https://smarthome-aber-sicher.de/en/tags/nucbox/ Recent content in NucBox on Smart Home? Sure — But Secure! Hugo -- gohugo.io en Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://smarthome-aber-sicher.de/en/blog/2025/06/01/gmktec-nucbox-g3-plus-as-a-smart-home-hub-review-comparison/ Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://smarthome-aber-sicher.de/en/blog/2025/06/01/gmktec-nucbox-g3-plus-as-a-smart-home-hub-review-comparison/ <img src="https://smarthome-aber-sicher.de/blog/2025/06/01/gmktec-nucbox-g3-plus-als-smart-home-zentrale-test-vergleich/cover.png" alt="Featured image of post GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus as a Smart Home Hub – Review & Comparison" /><p>My father needed a new computer – compact, quiet, affordable. My parents have been running Ubuntu for years, so no big setup drama. The GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus ticked all the boxes, and when the device arrived, I glanced at the specs and thought: Hold on. This would actually make a pretty solid smart home server.</p> <p>So I just gave it a try. Ubuntu, Home Assistant, a few benchmarks against my Raspberry Pi – and in the end I learned more than I expected.</p> <div class="video-wrapper"> <div class="video-placeholder" onclick="loadIframe(this)"> <img src="https://smarthome-aber-sicher.de/img/sas_youtube.png" alt="YouTube Video"> <div class="play-button"></div> <div class="privacy-notice" style="color: var(--card-text-color-main);"> To load the video, please click the image. Please note that by doing so, data will be transmitted to YouTube. </div> </div> </div> <script> function loadIframe(element) { var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.setAttribute('loading', 'lazy'); iframe.setAttribute('src', 'https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/QNS2xIwt_zo'); iframe.setAttribute('allowfullscreen', ''); iframe.setAttribute('title', 'YouTube Video'); element.parentNode.replaceChild(iframe, element); } </script> <style> .video-placeholder { position: relative; cursor: pointer; } .video-placeholder img { width: 100%; height: auto; } .play-button { position: absolute; top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%); width: 60px; height: 60px; background: url('/img/youtube_button.svg') no-repeat center center; background-size: contain; } .video-placeholder:hover .play-button { position: absolute; top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%); width: 60px; height: 60px; background: url('/img/youtube_button_hover.svg') no-repeat center center; background-size: contain; } .privacy-notice { position: absolute; bottom: 50px; width: 100%; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); color: white; padding: 5px 10px; border-radius: 5px; font-size: 12px; text-align: center; } </style> <h2 id="why-a-mini-pc-as-a-smart-home-hub">Why a Mini PC as a Smart Home Hub? </h2><p>Many people rely on Home Assistant, OpenHAB, or ioBroker – usually on their own hardware running 24/7. The Raspberry Pi is popular, but has its weaknesses: SD card failures, finicky power supply, and limited performance. Intel NUCs are powerful, but often expensive. The NucBox G3 Plus offers an interesting alternative: compact, quiet, expandable, and attractively priced.</p> <h2 id="the-gmktec-nucbox-g3-plus-at-a-glance">The GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus at a Glance </h2><ul> <li>Compact mini PC, barely larger than the palm of your hand</li> <li>Up to 16 GB RAM, fast NVMe SSD (up to 1 TB)</li> <li>Intel N150 Quad-Core processor</li> <li>Quiet fan, barely audible in everyday use</li> <li>HDMI, 4x USB 3.0, 2.5 Gbit LAN (ideal for NAS/backups)</li> <li>Easy to open and upgrade (RAM/SSD)</li> <li>Variants with 8/16 GB RAM and 256/512/1024 GB SSD</li> <li>Powered via 12V power supply (36W); HDMI cable and mounting rail included</li> </ul> <p>Order directly here:</p> <ul> <li><a class="link" href="https://amzn.to/43fcDOF" target="_blank" rel="noopener" >GMKtec G3 Plus N150 Mini PC Intel Twin Lake N150, 16 GB RAM 3200 MHz, 512 GB PCIE3.0 SSD</a> (affiliate link)</li> <li><a class="link" href="https://amzn.to/43BRDRa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" >GMKtec G3 Plus N150 Mini PC Intel Twin Lake N150, 16 GB RAM 3200 MHz, 1024 GB PCIE3.0 SSD</a> (affiliate link)</li> <li><a class="link" href="https://amzn.to/4dCSZzC" target="_blank" rel="noopener" >GMKtec G3 Plus N150 Mini PC Intel Twin Lake N150, 8 GB RAM 3200 MHz, 256 GB PCIE3.0 SSD</a> (affiliate link)</li> </ul> <blockquote> <p>Note: Links marked with <em>affiliate link</em> are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. The revenue helps me run this blog and YouTube channel and keep creating content. Thank you for your support!</p><span class="cite"><span>― </span><span>Joachim</span><cite></cite></span></blockquote> <h2 id="advantages-over-raspberry-pi--intel-nuc">Advantages Over Raspberry Pi &amp; Intel NUC </h2><ul> <li>More performance and RAM than a Pi, cheaper than most NUCs</li> <li>Future-proof thanks to expandability</li> <li>2.5 Gbit Ethernet for a fast home network</li> <li>No SD card issues, fast NVMe SSD</li> <li>Flexible for Home Assistant, Proxmox, Docker, VMs</li> </ul> <h2 id="comparison-nucbox-vs-raspberry-pi-vs-intel-nuc">Comparison: NucBox vs. Raspberry Pi vs. Intel NUC </h2><table> <thead> <tr> <th>Device</th> <th>RAM</th> <th>Storage</th> <th>Network</th> <th>Power draw</th> <th>Noise</th> <th>Price</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Raspberry Pi 4</td> <td>up to 8 GB</td> <td>SD/USB/SSD</td> <td>1 Gbit</td> <td>~5 W</td> <td>passively cooled</td> <td>varies</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Intel NUC (classic)</td> <td>up to 32 GB</td> <td>SATA/NVMe</td> <td>1 Gbit</td> <td>10–20 W</td> <td>often audible</td> <td>expensive</td> </tr> <tr> <td>NucBox G3 Plus</td> <td>up to 16 GB</td> <td>NVMe</td> <td>2.5 Gbit</td> <td>~7 W</td> <td>very quiet</td> <td>fair</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="hands-on-setup--operation">Hands-On: Setup &amp; Operation </h2><p>I tested Ubuntu and Home Assistant – both run without issues. For beginners I recommend Ubuntu Server or Home Assistant OS directly on the NucBox. More advanced users can run Proxmox and operate multiple VMs and Docker containers. Before installing, it&rsquo;s worth checking the BIOS: the &ldquo;CPU Performance&rdquo; setting can be switched to &ldquo;Performance&rdquo; to get the most out of the CPU – without any noticeable increase in fan noise.</p> <h2 id="noise--power-consumption">Noise &amp; Power Consumption </h2><ul> <li>Idle draw around 7 watts, briefly up to 15 watts during boot</li> <li>Annual consumption approximately 61 kWh (~€21.50 at €0.35/kWh)</li> <li>Fan barely audible in everyday use (approx. 35 dB right next to the device)</li> <li>Less suitable for bedroom use, no problem in a living room</li> </ul> <h2 id="conclusion--recommendation">Conclusion &amp; Recommendation </h2><p>The GMKtec NucBox G3 Plus is a powerful, quiet, and flexible smart home hub. It delivers more performance and convenience than a Raspberry Pi, costs less than most classic NUCs, and scores points with 2.5 Gbit LAN, a fast SSD, and expandability. Ideal for ambitious smart home setups, Docker, VMs, and fast networks.</p> <p>Are you running a mini PC as your smart home hub? Or are you still sticking with the Raspberry Pi? Let me know in the comments.</p>