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The Minisforum MS-S1 MAX, the GMKtec EVO-X2, and the Framework Desktop are the three Strix Halo mini PCs most local-AI buyers cross-shop, and they share one important trait: the exact same chip. All three run AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 128GB of unified memory, so the benchmark is a tie before it starts. That is good news, because it means you can pick on the things that actually differ between them, networking, cooling, serviceability, and price, without worrying that you are giving up speed. Here is the shootout.
We verified the MS-S1 MAX and EVO-X2 listings against the Amazon product data on July 12, 2026, confirmed the Framework Desktop configuration against Framework’s own store, and drew local-AI performance from community Ollama runs rather than a bench session of our own.
The Short Answer
Buy the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX if you want the homelab box, because it adds dual 10GbE the others lack and often costs the least. Buy the GMKtec EVO-X2 if you want an assembled machine with strong cooling and a bundled SSD on Amazon. Buy the Framework Desktop if you want a serviceable Mini-ITX board you can reuse and the quietest fan option. Performance is identical across all three, so let your priorities decide.
Side-by-Side Specs
| Spec | MS-S1 MAX | GMKtec EVO-X2 | Framework Desktop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | Ryzen AI Max+ 395 | Ryzen AI Max+ 395 | Ryzen AI Max+ 395 |
| Memory | 128GB soldered | 128GB soldered | 128GB soldered |
| Networking | Dual 10GbE | 2.5GbE | 5GbE |
| Cooling | Standard | Triple-fan, audible | Noctua option, quiet |
| Serviceable board | No | No | Yes, Mini-ITX |
| Assembly | Assembled | Assembled | Semi do-it-yourself |
| Storage | SSD included | SSD included | Bring your own |
| Sold on Amazon | Yes | Yes | No, direct |
| Price | Often lowest | ~$2,299 to $3,299 | ~$1,999 board |
Performance: A Three-Way Tie
There is no speed winner here, and pretending otherwise would be dishonest. All three machines run the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the Radeon 8060S graphics, and 128GB of unified memory at roughly 256 GB/s. Community Ollama runs put a 70B Q4 model around 18 to 22 tokens per second on the platform, and that number is the same whether the badge says Minisforum, GMKtec, or Framework. Each can load a 70B model that a normal graphics card cannot hold, and each shares the platform’s bandwidth ceiling that slows long prompts.
The shared silicon also means shared quirks: the NPU only helps with AMD’s Lemonade SDK rather than plain Ollama, and an external AMD graphics card over OCuLink is capped near 120 watts on all three. Our best mini PC for local LLM guide covers what that means in practice. With performance off the table, the decision is entirely about the hardware around the chip.
Networking: The MS-S1 MAX’s Trump Card
The single clearest difference is networking, and it favors the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX. It includes dual 10GbE, while the EVO-X2 has a single 2.5GbE port and the Framework Desktop has 5GbE. For a homelab that moves large model files, syncs to network storage, or runs the box as a shared inference server, 10GbE is a meaningful upgrade you would otherwise add with a card.
If your machine mostly sits on WiFi and pulls models once, this matters little and the other two are fine. But if fast wired transfers are part of your plan, the MS-S1 MAX hands you the best networking of the three without an add-in card, and it often does so at the lowest price. That combination is why it is the homelab pick.
Cooling, Serviceability, and Where You Buy
The other differences sort the three cleanly by priority:
- Cooling and noise. The EVO-X2 uses a triple-fan cooler that keeps thermals in check but is audible under sustained load. The Framework Desktop with the Noctua fan is the quietest. The MS-S1 MAX sits between them. Pick the Framework for a silent desk, the EVO-X2 for maximum sealed-box cooling.
- Serviceability. Only the Framework Desktop puts the chip on a standard Mini-ITX board you can reuse in another case. The MS-S1 MAX and EVO-X2 are sealed. If repairability and reuse matter, the Framework stands alone.
- Assembly and storage. The MS-S1 MAX and EVO-X2 arrive assembled with an SSD. The Framework asks you to build it and bring your own drive, which adds cost and time but gives you a reusable board.
- Where you buy. The MS-S1 MAX and EVO-X2 sell on Amazon with its return protection. The Framework Desktop sells direct, so weigh its return and support terms.
For the assembled options beyond these, including the quieter Beelink GTR9 Pro, see our best AI mini PC guide, and our GMKtec EVO-X2 AI review for the deepest look at that box.
Price and Running Cost
The MS-S1 MAX is frequently the lowest-priced 128GB box of the three, which stacks nicely with its 10GbE advantage. The Framework Desktop board is around 1,999 dollars before storage, with a real build reaching near 2,500 dollars. The assembled EVO-X2 128GB has listed higher near 3,299 dollars with an SSD. All three move with LPDDR5 supply, so treat these as a snapshot and compare current listings. Model the running cost with our power cost calculator, since each draws near 140 watts under sustained inference.
The Verdict by Priority
- Homelab and networking first: Minisforum MS-S1 MAX, for dual 10GbE at often the lowest price
- Assembled and done: GMKtec EVO-X2, for a ready-to-run box with a bundled SSD and strong cooling
- Serviceability and quiet: Framework Desktop, for a reusable Mini-ITX board and the Noctua fan option
- Lowest noise on a desk: Framework Desktop with the Noctua fan
- Best return path: the Amazon boxes, the MS-S1 MAX or EVO-X2
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Strix Halo mini PC is best, the MS-S1 MAX, EVO-X2, or Framework Desktop?
All three use the same Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and 128GB memory, so performance is a tie. Pick the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX for homelab use because it adds dual 10GbE networking. Pick the GMKtec EVO-X2 for an assembled box with strong cooling and a bundled SSD. Pick the Framework Desktop for a serviceable Mini-ITX board you can reuse and the quietest fan option.
Does the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX have 10GbE?
Yes. The MS-S1 MAX includes dual 10GbE networking, which is its standout feature among the 128GB Strix Halo boxes. That makes it the pick for a homelab where fast wired transfers, model syncing, or network storage matter. The EVO-X2 and Framework Desktop use slower wired ports, so if 10GbE is on your list, the MS-S1 MAX is the clear choice.
Do all three run 70B local models at the same speed?
Effectively yes. Because all three share the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, the Radeon 8060S, and 128GB of unified memory at roughly 256 GB/s, a 70B Q4 model runs around 18 to 22 tokens per second on any of them based on community Ollama runs. The differences between these machines are networking, cooling, serviceability, and price, not inference speed.
Which is the quietest Strix Halo mini PC?
Among these three, the Framework Desktop with the Noctua fan option is the quietest. The GMKtec EVO-X2 uses a triple-fan cooler that is audible under sustained AI load. The MS-S1 MAX sits in between. If the machine lives on your desk in a quiet room and noise matters, the Framework with the Noctua fan is the one to choose.
Which of the three is cheapest?
The Minisforum MS-S1 MAX is often the lowest-priced 128GB box of the three, and the Framework Desktop board is around 1,999 dollars before you add storage and a cooler. The assembled EVO-X2 128GB has listed higher near 3,299 dollars. All prices swing with LPDDR5 supply, so compare current listings rather than assuming a fixed order.
Can you upgrade memory on any of these Strix Halo boxes?
No. All three use soldered LPDDR5X memory because the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 requires soldered memory for its roughly 256 GB/s bandwidth. None of them lets you add memory later, so buy the capacity you need up front. For 70B models, choose the 128GB configuration on whichever machine wins on your other priorities.
How We Research These Picks
We verified the MS-S1 MAX and EVO-X2 listings, prices, and availability against the Amazon product data on July 12, 2026, confirmed the Framework Desktop configuration against Framework’s own store, and drew local-AI token-speed ranges from community Ollama runs on the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 rather than a bench session of our own. Because all three use identical silicon, we did not invent a performance ranking between them. Every figure here carries its source, and we make no hands-on testing claim we did not perform.
Amazon Product Links
- 🥇 Minisforum MS-S1 MAX — homelab pick with 10GbE: Check Current Price
- 💎 GMKtec EVO-X2 AI — assembled default: Check Current Price