GEEKOM NUC A7 (AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS) Review / Super Fast Gaming Mini PC
GEEKOM/Jiteng is a manufacturer of ultra-compact desktop mini computers in Shenzhen, China and Taiwan. Product sales began in Japan in June 2023. Improvements are made to the product with each new model.This time, I acquired the GEEKOM NUC A7 released in February 2024 and would like to introduce it to you.
For more information on other mini PCs, please see our Reviews of popular mini PCs page.
-
GEEKOM NUC A7
GEEKOM 2024/02 USD799.00
GEEKOM A7 mini PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor (8C/16T, 16MB Cache, 4.0GHz~5.2GHz), built on the all-new 4nm process and Zen 4 architecture, delivering up to 30% performance boost in daily multitask computing compared to the Ryzen 7 7735HS. It is designed for video and photo editing, Office tasks, 4K video viewing, high-end games, virtualization work, and other computing tasks.
Introduction of GEEKOM A7
Overview
Released in February 2024. The CPU is equipped with the AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS (released in 2023), the highest performance "R9" series of the AMD Ryzen series. The clock is 4.00GHz (maximum 5.16GHz)!! CPU's built-in graphics are equipped with AMD Radeon 780M, and its performance is close to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti (desktop). Memory is equipped with 32GB of DDR5 SO-DIMM with a speed of 5600MHz, and can be replaced to accommodate up to 64G. Storage is equipped with 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4x4 SSD at the time of shipment (the entire storage capacity is assigned to the C drive). The OS is pre-installed with Windows11 Pro edition. When you take it out of the box, it's already a super fast gaming mini PC.
It also comes with one high-speed USB 4 Gen3 (40 Gbps) port, and by connecting an eGPU (external graphics) unit, it becomes an eSPORTS-compatible gaming PC that can also play heavy 3D games.
It would be a waste to use this only for Office purposes; it's a mini PC for people who do a lot of AAA gaming and photo/video editing.
For now, the GEEKOM NUC A7 is available in only one product configuration, as shown below.
CPU | Memory | Storage (M.2 2280) |
---|---|---|
AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS | 32GB | 2TB SSD |
Exterior
This is the latest series of GEEKOM mini PCs, which get more stylish with each new model. The footprint is one size smaller than previous models, at 112.4 x 112.4mm, palm-sized. The luxurious silver machined aluminum case with a black back panel gives it a cool look. The height has been reduced because it can no longer accommodate a built-in 2.5-inch drive, and it is only 37mm thick.
This model is not compatible with Vesa mounts, but there are two screw holes 84mm apart on the back of the case, so it is possible to screw the body in place.
Performance
Thanks to the fast CPU and memory, it delivers top-level performance in the mini PC class. It is more powerful than an Intel 13th generation Core i9 machine. It would be a waste to use it only for office work, but it is a machine that we would recommend for gamers and creators who do photo and video editing. The cooling fan is usually almost silent.
Scalability
Like the previous GEEKOM series, it is equipped with many interface connectors. It also has the latest USB4 (40Gbps), Wi-Fi6E (6GHz band compatible), and Bluetooth5.2. Up to four displays can be connected using two HDMI (4K compatible) ports, one USB4 (40Gbps) (8K compatible), and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.
Note that it is not possible to add storage inside the case. If you want to increase the storage, you will need to replace the built-in SSD with a larger capacity one, use the SD card slot, or add an external disk connected via USB.
The user manual and images/drivers for reinstalling Windows should be available for download from GEEKOM's support page , but it seems that they are not yet available for the A7.
The machined aluminum housing has been sandblasted to create a simple yet luxurious body. The top surface features a mirror-finished GEEKOM logo.
The power button is smaller than previous GEEKOM models and has a more clicky feel. It seems less likely to be pressed unintentionally, as was the case with previous models.
Please note that this PC does not support Kensington lock.
The holes lined up at the top are exhaust ports. Airflow is common to all GEEKOM products, with air being drawn in through intakes on the left and right sides of the body and exhausted out the rear. To allow for ventilation, you will need to leave a large amount of space around the PC installation location. However, when not performing high-load processing, the fan barely spins and is quiet. However, the main unit does get slightly warm.
The interfaces on the back are, from the left, a DC port for power input, USB4 Type-C (40Gbps) and HDMI2.0, 2.5G LAN, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 2.0 (both Type-A) ports, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and HDMI2.0. The two Type-C ports also support video output, so you can connect displays using a conversion cable to HDMI or DisplayPort. Up to four displays can be connected, including the HDMI connector, up to 4K resolution.
The key point is that it comes with one USB4 (40Gbps) port, the latest and fastest.
There are two screw holes at the top and bottom of the center. There is no explanation of these holes in the manual, but judging from the structure, they appear to be for fixing the case somewhere. These screw holes do not go all the way through.
What sets this model apart from previous GEEKOM models is that it is not compatible with a Vesa mount, and that you need to peel off the four rubber feet to open the back cover. The rubber feet are attached to the case with double-sided tape and hooks, and can be removed cleanly with a small flat-head screwdriver. Since there are no free slots inside the GEEKOM A7 case, it seems that the company does not expect users to open the back cover. However, it may be a good idea to check what's inside at least once, for reasons that will be explained later.
The bottom of this photo is the front of the case.
The back cover can be seen on the right. There is a Wi-Fi antenna inside the back cover, and its cable is connected to the inside of the case.
You'll also need to remove the inner metal plate to access the inside of the PC. Remove the four black Phillips screws on the corners and you'll be able to remove the metal plate.
The item on the right inside the body, with a flashy Acer plate attached, is an NVMe M.2 SSD (2TB) with form factor 2280. And on the left is DDR5 memory (16GB x 2: manufacturer: Crucial, using Micron chips). This is a high-speed model with a memory access speed of 5600MHz. Both can be easily replaced.
On the board, between the M.2 2280 SSD and the memory, there is a pattern for an M.2 2242 SSD slot, but the slot itself is not installed.
When I opened the metal plate, the Wi-Fi antenna cable came loose (red circle in the upper right of the photo). The U.FL (IPEX/IPX) connector is very small and difficult to handle. It was probably not properly attached to begin with. A7 users may want to check this.
There was a transparent sheet attached on top of the Wi-Fi unit, presumably for insulation purposes. After removing the transparent sheet from the detached Wi-Fi antenna cable, I carefully pressed it down from above and fitted it back in place (see the red circle in the top right of the photo).
Although the output specifications are the same, it is much smaller and lighter than the AC adapters for the GEEKOM IT13 and GEEKOM A5 .
The size and specifications are almost the same as the GEEKOM XT12 Pro AC adapter, but the input current has been increased from 1.4A to 2.0A. And it seems to be made by a different manufacturer.
In addition, the outlet plug is a 3-pin with ground. The connector on the AC adapter side of the power cable is a 3-pin "Mickey" connector.
Windows 11 setup
This site explains how to set up Windows 11. Please see each page below.How to set up a Windows
How to set up a Windows 11 computer / Setting up with a local account instead of a Microsoft account
Read more
How to add an SSD or hard disk
How to add an SSD or hard disk to a Windows 11 computer/How to change the drive name
Read more
How to expand C drive/Copy SSD
How to expand C drive on Windows 11 PC. Copy SSD to enlarge and reassign partition / How to use Macrium Reflect Home
Read more
How to add, change, or delete a password
How to add, change, or delete a password to a local account on a Windows 11 computer
Read more
How to share folders and map network drives
How to share folders and map network drives on Windows 11 computers
Read more
How to calibrate game controllers
How to calibrate game controllers on Windows 11
Read more
GEEKOM A7 BIOS
The installed SSD is Acer's N7000 2TB.
In the "FAN Mode" field, you can select the fan speed from Quiet / Normal / Performance. The initial value is "Performance". It is very quiet except under high load.
The BIOS screen also has a setting for "Wake On LAN (WOL)" which is disabled by default. If you want to remotely start your computer, switch this setting to enabled.
AMD Radeon 780M graphics memory capacity
The graphics engine installed in GEEKOM A7 is AMD Radeon 780M built into the AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS CPU. The graphics engine's graphics memory is shared with the CPU, and the maximum available capacity is half of the system memory plus dedicated video memory. The default setting is 448MB of dedicated memory. The PC I'm testing here has 32GB of memory installed, so the maximum amount of available graphics memory is 16,466MB, as shown in the right.(To display the screen on the right, open the [Settings] - [System] - [Display] - [Advanced Display Settings] screen, and select "Display adapter properties for Display 1" in the "Display Information" column. )
GEEKOM A7 startup time
Booting Windows and launching applications is blazing fast thanks to the M.2 SSD and 32GB of memory. Windows boot time is about 17 seconds from pressing the power button to displaying the desktop screen. In addition, the free office suite " LibreOffice " can be started in less than 3 seconds, and Writer and Calc can be started in 2 seconds from that menu.The time that the black screen remains on from pressing the power button until the BIOS screen (GEEKOM logo) appears is slightly longer than on other PCs. This may be due to some load being placed on the BIOS processing during startup.
However, boot time may slow down as you use your PC more.
GEEKOM A7 benchmark test results
Here, I tried running the representative benchmark programs, Geekbench, Cinebench, PCMark 10, and 3DMark (Time Spy/Steel Nomad Light).During testing, only one display with a resolution of WQHD (2560x1440) was connected using a Type-C to DisplayPort conversion cable, and no adjustments were made to the BIOS, drivers, or other parameters, and the settings were as they were when shipped from the factory. For reference, I have also included the values of the gaming mobile PC GPD Win Max2 (2023) and four other recently released GEEKOM PC models.
This is an extremely high-performance PC, and it has the best performance of all the mini PCs I own and compared in this article.
If you are considering upgrading to this PC, try running the benchmark on your machine and compare the results.
Geekbench
System | Result (Single) | Result (Multi) |
---|---|---|
GEEKOM NUC A7 AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS, Memory 32GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 2684 | 13309 |
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Corei9-13900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 2407 | 11416 |
GPD Win Max2 AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, Memory 64GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 2481 | 10997 |
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Corei9-12900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 2311 | 10305 |
GEEKOM A5 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Memory 32GB, Radeon Vega 8 | 2019 | 9411 |
GMKtec NucBox M3 Core i5-12450H, Memory 16GB, Intel UHD Graphics | 2258 | 7884 |
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Corei7-11390H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 2231 | 6153 |
It has decent performance for enjoying so-called AAA class 3D graphics games. Thanks to the high-performance CPU, it is a very good result for a PC without an external GPU.
If you want to enjoy heavy 3D games, I recommend connecting an external GPU (eGPU) via the USB4 port.
System | Result |
---|---|
GEEKOM NUC A7 AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS, Memory 32GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 33473 |
GPD Win Max2 AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, Memory 64GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 28750 |
GEEKOM A5 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Memory 32GB, Radeon Vega 8 | 17636 |
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Corei9-13900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 16294 |
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Corei9-12900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 15481 |
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Corei7-11390H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 11008 |
GMKtec NucBox M3 Core i5-12450H, Memory 16GB, Intel UHD Graphics | 8326 |
Cinebench
This also delivers top-class performance. It has about 1.2 times the performance of the GPD Win Max2 (2023).
Since the MP Ratio is greater than the number of cores (8), apps may not run well when run on a single core.
System | Result (GPU) | Result (Multi) | Result (Single) | Result (MP Ratio) |
---|---|---|---|---|
GEEKOM NUC A7 AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS, Memory 32GB, AMD Radeon 780M | (none) | 919 | 107 | 8.61 |
GPD Win Max2 AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, Memory 64GB, AMD Radeon 780M | (none) | 714 | 96 | 7.41 |
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Corei9-13900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | (none) | 663 | 102 | 6.47 |
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Corei9-12900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | (none) | 655 | 101 | 6.46 |
GEEKOM A5 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Memory 32GB, Radeon Vega 8 | (none) | 604 | 85 | 7.10 |
GMKtec NucBox M3 Core i5-12450H, Memory 16GB, Intel UHD Graphics | (none) | 427 | 98 | 4.34 |
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Corei7-11390H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | (none) | 313 | 83 | 3.75 |
System | Result (Multi) | Result (Single) | Result (MP Ratio) |
---|---|---|---|
GEEKOM NUC A7 AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS, Memory 32GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 15832 | 1813 | 8.73 |
GPD Win Max2 AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, Memory 64GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 12369 | 1729 | 7.16 |
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Corei9-13900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 12122 | 1717 | 7.06 |
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Corei9-12900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 11117 | 1714 | 6.49 |
GEEKOM A5 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Memory 32GB, Radeon Vega 8 | 10305 | 1416 | 7.28 |
GMKtec NucBox M3 Core i5-12450H, Memory 16GB, Intel UHD Graphics | 7873 | 1651 | 4.77 |
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Corei7-11390H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 5648 | 1524 | 3.71 |
PCMark 10
It also has top performance in this test. It is about 1.1 times faster than the GPD Win Max2 (2023) and about 1.2 times faster than the GEEKOM IT13 (13th generation Core i9).
Before installing PCMark 10 and 3DMark, you need to register and install a game platform: Steam . We recommend registering a new Steam account from your iPhone's (Safari), as it often results in a CAPCHA error if you do it on a computer.
System | Result | Essentials | Productivity | Digital Content Creation |
---|---|---|---|---|
GEEKOM NUC A7 AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS, Memory 32GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 7266 | 10762 | 10025 | 9652 |
GPD Win Max2 AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, Memory 64GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 6517 | 10341 | 8604 | 8442 |
GEEKOM A5 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Memory 32GB, Radeon Vega 8 | 6247 | 10281 | 9345 | 6286 |
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Corei9-13900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 5847 | 10499 | 6842 | 7553 |
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Corei9-12900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 5615 | 9922 | 6777 | 7147 |
GMKtec NucBox M3 Core i5-12450H, Memory 16GB, Intel UHD Graphics | 5073 | 9773 | 6995 | 5204 |
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Corei7-11390H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 4759 | 9223 | 6648 | 4771 |
3DMark(Time Spy)
At WQHD (2560x1440) resolution, the performance in the heavy Time Spy demo was around 15~20FPS. It also has top performance in this test. It is a top-class result for a PC without an external GPU.
System | Time Spy Score | Result (Graphics) | Result (CPU) |
---|---|---|---|
GEEKOM NUC A7 AMD Ryzen R9-7940HS, Memory 32GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 3198 | 2847 | 10654 |
GPD Win Max2 AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, Memory 64GB, AMD Radeon 780M | 2984 | 2678 | 8482 |
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Corei9-13900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 1946 | 1705 | 9898 |
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Corei9-12900H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 1863 | 1631 | 9762 |
GEEKOM A5 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Memory 32GB, Radeon Vega 8 | 1655 | 1449 | 8600 |
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Corei7-11390H, Memory 32GB, Iris Xe | 1487 | 1330 | 4520 |
GMKtec NucBox M3 Core i5-12450H, Memory 16GB, Intel UHD Graphics | 992 | 864 | 6293 |
3DMark(Steel Nomad Light)
Performance with external graphics board
GEEKOM A7 is equipped with a USB version 4 connector, which allows you to connect an external graphics board (eGPU). However, in the author's environment, I was unable to stably operate the GPD external graphics board: GPD G1 eGPU . When using 3D graphics, the USB connection with the GPD G1 is immediately lost. There appears to be a bug in the AMD USB4 driver or graphics driver. Looks like we'll have to wait for an update.-
GPD G1 Oculink USB4 connection compatible Radeon RX 7600M XT/8GB DDR6
GPD Aug 31, 2023 USD718
This is an external graphics board (GPU) for use with GPD WIN4 2023 /GPD WIN Max 2 2023 and other portable gaming UMPCs. [Size] 225 x 111 x 29.8, weight less than 1kg, achieving portable performance. [Graphics Card] Built-in AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT with 8GB GDDR6 memory graphics card that uses RDNA3 architecture.
How to use GPD G1 eGPU / USB-connected external GPU box -
ONEXGPU eGPU Graphic Card Dock Expansion Card with Radeon RX 7600M XT 8GB GDDR6
ONE-NETBOOK March 14, 2024 USD834.99
ONEXGPU supports Laptop, PC, and Handheld Console PC with Thunderbolt 3/4, USB 4, or OCuLink ports. Also compatible with MacBook (Intel CPU) and Legion Go. ONEXGPU Features up to 4TB SSD expansion (M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0), RJ45 ethernet port, and two USB-A 3.2 ports. Video output includes 2x HDMI 2.1 (4k60Hz) and 2x DP 2.0 (4k120Hz), and supports 4 displays setup.
Specifications of GEEKOM A7
Item | Description |
---|---|
CPU |
AMD Ryzen™R9-7940HS (4.0GHz,8 cores, 16 threads,16MB Cache) TDP: 35-54W |
Graphics | AMD Radeon™ 780M Graphics |
Memory | Dual channel DDR5 262PIN 5600MHz SODIMM (Max 64GB) |
Storage | 1 x SSD Slot(NVMe Gen4x4 or SATAIII) (Max 2TB) |
Ethernet | Intel 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps RJ45 RTL8125BG-CG |
Wireless LAN | M.2 Wi-Fi 6E (MediaTek MT7922A22M) |
Video output | 2 x HDMI 2.0 / 1 x USB4 / 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Audio output | 1 x 3.5mm front stereo headset jack |
Adapter | 19V 6.32A (120W) |
OS | Windows 11 Pro (64-bit) |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 |
Front I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A support Power delivery & 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x 3.5mm front stereo headset jack, 1 x Power button |
Rear I/O Ports | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 4 Gen3 Type-C(40Gbps), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x RJ45, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DC in |
Side I/O Ports | 1 x SD card reader |
Size | 112.4 x 112.4 x 37 mm |
Weight | 424g (Actual value) |
List price | $849 / 118,000JPY |
Various GEEKOM mini PCs
-
GEEKOM NUC A7
GEEKOM 2024/02 USD799.00
GEEKOM A7 mini PC is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor (8C/16T, 16MB Cache, 4.0GHz~5.2GHz), built on the all-new 4nm process and Zen 4 architecture, delivering up to 30% performance boost in daily multitask computing compared to the Ryzen 7 7735HS. It is designed for video and photo editing, Office tasks, 4K video viewing, high-end games, virtualization work, and other computing tasks.
-
GEEKOM XT12 Pro Mini PC, 12th Gen Intel i9-12900H NUC12 Mini Computers
GEEKOM 2024/04 USD699.00
The Geekom XT12 Pro mini pc is equipped with an Intel Core i9-12900H processor boasting 14 cores, 20 threads, and 24MB Cache, turboing up to 5.0 GHz. Besides, the mini gaming pc features standard iGPU Intel Iris Xe Graphics, with 96 EUs and a maximum dynamic frequency of 1.45GHz, enabling smooth gameplay of AAA games.
GEEKOM NUC XT12 Pro (Core i9-12900H) Review / Ultra-compact high-performance mini PC -
GEEKOM Mini IT13 Mini PC, 13th Gen Intel i9-13900H NUC13 Mini Computers
GEEKOM 2023/08 USD499.00~789.00
GEEKOM Mini IT13 NUC13 Mini PC is equipped with Newest 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900H processor(14cores, 20threads), 24MB Cache, up to 5.40 GHz.GEEKOM Mini IT13 series the power is only 90 Watts, which is only 1/4 of other desktop, let you to spend less electricity to support 24 hours work of every day, suitable for Gaming, home working, business offices, servers, school education, and billboards.
GEEKOM Mini IT13 (Core i9-13900H) Review / Ultra-compact and highest spec mini computer -
GEEKOM A5, AMD Ryzen 7 5800H(8C/16T, up to 4.4GHz), Vega 8 Graphics
GEEKOM 2023/07 USD399.00
GEEKOM Mini A5 mini computer is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor (8C/16T, 16MB Cache, up to 4.4GHz). Its Zen 3 architecture and 7nm process have drastically improved performance, providing super-fast responsiveness, and allowing for an unparalleled work and gaming experience. It is designed for a variety of solutions such as education, home office, media center, HTPC, digital signage, etc.
GEEKOM A5 (AMD Ryzen 7 5800H) Review / Ultra-compact high cost performance mini computer -
GEEKOM Mini IT12, 12th Gen Intel i5-12450H Mini Computers(2 Cores,12 Threads)
GEEKOM 2023/07 USD589.00
GEEKOM Mini IT12 Mini PC is equipped with the Newest 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H processor(8cores, 12 threads), 12MB Cache, up to 4.40 GHz.For the GEEKOM Mini IT12 series, the power is only 35 Watts, which is only 1/4 of other desktops and lets you use less electricity to support 24 hours work of every day, suitable for gaming, home working, business offices, and streaming.
-
GEEKOM Mini IT11 Mini PC, 1TB Intel i7-11390H Mini Computer (8 Threads, Up to 5.0 GHz)
GEEKOM 2022/12 USD599.00~749.00
GEEKOM Mini IT11 is powered by a Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11390H processor with a clock speed of up to 5.0 GHz, 8 threads, and 12MB cache. It is powerful enough to deal with more demanding applications such as home servers, school education, web browsing, business offices, and billboards.
GEEKOM Mini IT11 (Core i7-11390H) Review / Ultra-compact high-spec mini computer