GMKtec has launched the Evo-X1 Pro, a Windows mini PC that combines AMD’s top-tier mobile processor with a dedicated OCuLink port for external desktop graphics. The system starts at $1,599.99 after a $700 launch discount and targets users who want a compact 0.7-liter chassis that can transform into a full-fledged gaming or rendering workstation when connected to a discrete GPU.

Specs and Configuration: What’s Inside the Evo-X1 Pro

At the core is AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, a 12-core, 24-thread processor from the Ryzen AI 400 series. It boosts up to 5.2 GHz and packs a 55-TOPS NPU alongside 16-core Radeon 890M integrated graphics. GMKtec’s implementation runs the chip at up to 65 W in Performance mode, cooled by dual fans and a vapor chamber inside a CNC-machined aluminum shell measuring 107 × 111 × 63 mm and weighing about 590 grams.

Memory arrives soldered—there are no SODIMM slots—with 64 GB of LPDDR5-6400 across both launch configurations. Storage options include a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD ($1,599.99) or a 2 TB version ($1,769.99). The motherboard holds a second M.2 2280 slot, and GMKtec advertises a maximum combined capacity of 16 TB, making the machine viable for large media libraries or multi-game installations.

Port selection is unusually rich for such a small box. On the front: two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps), one full-featured USB4 (40 Gbps, with DisplayPort alt mode and USB PD 3.0), the OCuLink connector, and a combo audio jack. Around back: two more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1 (up to 8K 60 Hz), DisplayPort 2.1 (also 8K 60 Hz), dual 2.5Gb Ethernet jacks, the DC power input, and a Kensington lock slot. Wireless is handled by Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

The front-mounted OCuLink port supplies a PCIe 4.0 x4 electrical link to an external GPU enclosure—specced at up to 64 Gbps bandwidth. That’s a critical differentiator from mini PCs that rely solely on USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 for external graphics, because OCuLink provides a more direct, lower-overhead connection to the PCIe bus. It doesn’t tunnel through a USB/DisplayPort protocol stack, which can reduce latency and improve frame-time consistency in games or GPU-accelerated workloads.

The integrated Radeon 890M is no slouch for 1080p gaming or light creative work, but when a user connects a recent desktop card—say an RTX 4070 or Radeon RX 7800 XT—the Evo-X1 Pro can tackle 4K gaming, 3D rendering, or local AI inference that would choke the iGPU. This dual-mode character is the system’s headline feature: it’s a quiet, efficient daily driver that can transform into a powerhouse after desk-side re-cabling.

Practical Use: Who Benefits from This Machine

For home users, the Evo-X1 Pro is not an impulse purchase. A typical living-room PC or office desktop rarely needs 64 GB of soldered RAM or a 16-core GPU, and the price reflects its workstation aspirations. However, if someone wants a single PC that serves as a family media center, a home office desktop, and a weekend gaming rig (via eGPU), the footprint savings are real. The triple-display support—up to two 8K panels through HDMI and DisplayPort, plus a third monitor through USB4 or the eGPU’s own outputs—means it can drive a productivity cockpit without taking up desk space.

Power users and enthusiasts will see the appeal more immediately. The dual 2.5GbE ports open the door to compact home-lab setups: firewall/routing experiments, fast NAS access, or containerized services. Combined with the PCIe expansion via OCuLink, a single Evo-X1 Pro could run virtualized workloads requiring GPU pass-through, or function as a portable rendering node for creative professionals.

Content creators working with video, 3D, or AI-driven tools (Stable Diffusion, Lightroom’s AI denoising, Davinci Resolve’s neural engine effects) get a machine that leans on the Ryzen NPU and integrated graphics for everyday tasks, then engages a discrete GPU for final renders or batch processing. The OCuLink path is fast enough to avoid becoming a bottleneck for most external cards—it’s roughly equivalent to a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot, which is still plenty for mid-range and high-end GPUs in real-world workloads.

Pricing and the Hidden Costs of Going External

At $1,599.99 for the 1 TB model after the $700 launch discount, the Evo-X1 Pro sits near the top of the mini PC market. That’s more than a comparably equipped ASUS ROG NUC or a Zotac ZBOX Magnus, though those systems typically lack an OCuLink port and instead rely on Thunderbolt or integrated MXM graphics.

The sticker price does not include an eGPU enclosure, the graphics card itself, or the OCuLink cabling. A decent OCuLink dock (like the Minisforum DEG1 or similar) costs around $150, an active 50 cm OCuLink cable is $30–$50, and a mid-range GPU adds $300–$500. A power supply for the enclosure may be separate. So a realistic “expanded” budget for a 4K-capable gaming configuration could push toward $2,500. That’s not unreasonable compared to an equivalent SFF tower build, but buyers must account for it upfront.

There’s also the practical note: OCuLink is not hot-pluggable. As TechRadar points out, you must shut down the PC before attaching or detaching the eGPU. That’s a small but meaningful friction for anyone planning to regularly move the mini PC between desk-bound and portable modes. It won’t behave like a USB-C dock you can yank out on the fly.

How We Got Here: The Rise of Expandable Mini PCs

The Evo-X1 Pro stands on two converging trends. First, AMD’s mobile APUs have reached a level where their integrated graphics can genuinely replace budget discrete cards—the Radeon 890M, built on RDNA 3.5, outperforms many entry-level laptop GPUs. Second, OCuLink has been quietly gaining traction as a community-driven standard for bypassing USB4 bottlenecks. It originated in enterprise storage but was adopted by Chinese mini-PC makers like Minisforum and GPD for eGPU docks. GMKtec’s move brings that capability to a mainstream-priced device with a latest-generation Ryzen AI chip.

This isn’t the first compact PC to offer external graphics, but it’s among the first to pair a flagship AMD mobile processor with OCuLink natively on the front panel. Previous models often required an internal M.2-to-OCuLink adapter or sacrificed a rear USB4 port for eGPU duty. By putting the connector where it’s easily accessible and dedicating PCIe lanes directly, GMKtec signals that external expansion is a core design goal, not an afterthought.

What to Do If You’re Considering the Evo-X1 Pro

If the use case of a compact, multi-mode desktop fits your workflow, start by clarifying your graphics needs. Do you already own a desktop GPU, or will you buy one? If not, and if you’ll rarely connect an eGPU, a cheaper mini PC with a Ryzen 7 7840HS or an Intel Core Ultra might serve just as well for hundreds less.

Check what enclosures are compatible. Not all OCuLink docks support PCIe 4.0 speeds—some are limited to PCIe 3.0. The Evo-X1 Pro’s port is rated at PCIe 4.0 x4, so pair it with a matching dock and an active cable under 1 meter to avoid signal degradation. GMKtec’s own website doesn’t currently sell a first-party OCuLink enclosure, so you’ll likely mix and match brands.

Consider storage. The advertised 16 TB ceiling assumes you’ll install two 8 TB M.2 NVMe drives. At today’s pricing, that’s an expensive option—but even a single 4 TB secondary drive turns the Evo-X1 Pro into a capable local content library. The dual 2.5GbE ports mean you can saturate network transfers without taxing the Wi-Fi connection.

Finally, watch the pricing. The $700 launch discount is a significant early-bird incentive. Retailer promotions may shift the final price further. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting for independent reviews that confirm thermal performance and OCuLink stability under sustained loads is a wise move.

Outlook: The Mini PC Market Is Heating Up

GMKtec’s entry validates OCuLink as a feature that sells to enthusiasts, and it pushes competitors to respond. Minisforum already has OCuLink models; ASUS and Lenovo’s next-generation compact machines may follow suit if the interface proves popular. Meanwhile, AMD’s Ryzen AI processors will appear in more desktop-replacement mini PCs, bringing the NPU into a form factor previously starved of AI acceleration. The Evo-X1 Pro isn’t for everyone—but it’s a signal that the mini PC is no longer just an office appliance. It’s becoming a platform.