1. Introduction
Welcome to the user manual for your AOOSTAR GEM12 AMD R7 8845HS Gaming Mini PC. This document provides essential information for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your device to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
The AOOSTAR GEM12 is a high-performance mini PC designed for gaming and demanding applications, featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU with AMD Radeon 780M Graphics, DDR5 RAM, and PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. Its compact design and robust connectivity options make it suitable for various computing needs.
Figure 1: AOOSTAR GEM12 Mini PC, showcasing its compact silver design and ventilation.
2. Setup
2.1 Package Contents
Before you begin, please verify that all items are present in the package:
- 1 x AOOSTAR GEM12 8845HS Mini PC
- 1 x VESA mount
- 1 x Mounting screw set
- 1 x Power supply (120W 19V 6.32A Type-C)
- 1 x HDMI cable
- 1 x SSD Cooling Pad
2.2 Connecting Your Mini PC
Follow these steps to connect your AOOSTAR GEM12 Mini PC:
- Power Connection: Connect the provided 120W 19V 6.32A Type-C power supply to the full-function Type-C port on the rear of the Mini PC.
- Display Connection: Connect your monitor(s) using the HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, or USB4 ports. The Mini PC supports up to four 4K displays simultaneously.
- Peripherals: Connect your keyboard, mouse, and other USB devices to the available USB 3.2 Gen2 (front) or USB 2.0 (rear) ports.
- Network Connection: For wired internet, connect an Ethernet cable to one of the two 2.5G RJ45 ports. For wireless connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- Audio: Connect headphones or speakers to the audio interface on the front.
Figure 2: Detailed view of the front and rear I/O ports on the AOOSTAR GEM12 Mini PC.
OCuLink Port: The OCuLink port provides an independent channel for connecting external GPUs (eGPUs) with minimal loss, without occupying the M.2 NVMe slot. Note: OCuLink does not support hot-swapping. Ensure the PC is powered off before plugging or unplugging devices from this port to prevent motherboard damage.
Figure 3: The OCuLink interface, designed for high-speed external GPU connections.
2.3 VESA Mount Installation
The included VESA mount allows you to attach the Mini PC to the back of a compatible monitor or to a wall mount, optimizing your workspace.
Figure 4: VESA mount installation for space-saving setup.
3. Operating Your Mini PC
3.1 Powering On/Off
Press the power button located on the front of the Mini PC to turn it on. To turn it off, use the operating system's shutdown function or press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
3.2 BIOS Settings and Power Consumption (TDP) Adjustment
The AOOSTAR GEM12 allows for BIOS adjustments to optimize power consumption (TDP) for different performance needs. You can select between Silent Mode (45W-54W), Balanced Mode (54W-65W), and Performance Mode (65W-70W). For maximum performance, the TDP can be adjusted up to 75W.
To adjust TDP to 75W in BIOS:
- Restart your Mini PC.
- During startup, repeatedly press the Del key (or F2 depending on your system) to enter the BIOS setup.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab.
- Select Power Configuration.
- Under Power Configuration, select Performance.
- To set TDP to 75W, navigate to AMD CBS -> SMU Common Options -> SmartShift Control.
- Change SmartShift Control to Manual.
- Adjust APU Only SPPT Limit, Sustained PowerLimit, Fast PPT Limit, and Slow PPT Limit to 75000 (representing 75W).
- Press F4 and select Yes to save and exit.
- The system will restart with the new TDP settings.
Video 1: How to adjust TDP to 75W in BIOS. This video demonstrates the steps to change the power consumption settings for optimal performance.
3.3 Adjusting Integrated Graphics Memory (VRAM)
The integrated AMD Radeon 780M Graphics can utilize system memory (VRAM). You can adjust the allocated VRAM in the BIOS to optimize graphics performance, up to 16GB.
To adjust VRAM in BIOS:
- Restart your Mini PC and enter BIOS setup (usually by pressing Del or F2).
- Navigate to the Advanced tab.
- Select AMD CBS -> NBIO Common Options -> GFX Configuration.
- Under GFX Configuration, select iGPU Configuration and set it to UMA_SPECIFIED.
- Then, select UMA Frame Buffer Size and choose the desired VRAM size (e.g., 8G, 16G).
- Press F4 and select Yes to save and exit.
- The system will restart with the new VRAM settings.
Video 2: How to adjust Mini PC Memory Settings. This video demonstrates the steps to configure the integrated graphics memory (VRAM) in the BIOS.
3.4 Multi-Display Setup
The AOOSTAR GEM12 supports up to four 4K displays simultaneously via HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB4 ports. This allows for an expansive and productive workspace.
Figure 5: Example of a quad-screen display setup with the AOOSTAR GEM12 Mini PC.
4. Maintenance
4.1 Cooling System
The AOOSTAR GEM12 features a Vapor Chamber and CPU fan for dual cooling, along with large cooling holes around the body to efficiently dissipate heat. To maintain optimal performance and prevent overheating, ensure proper airflow around the device and keep the ventilation openings clear of obstructions.
Figure 6: Internal cooling system diagram, highlighting the Vapor Chamber and CPU fan.
4.2 Storage Expansion
The Mini PC supports two M.2 NVMe 2280 PCIe 4.0 (x4) slots, allowing for up to 2x4TB of storage. It does not support 2.5'' HDD installation. An SSD Cooling Pad is included to help maintain optimal temperatures for your M.2 SSDs.
Figure 7: Internal layout showing dual DDR5 RAM channels and M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 slots.
5. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| PC does not power on. | Power supply not connected or faulty. | Ensure the 120W Type-C power supply is securely connected to the full-function Type-C port. Verify power outlet functionality. |
| No display output. | Incorrect display cable connection or monitor input. | Check HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB4 cable connections. Ensure monitor input is set to the correct source. Try a different cable or port. |
| Slow performance or overheating. | Insufficient cooling or incorrect TDP settings. | Ensure ventilation holes are clear. Adjust BIOS TDP settings to a higher performance mode (e.g., 75W) as described in Section 3.2. |
| OCuLink device not detected or unstable. | Hot-swapping attempt or improper connection. | The OCuLink port does not support hot-swapping. Power off the Mini PC completely before connecting or disconnecting any OCuLink devices. Ensure the connection is secure. |
| Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity issues. | Driver issues or interference. | Check device drivers in the operating system. Ensure no physical obstructions or strong interference sources are near the Mini PC. |
6. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8 Cores/16 Threads, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon 780M Graphics (2700 MHz, AI Performance up to 16 TOPS) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR5 5600MHz (2 channels, expandable up to 2x64GB) |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 NVMe 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD (2 slots, expandable up to 2x4TB) |
| Operating System | PC (Operating System not specified, typically Windows compatible) |
| Front Ports | 1x Power Switch, 1x Audio Interface, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 1x OCuLink, 1x USB4 |
| Rear Ports | 1x Full-function Type-C (Power Supply + Data Transfer + Output), 2x 2.5G RJ45, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 2.0 |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Display Output | Supports 4-screen 4K display (HDMI 2.1 + Type-C + USB4 + DP 1.4) |
| Power Supply | 120W 19V 6.32A Type-C |
| Dimensions | 13 x 13 x 6 cm |
| Weight | 0.66 kg |
| Cooling System | Vapor Chamber + CPU fan dual cooling |
7. Warranty and Support
AOOSTAR is committed to providing excellent customer service. The company has established after-sales service centers in New York (USA, 2019), Japan (2021), and Europe/Brazil (2023) to ensure comprehensive support across five regions.
For technical assistance, warranty claims, or general inquiries, please refer to the contact information provided with your product or visit the official AOOSTAR website. Our goal is to ensure that all customers can purchase products that are suitable for long-term use.
AOOSTAR focuses on the computer industry for 11 years, with core competencies in energy efficiency and quiet operation.
Figure 8: AOOSTAR's commitment to customer service and product longevity.
