GMKtec EVO-X3 review: strong local AI hardware, complex software at $3,800

According to the TechRadar review, the EVO-X3 uses AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395, part of the Strix Halo family, with 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, Radeon 8060S graphics and a 50-TOPS XDNA 2 NPU. The reviewed configuration has 128GB of LPDDR5X unified memory and either a 2TB or 4TB SSD. It stands upright in a slim, tower-like structure larger than most mini PCs, a design TechRadar said ensures airflow and quiet cooling.

In testing, TechRadar ran local chat, reasoning, image recognition, image generation, transcription and coding models. Smaller language models began responding almost immediately, while larger models returned more detailed reasoning and better-quality copy. TechRadar said this mirrored what users would expect from cloud models. The machine could also run these tasks with Wi-Fi disabled, keeping prompts, photographs, audio recordings and project files on the computer rather than sending them to a cloud service. No credits or additional spending were needed.

Conventional benchmarks were also impressive, according to TechRadar. The review said the EVO-X3 could serve as a compact cutting-edge gaming PC, especially with its OcuLink connector, although the main focus is AI. CPU, graphics and offline model performance were superb, TechRadar said, exceeding what is usually expected for a machine of this size.

The AI software experience was less polished. Local AI through the GMKtec Claw software environment was impressive, but the Herdsman model manager recognized the NPU while reporting that the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 was unsupported by its current NPU runtime manifests. TechRadar called that odd because the software was pre-installed. Installing Lemonade and its Ryzen AI runtime solved the problem. Compatible models then pushed NPU utilization close to 100%, which TechRadar said proved the hardware was operating properly.

That leaves the EVO-X3 in an awkward position. TechRadar described it as an exceptionally powerful local AI workstation but not the polished, out-of-the-box AI machine that marketing suggests. To use it fully, a buyer must understand models, runtimes, servers, agents and external applications, or at least be prepared to learn, the review said. It also cited limited port selection and a complex software setup as drawbacks, alongside an extremely high price. The review gave value a 4 out of 5 score.

The EVO-X3 is available now directly from GMKtec and on Amazon.com in the United States. The base 128GB/2TB configuration is priced at $3,800, and TechRadar said buyers can save an extra $100 at GMKtec or 5% on Amazon with code GMKX3DP3. In the UK, it is priced at £3,030 from GMKtec. At the time of review it was not on Amazon UK, but TechRadar expected it to arrive shortly.

TechRadar said the machine is relatively cheap for experienced developers, and that technically minded creative professionals will find it extraordinarily useful if they are willing to put in the time. Buyers with less experience should hold out, the review said, because a more streamlined and cheaper option will inevitably be available soon. The EVO-X3 shows the full potential of local AI, according to TechRadar, even if the software still needs work.