Geekom A9 Max Mini PC Review (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370)

Geekom's A9 Max is an intriguing mini PC, packing in AMD's potent Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and the Radeon 890M iGPU. That sits alongside 2TB of NVMe storage and 32GB of DDR5 memory, all housed in a metal chassis that's less than 1L in volume. It certainly sounds good on paper, but what's it like to use in the real world, and could it really replace your traditional desktop? We find out today…

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:52 Pricing and core spec details
01:52 Design, first impressions
02:25 Connectivity options
03:37 Accessing internals + upgrade options
04:46 CPU behaviour / power modes
06:06 General system performance
06:29 AI performance, iGPU VRAM testing
07:59 Gaming test setup
08:28 Counter Strike 2
09:02 COD: Black Ops 6
09:29 Cyberpunk 2077
09:58 F1 25
10:31 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
10:53 Marvel Rivals
11:18 Thermals + noise
12:29 Closing thoughts

Specification:

• Form Factor: 135 mm × 132 mm × 46.9 mm
• CPU: AMD Ryzen™ CPU (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370)
• TDP: 54W
• Video Engine Processor: AMD Radeon™ 890M Graphics
• Memory: Dual channel DDR5 262PIN 5600MHz
• Maximum Memory: Up to 128GB
• Audio: HDA CODEC
• Storage:
  • 1 × M.2 2280 SSD (NVMe × 4 Gen 4)
  • 1 × M.2 2230 SSD slot (NVMe × 4 Gen 4)
• I/O Ports:
  • 1 × rear USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
  • 1 × rear USB 2.0 Type-A
  • 3 × front USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
  • 1 × front USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (Always On)
  • 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt mode / PD in (back panel)
  • 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C DP-Alt mode (back panel)
  • 1 × 3.5mm front stereo headset jack
  • 2 × RJ45 (back panel)
  • 2 × HDMI 2.1 FRL (back panel)
  • 1 × DC in (back panel)
  • 1 × Power Button
  • 1 × Kensington Lock
  • 1 × SD Card 4.0
• Ethernet: 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps RJ45 × 2
• Ethernet LED Indicators: 10/100 Mbps Off / 1000 Mbps Orange / 2500 Mbps Green
• Wireless LAN: M.2 Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Kensington Lock: Yes
• DTPM 2.0: Support DTPM 2.0
• Battery: RTC coin battery
• Adapter: 19 V power supply adapter (120 W) with geo-specific AC cord (IEC C5)
• PCBA Dimension: 127.6 × 127.2 × 1.6 mm
• Certification: CE, FCC, CB, CCC, SRRC, RoHS
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 (64-bit)
• Operating System Features: Support Modern Standby
• Accessory: VESA Mount (121.8 mm × 116.5 mm × 1.0 mm)

The A9 Max is listed for £999 on both Geekom's website and on Amazon, while we were also sent a 6% discount code (A9MAXKT6) for Geekom's website. Please note this is not an affiliate link and we do not get a kickback from any purchases.

Pros

• Clean and premium all-metal chassis, just 0.8L volume.
• Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a strong all-round CPU.
• Radeon 890M iGPU is capable for 1080p low settings gaming.
• Spare M.2 2230 slot.
• Up to 128GB memory is supported.
• Plenty of connectivity options.
• BIOS allows users to adjust the memory available to the iGPU, up to 24GB.
• Well-managed thermals.

Cons

• Lacks front USB-C or OcuLink.
• Performance mode gets very loud (but the Normal mode is fine).
• WiFi antenna cables make reassembly very fiddly.
• You definitely pay for the small form-factor.

KitGuru says: The Geekom A9 Max is a compact, sleek and versatile mini PC. It's not quite perfect, but it packs a punch despite its diminutive dimensions, making this well worth buying.

Become a Patron!