GEEKOM Mini IT8 Review: Perfect Mini PC for Everyday Use

We had the opportunity to test the GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC, so today we can show you the GEEKOM Mini IT8 review. GEEKOM brand has a few newer Mini PCs in its portfolio, recently we wrote about them, namely Mini IT11 and MiniAir 11. Despite the fact that Mini IT8 is the oldest Mini PC powered by quite an old Intel Core i5-8259U processor from the Coffee Lake series (launch date Q2’18) comes preinstalled with Windows 11 Pro and is undoubtedly worth attention. But whether and the purchase?

Read our GEEKOM Mini IT8 review and our test impressions. We hope you will find an answer to a common question, is GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC worth buying?

Availability and price

I want to say thanks to the GEEKOM brand for sending us a GEEKOM Mini IT8 to review. Mini IT8 Mini PC is available directly via the GEEKOM website. Now in the Gfans Day promotion from $379 (8GB RAM / 256GB M.2 SSD) and up. You can also find the Mini IT8 on the Amazon store for $369 and up.

However, if you are interested in the latest GEEKOM’s Mini PC, you will find them for:

• GEEKOM MiniAir 11 for $239 and up
• Mini IT11 for $549 and up

GEEKOM Mini IT8 Review: Product Details

GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC Specification

• CPU – Intel Core i5-8259U (up to 3.80 GHz) Coffee Lake processor @ 2.30 GHz / 3.80 GHz (Turbo), TDP 28 W
• GPU – Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655, Frequency up to 1.05 GHz
• OS – Windows 11 Pro
• Memory – 8GB LPDDR4 up to 32GB (2x SODIMM slot,2400/266MHz)
• Storage – 256GB M.2 2280 SATA socket up to 1TB, 2.5″ SATA HDD (7mm) slot, expandable up to 2TB, SD card reader
• Video Output – 2.0a (4K @ 60Hz), Mini DisplayPort  (2x 4K @ 60Hz), USB Type-C (4K@60Hz)
• Audio – 3.5mm headphone+mic jack, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, Optical S/PDIF
• Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet port, Dual-band 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi 5, and Bluetooth 4.2
• Ports – USB Type-C (data only), 3x USB 3.2 GPen 2 Type-A, 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI 2.0, USB Type-C (data + display), Gbps Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort, power port
• Features – Built-in quiet fan, CIR (consumer infrared) function, supports 4 displays, VESA mount
• Power Supply – DC 19V, 3.42A
• Dimensions – 117 x 112 x 45.6mm
• Weight – 576g

The box included everything that you need to get started:

• GEEKOM Mini IT8
• Power Adapter
• VESA Mount & Screws
• User Manual
• HDMI Cable
• Storage Bag

Unboxing GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC on Youtube

On our YouTube channel, you can take a look at more Mini IT8 Mini PC details and bundled accessories.

GEEKOM Mini IT8 First impressions, overview of features

First of all, the Mini IT8 has a small (117 x 112 x 45.6mm) compact housing resembling a typical Intel NUC. On the outside, we have a housing made of good quality plastic, and on both sides there is a metal mesh. Inside, we have a metal frame. On the front panel, we find a Consumer Infrared (CIR), USB Type-C (data), USB3.2 Gen, Headphone Jack, and Power button. At the back we find chargong port, Mini DisplayPort, RJ45 LAN port, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB Type-C ( data & display). On the sides of the Mini PC you will find an SD card slot, and on the other side – a Kensington Security Slot.

On the bottom, in four feet, there are screws to unscrew the cover and place 2.5 SATA HDD, M.2 SSD, or RAM. Besides, Mini PC has active cooling via fan. In addition, the mesh on the sides of the housing provide good ventilation. We can tell you right now that fan noise is not bothersome and you get used to it quickly. Sometimes it can be heard more when playing, while streaming GEEKOM Mini IT8 was quiet. Pictures below.

Review Mini IT8 Mini PC Overview

Interestingly, GEEKOM is a 4K Mini PC that supports 4K @60Hz quad display. The device comes with pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro (activated).  The device downloads Microsoft Updates easily and correctly. During the tests, Windows 11 Pro runs without problems and is stable.

Besides, there were no problems with Wifi and Ethernet connection to the Internet. We launched some simple games such as Asphalt 9: Legends, PUBG Mobile, and CS:GO (50/60fps). The games ran fast and no problem, sometimes the fan was louder but not bothersome. Unfortunately, it is not a gaming Mini PC and you should not have such expectations of the Mini IT8. On the other hand, the Mini PC is sufficient for games that are less demanding in terms of graphics resources.

Besides, the Mini IT8 is good for streaming and video playback. It runs smoothly without any problems or CPU load. GEEKOM Mini IT8 is a good Mini PC as HTPC. It is worth recalling that the device has a CIR function. You can use the infrared remote to control it, including power on and off, volume control, and fast forward / rewind audio and video. To perform video tests we also installed version Kodi 19.4 “Matrix”.

The Mini PC is upgrade friendly. You can easily add RAM, change M.2 SSD and add 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. A small suggestion, for even better performance, add more RAM. Below you will find many screenshots, also BIOS photos, we encourage you to browse.

Operating system and components

GEEKOM Mini IT8 Mini PC runs on Windows 11 Pro (activated). Mini PC is equipped with an Intel Core i5-8259U (up to 3.80 GHz) Coffee Lake processor @ 2.30 GHz / 3.80 GHz (Turbo), TDP 28 W. On the following screens, you can see the components used (information is taken from the PerformanceTest 10.2, CPU-Z, and HWiNFO64). Below screenshots.

Mini IT8 Video Tests

Video playback by Kodi 19.4 “Matrix” runs often not smooth, except for samples with AV1 codec. The following table of video samples was tested.

Typical 1080p	Kodi 19.4
MPEG2 / MP2 2.0 – 6.6Mbps	OK
MPEG4 / MP3 2.0 – 7.6Mbps	OK
H264 / AAC 2.0 – 7.2Mbps	OK
VC1 / WMA3 2.0 – 25Mbps	OK
VP8 / VORBIS 2.0 – 7.8Mbs	OK
Jellyfish 1080p HEVC 10bit – 90Mbps	OK
4K Video
Sintel – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 24fps	OK
BBB Sunflower -H264 – 30fps	OK
BBB Sunflower -H264 – 60fps	OK
Honey Bees – 96fps	OK
Skyfall – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 10Mbps	OK
Puppies Bath – h264/AAC 2.0	OK
Cinemartin H265/HEVC	OK
Tears of steel – 60fps	OK
HD Club Chimei – H264 / AAC 2.0 – 60Mbps	OK
Jellyfish 4k uhd HEVC 10bit – 140Mbps	OK
Jellyfish 4k uhd HEVC 10bit – 200/250/300/400Mbps	OK
LG Demo – Istanbul 3840×2160 MP4/H264 8bit – 116Mbps	OK
Sony 4K – Camp HDR MP4/HEVC 10bit – 75.8Mbps	OK
Demo Samsung 2014 – USA Road Trip TS/HEVC 10bit – 51.4Mbps	OK
Samsung UHD DUBAI TS/HEVC 10bit – 51Mbps	OK
H.265/VP9 Video
Tears of steel – H265-HVEC / AAC 2.0 – 15Mbps	OK
Youtube – VP9 / 1080p	OK
VP9 / 4k – Eye of the Storm 4K Ultra HD.webmv	OK
VP9 / 4k – 10 Incredible 4K (Ultra HD) Videos.webmv	OK
VP9 / 4k – Australia – Land Down Under in 4K.webmv	OK
AV1 4K – Summer in Tomsk Stream1_AV1_4K_8.5mbps	Not smooth /frame skip

We also tested playback via Youtube 4K (2160p @60fps) on three browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Streaming was smooth in all browsers and without overloading the CPU. Mini IT8 Mini PC supports Netflix up to 4K HDR with Atmos via the Netflix app. Other streaming services like Prime Video and HBO Max support streaming up to 1080p. DTS / Dolby 5.1 passthrough worked fine via HDMI.

Benchmarks

Below you will find screenshots of the tests carried out

GEEKOM Mini IT8 Conclusions

Although GEEKOM Mini IT8 has a really good Windows 11 Mini PC for everyday use. Both for entertainment and for working with documents. Besides, it also allows you to connect multiple screens. Even though it is equipped with an older Intel Core i5-8259U Coffee Lake processor, which you will also find in other Mini PCs such as the MINIX NGC-5 or GMK NucBox2, it works really fast and without problems. It is not a gaming Mini PC, but it is enough for less graphics-intensive games. It is very good at streaming and can be used as an HTPC. In addition, you can easily add RAM and change storage. If you are looking for a budget Windows 11 Mini PC for work and entertainment, the GEEKOM Mini IT8 is worth considering. We recommend the Mini IT8 Mini PC.