gaming
Jul 8, 2026
· 👁 1 views
· Syndicated from PC Gamer
Geekom A9 Max AI AMD Mini PC review
Honestly, I want to like the Geekom A9 Max, I really do. From a pure design perspective, the hardware, the engineering behind it, the connectivity bundled into this thing, it's on another level. And it's just a bloody pretty thing at that, at least as far as Mini PCs go. You'd think it'd be a shoo-in for our best SFF P...
Honestly, I want to like the Geekom A9 Max, I really do. From a pure design perspective, the hardware, the engineering behind it, the connectivity bundled into this thing, it's on another level. And it's just a bloody pretty thing at that, at least as far as Mini PCs go. You'd think it'd be a shoo-in for our best SFF PC list, without question. But there's a catch, because of course there is.
I may as well rip the band-aid off right now. It's the memory. I can already see the PR team squirming as they read that sentence, and it genuinely does pain me to say it, I promise. Geekom has decided to ship the A9 Max AI with a single stick of 32 GB DDR5 @ 5600 MT/s. And that is a decision that has effectively starved AMD's Radeon 890M of any modicum of the performance it can actually generate. I know this because I have extensively tested this hardware most recently, in Acemagic's Mini PC Retro X5, which, like-for-like, practically has the same spec, bar a smaller SSD, and a slightly older CPU.
The performance impact that this one tiny decision has had on the overall architecture is nuts, and combined with the wildly high price tag being what it is, it's by far the thing that's decimated that review score. If Geekom turned around tomorrow and popped 2x 16 GB sticks in this config instead of this single-channel nonsense, I can happily tell you right now, the score would bounce up by a good 15%, because in almost every other way, the A9 Max is excellent.
A9 Max AI specsCPU
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470
Cores | Threads
12 | 24
Clock speed
up to 5.2GHz
GPU
AMD Radeon 890M
RAM
32GB (1x32GB) DDR5-5600
Storage
2 TB Kingston OM8TAP42048K1-A00 PCIe 4.0 (2x PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots available)
Rear I/O
2x 2.5Gb ethernet, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2x USB 4.0 Type-C, 2x HDMI 2.1, DC-in
Front I/O
4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, SD Card Reader, 3.5 mm audio out
Power
120 W
Dimensions
135 x 132 x 46mm
Price
£1,600 | $1,799 (as configured)
Buy if...
✅ You need a compact AI-focused workhorse: The A9 Max has some serious engineering chops. Chuck an extra DRAM stick in here and an SSD, and you're looking at one mean local LLM solution or workstation.
Don't buy if...
❌ You're a gamer: Without a second stick of RAM by default, the A9 Max lacks the memory bandwidth to compete with machines half its cost.
And, breathe. I'll get back to that in a minute. Still, for £1,600 in the UK or $1,800 US, it's generally not a bad offering (memory aside). You get that 32 GB RAM capacity, a 2TB Kingston PCIe 4.0 SSD (it's not the best), AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 CPU, A Radeon 890M iGPU, and a hell of a lot of connectivity.
The chip itself is relatively new on the scene, only really landing with us in January of this year. Though it's effectively a refreshed Strix Point (HX 370 series) chip, still built out of the same silicon architecture as its predecessor. You get those four Zen 5 cores, and eight Zen 5c cores for a fat 12/24 multi-threaded config, and it's all still built on the back of TSMC's 4 nm process as well. What's different? Well… clock speeds have been bumped ever so slightly up (with an extra 100 MHz on boost), oh, and the "biggest" update comes in the form of the NPU, which has seen its performance flick up to 86 TOPS versus its predecessor's 80 (huzzah, our AI datacenter worries are finally solved).
Connectivity is wild, too. There's so much here if you're looking for a lightweight workstation that's not brimming with a dedicated GPU and full-fat processor. There's no less than five USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, two USB 4.0 Type-Cs, twin 2.5 Gbe, along with support for twin HDMI 2.1 ports, as well as the other bells and whistles you'd expect. No Thunderbolt, of course, but you do get WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Alright, I'm going to give you some numbers now, and they're quite clearly bad. But, it's important that we all collectively have context on this before I act like a wailing harpie and impale this memory situation into the dirt with my shiny shiny words (honestly, it's a miracle I get paid for this).
So, we test our SFF PCs (with iGPUs) at 1080p on the medium graphical preset. For this little wee dissection, I'm going to be using that Acemagic X5 I mentioned earlier for comparison. It has the same Radeon GPU, the same memory speed, memory capacity, a better SSD (albeit smaller), and practically the same CPU for what it's worth (technically, the A9 Max has a better chip here). On average, across all our test titles, with and without upscaling, across five separate games, separate engines, separate developers, the A9 Max landed just 23.1 fps. The Retro X5, with its dual-channel memory, 47.6 fps.
1080p gaming performance
Black Myth Wukong (1080p Medium)Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Medium)F1 24 (1080p Medium)Horizon Zero Dawn (1080p Original)Metro Exodus Enhanced (1080p High)Avg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max97Acemagic Retro X52016Black Myth Wukong (1080p Medium) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max9 Avg FPS, 7 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X520 Avg FPS, 16 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max2215Acemagic Retro X53822Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Medium) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max22 Avg FPS, 15 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X538 Avg FPS, 22 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max3024Acemagic Retro X57359F1 24 (1080p Medium) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max30 Avg FPS, 24 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X573 Avg FPS, 59 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max2313Acemagic Retro X54332Horizon Zero Dawn (1080p Original) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max23 Avg FPS, 13 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X543 Avg FPS, 32 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max145Acemagic Retro X5238Metro Exodus Enhanced (1080p High) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max14 Avg FPS, 5 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X523 Avg FPS, 8 1% Low FPSYou can clearly see how a memory bandwidth starved iGPU is hobbled by having single channel memory here.1080p upscaled gaming performance
Black Myth Wukong | Upscaling (1080p Medium)Cyberpunk 2077 | Upscaling (1080p Medium)F1 24 | Upscaling (1080p Medium)Horizon Zero Dawn | Upscaling (1080p Original)Avg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max1411Acemagic Retro X53022Black Myth Wukong | Upscaling (1080p Medium) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max14 Avg FPS, 11 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X530 Avg FPS, 22 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max3020Acemagic Retro X55227Cyberpunk 2077 | Upscaling (1080p Medium) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max30 Avg FPS, 20 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X552 Avg FPS, 27 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max3026Acemagic Retro X58675F1 24 | Upscaling (1080p Medium) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max30 Avg FPS, 26 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X586 Avg FPS, 75 1% Low FPSAvg FPS1% Low FPSGeekom A9 Max3621Acemagic Retro X56344Horizon Zero Dawn | Upscaling (1080p Original) DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max36 Avg FPS, 21 1% Low FPSAcemagic Retro X563 Avg FPS, 44 1% Low FPSThe performance gap between the system with dual-channel memory and the one with single-channel memory doesn't get any better with upscaling enabled.Synthetic gaming performance
3DMark Time Spy3DMark StorageFFXIV ShadowbringersIndex scoreGPU index scoreCPU index scoreGeekom A9 Max230120358948Acemagic Retro X535323153111093DMark Time Spy DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max2301 Index score, 2035 GPU index score, 8948 CPU index scoreAcemagic Retro X53532 Index score, 3153 GPU index score, 11109 CPU index scoreIndex scoreAvg bandwidth (MB/s)Access time (ųs)Geekom A9 Max1306226.22139Acemagic Retro X52460415.65723DMark Storage DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max1306 Index score, 226.22 Avg bandwidth (MB/s), 139 Access time (ųs)Acemagic Retro X52460 Index score, 415.65 Avg bandwidth (MB/s), 72 Access time (ųs)Geekom A9 Max38.96Acemagic Retro X520.45FFXIV Shadowbringers DataProductValueGeekom A9 Max38.96Acemagic Retro X520.45Contrary to what Geekom says, the synthetic performance difference is actually less than real-world in-game benchmarks.window.iFrameResizer = {heightCalculationMethod: 'taggedElement'};(function() {window.fvAnimateCharts = function(chartWrapper) {if (!chartWrapper) return;function animateBars(chartElement) {if (!chartElement) return;var bars = chartElement.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar, .fv-stacked-segment');bars.forEach(function(bar, index) {bar.style.setProperty('width', '0%', 'important');bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'none', 'important');var targetWidth = bar.dataset.targetWidth;if (targetWidth === undefined) return;void bar.offsetWidth;var targetMargin = bar.dataset.targetMargin;var baseMargin = bar.dataset.baseMargin;if (baseMargin !== undefined) {bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', baseMargin + '%', 'important');}setTimeout(function() {var marginTransition = baseMargin !== undefined ? ', margin-left 0.8s ease-out' : '';bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out' + marginTransition, 'important');bar.style.setProperty('width', targetWidth + '%', 'important');if (targetMargin !== undefined && baseMargin !== undefined) {bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', targetMargin + '%', 'important');}}, index * 50 + 50);});}function animateLineChart(chartElement) {if (!chartElement) return;var lineSvg = chartElement.querySelector('svg');if (!lineSvg) return;var paths = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path');paths.forEach(function(p, i) {if (typeof p.getTotalLength === 'function') {var len = p.getTotalLength();p.style.transition = 'none';p.style.strokeDasharray = len;p.style.strokeDashoffset = len;p.getBoundingClientRect();setTimeout(function() {p.style.transition = 'stroke-dashoffset 1s ease-out ' + (i * 0.1) + 's, stroke-width 0.2s, opacity 0.2s';p.style.strokeDashoffset = '0';}, 100);}});var dots = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot');dots.forEach(function(dot, i) {dot.style.opacity = '0';setTimeout(function() {dot.style.transition = 'opacity 0.3s ease';dot.style.opacity = '1';}, 500 + i * 10);});}var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item');charts.forEach(function(chart) {if (window.getComputedStyle(chart).display === 'none') return;var chartType = chart.dataset.chartType;if (chartType === 'Line') {animateLineChart(chart);} else if (chartType !== 'Pie') {animateBars(chart);}});};function initialize(uniqueId, isSlideshow) {var root = document.getElementById(uniqueId);if (!root && !isSlideshow) return;function setupWrapper(chartWrapper) {if (!chartWrapper) return;function checkMobileView() {var width = chartWrapper.getBoundingClientRect().width;var isMobileDevice = window.screen && Math.min(window.screen.width, window.screen.height) rightNum) {winner = 'left';if (rightNum > 0) {var diff = Math.round(((leftNum - rightNum) / rightNum) * 100);pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%';}} else if (rightNum > leftNum) {winner = 'right';if (leftNum > 0) {var diff = Math.round(((rightNum - leftNum) / leftNum) * 100);pctDiffStr = '+' + diff.toLocaleString() + '%';}}}var leftDisplay = data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[leftProduct].displayValue : (leftIsNum ? leftNum.toLocaleString() : (leftVal !== undefined ? leftVal : '-'));var rightDisplay = data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue !== undefined ? data.productData[rightProduct].displayValue : (rightIsNum ? rightNum.toLocaleString() : (rightVal !== undefined ? rightVal : '-'));var unit = (data.productData[leftProduct] && data.productData[leftProduct].unit) ||(data.productData[rightProduct] && data.productData[rightProduct].unit) || '';var leftTextStr = leftDisplay;var rightTextStr = rightDisplay;var leftBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left');var rightBar = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right');var leftText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-left');var rightText = row.querySelector('.fv-inside-right');var labelText = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-label span');var leftWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper');var rightWrapper = row.querySelector('.fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper');var existingPctDiffs = row.querySelectorAll('.fv-versus-pct-diff');existingPctDiffs.forEach(function(el) { el.remove(); });if (winner === 'left' && pctDiffStr) {var pctSpan = document.createElement('span');pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff';pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)';pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr;if (leftBar) leftBar.insertBefore(pctSpan, leftBar.firstChild);} else if (winner === 'right' && pctDiffStr) {var pctSpan = document.createElement('span');pctSpan.className = 'fv-versus-pct-diff';pctSpan.style.color = 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)';pctSpan.textContent = pctDiffStr;if (rightBar) rightBar.appendChild(pctSpan);}if (leftBar) {leftBar.style.backgroundColor = leftColor;leftBar.dataset.targetWidth = leftWidth;leftBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', leftWidth + '%');leftBar.style.width = leftWidth + '%';}if (rightBar) {rightBar.style.backgroundColor = rightColor;rightBar.dataset.targetWidth = rightWidth;rightBar.style.setProperty('--target-width', rightWidth + '%');rightBar.style.width = rightWidth + '%';}if (leftText) {leftText.innerHTML = leftTextStr;}if (rightText) {rightText.innerHTML = rightTextStr;}if (labelText) {labelText.textContent = data.attribute + (unit ? ' (' + unit + ')' : '');}});}if (leftSelect) leftSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart);if (rightSelect) rightSelect.addEventListener('change', updateVersusChart);});var barRows = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar-row');var globalCaptionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption');var fallbackCaptionHtml = globalCaptionEl ? globalCaptionEl.innerHTML : '';barRows.forEach(function(row) {var commentaryEl = row.querySelector('[data-commentary-key]');if (commentaryEl) {var commentaryText = commentaryEl.textContent;if (commentaryText && commentaryText.trim().length > 0) {row.addEventListener('mouseenter', function() {if (!chartWrapper.classList.contains('mobile-view') && globalCaptionEl) {globalCaptionEl.innerHTML = commentaryText;globalCaptionEl.classList.add('fv-bar-active-caption');}});row.addEventListener('mouseleave', function() {if (!chartWrapper.classList.contains('mobile-view') && globalCaptionEl) {globalCaptionEl.innerHTML = fallbackCaptionHtml;globalCaptionEl.classList.remove('fv-bar-active-caption');}});}}});var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item');var dropdown = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-dropdown-title');var prevBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.prev');var nextBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-nav-btn.next');var carouselTitle = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-title-controls .fv-benchmark-title');var counter = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-carousel-counter');var subheadEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-chart-subhead');var captionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption');var footerContentEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-footer-content');var bottomBarEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-bottom-bar');var logoEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-logo');if (charts.length > 1 && (dropdown || prevBtn)) {var currentChartIndex = 0;var titles = [];if (dropdown) {titles = Array.from(dropdown.options).map(function(o) { return o.text; });} else {charts.forEach(function(c) {titles.push(c.getAttribute('data-title') || '');});}function showInternalChart(index) {if (index < 0) index = charts.length - 1;if (index >= charts.length) index = 0;currentChartIndex = index;charts.forEach(function(c, i) {c.style.display = i === index ? 'block' : 'none';if (i === index) {var cType = c.dataset.chartType;if (cType === 'Line') {} else if (cType !== 'Pie') {window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper);}var labelsOnTop = chartWrapper.dataset.barLabelsOnTop === 'true';if (labelsOnTop && (cType === 'Bar' || cType === 'Stacked Bar' || cType === 'Versus')) {chartWrapper.classList.add('labels-on-top');} else {chartWrapper.classList.remove('labels-on-top');}}});if (dropdown) dropdown.value = index;if (carouselTitle && titles[index]) carouselTitle.textContent = titles[index];if (counter) counter.textContent = (index + 1) + ' of ' + charts.length;var activeChart = charts[index];if (activeChart) {var newSubhead = activeChart.getAttribute('data-subhead');var newCaption = activeChart.getAttribute('data-caption');var currentChartType = activeChart.getAttribute('data-chart-type');var hideGlobalCaption = currentChartType === 'Countdown' || currentChartType === 'Image Comparison' || currentChartType === 'Shop the Collection';if (subheadEl) subheadEl.textContent = newSubhead || '';if (captionEl) {captionEl.textContent = newCaption || '';fallbackCaptionHtml = newCaption || '';}if (footerContentEl) {if (newCaption && newCaption.trim().length > 0 && !hideGlobalCaption) {footerContentEl.style.display = 'block';if (bottomBarEl) bottomBarEl.style.display = 'flex';} else {footerContentEl.style.display = 'none';if (bottomBarEl && !logoEl) {bottomBarEl.style.display = 'none';}}}}}if (dropdown) dropdown.addEventListener('change', function(e) { showInternalChart(parseInt(e.target.value)); });if (prevBtn) prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex - 1); });if (nextBtn) nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showInternalChart(currentChartIndex + 1); });}var imageCompareWrappers = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-image-compare-wrapper');imageCompareWrappers.forEach(function(wrapper) {var inner = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-inner') || wrapper;var slider = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-slider');var fgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-fg');var bgImage = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-bg');var labelLeft = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-left');var labelRight = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-label-right');var isDragging = false;var scale = 1;var panX = 0;var panY = 0;var isPanning = false;var hasPanned = false;var lastClientX = 0;var lastClientY = 0;var initialDistance = null;var lastCenterX = null;var lastCenterY = null;function updateTransform() {if (wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) {inner.style.setProperty('transform', 'translate(' + panX + 'px, ' + panY + 'px) scale(' + scale + ')', 'important');} else {inner.style.removeProperty('transform');scale = 1;panX = 0;panY = 0;}}function constrainPan() {var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();var maxPanX = Math.max(0, (rect.width * scale - rect.width) / 2);var maxPanY = Math.max(0, (rect.height * scale - rect.height) / 2);panX = Math.max(-maxPanX, Math.min(panX, maxPanX));panY = Math.max(-maxPanY, Math.min(panY, maxPanY));}wrapper.addEventListener('wheel', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return;e.preventDefault();var zoomSensitivity = 0.005;var zoomFactor = Math.exp(-e.deltaY * zoomSensitivity);var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5));if (newScale === scale) return;var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();var mouseX = e.clientX - rect.left - rect.width / 2;var mouseY = e.clientY - rect.top - rect.height / 2;var ratio = newScale / scale;panX = mouseX - (mouseX - panX) * ratio;panY = mouseY - (mouseY - panY) * ratio;scale = newScale;constrainPan();updateTransform();}, { passive: false });wrapper.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen') || scale 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) {hasPanned = true;}lastClientX = e.clientX;lastClientY = e.clientY;panX += dx;panY += dy;constrainPan();updateTransform();});window.addEventListener('mouseup', function() {isPanning = false;});wrapper.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return;if (e.touches.length === 2) {e.preventDefault();var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX;var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY;initialDistance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();lastCenterX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2;lastCenterY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2;hasPanned = true;} else if (e.touches.length === 1 && scale > 1) {if (e.target.closest('.fv-image-compare-slider') || e.target.closest('button')) return;isPanning = true;hasPanned = false;lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX;lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY;}}, { passive: false });wrapper.addEventListener('touchmove', function(e) {if (!wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) return;if (e.touches.length === 2 && initialDistance !== null) {e.preventDefault();var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - e.touches[1].clientX;var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - e.touches[1].clientY;var distance = Math.sqrt(dx * dx + dy * dy);if (initialDistance > 0) {var zoomFactor = distance / initialDistance;var newScale = Math.max(1, Math.min(scale * zoomFactor, 5));var rect = wrapper.getBoundingClientRect();var centerX = (e.touches[0].clientX + e.touches[1].clientX) / 2 - rect.left - rect.width / 2;var centerY = (e.touches[0].clientY + e.touches[1].clientY) / 2 - rect.top - rect.height / 2;var ratio = newScale / scale;panX = centerX - (centerX - panX) * ratio;panY = centerY - (centerY - panY) * ratio;if (lastCenterX !== null && lastCenterY !== null) {panX += (centerX - lastCenterX);panY += (centerY - lastCenterY);}scale = newScale;lastCenterX = centerX;lastCenterY = centerY;constrainPan();updateTransform();}initialDistance = distance;} else if (e.touches.length === 1 && isPanning) {e.preventDefault();var dx = e.touches[0].clientX - lastClientX;var dy = e.touches[0].clientY - lastClientY;if (Math.abs(dx) > 2 || Math.abs(dy) > 2) {hasPanned = true;}lastClientX = e.touches[0].clientX;lastClientY = e.touches[0].clientY;panX += dx;panY += dy;constrainPan();updateTransform();}}, { passive: false });wrapper.addEventListener('touchend', function(e) {if (e.touches.length < 2) {initialDistance = null;}if (e.touches.length === 0) {isPanning = false;}});function handleMove(clientX) {var rect = inner.getBoundingClientRect();var x = Math.max(0, Math.min(clientX - rect.left, rect.width));var percent = Math.max(0, Math.min((x / rect.width) * 100, 100));if (slider) slider.style.setProperty('left', percent + '%', 'important');if (fgImage) fgImage.style.setProperty('clip-path', 'polygon(0 0, ' + percent + '% 0, ' + percent + '% 100%, 0 100%)', 'important');if (labelLeft) {if (percent < 10) {labelLeft.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important');} else {labelLeft.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important');}}if (labelRight) {if (percent > 90) {labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '0', 'important');} else {labelRight.style.setProperty('opacity', '1', 'important');}}}function onMouseMove(e) {if (!isDragging) return;handleMove(e.clientX);}function onTouchMove(e) {if (!isDragging) return;e.preventDefault();handleMove(e.touches[0].clientX);}function stopDragging() {isDragging = false;window.removeEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove);window.removeEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging);window.removeEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove);window.removeEventListener('touchend', stopDragging);}if (slider) {var startDrag = function(clientX) {isDragging = true;handleMove(clientX);window.addEventListener('mousemove', onMouseMove);window.addEventListener('mouseup', stopDragging);};var startTouchDrag = function(clientX) {isDragging = true;handleMove(clientX);window.addEventListener('touchmove', onTouchMove, { passive: false });window.addEventListener('touchend', stopDragging);};slider.addEventListener('mousedown', function(e) {e.preventDefault();startDrag(e.clientX);});slider.addEventListener('touchstart', function(e) {e.preventDefault();startTouchDrag(e.touches[0].clientX);}, { passive: false });}var expandBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-expand-btn');var closeBtn = wrapper.querySelector('.fv-image-compare-close-btn');if (expandBtn) {if (window !== window.parent) {expandBtn.style.display = 'none';} else {expandBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();wrapper.classList.add('fv-image-compare-fullscreen');document.body.style.overflow = 'hidden';if (fgImage && fgImage.dataset.highresSrc) {fgImage.src = fgImage.dataset.highresSrc;fgImage.removeAttribute('srcset');fgImage.removeAttribute('sizes');}if (bgImage && bgImage.dataset.highresSrc) {bgImage.src = bgImage.dataset.highresSrc;bgImage.removeAttribute('srcset');bgImage.removeAttribute('sizes');}});}}if (closeBtn) {closeBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen');document.body.style.overflow = '';updateTransform();});}document.addEventListener('keydown', function(e) {if (e.key === 'Escape' && wrapper.classList.contains('fv-image-compare-fullscreen')) {wrapper.classList.remove('fv-image-compare-fullscreen');document.body.style.overflow = '';updateTransform();}});});var hotspots = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-hotspot-btn');var allProductsModal = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-modal');var shopAllBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-shop-all-btn');var allProductsList = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-list');var stlContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-stl-container');function closeAllModals() {if (allProductsModal) {allProductsModal.classList.remove('is-active');var items = allProductsModal.querySelectorAll('.fv-stl-all-products-item');items.forEach(function(item) {item.classList.remove('is-highlighted');});if (stlContainer) {setTimeout(function() {if (!allProductsModal.classList.contains('is-active')) {stlContainer.style.minHeight = '';if ('parentIFrame' in window) {window.parentIFrame.size();}}}, 300);}}hotspots.forEach(function(btn) { btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'false'); });if ('parentIFrame' in window) {window.parentIFrame.size();}}hotspots.forEach(function(btn) {btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();var hotspotId = btn.getAttribute('data-hotspot-id');var isExpanded = btn.getAttribute('aria-expanded') === 'true';closeAllModals();if (!isExpanded && allProductsModal) {btn.setAttribute('aria-expanded', 'true');allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active');var container = btn.closest('.fv-stl-container');if (container && container.offsetHeight < 450) {container.style.minHeight = '450px';}var targetItem = allProductsModal.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-item[data-product-id="' + hotspotId + '"]');if (targetItem) {targetItem.classList.add('is-highlighted');setTimeout(function() {targetItem.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'center' });}, 100);}if ('parentIFrame' in window) {window.parentIFrame.size();}}});});if (shopAllBtn && allProductsModal) {shopAllBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();closeAllModals();allProductsModal.classList.add('is-active');var container = shopAllBtn.closest('.fv-stl-container');if (container && container.offsetHeight < 450) {container.style.minHeight = '450px';}if ('parentIFrame' in window) {window.parentIFrame.size();}});}if (allProductsModal) {var closeAllBtn = allProductsModal.querySelector('.fv-stl-all-products-close');if (closeAllBtn) {closeAllBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();closeAllModals();});}}chartWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) {if (!e.target.closest('.fv-stl-all-products-content')) {closeAllModals();}});if (allProductsModal) {allProductsModal.addEventListener('click', function(e) {if (!e.target.closest('.fv-stl-all-products-content')) {closeAllModals();}});}var iaNodes = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-ia-node-button');var iaWrapper = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-wrapper');var originalCaption = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-original-caption') || captionEl;var dynamicCaption = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-dynamic-caption');var exploreBtn = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-ia-explore-btn');var currentIaIndex = -1;function closeAllIANodes() {iaNodes.forEach(function(btn) { btn.classList.remove('is-active'); });if (originalCaption) originalCaption.style.display = 'block';if (dynamicCaption) dynamicCaption.style.display = 'none';}function resetExploreBtn() {currentIaIndex = -1;if (exploreBtn) {var exploreSpan = exploreBtn.querySelector('span');if (exploreSpan) exploreSpan.textContent = 'Explore';}}iaNodes.forEach(function(btn, index) {btn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();var isActive = btn.classList.contains('is-active');closeAllIANodes();if (!isActive) {currentIaIndex = index;if (exploreBtn) {var exploreSpan = exploreBtn.querySelector('span');if (exploreSpan) exploreSpan.textContent = 'Next';}btn.classList.add('is-active');if (dynamicCaption) {var title = btn.getAttribute('data-title') || '';var desc = btn.getAttribute('data-desc') || '';dynamicCaption.innerHTML = '';var strongTag = document.createElement('strong');strongTag.textContent = title;dynamicCaption.appendChild(strongTag);if (desc) {dynamicCaption.appendChild(document.createTextNode(' - ' + desc));}if (originalCaption) originalCaption.style.display = 'none';dynamicCaption.style.display = 'block';if (footerContentEl) footerContentEl.style.display = 'block';}} else {resetExploreBtn();}});});if (exploreBtn) {exploreBtn.addEventListener('click', function(e) {e.stopPropagation();if (iaNodes.length === 0) return;var nextIndex = currentIaIndex + 1;if (nextIndex >= iaNodes.length) {closeAllIANodes();resetExploreBtn();} else {currentIaIndex = nextIndex;var targetBtn = iaNodes[currentIaIndex];if (targetBtn) {if(targetBtn.classList.contains('is-active')) {targetBtn.click();}targetBtn.click();}}});}if (iaWrapper) {iaWrapper.addEventListener('click', function(e) {if (!e.target.closest('.fv-ia-node-button') && !e.target.closest('.fv-ia-explore-btn')) {closeAllIANodes();resetExploreBtn();}});}window.fvAnimateCharts(chartWrapper);var countdownContainer = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-countdown-container');if (countdownContainer) {var targetDateAttr = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-target-date');if (targetDateAttr) {var targetDate = new Date(targetDateAttr);var primaryColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-primary-color') || '#f97316';var subheadColor = countdownContainer.getAttribute('data-subhead-color') || '#ffffff';var pad = function(n) { return (n < 10 ? '0' : '') + n; };var updateCountdown = function() {var difference = +targetDate - +new Date();var d = 0, h = 0, m = 0, s = 0;if (difference > 0) {d = Math.floor(difference / (1000 * 60 * 60 * 24));h = Math.floor((difference / (1000 * 60 * 60)) % 24);m = Math.floor((difference / 1000 / 60) % 60);s = Math.floor((difference / 1000) % 60);}var daysEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="days"]');var hoursEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="hours"]');var minsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="minutes"]');var secsEl = countdownContainer.querySelector('[data-time="seconds"]');if (daysEl) daysEl.textContent = d;if (hoursEl) hoursEl.textContent = pad(h);if (minsEl) minsEl.textContent = pad(m);if (secsEl) secsEl.textContent = pad(s);};updateCountdown();setInterval(updateCountdown, 1000);}}}if (true) {var slideshowContainer = document.getElementById(uniqueId + '-slideshow');if (slideshowContainer) {var slides = slideshowContainer.querySelectorAll('.fv-slide');slides.forEach(function(slide) {setupWrapper(slide.querySelector('.fv-chart-wrapper'));});}var slideshowContainer = document.getElementById(uniqueId + '-slideshow');if (slideshowContainer) {var currentSlideIndex = 0;var slides = slideshowContainer.querySelectorAll('.fv-slide');var counter = slideshowContainer.querySelector('.fv-slide-counter');var prevBtn = slideshowContainer.querySelector('.fv-nav-btn.prev');var nextBtn = slideshowContainer.querySelector('.fv-nav-btn.next');var dropdown = slideshowContainer.querySelector('.fv-slideshow-select');function updateControls(index) {if (counter) counter.textContent = (index + 1) + ' / ' + slides.length;if (dropdown) dropdown.value = index;if (prevBtn) {if (index === 0) prevBtn.classList.add('disabled');else prevBtn.classList.remove('disabled');}if (nextBtn) {if (index === slides.length - 1) nextBtn.classList.add('disabled');else nextBtn.classList.remove('disabled');}}function showSlide(index) {if (index < 0) return;if (index >= slides.length) return;currentSlideIndex = index;slides.forEach(function(slide, i) {slide.style.display = i === index ? 'block' : 'none';if (i === index) {var chartEl = slide.querySelector('.fv-chart-wrapper');if (chartEl && window.fvAnimateCharts) {window.fvAnimateCharts(chartEl);}}});updateControls(currentSlideIndex);}if (prevBtn) {prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showSlide(currentSlideIndex - 1); });}if (nextBtn) {nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function() { showSlide(currentSlideIndex + 1); });}if (dropdown) {dropdown.addEventListener('change', function(e) { showSlide(parseInt(e.target.value)); });}updateControls(currentSlideIndex);if (slides.length > 0) {var firstChart = slides[0].querySelector('.fv-chart-wrapper');if (firstChart && window.fvAnimateCharts) {setTimeout(function() { window.fvAnimateCharts(firstChart); }, 100);}}}} else {setupWrapper(root);}}if (document.readyState === 'loading') {document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { initialize('fv-chart-1783507419624-u4zygrkhj', true); });} else {initialize('fv-chart-1783507419624-u4zygrkhj', true);}})();Just to be doubly sure, I re-ran the whole benchmark suite, and triple-checked GPU frequencies, temps and power draw throughout that process too, noting down average frequencies as well (not typically something we report on for these machines). The X5 maxed out at 2,764 MHz and 2,100 MHz on average, at 60 degrees and with 50 W on max draw. The A9, 3,100 MHz at max, 2,300 MHz on average, with a top temp of 63 degrees and 55 W of power usage. By all accounts, then, the GPU itself was running at full tilt, but was just starved of memory bandwidth.
Geekom knows about this, too. In fact, I was pre-briefed that this was a decision it had made in advance. The justification being that it provides end-users with the option to expand their memory solution later down the line with an additional stick of 32 GB. Which, yeah, okay, I don't necessarily disagree with.
Geekom also notes that, actually, the performance drops are only in synthetic benchmarks, and don't affect real-world performance. Which I do disagree with.
You can quite clearly see that this does massively impact real-world results. In fact, more so than in the synthetic tests, by my calculations. What's particularly frustrating about all this is that nowhere on the product pages (at least at time of writing) does it suggest that the A9 Max ships with a single stick. It's all "dual-channel compatible", "up to 128 GB", or "32 GB RAM", "High-speed memory".
It's a difficult thing to just accept, because the truth of it is the A9 Max is an outstanding piece of design. It's cool, quiet, and it's clear that the CPU in particular is seriously potent, particularly in localised AI applications if that's your jam. The sad reality is, we've already seen what this hardware can do; it just came in a beige box at half the price.
Original reporting appears on the publisher’s site.
Open original article →Related Articles
