DGX Spark vs Ryzen AI Max+ 395: which 128 GB AI box should you buy?

These are the two ways to get 128 GB of fast memory into a box you can hold in one hand. NVIDIA’s DGX Spark uses its own GB10 chip; AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (the chip family called Strix Halo) powers mini PCs from GMKtec, Minisforum, Beelink, Framework and others. On paper they look very alike. The differences are in software, prompt speed and price.

Side by side

	NVIDIA DGX Spark	Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (GMKtec EVO-X2)
Memory	128 GB unified LPDDR5X	128 GB unified LPDDR5X-8000
Memory bandwidth	273 GB/s	256 GB/s
Processor	20 Arm cores	16 x86 cores / 32 threads
Graphics	Blackwell GPU (CUDA)	Radeon 8060S, 40 compute units
Operating system	DGX OS (Linux)	Windows 11 Pro or Linux
Networking	10 GbE + ConnectX-7 (200 Gbps)	2.5 GbE (10 GbE on some rival models)
Storage	4 TB	1 or 2 TB, two M.2 slots
Price	$4,699 list price	$3,499.99 with 128 GB / 1 TB at GMKtec

Prices checked September 25, 2026. The DGX Spark often sells above its list price.

Writing speed: a near tie

Writing speed is set by memory bandwidth, and 273 GB/s versus 256 GB/s is only a 7% difference. Published llama.cpp results for the same 7B reference model we use show the GB10 at 58.5 tokens per second and the Radeon 8060S at 48. Both sit close to the line our bandwidth study predicts.

Estimated writing speed, tokens per second

Machine	gpt-oss 20B12.11 GB file	Qwen3.6 35B-A3B22.13 GB file	Llama 3.3 70B42.52 GB file	gpt-oss 120B63.39 GB file
NVIDIA DGX Spark 128 GB, 273 GB/s	61-79	60-77	4-5	43-56
GMKtec EVO-X2 128 GB, 256 GB/s	57-74	56-73	4-5	41-53

For everyday chat with the models most people run, you will not notice the difference.

Reading long prompts: the DGX Spark pulls ahead

Reading a prompt is limited by computing power, not memory, and here NVIDIA’s Blackwell GPU is much stronger. In the published results, the GB10 read prompts several times faster than the Radeon 8060S. If you feed the model long documents, codebases or retrieval results, the DGX Spark starts answering sooner.

Software: CUDA versus everything else

This is the real dividing line. Most AI research code, fine-tuning tools and serving frameworks are written for NVIDIA’s CUDA first. The DGX Spark runs the same software stack as NVIDIA’s data-center systems, so code developed on it moves to a server unchanged. AMD’s chip works well with llama.cpp and the apps built on it, such as LM Studio, through Vulkan and ROCm, but training and less common tools can take more effort.

Price and flexibility: the Ryzen machines win

A 128 GB Ryzen AI Max+ 395 mini PC can cost more than $1,000 less (the EVO-X2 is $1,199 below the DGX Spark’s list price), and it is an ordinary PC: it runs Windows or Linux, plays games, and doubles as a fast workstation. The DGX Spark is an AI appliance running NVIDIA’s Linux-based DGX OS.

Which to buy

• Buy the DGX Spark if you develop or fine-tune AI models, need CUDA, work with long prompts, or plan to link two units over its 200 Gbps port.
• Buy a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 mini PC if you mainly want to run models, want Windows, or want the most memory for the money. Our mini PC guide compares the models.

For CUDA and development Researched, not tested

NVIDIA DGX Spark

128 GB / 4 TB. 20-core Arm (10 Cortex-X925 + 10 Cortex-A725)

Memory

128 GB unified

Bandwidth

273 GB/s

Price

$4,699

NVIDIA's own desktop AI computer, built on the GB10 chip with 128 GB of unified memory. It writes at about the same speed as a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 machine, but runs NVIDIA's CUDA software stack, which most AI development tools support first.

What we like

• Full NVIDIA CUDA software stack
• 200 Gbps ConnectX-7 to link two units for bigger models
• Small for its power

What we don't

• Writes no faster than cheaper Ryzen AI Max+ 395 machines
• Linux only (DGX OS), not a general-purpose Windows PC
• Often sells above list price

Where to buy

• Check price on Amazon Sold by third-party sellers on Amazon

list price $4,699 (NVIDIA list price since February 23, 2026 (previously $3,999); checked Feb 23, 2026). Prices change often; the buttons show today's price at each store.

For value and flexibility Researched, not tested

GMKtec EVO-X2

128 GB / 1 TB (also sold with 64 GB). AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (16 cores / 32 threads, up to 5.1 GHz)

Memory

128 GB unified

Bandwidth

256 GB/s

Price

$3,499.99

A Ryzen AI Max+ 395 mini PC with 128 GB of fast unified memory, and the lowest-priced 128 GB machine among those we compared in September 2026. It holds gpt-oss 120B and 70B-class models.

What we like

• 128 GB of 256 GB/s unified memory for less than rivals
• Two M.2 slots
• Also sold with 64 GB for $1,300 less

What we don't

• Memory is soldered; choose the size you need up front
• Only 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, where some rivals have 10 Gigabit

Where to buy

• Check price at GMKtec 64 GB or 128 GB
• Check price on Amazon 128 GB / 2 TB

$3,499.99 at GMKtec for 128 GB / 1 TB on Sep 25, 2026; list price $3,999.99 (GMKtec store regular price for 128 GB / 1 TB; checked Sep 25, 2026). Prices change often; the buttons show today's price at each store.