Tag: Minisforum MS-A1

  • Minisforum MS-A1 Refresh Launches with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Upgrade

    Minisforum MS-A1 Refresh Launches with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X Upgrade

    Minisforum has previously presented the MS-A1 with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G APU only, or as a barebones unit lacking a CPU (currently priced at $255.99 on Amazon). To give some context, the Ryzen 7 8700G has eight Zen 4 cores that can achieve speeds of up to 5.1 GHz with a TDP of 65 W. Furthermore, this 16-thread APU also includes a Radeon 780M iGPU, which is the backbone for many well-liked modern gaming handheld devices.

    New Upgrade with Ryzen 9

    Even though Minisforum just launched the MS-A1 in July, they have already upgraded the device with the more powerful Ryzen 9 9950X. This means that the MS-A1 now features 16 Zen 5 cores that can boost up to 5.7 GHz. However, Minisforum has reduced the processor’s TDP from 170 W to 100 W, likely to avoid thermal throttling issues.

    Performance Insights

    Despite this change, Minisforum claims that the Ryzen 9 9950X should provide nearly double the CPU performance compared to the Ryzen 7 8700G. On the flip side, the integrated Radeon 610M iGPU falls short when compared to the Radeon 780M found in the Ryzen 7 8700G. In summary, gaming on the latest MS-A1 will necessitate using its OCuLink port to connect to an external GPU.

    Pricing and Configurations

    At this time, Minisforum is selling the MS-A1 in two configurations, starting at $919 for a barebones model that does not include RAM, an SSD, or a Windows license. Alternatively, customers can purchase the mini-PC with 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD for $1,199, which does come with a Windows license. For further details, please visit Minisforum’s official website.

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  • Minisforum MS-A1 Mini PC: AMD Ryzen 9000, OCULink, 96GB Memory

    Minisforum MS-A1 Mini PC: AMD Ryzen 9000, OCULink, 96GB Memory

    The latest release from Minisforum is the MS-A1 mini PC. This device supports up to AMD Ryzen 9000 series processors and up to 96GB of storage. The unveiling of the MS-A1 follows closely after the introduction of another AMD-based mini PC by the same company. Unlike the Intel-based MS-01, the MS-A1 is designed to support socketed desktop CPUs and includes an OCULink connection for eGPU functionality.

    Specifications and Features

    The previous Minisforum MS-01 model featured Intel’s H-series laptop CPUs, while the new MS-A1 boasts desktop-class CPUs from the AMD Ryzen 9000 series. The MS-A1 includes models such as the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G Phoenix APUs. According to Minisforum, a BIOS update will be necessary for the Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. The Ryzen APUs have a maximum TDP of 65W, but dual-CCD variants like the Ryzen 9 7900X or Ryzen 9 7950X can support up to 100W TDP. This is notably lower than the official TDP specifications, which may result in reduced performance.

    The AMD Ryzen APUs supported by the MS-A1 come with RDNA 3-based integrated graphics, but there is no internal discrete GPU support. The available GPUs include the Radeon 780M and Radeon 760M, which are suitable for less demanding graphical tasks. For more intensive graphical operations, external graphics are necessary. The MS-A1 features an OCULink port that allows for eGPU connections with transfer speeds reaching up to 8Gbps, surpassing the Thunderbolt 4’s maximum speed of 5Gbps.

    Connectivity and Ports

    The Minisforum MS-A1 is equipped with four M.2 2280 memory slots, supporting up to 96GB of storage. It offers a variety of ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, an HDMI 2.1 connection, and one DP 2.0 port. Additionally, it includes two USB 2.1 ports, one Type-C port, and an audio jack. However, it lacks 10G Ethernet connectivity, providing only a single 2.5G Ethernet port.

    Pricing & Availability

    The barebones version of the Minisforum MS-A1 mini PC is available for $259. The 32GB+1TB Ryzen 7 8700G version is priced at $729. Minisforum is currently offering an introductory discount of up to $180 on the MS-A1. For more information, visit the Minisforum website.

    Minisforum MS-A1 Mini PC: AMD Ryzen 9000, OCULink, 96GB Memory
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