Geekom AS6 Review: The Best Mini PC for Gaming and Productivity

While desktops are great, you don’t always need a large tower PC. In fact, mini PCs continue packing more power in smaller form factors. Previously, I looked at the Geekom Mini IT8, so I was eager to test out its AS6. The AS 6 is solid compact computer built in collaboration with ASUS. With a powerful Ryzen embedded chip at its core and impressive specs including onboard Radeon 680M graphics plus USB4, the AS 6 is an excellent choice for a variety of applications like gaming, office productivity, and home entertainment. But is this the right mini PC for you? Find out in our hands-on Geekom AS6 review!

Geekom AS6 Specs

• Processor: AMD Ryzen R7-6800H, R7-7735H, or R9-6900HX
• GPU: AMD Radeon 680M integrated graphics
• RAM: Up to 32GB RAM DDR5 (Expandable to 64GB dual-channel DDR5-4800 SODIMM)
• SSD: Up to 1TB SSD (expansion: 2x PCIe gen 4×4 M.2 2280 SSD slots, 1x SATA 2.5-inch HDD)
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5G LAN
• I/O (inputs/outputs): 2x HDMi 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 5x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 2X USB4 with DisplayPort 1.4 support, 1x 2.5G RJ45 Ethernet LAN port, 1x audio jack (line out/microphone in/headphone out combo port)
• Kensington lock
• MIL-STD 810G for extreme temperature, humidity, drop, vibration, and altitude durability
• Power supply: 20V 7.5A, 150W power adapter
• In the box: 1x AS 6 Mini PC, 1x power adapter, 1x VESA mount,1x SSD mounting screws, 1x HDD mounting screws, 1x quick start guide, 1x user manual

Geekom AS6 Review Verdict

The Geekom AS6 is an outstanding mini PC. Engineered in collaboration with ASUS, the AS 6 boasts plenty of horsepower. Under the hood, you’ll find a beefy AMD Ryzen processor with a choice between the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, or AMD Ryzen R7 7335H.

My unit came with the AMD Ryzen 9, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. Its Ryzen embedded platform includes an AMD Radeon Graphics 680M. While the 680M is an integrated graphics processing unit (iGPU), AMD’s onboard graphics typically trounce Intel’s offerings, and this proves true with the AS6. In benchmarks, the 680M delivered better performance than the NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti.

Indeed, I found the AS 6 a fantastic choice for gaming. Newer AAA titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Forza Horizon 5, and Spider-Man Remastered can run at medium to low settings at 1080p. Some games like Cyberpunk 2077 are pretty difficult to play on the AS6’s 680M integrated graphics. Older games like Skyrim run at 1080p medium or even high. On the emulation front, I was able to comfortably play even more demanding systems like PlayStation 2, Wii U, and PlayStation 3 titles.

Because of its USB4 connectivity, I was able to hook up an external graphics processing unit (eGPU) which let me enjoy high resolution, high framerate games. Connecting my Gigabyte Aorus RTX eGPU let me pair a powerful desktop NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 with the Geekom’s AS6 AMD Ryzen 9 for a lethal GPU/CPU combination. With my eGPU plugged in, I was able to run demanding PC games like Diablo IV, Spider-Man Remastered, and virtual reality (VR) titles such as Half-Life: Alyx without issue.

Because of its small footprint and beefy processor, the Geekom AS6 is a lethal combination of power and portability. Basic tasks like office productivity and web browsing prove no challenge. With reliable onboard graphics, the AS6 is a solid choice as a home theatre PC (HTPC) for running Kodi, Plex, and streaming from your favorite apps like Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, or Spotify. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for video editing and audio editing.

I liked the outstanding connectivity. You’ll find two USB4 ports with DisplayPort 1.4 support, five USB 3.2 Gen1 hosts, a pair of HDMI 2.1 jacks, a DisplayPort 1.4 output, a 2.5G RJ45 Ethernet LAN port, and a 3.5mm headphone/mic combo port. Thus, I was able to connect everything from external SSDs and USB microphones to headphones and a Thunderbolt 3 eGPU.

Notably, the fan does get a bit noisy under full load like when gaming. However, that’s true of nearly all powerful mini PCs and gaming laptops. Additionally, the AS6 comes with a Kingston SNV2S/1000G NVMe SSD (solid-state drive). It’s a PCIe Gen 3 drive with decent performance, although not nearly the maxiumy possible since the AS6 supports Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSDs.

Still, the Geekom AS6 is a superb value mini PC. It provides plenty of power in a small form factor, and handles everything from office productivity to entertainment and gaming with aplomb. Its terrific connectivity including a pair of USB4 ports even means you can connect an external GPU, making the Geekom AS6 one of the best mini PCs for gaming. In the end, I actually replaced my HP mid-tower gaming desktop with the AS6 for more horsepower in a more compact chassis.

Geekom AS6 Desgin and Build

The Geekom AS6 comes extremely well-outfitted with various ports. In front, you’ll find a USB4 type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 support, capable of up to 8K, 60Hz video output. There are also two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and a 3.5mm headphone out/mic in jack. You also have a power button and indicator light.

Moving around to the right-hand side of the unit, there’s plenty of ventilation to keep the AS6 cool under load.

In back, there’s another USB4 with DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 60Hz video output, a DisplayPort with 5K 60Hz video output support, a 2.5Gbe Ethernet LAN jack, barrel jack DC power input, and a Kingston padlock ring.

The left-hand side of the Geekom AS6 features more ventilation.

On top of the unit, you’ll find matte black plastic.

Underneath the AS6, there are four rubber feet that elevate the PC, and each foot features a screw which, when removed, provides access to the internals. This makes upgrading the RAM and SSD extremely simple. What’s more, the DDR5 SODIMM modules and M.2 NVMe drives are easily accessible once you’ve popped the bottom off.

Daily Use and Office Productivity on the Geekom AS6

Because of its powerful processor, fast SSD, and generous RAM, the Geekom AS6 holds up extremely well for everyday use and office productivity. I had no issues running dozens of Chrome tabs at once and multi-tasking with lots of programs running simultaneously. For instance, I was able to write an article in one tab with several other browser tabs open for research, a game downloading in Steam, plus Spotify’s desktop app streaming music. There were no slowdowns or bottlenecks.

Thanks to its Wi-Fi 6E, you’ll enjoy blazing-fast internet connectivity which is great for downloading apps and games or video conferencing on Zoom. The AS6’s Ryzen 9 helps with demanding tasks like video editing, and I was able to encode a 4K video file blisteringly fast, with about one minute of 4K footage taking just over 30 seconds to render.

Since the Geekom AS6 is so small and comes with a Vesa mount, you could even mount it behind your monitor or TV for a sleek, uncluttered look like that of an all-in-one PC. If you just want to surf the web, check your email, hop on Zoom calls for work, or edit videos, the Geekom AS6 is more than up to the challenge.

Geekom AS6 Entertainment

With a tiny footprint, the AS6 is a solid HTPC. You can download tons of apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Paramount+, Hulu, Sling TV, Crunchyroll, Plex, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Spotify, and Tidal. Additionally, many more video streaming services run in your browser. Local videos including 4K HDR Blu-ray rips played flawlessly in VLC media player, and you can always install Kodi for streaming from add-ons or playing back local files.

Connected to my Innocn 32M2V monitor I was able to playback 4K videos just fine. Likewise, the AS6 worked like a champ hooked up to my LG C2 OLED>

Aside from being an extremely capable home theater PC, the Geekom AS6 works well as a Plex server thanks to its strong processor. Whatever you throw at the AS6, you’ll be able to play it back just fine.

Geekom AS6 Gaming Performance

The Geekom AS6 is a pretty competent gaming PC out of the box. With its onboard Radeon 680M GPU, you’ll enjoy performance a bit better than an NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti. Newer AAA titles should run fine at 1080p on medium or low settings. I was able to dial back the settings on Diablo IV to play on 1080p low.

Older games like Skyrim can run at high-medium, while even more retro titles such as Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines I was able to max out. On its own, the Geekom AS6 isn’t a true gaming computer, but it far outstrips Intel’s integrated graphics options.

eGPU support with USB4

Since the Geekom AS6 includes USB4 connectivity, you can hook up an eGPU for enhanced graphics performance. I successfully connected my Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 eGPU gaming box which let me take advantage of the Ryzen 9 CPU paired with a dedicated graphics card for high-resolution, high-refresh rate gaming. With my Aorus gaming box synced via USB4, I was then able to run most modern AAA titles at 1440p or 4K anywhere from medium to high and ultra.

However, I did have a few issues getting my eGPU connected. This is through no fault of Geekom’s, but rather tricky implementation of USB 4 from AMD. Here’s how to connect an eGPU to USB4 with AMD (thanks to eGPU IO forums for a starting spot with troubleshooting):

1. Head into Device Manager
2. Select Universal Bus Controllers > USB4 Host Router (Microsoft) > Right Click > Properties > Power Management > Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
3. Navigate to to Universal Serial Bus Controllers > USB4 Root Device Router (Microsoft) > Right Click > Properties > Power Management > uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
4. Power off your PC
5. Unplug your desktop
6. Plug in your PC
7. Power on and log into Windows
8. Plug in your eGPU power cable
9. Connect a display to your eGPU
10. Hook up your eGPU to your PC with a USB4 or Thunderbolt cable

Now, your eGPU should work. I found that my eGPU drivers wouldn’t properly install until I connected my external GPU to my AS6 with a Thunderbolt cable and kept the AS6 running into my monitor, but the eGPU with a video out cable into a separate display. After that, the NVIDIA drivers downloaded just fine and I was able to switch to my eGPU without two monitors. Since I don’t have an AMD GPU to test, I’m unsure if AMD graphics cards require the same steps, but that’s how I got my NVIDIA eGPU working.

Emulation

Aside from PC gaming, the Geekom AS6 is an exceptional emulation device. I plugged in a 5TB hard drive running Launchbox and was able to play even demanding newer retro games like PlayStation 2 (PS2), Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation 3 (PS3) titles.

Tough to emulate games like God of War: Chains of Olympus for PlayStation Portable (PSP) run smoothly.

Cloud game streaming

One area where the Geekom AS6 works swimmingly is for cloud game streaming. Cloud gaming platforms let you stream games without powerful hardware, so all you’ll need is a strong internet connection.

I played Halo on Xbox Game Pass, Alien Isolation on Amazon Luna, and Life is Strange on NVIDIA GeForce Now. Thanks to my Google Fiber internet connection, there was low-latency and I gamed at high resolutions of up to 4K.

Geekom AS6 Linux Support

Although the Geekom AS6 comes with Windows 11 pre-installed, you can run other x86 operating systems as well. Linux support is pretty good in my tests playing around in Ubuntu and Pop!_OS. You can also install ChromeOS, Android, and other OSes on the Geekom AS6.

Geekom AS6 Performance Benchmarks

Benchmark test	Benchmark result
Cinebench R23 (multi-core)	10,077
Cinebench R23 (single-core)	1,374
CrystalDiskMark (Sequential read)	3,580MB/s
CrystalDiskMark (Sequential write)	2,308MB/s
Geekbench 6 (single-core CPU)	1,853
Geekbench 6 (multi-core CPU)	8,468
Geekbench 6 (GPU)	23,879

At its core, the AS6 rocks an AMD Ryzen processor, either a Ryzen 7 6800H or Ryzen 9 6900HX. The Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU sports 8 cores, 16 threads, a boost clock up to 4.9GHz, and 20MB cache. Its DDR5 memory handles multi-tasking brilliantly. Disappointingly, Geekom used a still plenty fast but not top-tier Kingston SNV2S/1000G NVMe SSD rather than a cutting-edge Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD for the best possible read/write speeds. Overall, the Geekom AS6 performs admirably for even light video gaming.

In my tests, I clocked a 10,077 CPU multi-core Cinebench R23 score. That’s about 6,000 below the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, but a bit above an Intel Core i9-9880H.

For single-core Cinebench R23, I got 1,324 which is sandwiched between an Intel Core i7-770K and the Intel Core i7-1165G7. Not too shabby – the AS6 CPU will remain cool and composed even under a heavy load.

In CrystalDiskMark, I saw a sequential read speed of 3,580MB/s with a sequential write speed of 2,308MB/s. Those numbers aren’t bad, but they’d probably be better with a Gen 4 NVMe SSD.

In Geekbench 6, I pulled in 1,853 single-core and 8,468 multi-core CPU benchmarks.

On the GPU side, I pulled in an impressive 23879 Geekbnench 6 OpenCL score.

Should You Buy the Geekom AS6 Mini PC?

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a pint-sized workhorse of a PC, the Geekom AS6 is a stellar choice. It’s a solid choice for:

• Office productivity and everyday use (i.e., audio editing, photo editing, video editing, writing/editing, web browsing, etc.)
• Entertainment (i.e., video streaming, music streaming, playing back local files in VLC/Kodi, etc.)
• Gaming (PC gaming, emulation, cloud gaming, etc.)

Out of the box, the AS6 won’t max out every game on 4K or even 1080p, but its 680M GPU is a good value for integrated graphics. However, the ability to connect an eGPU over USB4 means you can leverage the AS6’s beefy CPU with a desktop-class graphics card for best-in-class gaming performance. Sure, that’s a potentially pricey setup, but it makes the Geekom AS6 an extremely adaptable mini PC.

Geekom AS6 Mini PC Review: Final Thoughts

Overall, the Geekom AS6 is an awesome mini PC that delivers superb performance that its small stature doesn’t suggest – don’t just this tiny desktop by its size. On its own, the AS6 is great for light gaming, high-end emulation, HTPC use, and demanding office productivity like 4K video editing. Its stellar connectivity including a pair of USB4 ports lets you hook up an eGPU for advanced gaming. The fans do get a bit loud when under a heavy load, and a Gen 4 NVMe SSD would have been nice – though the factory-installed SSD is still plenty fast, plus it’s easy to upgrade. If you’re looking for a mini PC to replace your desktop that doesn’t cut corners or skimp on performance, the Geekom AS6 is your best choice.