I reviewed the GMKtec EVO-X1 and the AI-powered Ryzen 9 and OCULINK for an eGPU boost makes one of the best I’ve tested

GMKTec EVO-X1 AI: 30-second review

As I removed the EVO-X1 AI Mini from the box, it was instantly apparent that this was something a little different. While it still has all the hallmarks of a Mini PC, including the compact design, decent array of ports, relatively low power consumption, and the ability to pop it in a backpack and take it with you, there was something about the design that highlighted that this small box was bursting with power.

Sure enough, as it was plugged in and powered up, the fans fired up for a test spin, and a few seconds later, I was confronted with the usual Windows 11 Pro setup screens. Speed and ease of use were on par with all other PCs at this point, and as the benchmarking software, applications, and games installed, aside from the slightly different design of the EVO-X1, everything else appeared to be consistent with what I would expect from a machine of this size and price.

However, loading up the first of the apps—which launched quickly—it was apparent that even when running Windows, this machine pushed power and capabilities further. Load times were quick, and Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and even DaVinci Resolve ran without a hitch, although the noise of the fans keeping the system cool did start to become a bit of a distraction. The small 1TB SSD was really the only limitation, but with ultra-fast connection option, a decent SSD could be attached through USB Type-C to expand the internal storage.

Gaming performance really put the machine to the test, delivering generally smooth playback. However, as with video editing, the fans kicked in. Still, it was impressive for a machine of this size.

Of course, with the OCULINK option as well, the graphics power gets a significant boost with the addition of an eGPU, enabling the machine to match many larger desktop equivalents. However, it’s worth noting that, again, those fans need to work overtime to keep the system cool and running.

At the end of the test, the EVO-X1 impressed, especially when coupled with the GP1, which provides a power boost to the graphics. As an out-of-the-box high-powered computing solution, this small machine is outstanding, one of the best mini PC units I’ve reviewed. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that while there is some scope for a storage boost, when it comes to RAM and CPU, there’s no upgrade option with this machine.

GMKtec EVO-X1: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? From $899
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from GMKtec or Amazon.com

The GMKtec EVO-X1 AI mini PC is widely available and can be purchased directly from the GMKtec website by clicking here or through online retailers such as Amazon.com.

• Value: 5 / 5

GMKtec EVO-X1: Specs

GMKtec EVO-X1: Design

In many ways, the design of the GMKtec EVO-X1 is small and compact like most other Mini PCs of this type. However, the design is actually a little more involved, and that’s all due to the advanced cooling system required to keep the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 with integrated AMD Radeon 890M GPU cool when put under processing load.

The design is quite striking, with the metal casing giving it a high-quality, premium feel, which is reflected in the price. While there are other metal-cased mini PCs, here GMKtec have done something different with a sheet of metal wrapped around the main body of the machine to protect the top fan. This gives it a slight workshop feel and is a perfect partner for laser cutters and the best 3D printers. You instantly know from the look and design that you have a mini PC that sits right at the top of the performance range for this genre of machine even before you switch it on.

The machine is aimed at people looking for a Mini PC that packs in plenty of power, making it an ideal option for anyone working in the creative sector who needs a machine capable of image and video editing. Of course, it will also appeal to gamers who need extra power from a GPU.

There are a few interesting design considerations for this mini PC. Whilst the storage inside is upgradeable, allowing you to install up to 8TB via two individual 4TB M.2 2280 sticks, the RAM is actually soldered directly onto the motherboard, meaning it isn’t upgradeable. You have the option of either 32GB or 64GB at the time of purchase, but it’s worth noting that if you choose the 32GB version, there is no option to upgrade to 64GB later.

When it comes to size, it is quite compact at 110 x 107 x 63 mm in dimensions, and it weighs in at 592 g.

Checking over the body, there are plenty of ports, including USB, dual LAN, HDMI, DP, and the usual 3.5mm audio out. Interestingly, there is also an OCULINK port on the front, allowing you to connect directly to an external GPU, such as the newly released GMKTec GP1.

This addition really boosts the potential of this small machine. With an external GPU, you can take what is already a very competent Mini PC and turn it into something that truly rivals desktop-sized machines in terms of graphics computing power.

The EVO-X1 is an extremely well laid out mini PC, with fast connection ports directly on the front of the machine. Alongside your dual LAN, USB, and display options on the back, there is plenty of flexibility in how you use this machine, making it an ideal option for both professionals and high-end enthusiasts.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

GMKtec EVO-X1: Features

Considering the small size, it does pack in a huge number of features. Top of the list is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370 CPU, which features the next-generation Zen 5 architecture with 12 cores and 24 threads. This is coupled with an AMD Radeon 890M GPU, one of the more powerful combos you’ll find in a Mini PC.

One of the big features here is that this chipset includes an AI NPU, offering XDNA2 architecture with AI computing power of 50 TOPS, up to 80 TOPS.

While many mini PCs are relatively limited on internal storage due to size constraints and the technology used for small motherboards, the EVO-X1 features PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots, which can accept two 4TB sticks, enabling a total of 8TB of internal storage. Even for a desktop machine, this would be impressive, but for a Mini PC, it is quite exceptional.

One major difference from most mini PCs is that the RAM in this system is fixed, much like a laptop. You can choose either the 32GB or 64GB version, featuring LPDDR5X 7150MHz onboard, but if you opt for the 32GB version, there is no option to upgrade later, as the RAM is soldered directly to the board.

When it comes to connectivity, there is a good range of USB ports around the body, with one USB 4 Type-C on the front of the machine and a further four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports—two on the front and two on the back. Around the back, there are also two display options an HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, both supporting 8K at 60Hz. When combined with the other display options, you can connect up to three 8K monitors to this one small machine.

One of the standout features is the PCIe Gen 4 x4 OCULINK port. If you have an external GPU that supports this type of connection, it can be plugged in directly, giving this small machine a massive graphics boost. In this review, I’ve paired it with the GMKtec GP1 to test how much of a performance increase connecting an eGPU would provide, and to be honest, it was impressive.

Returning to the back of the machine, there are two 2.5GHz LAN ports, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. So, when it comes to features, despite its small size, this Mini PC packs in more than most. However, while it offers plenty of expandability in some areas, certain hardware—such as the RAM—is not as upgradeable as in some other Mini PCs.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

GMKtec EVO-X1: Performance

As I went through the standard checks and setup of the machine, it was very apparent that the performance of the EVO-X1 was going to be a step up from most mini PCs. In general office use—navigating around Windows, using Microsoft Office, and running the usual set of test applications—the machine handled everything with ease. In fact, the speed at which Windows operated on this small PC was comparable to that of a mid-to-high-end desktop machine.

When I ran the Windows Experience Test, it scored 8.3, which is slightly above average for a machine of this type. Likewise, it ran through all other tests and performed on par with other high-end Mini PCs, achieving a solid PCMark score of 7,593—meaning it will handle most standard applications effortlessly.

Backing up the fast loading times is the M.2 SSD, which proved to be exceptionally fast, with a read speed of 5,197.20 MB/s and, more importantly for creative applications, a write speed of 4,756.63 MB/s. This means that internal storage, even though my test machine only had 1TB, would be more than adequate for editing HD and even 4K video—though storage space might be a little tight.

Connecting a Lexar Armor 700 external SSD to the USB4 port on the front proved to be a fast combination. While limited by the Lexar’s USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology, it was still more than fast enough for video editing on small to medium-sized 4K projects.

Opening Photoshop and working with images shot on the Sony A7 Mark IV demonstrated just how fast this machine is. There were no glitches or slowdowns when applying brushes and enhancements. Even loading over 500 RAW images into Adobe Bridge enabled fast rendering of thumbnails and quick selection and opening within Adobe Camera Raw. Essentially, straight out of the box, this machine is a great solution for any creative looking for a compact and potentially portable setup.

Running the Cinebench test showed that, when it came to video editing, rendering times for 4K video in Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve were quick. The CPU multi-core score was 21,004, and the single-core score was 2,026. While not the highest among premium Mini PCs, these results are still exceptionally good.

Wanting to push this machine to its limits, I tested a few games, loading up Hogwarts Legacy and Cyberpunk 2077. Once again, the AMD CPU/GPU combo performed well, delivering smooth gameplay. Some graphical settings needed slight adjustments for optimal performance, but overall, the experience was impressive.

Looking at the 3DMark scores further highlights just how capable this Mini PC is at handling modern games. Fire Strike achieved an overall score of 8,820, Time Spy scored 3,929, Wild Life hit 21,281, and Steel Nomad reached 589. While this doesn’t put it at the very top of Mini PC performance rankings, it does place it well within the upper tier.

Overall, the performance is exceptional. I was really impressed with how it handled creative applications, especially Photoshop, Lightroom, and DaVinci Resolve. I was also impressed with how smoothly Windows ran—even with Microsoft Word and Excel open in the background alongside those other applications, there was little to no slowdown.

However, while the performance is exceptionally good, there is a slight issue with the internal fans. The cooling system does an excellent job, but the fans kick in relatively quickly. Although the noise isn’t excessive compared to older machines, it is still noticeable.

• Performance: 5 / 5

GMKtec EVO-X1: Final verdict

At the end of the test, I was really impressed with the GMKtec EVO-X1. It’s one of the nicest-looking compact Mini PCs I’ve seen, and with a decent range of ports and connections, it’s a great option for both creatives and those looking for a high-quality gaming machine that takes up minimal space on a desktop.

On the professional side, the fact that it is such high-quality build means it will happily withstand a bit of a knock too, so I wouldn’t be too worried about carrying this around to use on a photo or video set. Something small, lightweight, yet powerful can be extremely handy.

I also like the fact that out of the box, it’s already exceptionally fast, and with the USB4 port on the front, you can very quickly connect ultra-fast storage. So, if you are video editing or handling large quantities of image files, this small machine will handle that exceptionally well. If there was one thing I would really like to see, it would be at least two USB4 ports, as having just one is a little limiting. However, there are four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports which, while not as fast as USB4, are still pretty quick.

One of the biggest limitations of the EVO-X1 is that the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard. However, this is far more energy-efficient, and with most other Mini PCs only offering up to 32GB—at most 64GB—as long as you know exactly how you’ll be using this machine and what your budget allows, you can opt for either version. Just keep in mind that if you go for the 32GB option, there is no way to upgrade it later other than buying another unit.

When it comes to video and image editing, the machine is exceptionally well suited. If you are video editing, there is the option to buy the GP1 eGPU to go alongside this machine, giving video rendering a significant boost. Likewise, if you’re considering gaming, 3D rendering, or anything else that really pushes graphics performance, the fact that it supports an eGPU will be extremely appealing.

In testing, when I connected the eGPU to the system through the OCULINK port, the leap in performance in almost every aspect was clear. Even in general Windows use and applications, the Windows Experience Score jumped from 8.3 to 9.4—one of the highest I’ve seen for any Mini PC to date.

So, at the end of the test, I was extremely impressed with the GMKtec EVO-X1. My only reservations would be the fan noise, which can be quite distracting, and the need to decide between the 32GB or 64GB version at the time of purchase. Otherwise, when it comes to high-performance mini PCs, the EVO-X1 offers superb value for money for both creative professionals and gamers looking for a compact computing solution.

Should I buy a GMKtec EVO-X1?

Buy it if…

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