GMKtec Evo X2 Mini PC vs. PlayStation 5: A Battle of APUs

Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 inside GMKtec Evo X2 balances raw computing strength against PlayStation 5’s memory advantage.

Hardware by Masaru Hoshino on Sep 27, 2025

GMKtec Evo X2 mini PC is powered by AMD's most advanced APU to date, the Ryzen AI Max Plus 395, code-named Strix Halo. It enters the market as part of a wave of compact PCs that promise console-level or even better performance.

The natural comparison for this device is Sony's PlayStation 5, especially since both systems are built around AMD APUs. On paper, Strix Halo appears to have a significant advantage with its newer architecture, but the PS5 retains strong points that keep the contest close.

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Spec Comparison

The PlayStation 5 runs on 8 Zen 2 CPU cores, while Strix Halo comes with 16 Zen 5 cores. GPU-wise, PS5 packs 36 RDNA2 compute units against Strix Halo's 40 RDNA3.5 compute units. Manufacturing processes also differ, with PS5 chips ranging between 7nm and 6nm, while Strix Halo leverages a more efficient 4nm design.

Despite these advantages, the PS5 has two crucial strengths: a higher power draw and a significant lead in memory bandwidth. It's 458GB/s bandwidth outpaces Strix Halo's 256GB/s, a 75% advantage. Even so, Strix Halo has demonstrated its ability to outperform discrete GPUs like the RX 6700, giving us reason to expect strong results against Sony's console.

Alan Wake 2 Performance

Starting with Alan Wake 2 in its capped 30fps quality mode, Strix Halo at 85W balance mode matches the PS5 almost identically. Both deliver 4K output using FSR2 balance mode with medium settings. Strix Halo holds a sub-1% performance lead, essentially producing the same experience as the PS5.

Switching to performance mode, where both systems target 60fps at 1440p, neither manages a perfect lock, but Strix Halo edges out a 2% lead while using significantly less power.

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Hitman: World of Assassination

This title has historically highlighted discrepancies between console and PC settings. On PS5, Hitman runs at 1800p and nearly locks to 60fps with only rare drops in specific scenes. In Berlin, PS5 has a 1% advantage, but in a demanding section in China, Strix Halo pulls ahead by 9.7%.

These results demonstrate that performance depends heavily on scene complexity and GPU load.

Black Myth: Wukong

In performance mode on the PS5, the game runs at native 1080p with high settings, but the textures are unusually low in quality. Strix Halo, at 85W, delivers nearly identical average frame rates across extended sequences, keeping pace with the console while maintaining more consistent image quality options.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Testing the GPU-limited 40fps quality mode reveals Strix Halo's strength. Both systems upscale from 1440p to 4K, but Strix Halo delivers a 5% advantage, though somewhat constrained by the 40fps cap.

CPU-Limited Scenarios

While Strix Halo's Zen 5 cores vastly outclass PS5's Zen 2 cores on paper, CPU-limited scenarios show more nuanced results. In Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3, Strix Halo gives a 25% improvement over PS5, although neither system can keep up with 60fps all the time.

In the tough cherry blossom market in Cyberpunk 2077, Strix Halo is surprisingly behind PS5 by 3.7%. Both systems show similar frame losses while streaming materials quickly.

Power Consumption

Looking at power draw gives you valuable information. When the Strix Halo is set to 85W TDP, it uses 131W from the wall. When it is set to 120W TDP, it uses 179W. The PS5 Slim, on the other hand, uses 216W. This means that Strix Halo gets around the same performance while utilizing only 60% of the power and 57% of the bandwidth. This level of efficiency shows how good AMD's 4nm technology is.

For handhelds and tablets, a 54W configuration is expected, though with limited battery life—likely around 1 hour given common 80Wh battery capacities.

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Final Thoughts

AMD describes Strix Halo as a "mobile Threadripper," and the results here justify the description. In a mini PC form factor like the GMKtec Evo X2, performance is impressive, though cooling challenges result in higher-than-expected fan noise.

The ability to allocate VRAM dynamically is another strength, with up to 32GB dedicated to the GPU if desired. At balanced wattages, the Strix Halo delivers performance close to or matching that of the PlayStation 5 while consuming significantly less power.

For handhelds and future tablets, reduced resolutions and optimized settings could make Strix Halo devices the closest thing to a truly portable PlayStation 5 experience.

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