |
| Ports | Dual 2.5G LAN, 2x USB4, 2x HDMI, 6x USB-A |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro |
| Price | $750 |
Performance & Benchmarks
Strong multi-core scores with efficient cooling
In Cinebench R15 endurance tests, the AX8 Max peaks at 65W TDP with stable multi-core performance (Ø2547 points), throttling minimally under load (max 87°C). Single-core remains consistent at 278 points. It outperforms Intel Core Ultra 9 185H rivals in multi-threaded tasks like video editing.
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 16350 |
| Cinebench R23 Single | 1779 |
| Cinebench R20 Multi | 6428 |
| Cinebench R20 Single | 690 |
| Cinebench R15 Multi | 2615 |
| Cinebench R15 Single | 278 |
| PCMark 10 | 6993 |
| CrossMark Overall | 1816 |
| AIDA64 Memory Copy | 67607 MB/s |
System performance is responsive for daily use, with fast DDR5 and SSD ensuring smooth multitasking. In PCMark 10, it scores 6993, handling video production, graphic design, and live streaming effortlessly. IceBlast 2.0 keeps it 50% quieter than competitors under partial/full load.
Gaming Performance
Rivals GTX 1060 for light to moderate gaming
Radeon 780M handles AAA titles like League of Legends and Fortnite on lower settings smoothly. In 3DMark Time Spy, it scores 3264—suitable for 1080p gaming. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at playable frames on medium, while lighter games hit 60+ FPS.
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| 3DMark Time Spy | 3264 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 7720 |
| 3DMark 11 | 13304 |
| 3DMark Vantage | 43693 |
| 3DMark 06 | 45064 |
For eSports and indie games, it’s excellent. Connect an external GPU via USB4 for desktop-level boosts. Not a hardcore gaming rig, but versatile for light retail/warehouse use or home entertainment.
Comparisons with Alternatives
Strong value vs. Intel and AMD rivals
At $750, the AX8 Max outperforms the Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, $800+) in multi-core (16350 vs. lower) while being quieter. Vs. GEEKOM A8 (Ryzen 9 8945HS, $900), it’s 9% behind in PCMark but cheaper and upgradable. The Minisforum EliteMini UM890 Pro ($850) edges in raw power but lacks dual LAN.
| Model | CPU | Price | Cinebench R23 Multi |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEEKOM AX8 Max (Winner) | Ryzen 7 8845HS | $750 | 16350 |
| Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti | Core Ultra 9 185H | $850 | Lower (est. 15000) |
| GEEKOM A8 (R9) | Ryzen 9 8945HS | $900 | Higher (est. 17000) |
| Minisforum UM890 Pro | Ryzen 9 8945HS | $850 | Similar (est. 16500) |
Amid RAM shortages, its upgradability shines. Best value for balanced performance in office/video editing without premium pricing.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Chic, elegant aluminum design with perfect workmanship.
- AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS offers good everyday performance.
- 2x USB4 and dual 2.5G LAN for versatile connectivity.
- Powerful iGPU rivals GTX 1060 for light gaming.
- 32GB RAM standard, upgradable to 128GB.
- Stable SSD performance and UHS-II SD reader.
- 36 months warranty for peace of mind.
Cons
- Limited BIOS options for advanced tweaking.
- No OCuLink interface for eGPU.
- Audible noise at partial/full load.
- No manual fan control.
- Only one SSD slot (though expandable).