GMKtec NucBox M5 vs Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 3
GMKtec NucBox M5 is both faster and cheaper here - the default pick unless you need something specific from the other.
The verdict
- CPU
- GMKtec NucBox M5 has 1.2x the CPU throughput (19,000 vs 16,359 PassMark).
- Plex
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 3 transcodes more 4K HDR streams (~5 vs ~3).
- Idle power
- GMKtec NucBox M5 idles lower (8W vs 10W) - cheaper to run 24/7.
- Local AI
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 3 has a PCIe slot for a low-profile GPU - the other needs a DIY build for local LLMs.
Which wins for each job
| Job | GMKtec NucBox M5 | Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Plex / Jellyfin | ~3 streams | ~5 streams win |
| Frigate NVR | add a detector | ~4 cameras win |
| Proxmox / VMs | 19,000 PassMark win | 16,359 PassMark |
| Firewall / router | 1 NICs | 1 NICs |
| Local AI / LLM | no slot | PCIe GPU slot win |
Approximate - capacity estimates from curated specs, the same logic as the recommender. Verify against your exact setup. Prices move; check the retailer.
Full specs
| Spec | GMKtec NucBox M5 | Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (list) | $329 | $330 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 5800U | Intel Core i5-12500T |
| Cores / threads | 8 | 6 |
| PassMark | 19,000 | 16,359 |
| iGPU | Vega 8 | Intel UHD 770 |
| NICs | 1 | 1 |
| NIC model | Realtek RTL8125 | Intel I219-LM |
| RAM max (GB) | 64 | 64 |
| M.2 free | 2 | 1 |
| PCIe slot | none | x8-lp |
| Idle (W) | 8 | 10 |
| TDP (W) | 25 | 35 |