2018 RKM MK39 Rockchip RK3399 Hexa Core Android 4K TV Box Review – High Performance

RKM MK39 Rockchip RK3399 Hexa Core Android 4K TV Box Review

 

Here we have another RK3399 TV box, and this time it’s the RKM MK39 Rockchip RK3399 Hexa Core Android 4K TV Box. After so many attempts by various manufacturers to get it right in a RK3399 hardware TV box, RKM (Rikomagic) seem to have strike the right balance with the MK93. This latest model not only delivers the highest performance and benchmarks in the industry from a TV box, but does it in a safe on the best hardware way without overheating and damaging its components. So in this article review I’ll share with you my personal experience with this device, and at the same time feature its hardware and features along with its benchmark scores.

 

Powerful Hardware – Right Settings

CPU – This CPU is no stranger, the Rockchip RK3399 hexa core (6X) CPU made its debut in 2017 and only a few boxes have managed to incorporate or utilize the chipset  settings for optimal performance. This resulted in some boxes overheating and freezing, some boxes even died due to the overheating. The reason for this was that many manufacturers tried to maximize the CPU clock speed to 2.0GHz in a rush to cash in on the ever hungry TV box enthusiasts who is always looking for more high-end hardware. This maxed-out CPU clock range at 2.0GHz in the absence of large heat-sinks and CPU cooling fans, resulted in very high operating temperatures and poor user experience. However, in the MK39, RKM sort to address this problem by lowering the CPU clock range slightly allowing the hexa-core CPU to operate safely and at the same time deliver the same performance and benchmarks.

MK39_RK3399

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GPU – The GPU used on this board (single integrated board) is the ARM Mali T860 quad care GPU running at 700MHz. The RK3399 are the only TV boxes at this time to carry the Mali T860 GPU which is also the highest speed and performing TV Box GPU on the market. The Mali T860 in the MK39 delivers the best viewing of movies in HD quality, it played all my 4K video samples at 60hz and under with great efficiency, and the 3D gaming is a blast! This GPU plays the highest graphics Android games effortlessly. I set the games to maximum graphics detail settings and monitored the box’s temperature for overheating and the box didn’t even break a sweat.

MK39_4K

Memory – Whilst it would have been great to the MK39 utilizing DDR4 RAM and 64GB of internal storage, the MK39 only manages to deliver 4GB of DDR3 RAM and 32GB of internal storage. This is still more than most budget boxes and you are not limited to this memory. With the included set of powerful IO ports you are able to extend your internal storage via convertible storage by as much as 32GB.

MK39_Memory

WiFi and Network – The RKM Mk39 comes with dual band AC 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz and it comes with a standard RJ45 Ethernet LAN port up to 1000Mbps. During my review, I ran three tests on each WiFi band and also on the LAN port from the same area server. Now the MK39 comes with an external antenna for increased WiFi reception, and in the end the MK39 hit the maximum speed of my internet package whis 40MB at this time with every try.

MK39 back view

IO Ports and appearance – The MK39 didn’t leave anything to spare in delivering input output connectivity. It comes with the best IO ports in the industry which allows you to connect any high-end device you may have without having to sacrifice speed or quality. The housing of the box is bigger than most budget TV boxes giving it enough room for adequate ventilation. Most of the ventilation ports are below the box in case you insists on using passive cooling.

IO ports include:

  • 1 HDMI 2.0
  • 2 USB 2.0
  • 1 USB 3.0
  • 1 USB type C
  • 1 Micro SD
  • 1 Optical audio
  • 1 3.5mm earphone jack
  • 1 RJ45 Ethernet LAN
  • 1 DC power input
  • 1 External antenna

Operating System and User Interface

The MK39 runs on a rooted version of Android 7.1.2 Nougat, this rooted version allows you to install apps that require root and not have them blocked like in some models. The user interface comes with an attractive launcher with changeable backgrounds. The launcher it fast and responsive to mouse and wireless mini touchpad keyboards. The Launcher comes with a navigation bar a status bar for easy navigation and multitasking. Updating the MK39 is easy with an OTA wireless updates app and a USB type C OTG port for burning firmware via computer.

Performance and Benchmarks

I was quite pleased with the benchmark scores I got from the MK39 see results below, they are all above what an average TV box would get.

  • Antutu – 101429 NEW, 71101 OLD
  • GeekBench – 1068 Single Core, 2496 Multi Core
  • Ice Storm Extreme – 10895
  • RAM Copy – 6426.44 MB/s
  • ROM Speed – 151.44 MB/s read, 85.51MB/s write
  • WiFi Speed – Max WiFi speed reception

MK39 Launcher UI

Final Thoughts

I really like the RKM MK39 for its high performance and user experience. Online streaming is very good, 4K video playback is also very good. The user interface is smooth and responsive, you have a navigation bar and status bar and the box is rooted. To me, what left an impression on me was the 3D gaming performance of this box and how it handled gaming without overheating. On the flip side all I could think of, was that it comes with an infrared remote control and I couldn’t get the right permissions for my keymapping app to work. So for 2018 the RKM MK39 is one of the best TV boxes to by in my book.

6 thoughts on “2018 RKM MK39 Rockchip RK3399 Hexa Core Android 4K TV Box Review – High Performance”

  1. Thank you for the review.

    A few questions concerning format support:
    Can you confirm if this box correctly plays 1080p H.264 Hi10P video?
    What about the very new AV1 format? Suppose AV1 in a few years becomes the dominant format… will tv boxes receive support for it, or is there a risk that you have to buy a new tv box?

    Reply
  2. I am very curious about it, is TV Box compatible with the AV via the headphone jack?
    And more apart, which version should I buy. I’m from América (Mexico)

    Reply
    • The headphone jack is an audio out only and not an audio video port. So if you are from América (Mexico) you should get the US model. that’s the plug A type with two pins only.

      Reply

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