GMKtec EVO-X2 Review: A 128GB Strix Halo Mini PC Built for Local AI
The GMKtec EVO-X2 is a compact AI workstation built around the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, its Radeon 8060S graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU rated at 50 TOPS, paired with 128GB of onboard LPDDR5X-8000 memory. That combination suits local model inference, development work and heavy multitasking on a desk, while dual USB4, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 cover displays and docks. The main trade-off is soldered memory: the 128GB is fixed at purchase, and the machine is a premium-tier purchase aimed at buyers who will use the AI headroom.
- Local AI and language-model work
- Developers running containers and builds
- Content creation and multitasking
- A compact desktop replacement
Pros
- AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with Radeon 8060S graphics
- 128GB of onboard LPDDR5X-8000 memory
- XDNA 2 NPU rated at 50 TOPS
- Two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots with a 2TB drive included
- Two USB4 Type-C ports
- HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and 2.5G Ethernet
- SD 4.0 card reader and 3.5mm audio jack
- Windows 11 Pro installed
- Compact metal chassis at 193 x 185.8 x 77 mm and 1.6kg
Cons
- Memory is soldered at 128GB and cannot be upgraded
- No Thunderbolt port
- One-year warranty
- No fingerprint reader
- No VESA mount
- Requires an external 230W power adapter
- A single 2.5G Ethernet port
Who is the GMKtec EVO-X2 for?
It is for anyone who wants a small desktop with a large pool of fast unified memory. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the Radeon 8060S and the XDNA 2 NPU put local AI, virtual machines, containers and heavy multitasking within reach of a machine that measures 193 x 185.8 x 77 mm and weighs 1.6kg. Buyers who mostly browse, stream and run office software pay for capability they will not use, and a cheaper mini PC does the same job.
What the GMKtec EVO-X2 offers
The headline is the memory and AI platform: 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000, soldered and rated to 8000 MT/s, shared with a Radeon 8060S GPU and an XDNA 2 NPU rated at 50 TOPS. Storage starts at 2TB on a PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 drive, and the machine holds two M.2 2280 slots in total. Around the case there are two USB4 Type-C ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, a 2.5G Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, an SD 4.0 card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack. A 230W external adapter feeds the system, and Windows 11 Pro comes installed.
What to know before you buy
The 128GB of LPDDR5X is soldered, so there is no memory upgrade later: choose the configuration with that in mind, and the two M.2 slots are the main user-serviceable parts. There is no Thunderbolt port, so high-speed peripherals and docks rely on USB4. Networking is a single 2.5G Ethernet port. The chassis takes an external 230W adapter, there is no fingerprint reader and no VESA mount, and the warranty is one year.
Is the GMKtec EVO-X2 worth it?
This is a premium-tier mini PC, and its value rests on the 128GB unified memory pool and the AMD AI platform rather than on port count. If your work involves large local models, virtualisation, software builds or memory-hungry creative apps, the combination of the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the Radeon 8060S and 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 is the reason to choose it. If you do not need that memory ceiling, a simpler mini PC delivers everyday desktop work for far less.
Frequently asked questions
What processor and graphics does the GMKtec EVO-X2 use?
It uses the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with AMD Radeon 8060S integrated graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU rated at 50 TOPS.
How much memory does the EVO-X2 have, and can it be upgraded?
This configuration ships with 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory. It is soldered, so it cannot be upgraded, and 128GB is also the maximum capacity.
What ports and displays does the GMKtec EVO-X2 support?
It has two USB4 Type-C ports, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, one HDMI 2.1 output, one DisplayPort 1.4 output, a 2.5G Ethernet port, an SD 4.0 card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack.
What operating system does the EVO-X2 come with?
It ships with Windows 11 Pro installed.
How much storage does it have?
This configuration includes a 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD, and the machine has two M.2 2280 slots in total.
What is the warranty on the GMKtec EVO-X2?
The item is listed with a one-year warranty.
