EVO-X1 Pro vs NEO X1 Pro: The Real Choice Behind GMKtec’s Mini Powerhouses
GMKtec’s gaming mini PC comparison between the EVO-X1 Pro and NEO X1 Pro is essentially a choice between an AI-focused compact workstation and a graphics-heavy gaming rig, both designed to deliver desktop-class performance in small footprints for different kinds of demanding users.
You should not look at these two systems as “which is faster overall?” but as “which is faster for what I actually do?”. The EVO-X1 Pro is a compact gaming workstation framed around Ryzen AI and memory capacity, while the NEO X1 Pro is an unapologetic GPU-first gaming box. Both are impressive on paper, but their strengths diverge so sharply that choosing by raw specs alone is a mistake. If you mainly care about local AI, editing timelines, and light-to-medium gaming, the EVO-X1 Pro makes far more sense. If your day is built around high-refresh 1440p or 4K gaming and heavy 3D scenes, the NEO X1 Pro is the only sensible option.
Ryzen AI 9 vs Ryzen 9: Two Very Different Kinds of Power
On paper, Ryzen AI 9 vs Ryzen 9 looks like a core-count battle, but here it is more about what kind of workloads you want to accelerate. The EVO-X1 Pro uses a Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 with 12 cores and 24 threads based on Zen 5, boosting up to 5.2 GHz. It is built as a Zen 5 Refresh SoC with an NPU that pushes the mini PC to 86 TOPS of AI power, with the NPU alone delivering 55 TOPS. That matters if you care about on-device AI models, local assistants, and generative tools that keep data off the cloud.
The NEO X1 Pro, by contrast, straps in a Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, a Fire Range Zen 5 chip tuned for superior gaming performance with an extra 64 MB of L3 cache over its non‑3D sibling. Where the EVO CPU leans into AI and integrated capability, the 9955HX3D is about high-end gaming and professional CPU workloads. If your idea of productivity is compile times, sims, or game engines rather than AI agents, the traditional Ryzen 9 architecture in the NEO X1 Pro will suit you better.
Integrated Radeon vs RTX 5070: Why GPU Strategy Decides Your Build
The harsh truth: if you care about RTX 5070 gaming performance, the EVO-X1 Pro alone is not enough. Its Radeon 890M integrated graphics can handle games and intensive graphical workloads without a discrete GPU, which is impressive for a mini PC but still not in the same league as a high-end dedicated card. GMKtec’s smart play here is the OCulink port that lets you add an external GPU when you are ready, turning the EVO-X1 Pro into a flexible compact gaming workstation rather than a fixed-spec box.
The NEO X1 Pro skips this flexibility for brute force. It ships with a GeForce RTX 5070 12 GB GPU, clearly described as “much superior to the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB in gaming, particularly due to higher VRAM capacity”. This is the configuration you buy if you want high frame rate gameplay out of the box and dependable performance in demanding 3D rendering. According to the product information, the NEO X1 Pro “packs a full RTX 5070 and Ryzen 9 9955HX3D into a 14.6-liter case for US$2438 (approx. RM11,300)”, underlining how focused it is on top-tier GPU power in a small shell.
Pricing and Value: Where Does Your Money Go?
Pricing makes the trade-offs crystal clear. The EVO-X1 Pro starts at 64 GB RAM and 1 TB storage for USD 1,599 (approx. RM7,400), with a 64 GB + 2 TB option at USD 1,769 (approx. RM8,200). That is aggressive for a Zen 5 Refresh Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 system with 86 TOPS of AI performance and a serious baseline of memory and storage. You are paying for AI capability, higher RAM by default, and a flexible GPU path via OCulink rather than a powerhouse card in the box.
The NEO X1 Pro, meanwhile, lands at US$2438 (approx. RM11,300) with the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and RTX 5070 configuration. That extra outlay is not a mild bump; it is a statement that you want maximum gaming and 3D rendering performance now, not a gradual upgrade path. In value terms, budget-conscious creators who still want AI and plenty of RAM get more mileage from the EVO-X1 Pro, while committed enthusiasts who view the GPU as non‑negotiable will find the NEO X1 Pro’s price justified.
Form Factor and Use Cases: Compact, But With Different Personalities
Both systems prove that a compact gaming workstation no longer has to be a compromise. The NEO X1 Pro squeezes its hardware into a 14.6-liter chassis that appears to use an aluminum case with handles for easy portability. Despite the small volume, it still runs an 850 W fully modular PSU and a full RTX 50-series GPU, which is a clear sign that GMKtec expects users to treat it like a full desktop tower that happens to be small, not like a laptop replacement.
The EVO-X1 Pro takes a different tack: it is a Gorgon Point mini PC focused on powerful computing performance and high memory and storage capacity in an even more minimalist footprint. It includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, dual 2.5 G LAN, and generous USB plus USB 4.0 connectivity, positioning it as an always‑connected productivity and AI node rather than a desk‑bound gaming cube. If your rig needs to move between office, studio, and living room while staying quiet and capable, the EVO-X1 Pro is the more adaptable personality. If it lives under a monitor driving high-end games and 3D scenes, the NEO X1 Pro is the one that fits.
