Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Geekom A5 Pro is a £520 mini PC that targets average users, but this review takes an unconventional approach. After my network server died, I used the A5 Pro for almost a month as my smart home controller, VPN server, and OPNsense router/firewall running on Proxmox. Despite having just a single ethernet port, it proved to be an incredibly versatile and capable machine. It is significantly more powerful than my old server, handling heavy network traffic and virtual machines without breaking a sweat. It opens the doors to the world of self-hosting for anyone willing to learn and experiment.
Learn more about CyberPowerPC's VIVID range here: cyberpowersystem.co.uk/?utm_source=kitguru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=digitalpartner2026
00:00 Intro
01:33 How this happened
03:12 The Geekom A5 Pro - Hardware
05:12 The IO and WAN / LAN
07:52 ProxMox Install and Configuration
09:37 Real World Performance
11:42 Thoughts?
Geekom also sent over the following retail links and discount code, but please note these are NOT affiliate links and we do not profit from any sales.
7% Coupon: KITGURUA5PRO
Expire Date: May 31.
Amazon UK: amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GFTNZ5Z6?maas=maas_adg_EEB9C66CFCB16C07D8508B18F20AA6A9_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas&th=1
Official UK: geekom.co.uk/geekom-a5-pro-mini-pc-2026-edition?mtm_campaign=KITGURUA5PRO
Amazon US: amazon.com/dp/B0GD6CL8F2?maas=maas_adg_1C001E6852FB3AC86DCA0DFBA0528961_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Official US: geekompc.com/geekom-a5-pro-mini-pc-2026-edition/?mtm_campaign=kola5pro&mtm_kwd=kitgurutec
The Good
- CPU Performance: The Ryzen 5 7530U (6 core, 12 thread) is very capable. It never went over 40% CPU usage no matter how much traffic it was routing while also running Home Assistant and multiple other containers.
- Power Efficiency: It often draws as little as 14W with peaks of under 40W.
- Thermals and Noise: It stays impressively quiet, averaging CPU temperatures in the high 50s. The SSD also did not notice any overheating during large file transfers, even without a cooler.
- SSD Speed: Despite being from an unknown brand, the 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD hit 7.2Gb/s reads and 6Gb/s writes, which is plenty for regular use.
The Bad (or more correctly less good)
- Unknown Component Brands: The 16GB of DDR4 2666mhz memory and the Gen 4 SSD are from a brand called Wodposit, which I have never used before. This is likely a consequence of NAND flash shortages forcing companies to use lesser-known Chinese manufacturers.
- Other than this, the only bad things are that you can get a machine that is more power efficient but that is about it. Solid performer for the price point.
We never offer affiliate links or take percentages of product sales. If we say the product is good or bad we mean it. Our Editor in chief wrote about why you should value this and how the industry is rife with fake reviews from 'influencers' - read here bit.ly/3pXzaw4
Buy our merch from here: kitgurutech.myspreadshop.co.uk
Discord invite link: discord.gg/4cqFSWY
Steam Community steamcommunity.com/groups/kitguruofficial
Be sure to support us on PATREON patreon.com/kitgurutech and read our MANTRA on HONEST REVIEWS Here: bit.ly/2BopnF9
Visit our facebook page over here! facebook.com/KitGuru.net
Visit our Twitter page over here! twitter.com/kitgurupress?lang=en
#proxmox #minipc #geekom
The Geekom A5 Pro is a £520 mini PC that targets average users, but this review takes an unconventional approach. After my network server died, I used the A5 Pro for almost a month as my smart home controller, VPN server, and OPNsense router/firewall running on Proxmox. Despite having just a single ethernet port, it proved to be an incredibly versatile and capable machine. It is significantly more powerful than my old server, handling heavy network traffic and virtual machines without breaking a sweat. It opens the doors to the world of self-hosting for anyone willing to learn and experiment.
Learn more about CyberPowerPC's VIVID range here: cyberpowersystem.co.uk/?utm_source=kitguru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=digitalpartner2026
00:00 Intro
01:33 How this happened
03:12 The Geekom A5 Pro - Hardware
05:12 The IO and WAN / LAN
07:52 ProxMox Install and Configuration
09:37 Real World Performance
11:42 Thoughts?
Geekom also sent over the following retail links and discount code, but please note these are NOT affiliate links and we do not profit from any sales.
7% Coupon: KITGURUA5PRO
Expire Date: May 31.
Amazon UK: amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GFTNZ5Z6?maas=maas_adg_EEB9C66CFCB16C07D8508B18F20AA6A9_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas&th=1
Official UK: geekom.co.uk/geekom-a5-pro-mini-pc-2026-edition?mtm_campaign=KITGURUA5PRO
Amazon US: amazon.com/dp/B0GD6CL8F2?maas=maas_adg_1C001E6852FB3AC86DCA0DFBA0528961_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Official US: geekompc.com/geekom-a5-pro-mini-pc-2026-edition/?mtm_campaign=kola5pro&mtm_kwd=kitgurutec
The Good
- CPU Performance: The Ryzen 5 7530U (6 core, 12 thread) is very capable. It never went over 40% CPU usage no matter how much traffic it was routing while also running Home Assistant and multiple other containers.
- Power Efficiency: It often draws as little as 14W with peaks of under 40W.
- Thermals and Noise: It stays impressively quiet, averaging CPU temperatures in the high 50s. The SSD also did not notice any overheating during large file transfers, even without a cooler.
- SSD Speed: Despite being from an unknown brand, the 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD hit 7.2Gb/s reads and 6Gb/s writes, which is plenty for regular use.
The Bad (or more correctly less good)
- Unknown Component Brands: The 16GB of DDR4 2666mhz memory and the Gen 4 SSD are from a brand called Wodposit, which I have never used before. This is likely a consequence of NAND flash shortages forcing companies to use lesser-known Chinese manufacturers.
- Other than this, the only bad things are that you can get a machine that is more power efficient but that is about it. Solid performer for the price point.
We never offer affiliate links or take percentages of product sales. If we say the product is good or bad we mean it. Our Editor in chief wrote about why you should value this and how the industry is rife with fake reviews from 'influencers' - read here bit.ly/3pXzaw4
Buy our merch from here: kitgurutech.myspreadshop.co.uk
Discord invite link: discord.gg/4cqFSWY
Steam Community steamcommunity.com/groups/kitguruofficial
Be sure to support us on PATREON patreon.com/kitgurutech and read our MANTRA on HONEST REVIEWS Here: bit.ly/2BopnF9
Visit our facebook page over here! facebook.com/KitGuru.net
Visit our Twitter page over here! twitter.com/kitgurupress?lang=en
#proxmox #minipc #geekom
