For years, my home office has been dominated by a hulking black tower. It’s powerful, sure, but it’s also an unapologetic behemoth—a noisy, heat-generating dust magnet that dictates my entire desk layout. Every upgrade cycle brought the same internal debate: do I commit to another massive chassis for the performance I need, or do I sacrifice power for a cleaner, quieter setup? The compromise always felt too steep. I craved the raw horsepower for video editing, local AI model tinkering, and some after-hours gaming, but I desperately wanted to reclaim my physical and acoustic space. This challenge—finding a machine that delivers full-desktop performance without the full-desktop footprint—is a modern dilemma for creators, developers, and power users everywhere. Leaving it unsolved means accepting clutter, noise, and inefficiency as the price of power, a compromise that feels increasingly outdated in 2025.
- 【Unmatched AI Performance - 80 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ & Local AI】Experience the future with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in this powerful mini pc. Delivering a groundbreaking 80 TOPS of AI performance...
- 【Immersive Gaming Experience - Powered by Radeon 890M Graphics】The AMD Radeon 890M (RDNA 3.5) graphics transform this mini gaming pc into a 1080p powerhouse, effortlessly running Valorant and...
What to Consider Before Buying a Mini PC
A Mini PC is more than just a compact computer; it’s a key solution for decluttering your workspace, reducing energy consumption, and achieving a minimalist aesthetic without compromising on productivity or entertainment. These devices solve the fundamental problem of the traditional desktop tower: its sheer size and noise. The main benefits are immediately apparent—you can mount one behind a monitor for an all-in-one experience, place it discreetly on a bookshelf, or even use it as a powerful, near-silent media hub in your living room. They offer a potent blend of performance and efficiency, making them ideal for everything from demanding office work and creative projects to 1080p gaming.
The ideal customer for a high-performance mini PC like the GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a professional, creator, or tech enthusiast facing space constraints but unwilling to sacrifice computational power. This includes video editors, software developers running local servers, AI researchers experimenting with models, and gamers who want a portable LAN party rig. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for someone who only needs to browse the web and check emails—a less powerful, fanless model would suffice. It’s also not for elite gamers seeking 4K ultra settings, who would be better served by a traditional desktop tower with a high-end discrete GPU.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Processor & AI Capabilities: The heart of any PC is its CPU. For a modern mini PC, look beyond core counts and clock speeds. Consider its integrated graphics performance and, increasingly, its AI processing capabilities. New chips with dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) can dramatically accelerate AI-driven tasks in applications like Adobe Photoshop, video upscaling, and running local language models, future-proofing your investment.
- Connectivity & I/O: A mini PC’s small size can limit its ports. Scrutinise the I/O panel. Look for modern standards like USB4 or Thunderbolt, which offer high-speed data transfer (40Gbps), display output, and even the ability to connect an external GPU (eGPU) for a massive performance boost. Multiple video outputs (HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort), fast networking (2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 7), and a generous number of USB-A ports are all signs of a well-designed machine.
- Cooling & Acoustics: Packing immense power into a small chassis generates significant heat. The cooling system is paramount. An advanced thermal solution, like GEEKOM’s IceBlast 2.0, is designed to maintain peak performance under sustained load without sounding like a jet engine. Check for noise level ratings (measured in decibels, dB) and user feedback on thermal throttling.
- Upgradability & Serviceability: While mini PCs are compact, the best models don’t sacrifice upgradability. Easy access to RAM slots and M.2 SSD slots allows you to expand memory and storage down the line, extending the life of your device. A machine that supports up to 64GB or even 128GB of RAM and has dual SSD slots offers far more long-term value than a fully soldered, non-upgradable unit.
Considering these factors ensures you’ll choose a mini PC that not only fits your desk but also perfectly fits your demanding workflow for years to come.
While the GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
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- Refurbished Dell Optiplex SFF PC, Equipped with a FAST Intel Core i7 6th Generation CPU Processor
- Inter Quad Core I5 4570 High performance 4th Generation processor
First Impressions: A Minimalist Powerhouse Unboxed
Opening the box for the GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 immediately sets a premium tone. GEEKOM has refined its packaging to feel substantial and protective. Inside, the mini PC itself is nestled securely, and its minimalist white chassis is surprisingly dense and cool to the touch, exuding a sense of quality construction. It’s remarkably compact, measuring just 13.5 x 13.2 x 4.7 cm, making it easy to palm and visualise just how little desk space it will occupy. The package is comprehensive, including the power adapter, an HDMI cable, and a VESA mount—a thoughtful inclusion that allows for a zero-footprint setup behind a compatible monitor. Getting started was effortless. After connecting power, a monitor, and peripherals, the pre-installed Windows 11 Pro 24H2 booted up in seconds, a testament to the speed of the 2TB NVMe SSD. There was no bloatware, just a clean Windows environment ready for us to put it through its paces. It’s a refreshingly user-friendly experience that gets you from unboxing to productivity in under five minutes. You can see the full package and its elegant design here.
What We Like
- Groundbreaking AI performance from the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor (80 TOPS).
- Exceptional connectivity with dual USB4 ports, dual 2.5G LAN, and Wi-Fi 7.
- Whisper-quiet operation even under load thanks to the IceBlast 2.0 cooling system.
- Excellent upgradability with support for up to 128GB DDR5 RAM and dual M.2 SSDs.
- Robust build quality and a comprehensive 3-year warranty.
Potential Drawbacks
- Integrated graphics are powerful but can’t match a high-end dedicated GPU for 4K gaming.
- The external power brick is sizeable, somewhat offsetting the “mini” aesthetic.
Deep Dive: Deconstructing the GEEKOM A9 Max’s Performance
A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand the GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, we had to push it to its limits across a range of demanding, real-world scenarios. From compiling code and running local AI models to editing 4K video and gaming, we explored every facet of this compact powerhouse. This isn’t just a small computer; it’s a statement about the future of desktop computing, and we were determined to see if the reality lived up to the promise.
The AI Revolution on Your Desk: Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in Action
The headline feature of this machine is undoubtedly the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, and specifically, its integrated AI engine. AMD claims a staggering 80 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of total AI performance, with 50 of those TOPS coming directly from the new XDNA 2 NPU. These aren’t just marketing numbers; they translate into a tangible, game-changing advantage in a growing number of applications. Our first test was with Stable Diffusion, a popular AI image generation tool. Running locally, we saw generation times that were dramatically faster than on CPUs without a dedicated NPU. Tasks that would take minutes were completed in under 30 seconds, and the process didn’t grind the rest of the system to a halt. We could continue working in other applications while the NPU handled the heavy lifting.
We then pushed it further with local Large Language Models (LLMs) using Ollama. Running a 7-billion parameter model like Llama 3 was remarkably smooth, with response times that felt near-instantaneous for a local setup. This capability alone transforms the GEEKOM A9 Max from a simple PC into a private, powerful AI development and experimentation tool. For professionals, the benefits are even clearer. In applications optimized for Windows’ Copilot+ (which this machine is built for), AI-powered features like real-time translation, advanced background blur in video calls, and intelligent photo editing felt seamless and responsive. The NPU offloads these tasks from the CPU and GPU, meaning the system remains snappy and efficient even when juggling multiple AI-enhanced workflows. This is the single feature that truly sets this mini PC apart from its predecessors and competitors.
Gaming and Creative Muscle: The Radeon 890M Unleashed
While the AI capabilities are futuristic, the integrated AMD Radeon 890M graphics (based on the new RDNA 3.5 architecture) deliver impressive performance for today’s tasks. We approached gaming with realistic expectations; this isn’t meant to replace a rig with a dedicated RTX 50-series card. However, for 1080p gaming, we were thoroughly impressed. In competitive titles like Valorant and Fortnite, we easily achieved high frame rates (well over 100 FPS) at medium to high settings, resulting in a fluid and responsive experience. The integrated graphics handled these games with an ease that would have been unthinkable for an iGPU just a few years ago.
For more demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Baldur’s Gate 3, we leveraged AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). By setting the resolution to 1080p and enabling FSR on the “Performance” or “Balanced” preset, we were able to maintain a playable and smooth 40-60 FPS. It’s a fantastic experience for a machine this small and quiet. For creative professionals, the Radeon 890M is equally adept. In Adobe Premiere Pro, 4K video timelines were scrubbable with minimal lag, and rendering times were respectable, beating out many older desktop systems. Photo editing in Photoshop and Lightroom was a breeze, with GPU-accelerated filters applying instantly. This level of integrated graphics performance makes the GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 a genuinely viable workstation for content creators who value a compact setup.
Future-Proof Connectivity: More Than Just Ports
A powerful processor is useless without the I/O to support it, and this is where the GEEKOM A9 Max truly shines as a professional tool. The inclusion of two USB4 ports is a masterstroke. Each port provides a staggering 40Gbps of bandwidth, enabling ludicrously fast data transfers with external SSDs. More importantly, they function as a non-proprietary alternative to OCuLink for connecting an external GPU enclosure. This is a crucial feature for anyone wanting to transform this mini PC into an elite gaming or rendering machine. We hooked up an enclosure with an older RTX 3070, and the system recognised it instantly, delivering a massive boost in graphics power. It’s the ultimate form of upgradability.
The networking capabilities are equally top-tier. The dual 2.5G LAN ports are perfect for power users who need a direct, high-speed connection to a NAS or home server, or for setting up advanced network configurations like link aggregation. For wireless, the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 is incredibly forward-thinking. While Wi-Fi 7 routers are still emerging, having this capability ensures the A9 Max will be able to take advantage of the next generation of wireless speeds, lower latency, and reliability. This comprehensive suite of ports—including two HDMI 2.1 outputs for a potential quad-display setup (via the USB4 ports)—cements the A9 Max’s status as a connectivity hub that can handle any peripheral or workflow you throw at it. The advanced connectivity options are a huge selling point.
Cool, Quiet, and Compact: The IceBlast 2.0 Thermal System
Our biggest concern going into this review was thermals. How could a chassis this small possibly keep a high-performance 10-core CPU cool and quiet under sustained load? The answer lies in GEEKOM’s IceBlast 2.0 cooling system. We ran a series of stress tests, including a 30-minute full-load CPU benchmark and an hour-long gaming session, and the results were remarkable. The processor was able to maintain its high boost clocks for extended periods without significant thermal throttling. The chassis became warm to the touch, as expected, but never alarmingly hot.
Even more impressive was the acoustic performance. During light use—web browsing, writing, and streaming video—the fan was completely inaudible. We had to put our ear right up to the case to confirm it was even spinning. Under full load, the fan did ramp up, but it produced a low-pitched hum that was far from intrusive. GEEKOM’s claim of under 25dB in quiet mode seems accurate, and even at its peak, the noise level was significantly lower than a typical gaming laptop or desktop tower. This whisper-quiet operation is a defining feature, making the A9 Max perfect for quiet office environments, recording studios, or living rooms where fan noise would be a distraction. The elegant design combined with this silent power makes it a joy to have on the desk.
What Other Users Are Saying
While this specific model is new to the market, feedback on GEEKOM’s recent high-performance mini PCs follows a consistent and positive trend. Users frequently express surprise and satisfaction with the sheer amount of power packed into such a small form factor. One user of a similar GEEKOM model noted the “excellent unboxing experience,” highlighting the inclusion of all necessary accessories like the VESA mount and HDMI cable, which we also found to be a premium touch. The build quality and ease of setup are common points of praise, with many appreciating the clean, bloatware-free installation of Windows 11 Pro.
The performance, particularly in productivity and creative tasks, consistently earns high marks. Some users, particularly gamers, do point out the limitations of integrated graphics compared to dedicated cards, which is a fair and expected trade-off for the size. A minor critique we’ve seen echoed is the size of the external power adapter, which can be a bit bulky. However, the overwhelming sentiment is that GEEKOM delivers on its promise of creating a powerful, reliable, and compact desktop replacement that punches well above its weight class.
How Does the GEEKOM A9 Max Compare to the Alternatives?
The GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 occupies a unique space in the market, but it’s important to understand how it stacks up against other options, especially those at different performance and price points.
1. MeLE Quieter 4C Fanless Mini PC
- 【Faster and More Efficient】This mini PC has a special cooling system for fast and reliable performance when used to ensure reliable performance without surges, and a 7-24 hour usage with passive...
- Excellent processor and operating system: Quieter28 Mini PC built into the latest Intel Gemini Lake Celeron J4125 processor (Quad-Core, 2.0GHz-2.70GHz) and Intel UHD Graphics 600, 8GB DDR4, 128GB...
The MeLE Quieter 4C represents a completely different philosophy. Powered by a much lower-wattage N100 processor, its primary selling point is that it’s entirely fanless and therefore completely silent. This makes it an excellent choice for applications where zero noise is critical, such as a home theatre PC (HTPC), a digital signage player, or a basic home office machine for web browsing and document editing. It cannot compete with the GEEKOM A9 Max on any performance metric—its processing, graphics, and AI capabilities are orders of magnitude lower. However, if your needs are simple and silence is golden, the MeLE is a more affordable and specialized alternative.
2. MeLE Quieter 4C N150 Fanless Mini PC 16GB RAM 512GB SSD
- Next-Gen Performance -- MeLE Quieter 4C N150 adopted the latest Twin Lake N150 CPU 4 Core 4 Threads 6MB cache, burst speed up to 3.6GHz. Compared with the Alder Lake Series, the N150 offers an overall...
- High-Speed Performance and Expandable Storage -- Enjoy faster computing with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB storage. Ideal for home working, business offices, IoT, school education, and billboards....
This is a slight step up from the N100 model, featuring a slightly more capable N150 processor. It maintains the same fanless, silent design, making it another strong contender for noise-sensitive environments. With 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it’s well-equipped for multitasking in an office setting, handling numerous browser tabs, spreadsheets, and video calls without issue. It’s a solid, reliable workhorse for business and education. For users whose most demanding task is running Microsoft Office or streaming 4K video, this MeLE model offers a cost-effective and silent solution, whereas the GEEKOM A9 Max would be significant overkill.
3. CyberPowerPC Gaming PC AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RTX 5070 Ti
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Processor (8 Cores, up to 5.2GHz) | AMD B650 Chipset Motherboard | 240mm All-in-one Liquid Cooler
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB Graphics Card | Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell, DLSS 4, 4th Gen Ray Tracing | 750W 80+ Power Supply
The CyberPowerPC sits at the opposite end of the spectrum. This is a full-sized, no-compromise gaming desktop tower. With a top-of-the-line AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU and what is anticipated to be a powerhouse Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti discrete GPU, its sole purpose is to deliver the absolute maximum gaming performance at high resolutions and settings. It will vastly outperform the GEEKOM A9 Max in any gaming benchmark. However, this power comes at the cost of size, noise, and energy consumption. This is the choice for the hardcore gamer who prioritizes frame rates above all else and has the dedicated space for a large tower. The GEEKOM A9 Max appeals to those who want great performance but value space, quiet operation, and versatility far more.
Our Final Verdict: Is the GEEKOM A9 Max Worth It?
After extensive testing, we can say with confidence that the GEEKOM A9 Max Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a triumph of engineering and a true glimpse into the future of desktop computing. It successfully bridges the gap between the convenience of a compact form factor and the raw power previously reserved for large towers. Its AI capabilities are not just a gimmick; the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370’s NPU provides a real, tangible performance boost in next-generation applications. Combined with its excellent 1080p gaming and creative workload performance, future-proof connectivity like dual USB4 and Wi-Fi 7, and a whisper-quiet cooling system, it is an incredibly versatile machine.
While it won’t replace a dedicated high-end gaming rig for 4K enthusiasts, it’s not trying to. Instead, it offers a near-perfect solution for professionals, creators, and developers who demand top-tier performance without the clutter, noise, and high power draw of a traditional desktop. It’s a workstation, a developer box, a media centre, and a capable gaming PC all rolled into one elegant, desk-friendly package. If you’re looking to upgrade your setup and reclaim your space without sacrificing power, the GEEKOM A9 Max is not just worth it—it’s one of the most compelling and forward-thinking PCs we’ve reviewed. We wholeheartedly recommend it. To see if this next-generation mini PC is the right fit for your desk, you can check the latest price and user reviews right here.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API