Acemagic AM08

The Acemagic AM08 is a compelling entry in the mini PC market, offering AMD’s Ryzen 7 8845HS (8 cores/16 threads, up to 5.1GHz) and Radeon 780M iGPU at aggressive price points—$339 for the barebone model or $499 with 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The Zen 4 CPU delivers exceptional productivity performance, outpacing Intel’s i9-11900H in multi-threaded workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering, while the 780M iGPU (RDNA 3) handles light gaming (e.g., CS:GO at 1080p/60fps) and AV1 decoding—a rarity at this price. The compact tower design includes RGB lighting and tool-free upgrades, though its plastic chassis lacks the premium feel of aluminum competitors like Minisforum’s UM780 XTX.

At $499 for the 32GB/1TB configuration, the AM08 competes directly with AMD-based rivals like the Beelink SER7. Its dual M.2 slots (PCIe 4.0) and USB4 (40Gbps) support future-proof storage and peripherals, while the 780M’s 12 RDNA 3 cores enable 1080p gaming in esports titles (Valorant, Rocket League). However, AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 require low settings to hit 30fps, and the single-fan cooling system can get loud (~67dB under load). The Realtek WiFi 6E module also underperforms versus Intel alternatives, with slower 6GHz band speeds—a odd cost-cutting choice given the otherwise robust specs.

The AM08’s value shines brightest in its barebone form ($339), where it undercuts similarly specced mini PCs by ~$60. Pair it with aftermarket RAM/SSD, and it becomes a budget powerhouse for office use or media centers. However, the $499 pre-configured model faces stiff competition: The GMKtec K8 PLUS (same CPU/GPU) often dips to $520 with a new cooling Design and OCuLink for eGPU support. If you need max CPU performance and upgrade flexibility, the AM08 is a standout—but gamers or creators might prefer alternatives with better cooling or WiFi.

- GhostKeyboard Review.