Strix Halo users ditch official llama.cpp: optimized forks hit ~60 t/s decode vs ~20 t/s
feelspeaceman · reddit · 2026-09-08
The problem
The author estimates 90% of Strix Halo (gfx1151) users run the official llama.cpp, which is not optimized for the chip at all — it struggles to reach 50% of theoretical hardware performance, decoding Qwen 3.8 Flash Next (Q38FN) at only 20+ t/s.
Three alternatives
- peonist-ai/halogen-flash-server: optimized for Strix Halo and Q38FN only, 50 t/s decode and 1200 t/s prefill; described as "Ninfer for Strix Halo"
- myhacsint's experimental llama.cpp fork (strix-halo-qwen4exp): 60 t/s decode and 600 t/s prefill
- halo-box/strix-llama.cpp: 30 t/s decode and 800 t/s prefill; the first continuously updated r/StrixHalo fork with an active Discord, latest commit pushed prefill way up
Each claim links to community user confirmations. The author recommends Q38FN as the go-to model for Strix Halo.
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