GMKtec EVO-X2, Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB, 2TB SSD

The EVO-X2 is a local AI monster in a tiny box. It runs 70B models locally and makes most desktops look silly, but reliability is a real concern.

The 128GB of LPDDR5X running at 8000MT/s is the real star here. It sits at the 100th percentile for RAM in our database, and you feel it everywhere. The CPU is no slouch either, landing in the 93rd percentile, and the 8060S iGPU slots in around the 73rd percentile, which is basically laptop RTX 4060 territory. What surprised us most is the flexibility. You can allocate up to 96GB of that unified memory to VRAM, which is absurd for an iGPU and a game changer for local AI work. The triple fan cooling keeps it quiet too, around 35dB in Quiet Mode, though you'll want Performance Mode at 140W for heavy loads.

Against the Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra, the EVO-X2 wins on raw memory bandwidth for AI workloads and x86 compatibility, but loses badly on reliability and software polish. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 will crush it in gaming for less money, but can't touch the unified memory pool. If you want a gaming rig, buy the Legion. If you want a local AI monster in a tiny box, the EVO-X2 is the one.

At $3,650 USD, this is not a casual purchase. But if you need a local AI box that can run massive models without a dedicated GPU, it's actually a deal. A comparable workstation with 128GB of VRAM would cost way more and take up ten times the space. For everyone else, it's a tough sell.

The GMKtec EVO-X2 is a weird, wonderful little box that packs a genuine AI workstation punch. The one thing to know: this is the most powerful x86 APU we've ever seen in a mini PC, and it's not even close. With a Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB of unified memory, and a Radeon 8060S iGPU, it runs local LLMs like Deepseek 70B Q8 comfortably. That's a sentence we never thought we'd write about a machine this size.

If you're looking for a gaming PC, this isn't it. Go get a Lenovo Legion Tower or similar with a dedicated GPU. If you just need a general office machine, you're wasting money here. This is for AI enthusiasts and developers who need massive unified memory in a small package.

The GMKtec EVO-X2 is a niche product that absolutely nails its niche. It's the best local AI mini PC we've tested, full stop. The reliability concerns are real, and we'd love to see GMKtec address them, but the sheer capability here is undeniable. If you're running LLMs locally and want a small, quiet, powerful machine, this is the one to beat.