CHUWI AuBox, Review: attractive mini PC with AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS

Today we test the new CHUWI AuBox mini PC in our review, an attractive computer with interesting specifications.

In the aluminum case of the CHUWI AuBox we have an efficient hardware assembly with active ventilation. Integrated in the silver we have the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor manufactured in 4 nm, we have two SODIMM RAM DDR5 5600 MHz, for storage we have two slots for SSD NVMe 4.0, Wifi 6 connectivity, USB4 connector up to 40 Gbps and up to three video outputs. The operating system installed is Windows 11 Pro and is compatible with Linux if we want.

Read on to see the results it offers and how it compares to the competition.

CHUWI AuBox mini PC details

Unboxing of the CHUWI AuBox

The CHUWI AuBox PC arrives in a cardboard box, inside we have the computer protected with several foams. We find the mini PC, DC adapter, VESA bracket and manual.

Description of the CHUWI AuBox

The CHUWI AuBox is presented with a detachable white box design, the top cover can be separated and inside we have a metal cover to access the RAM and NVMe SSD. As connectors highlights in the rear area its USB4 port up to 40 Gbps to use an external GPU and its 2.5G Ethernet ports.

• Ports: 1x USB4 / 3x USB4 3.2 / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x HDMI 2.0 / 1x DisplayPort 1.4 / 1x Audio Jack / DC.

We remove the aluminum cover, we find a 500 GB PCIe 4.0×16 SSD and another free slot remains. As memory we have a SODIMM RAM DDR5 5600 MHz of 16 GB in one of the two SODIMM that we can expand up to 64 GB with another RAM module. In the lower area we have a silent fan over the CPU. We have a RTK 8852BE chip with Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

System and performance

Environment and user experience

We start the CHUWI AuBox by pressing the power button, a white LED lights up and in a few seconds we get to the Windows 11 Pro 64 bit desktop. As we can see, the system has the basic drivers installed correctly and moves smoothly on desktop, it is a valid machine to use multimedia apps, office and games with some 3D loading.

• OS: Windows 11 Pro 64bit / Linux optional.
• Software: No preinstalled apps / Antivirus check = OK.
• BIOS: ESC access / BIOS AMI text / WOL / Auto Power ON / Power ON RTC.
• Tutorials: Control with your Smartphone / Install Windows 11 / Migrate Windows to SSD

Network, Storage, RAM and Ports

In terms of connectivity, the CHUWI AuBox mounts a Wifi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 wireless adapter (RTK 8852BE) with good speed and two 2.5G Ethernet ports. The SSD is a 500GB NVMe PCIe 4.0×16 with good performance. The mounted RAM is DDR5 16 GB RAM 5600 MHz in 1x SODIMM, but by adding another one we can reach Dual Channel speed.

• Wifi: Range 42 dBm / Link 5G 1200 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

Processor and features

Soldered on the board of the CHUWI AuBox we have the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS APU manufactured in 4 nm, has eight cores (4 high power 4 efficient) and 16 threads that moves between 3.8 and 5.1 GHz. For the graphics section we have an AMD Radeon 780M RDNA3 GPU up to 2700 MHz with 12 cores. This processor has a consumption between 35-54 W TDP and offers good overall performance. It is suitable for use with KODI or IPTV, editing applications in fairly heavy projects and 3D games with medium load.

CHUWI AuBox Benchmarks

We ran multiple performance tests with the CHUWI AuBox, as we can see from the data it is in line with these processors, overall we have a good performance. The installed AMD Radeon 780M 12-core GPU, as we can see, offers adequate performance for many demanding apps.

Thermal and noise

We ran performance tests with the CHUWI AuBox and as we can see it offers a good thermal performance. The system keeps temperatures under control with its very quiet lower fan at all times, even in power-hungry scenarios.

• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Standby 11W / Usage 17W / Max 82W.
• Thermal: 40ºC – 71ºC Max / 69ºC Gaming / CPU 3.2 GHz Max / Performance up to 100%.
• Noise: 34 dBA Max / Variable RPM / No Semi-passive.

Gaming

We tested several games with the CHUWI AuBox and the results are the usual for this type of GPU integrated into low-power Intel. As we can see AMD Radeon 780M GPU with 6 RDNA 2 cores is suitable for games in 1080p or 720p quality, we can play titles with quite a lot of 3D load.

• Setting: Medium quality / 1080p resolution / No VSync / Play emulators with RetroArch.
• On models with integrated Intel HD GPU in low and 720p resolution.

In this mini PC we can play titles like LoL with high frame rate, we can also with more demanding titles like Fornite adjusting settings or in performance mode. As for emulators at most we stay in some demanding titles of PS3, Switch and the like.

• NOTE: We recommend mounting Dual Channel memory with two SODIMM if we want to play.

Video and audio test

Playback test

On the video and audio side, the CHUWI AuBox offers an integrated AMD Radeon 780M GPU with a VPU with support for current codecs such as AV1. We also have support for HDR10 and multichannel audio up to 7.1. This PC is perfectly valid as a multimedia system to use KODI, IPTV or to use it with servers such as PLEX.

• Video: HDMI 2.0 DP1.4 USB4 / HDR10 / 3 monitors up to 4K@120Hz.
• Audio: HDMI up to 7.1 Jack stereo / Dolby DTS.
• Tutorials: Install KODI with add-ons / Auto refresh rate / Multichannel audio on Windows

Video and audio test results

• Maximum bitrate: 350 Mbps.
• HW = Hardware Acceleration / SW = No Hardware Acceleration.

• Formats: Native = Full Support / Core = 5.1 Only / PCM = Stereo / More info.

Streaming services on the CHUWI AuBox

We used the CHUWI AuBox mini PC passing several tests with the most popular streaming services, the results are positive in general. You can consult our guides where we explain in detail all the most popular streaming services, you can see how to get FullHD quality or even 4K HDR resolutions.

• Performance: It has hardware acceleration for AV1 4K codec on YouTube.
• Tutorials: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC for PC

Streaming Results

Conclusions and purchase links for CHUWI AuBox

Opinion about the CHUWI AuBox

As we can see, the CHUWI AuBox is an efficient and attractive mini PC. Its AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor offers high performance in multiple scenarios and has a low noise fan, only heard with demanding games. We have Wifi 6 connectivity, two 2.5G Ethernet ports and a USB4 connector up to 40 Gbps to use if we want an external GPU in very demanding games.

In the CHUWI AuBox we have installed a 512 GB NVMe SSD and there is another free connector. As RAM we find 16 GB DDR5 5600 MHz quite fast, although we recommend increasing with another SODIMM up to 32 GB in Dual Channel much faster. An ideal computer for its size and design to have on the table, it also has VESA support to hang it on a monitor or TV.

Undoubtedly the CHUWI AuBox is a small, attractive, silent and powerful computer. A valid solution for those who require computing power and want to play 3D titles to some extent.

Where to buy

Review at