GPD WIN MAX 3 Review - Ryzen AI Max+ Power in a Modular Handheld Gaming PC Laptop

What is the GPD WIN MAX 3?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is a Windows handheld gaming laptop with integrated controls, a full keyboard, a 9.06-inch AMOLED touchscreen and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ processors. This review covers the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 model, its Radeon 8060S graphics, 165Hz display, modular battery and fan system, gaming performance, emulation and everyday laptop use.

We learn in our GPD WIN MAX 3 review it is a major step up from the WIN MAX 2 design. It combines the flexibility of a handheld gaming PC with a compact laptop layout, while the Ryzen AI Max+ platform provides substantially more performance for modern games, demanding software and emulation.

As a portable gaming PC, it offers controller inputs without giving up Windows productivity features. It can also serve as a mobile gaming PC, portable gaming computer and compact gaming PC for users who want one system for travel, desk work and play.

The review unit is a pre-production model, so the benchmark results should not be treated as final retail results.

Testing conditions

• Device: GPD WIN MAX 3 pre-production review unit
• Reviewed processor: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388, 8 cores / 16 threads
• Graphics: AMD Radeon 8060S integrated graphics
• Display: 2400×1504 at up to 165Hz
• Operating system: Windows 11
• System benchmarks: 80W TDP unless otherwise stated
• Gaming comparisons: 1080p at 75W unless otherwise stated
• Additional gaming: 2400×1504 native resolution with the settings listed in each section
• Battery test: Battery operation limited to 45W TDP, full brightness, Cinebench loop
• Testing status: Pre-production hardware; final retail firmware, drivers and power limits may differ

GPD WIN MAX 3 overview

The GPD WIN MAX 3 measures approximately 8.14 × 5.78 × 1.33 inches (207 × 147 × 34mm) without a module, or 8.14 × 7.08 × 1.33 inches (207 × 180 × 34mm) with a module attached. It weighs around 815g (1.79lbs) without a module, 1.2kg (2.69lbs) with the battery module and 959g (2.11lbs) with the fan module.

Opening the lid reveals a 9.06-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a 2400×1504 resolution and curved display edges. It supports 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz and 165Hz refresh rates, and the panel looks bright and colourful, with the deep blacks expected from AMOLED technology.

The display supports an active stylus with 4,096 pressure levels and is compatible with the Surface Pen. It is useful for taking notes, marking up documents or, in my case, drawing badly.

An ultra-wide camera sits on the hinge for video calls. It is a 5MP camera with a maximum listed resolution of 2592×1944, making it useful for meetings and casual video conferencing.

A callback to the excellent GPD WIN MAX 2 is the pair of covers that hide the gaming controls. This makes the GPD WIN MAX 3 better suited to both work and gaming, while the covers can be stored in the front of the modules when they are not needed.

For gaming controls, there are dual capacitive analogue sticks, a D-pad and the usual gaming buttons. Around the touchpad are buttons for opening the GPD Tool software, Select, the Xbox Game Bar menu, Start and two macro buttons.

The touchpad supports Microsoft Precision Touchpad mode and four-finger gestures. It is small, but it provides a more familiar Windows navigation experience than relying on the right stick for every desktop task. It works perfect with our GPD stylus.

The chiclet keyboard has a backlight with two brightness levels plus an off setting. The keys are impressively comprehensive for a device of this size: the main character keys are close to laptop size, while the function keys and a few secondary keys are smaller. I wrote this review using the keyboard and had no issues.

On the left side is a full-size HDMI 2.1 FRL port. This is particularly handy for professional use, as it allows the device to connect directly to a larger monitor or television without a dock.

On the right side are two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, followed by the power button with its built-in fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint reader worked well for quickly unlocking Windows.

The back has a DC barrel jack for power and a USB4 Type-C port for PD 3.0 fast charging and DisplayPort 2.1 video output. The USB4 connection supports up to 8K at 60Hz and is also suitable for compatible high-speed docks and external graphics solutions.

The GPD WIN MAX 3 modules

The most immediately noticeable GPD WIN MAX 3 feature is the module system, which connects to the front edge of the device. The main option is the exchangeable battery module, which is useful for travelling if you have a spare module or two ready to keep the system powered for longer.

A separately purchasable fan module is also available for use when running from mains power. It provides additional cooling headroom and is aimed at users who want to sustain higher power levels for longer gaming or rendering sessions.

The modules attach using strong magnets. Before trying them, I expected them to disconnect too easily, but they require a fair amount of force to remove once attached. I cannot see a realistic way for them to disconnect accidentally, so there is little reason to worry about them falling out during normal use.

A module-slot cover is also supplied for use when neither the battery nor the fan module is attached. This keeps the front of the device looking tidy and protects the connection area.

GPD WIN MAX 2 and WIN MAX 3 compared

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is smaller in footprint than the WIN MAX 2, although its modular system makes the overall shape deeper when attached. The WIN MAX 2 measures approximately 8.9 × 6.2 × 0.9 inches (22.7 × 16 × 2.3cm) and weighs around 1,098g (2.42lbs) in the supplied comparison.

The difference is mainly explained by the larger 10.1-inch display on the WIN MAX 2 versus the 9.06-inch screen on the GPD WIN MAX 3. The older model uses a conventional LCD, while the new model moves to a much more impressive AMOLED panel with a higher refresh rate.

The keys on the MAX 2 are stated to be 0.02mm smaller than the MAX 3’s 14.4mm keys, so there is barely any practical difference. You get broadly the same USB ports, HDMI and microSD-style expansion, although the extra SSD slot is internal on the MAX 3 rather than accessible through a small covered slot on the MAX 2.

The largest difference is the processor platform. Depending on the generation, the MAX 2 can use an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, 7840U, 8840U or Ryzen AI 9 HX series processor. The Ryzen AI Max+ series in the GPD WIN MAX 3 provides a substantial performance increase, especially for demanding games and GPU-heavy workloads.

Feature	GPD WIN MAX 3	GPD WIN MAX 2 comparison
Display	9.06-inch AMOLED, up to 165Hz	10.1-inch LCD, 60Hz
Reviewed CPU	Ryzen AI Max+ 388	Ryzen 7 6800U, 7840U, 8840U or Ryzen AI 9 HX options depending on generation
GPU	Radeon 8060S	Radeon 680M, 780M, 890M or other generation-dependent graphics
Battery design	External modular battery	Internal battery
Storage expansion	Internal second SSD slot and removable-card expansion	Additional internal/covered SSD slot depending on model

Technical specifications

There are two processor choices for the GPD WIN MAX 3. The model under review uses the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 with 8 cores and 16 threads. The higher-specification model is the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 16 cores and 32 threads. Both use AMD Radeon 8060S graphics.

Specification	Ryzen AI Max+ 388	Ryzen AI Max+ 395
Cores / threads	8 / 16	16 / 32
Base / boost clock	3.6 / 5.0GHz	3.0 / 5.1GHz
Architecture	Zen 5, Strix Halo, 4nm	Zen 5, Strix Halo, 4nm
NPU	50 TOPS	50 TOPS
Total listed compute	118 TOPS	126 TOPS
TDP range	45W–110W listed	45W–110W listed

Specification	GPD WIN MAX 3
GPU	AMD Radeon 8060S
GPU architecture	AMD RDNA 3.5
GPU compute units	40
GPU boost clock	Up to 2.9GHz
AI performance	Up to 50 TOPS
Memory	Up to 128GB LPDDR5X
Memory speed	Up to 8000 MT/s
Internal storage	M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
Storage expansion	M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slot
Display size	10.2 inches
Display type	IPS LCD
Display resolution	2400 × 1504
Aspect ratio	16:10
Refresh rate	120Hz
Touchscreen	Yes
Variable refresh rate	Supported
Operating system	Windows 11
Wireless connectivity	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4
USB ports	USB4 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
Video output	USB4 Type-C and HDMI
HDMI	HDMI 2.1
Ethernet	2.5Gbps Ethernet
Audio	Stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack
Camera	Built-in webcam
Battery	67Wh
Charging	USB Type-C Power Delivery
Cooling	Active cooling with fan
Keyboard	Integrated full-size keyboard
Touchpad	Integrated touchpad
Game controls	Hall-effect joysticks, D-pad, ABXY buttons, shoulder buttons and analogue triggers
Fingerprint reader	Yes
Dimensions	8.14 × 5.78 × 1.33 inches (207 × 147 × 34mm) without a module 8.14 × 7.08 × 1.33 inches (207 × 180 × 34mm) with a module attached.
Weight	815g (1.79lbs) without a module 1.2kg (2.69lbs) with the battery module 959g (2.11lbs) with the fan module.
Chassis colour	Black

Power comes from the 97.53Wh battery module. In our test, battery operation was limited to a maximum of 45W TDP, with full screen brightness and Cinebench running on a loop. The GPD WIN MAX 3 lasted 1 hour 47 minutes under full load and around 12 hours while idle on the desktop. More typical day-to-day usage should provide around six hours, depending on brightness, refresh rate, power profile and applications.

For fan-noise and temperature tests with the battery module connected, we recorded a maximum fan noise level of 70dB, falling to 60dB in the balanced profile. The area around the right analogue stick reached approximately 43°C, while the exhaust grilles on the back reached around 50°C.

System benchmarks

The GPD WIN MAX 3 supports up to 45W on battery power and around 80–90W when connected to mains power. These system benchmarks were tested at 80W. The review unit is pre-production, and the supplied notes state that final hardware may allow up to 110W, so these results should not be treated as final retail scores.

PCMark 10

The GPD WIN MAX 3 achieved the highest PCMark score in this comparison, reaching 10,060. That puts it ahead of both GPD WIN 5 models and the ONEXFLY APEX, showing strong all-round performance for everyday productivity, office work and general system usage.

Model	Score
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX+ 395)	8,130
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX 385)	8,522
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX (AMD MAX+ 395)	9,160
GPD WIN MAX 3 (AMD MAX+ 388)	10,060

Cinebench 2024

In Cinebench 2024, the GPD WIN MAX 3 scored 112 in single-core and 976 in multi-core. The single-core result was close to the faster GPD WIN 5 and ONEXFLY APEX, while the multi-core result placed it third overall, ahead of the GPD WIN 5 with the Ryzen AI Max+ 385 CPU.

Model	Single-Core	Multi-Core
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX+ 395)	110	1,511
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX 385)	111	930
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX (AMD MAX+ 395)	113	1,719
GPD WIN MAX 3 (AMD MAX+ 388)	112	976

Geekbench 6

In Geekbench 6, the GPD WIN MAX 3 scored 2,853 in single-core and 14,620 in multi-core. The single-core result was competitive with the other systems, while multi-core performance placed it third behind the higher-performing WIN 5 MAX+ 395 and ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX models.

Model	Single-Core	Multi-Core
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX+ 395)	2,809	17,996
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX 385)	2,890	14,738
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX (AMD MAX+ 395)	2,898	18,198
GPD WIN MAX 3 (AMD MAX+ 388)	2,853	14,620

3DMark

The GPD WIN MAX 3 delivered the highest Time Spy score in the comparison at 10,960, beating the GPD WIN 5 and ONEXFLY APEX. It scored 47,979 in Night Raid and 22,316 in Fire Strike, where the Radeon 8060S still showed good capability, although both results were lower than the competing systems.

Model	Time Spy Score	Night Raid	Fire Strike
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX+ 395)	10,541	57,589	23,739
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX 385)	10,016	48,884	22,952
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX (AMD MAX+ 395)	10,635	61,861	23,452
GPD WIN MAX 3 (AMD MAX+ 388)	10,960	47,979	22,316

Gaming benchmarks

Gaming benchmarks were tested at 1080p for comparison with other handhelds at 75W. The GPD WIN MAX 3 is a strong example of an AMD handheld gaming PC, but remember that this is a pre-production model and final power limits may differ from the supplied test unit.

Forza Horizon 5

In Forza Horizon 5, the GPD WIN MAX 3 delivered a strong 230FPS at 75W, placing second behind the ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX. Performance remained solid at 191FPS at 55W and 141FPS at 28W, while the lower-power results reached 77FPS at 15W and 34FPS at 4W.

Model	75W TDP	55W TDP	28W TDP	15W TDP	4W TDP
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX+ 395)	234 FPS	222 FPS	155 FPS	80 FPS	33 FPS
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX 385)	216 FPS	178 FPS	137 FPS	88 FPS	35 FPS
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX (AMD MAX+ 395)	241 FPS	230 FPS	170 FPS	87 FPS	34 FPS
GPD WIN MAX 3 (AMD MAX+ 388)	230 FPS	191 FPS	141 FPS	77 FPS	34 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077

The GPD WIN MAX 3 produced the highest result at 75W, reaching 129.33FPS ahead of both GPD WIN 5 models and the ONEXFLY APEX. At 55W, it delivered 116.17FPS, while lower power levels produced 71.86FPS at 28W, 35.68FPS at 15W and 22.96FPS at 4W.

Model	75W TDP	55W TDP	28W TDP	15W TDP	4W TDP
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX+ 395)	127.57 FPS	118.60 FPS	72.11 FPS	36.15 FPS	23.34 FPS
GPD WIN 5 (AMD MAX 385)	120.51 FPS	110.29 FPS	71.87 FPS	39.44 FPS	23.55 FPS
ONEXPLAYER ONEXFLY APEX (AMD MAX+ 395)	124.18 FPS	117.77 FPS	78.43 FPS	36.65 FPS	23.32 FPS
GPD WIN MAX 3 (AMD MAX+ 388)	129.33 FPS	116.17 FPS	71.86 FPS	35.68 FPS	22.96 FPS

Forza Horizon 6

In Forza Horizon 6, performance scaled clearly with the available TDP. The GPD WIN MAX 3 reached 161FPS at 110W, falling to 146FPS at 80W, 139FPS at 55W, 90FPS at 28W, 48FPS at 15W and 23FPS at 4W, giving you plenty of flexibility between performance and power efficiency.

TDP	Forza Horizon 6 result
110W (approximately 92W observed)	161FPS
80W	146FPS
55W	139FPS
28W	90FPS
15W	48FPS
4W	23FPS

Gaming performance at native resolution

The following demanding modern games were tested using settings designed to deliver a smooth 60FPS or higher. These are not necessarily maximum-performance settings, so lowering the resolution or adjusting the graphics options may produce even higher frame rates.

Forza Horizon 6

• Resolution: 2400 × 1504
• Graphics preset: Default Ultra
• Target performance: 60+ FPS

Forza Horizon 6 was tested at the display’s native 2400×1504 resolution using the default Ultra graphics preset. This produces a highly detailed open-world racing experience while maintaining performance above 60FPS.

DOOM: The Dark Ages

• Resolution: 2400 × 1504
• Graphics preset: Default High
• Upscaling: FSR set to Balanced
• Target performance: 60+ FPS

DOOM: The Dark Ages was tested at 2400×1504 using the default High graphics preset, with AMD FSR set to Balanced. This combination keeps the image detailed while helping maintain smooth performance during fast-paced combat.

No Man’s Sky

• Resolution: 2400 × 1504
• Graphics preset: Default Ultra
• Upscaling: FSR 2 enabled
• Target performance: 60+ FPS

No Man’s Sky was tested at the native 2400×1504 resolution on the default Ultra graphics preset, with FSR 2 enabled. This allows the game’s expansive environments, planets and visual effects to look impressive while maintaining a smooth 60+FPS experience.

Emulator performance

The AMD Ryzen AI Max series proved excellent for emulation in the GPD WIN 5, and the GPD WIN MAX 3 continues that trend. Almost everything up to later console and handheld generations should run very well, although compatibility remains dependent on the emulator and the individual game.

RPCS3

The PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 runs compatible games without issues in testing. In many cases, you can increase the resolution to 1080p and apply graphics tweaks while retaining good performance.

Vita3K

The Vita emulator Vita3K also runs compatible games very well. Rendering resolution can be increased as high as 4x while maintaining a solid 60FPS in suitable titles.

Eden

The Eden emulator runs both first-party and third-party games well. Depending on the game’s demands, graphics tweaks can be applied to improve image quality or maintain performance.

Xenia

The Xbox 360 emulator Xenia continues to improve, and compatible games run very well on the GPD WIN MAX 3. If you encounter problems, they are more likely to be caused by emulator compatibility than by a lack of system performance.

Final thoughts

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is a substantial upgrade from the MAX 2 series, which has already passed through four generations of processors. The MAX 3 brings the range up to date not only with a much faster processor platform, but also with a new design that retains the covered gaming controls and professional appearance.

The new display is especially welcome. It is a major improvement over the original LCD, which did the job but looked dated beside newer gaming handhelds and modern ultrabooks. The 165Hz AMOLED panel adds vivid colour, deep blacks and smoother motion.

Performance is excellent. Modern games run at very good graphics settings, and the device remains powerful enough to run less demanding games at lower TDPs to conserve battery life. As a professional-use ultrabook, it also offers excellent battery flexibility, with the option of extending portable runtime using an additional battery module.

The GPD WIN MAX 3 ticks the boxes as the true successor to the MAX 2 and works well for both professional and gaming-related tasks. MAX 2 owners considering an upgrade will find meaningful improvements in display quality, graphics performance, storage flexibility and modular power.

Our verdict — Is the GPD WIN MAX 3 worth buying?

Short answer: Yes, the GPD WIN MAX 3 is a highly capable upgrade for users who want one machine for modern Windows gaming, emulation and laptop-style productivity.

Best for: Gamers, professionals and enthusiasts who want a powerful handheld gaming computer with a built-in keyboard, excellent AMOLED display and expandable modular power.

Not ideal for: Buyers who prioritise the lightest possible handheld, quiet operation under heavy load or long full-performance battery sessions.

Current status: Recommended based on hands-on testing of a pre-production Ryzen AI Max+ 388 model; final retail power limits and firmware should be confirmed.

Rating: 4.8/5 — based on August 2026 testing; final retail hardware may change the result.

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is one of the most capable devices in the handheld gaming PC category. You can learn more and sign up for pre-order notification for the GPD WIN MAX 3 which starts very soon. It comes with a two-year warranty on GPD products supplied by DROIX and worldwide shipping available through the relevant regional store.

If you have any questions about the GPD WIN MAX 3 review, please feel free to ask in the comments below and we will reply ASAP.

FAQs

What is the GPD WIN MAX 3?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is a Windows handheld gaming laptop with integrated controls, a full keyboard, a 9.06-inch 165Hz AMOLED touchscreen and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ processor options.

Is the GPD WIN MAX 3 good for modern PC games?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is good for modern PC games, with the reviewed Ryzen AI Max+ 388 model delivering strong results in Forza Horizon 5, Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 6 at 1080p and native resolution.

How long does the GPD WIN MAX 3 battery last?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 lasted 1 hour 47 minutes in the full-load Cinebench test at 45W, around 12 hours while idle on the desktop and approximately six hours during more typical day-to-day use in our testing.

Is the GPD WIN MAX 3 a good upgrade from the WIN MAX 2?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is a good upgrade from the WIN MAX 2 if you want a faster Ryzen AI Max+ platform, Radeon 8060S graphics, a 165Hz AMOLED display, modular battery support and stronger gaming performance.

Is the GPD WIN MAX 3 suitable for work?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is suitable for work because it has a full-size-style backlit keyboard, Precision touchpad, fingerprint reader, webcam, HDMI output and a design that hides the integrated gaming controls.

Is the GPD WIN MAX 3 the most powerful handheld gaming PC?

The GPD WIN MAX 3 is among the most powerful handheld gaming PCs tested in this comparison, but the final ranking depends on the model, TDP, cooling module, firmware and the workload being measured.