GMKtec EVO-X3: The $3,600 Mini PC That Runs 235B-Parameter AI Models Locally

Unified Memory and Storage: 128GB of Soldered LPDDR5X

The EVO-X3 ships with 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 unified memory on a 256-bit bus, but this is soldered and not user-expandable . The system uses a unified memory architecture where the GPU can dynamically draw from the same 128GB pool — a major advantage for AI inference workloads that need large VRAM allocations. For storage, the mini PC offers two M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4.0 slots. Launch configurations are available with either a 2TB or a 4TB SSD, and the platform supports up to 16TB of total storage .

Chassis and Cooling: Vertical Blade Design with Triple-Fan Cooling

Instead of the typical flat, horizontal form factor, GMKtec designed the EVO-X3 as a vertically oriented "blade" with a full CNC-machined metal body . The chassis is roughly the size of a Sony PlayStation 4 console and uses a triple-fan cooling system to keep the 16-core APU and high-speed memory within operating temperatures under sustained load .

Connectivity: OCuLink, USB4, Wi-Fi 7

The standout connectivity addition is a dedicated OCuLink port (PCIe Gen 4 x4, ~64 Gbit/s), which allows you to connect an external GPU — such as an NVIDIA RTX 40 or RTX 50 series card — for rendering or compute tasks that require a discrete GPU . Other ports include USB4 (40 Gbps) with power delivery and display output, HDMI 2.1, dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 bays, 2.5GbE LAN, and Wi-Fi 7 . The OCuLink interface is a major upgrade over the EVO-X2, which lacked this high-speed external expansion option entirely .

AI Software: Claw+Wrangler Local Inference Suite

GMKtec pre-loads the EVO-X3 with its Claw+Wrangler local-inference software suite, a self-hosted AI gateway that enables running large language models, AI agents, and continuous inference without any cloud subscription . The company states the system can handle models of up to 235 billion parameters fully offline, making it a plausible option for enterprises handling sensitive data that cannot be sent to cloud APIs . The platform also supports AMD's ROCm open-source compute ecosystem, ensuring compatibility with popular AI and machine learning frameworks .

Pricing: $3,600 in the US, ~€3,249+ in Europe

US pricing is clearly defined: $3,600 for the 128GB / 2TB SSD configuration, and $3,849 for the 128GB / 4TB "King Edition" . In Europe, pricing starts at approximately €3,249, with top configurations reaching around €3,450 . Note that exact euro pricing per SKU has not been officially confirmed by GMKtec in a single price list; the figures come from multiple outlet reports and may vary by retailer.

Availability Timeline: Early Access June 22, Global Launch June 29

Early access registration opens on June 22, 2026, on JD.com in China and via GMKtec's global website . The general global launch begins one week later, on June 29, 2026 . Early registrants reportedly receive a $20 discount coupon .

Future Variant: Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 with 192GB Memory

GMKtec has confirmed that a more powerful version of the EVO-X3 is in development and expected to ship later in 2026 . This variant will replace the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 processor, which combines 16 Zen 5 cores with higher clock speeds (up to 5.2 GHz boost), an upgraded Radeon 8065S GPU (also 40 compute units but with higher clock rates), and an XDNA 2 NPU delivering up to 55 TOPS . The key upgrade is unified memory: up to 192GB LPDDR5X-8533, of which up to 160GB can be allocated as VRAM for the GPU . This allows the system to run even larger AI models than the 235B-parameter maximum of the 128GB model. No specific release month or price has been announced for the PRO 495 variant .

Key Takeaways

The GMKtec EVO-X3 is a purpose-built compact AI workstation for developers, researchers, and enterprises that need to run large language models fully on-premise. The base model launches June 29 with a 16-core AMD APU, 128GB of unified memory, and an OCuLink port for eGPU expansion at a starting price of $3,600. A higher-end 192GB variant with the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 is confirmed for later in 2026, though its price and exact availability remain unknown. The vertical blade design, triple-fan cooling, and Claw+Wrangler AI suite make it a credible alternative to cloud-based inference for data-sensitive workloads.