Minisforum has launched a new version of its MS-A1 small form factor PC, now featuring the powerful 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 9950X desktop processor. This compact workstation aims to deliver high CPU performance within a small footprint.
Ryzen 9 9950X Upgrade
The original MS-A1 was launched with the Ryzen 7 8700G, which provides a great balance of CPU and integrated graphics performance. However, some users need more CPU power. The new Ryzen 9 9950X version is designed to meet this demand. The 9950X has 16 Zen 5 cores and is compatible with the AM5 socket, requiring no motherboard changes. The CPU is limited to a 100W TDP (70W below its official spec), which is likely enforced by the BIOS, similar to AMD's Eco Mode.
Connectivity and Storage Options
Minisforum notes that installing a Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series CPU will result in a loss of USB4 support, as these processors only support USB3 and DisplayPort alternate mode. However, using these CPUs provides additional PCIe lanes, making the system suitable for network-attached storage (NAS) setups. The MS-A1 includes four M.2 SSD slots and an OCuLink connector, further catering to storage-focused applications.
Pricing and Specifications
The barebone MS-A1 (no CPU, storage, or memory) costs $259, while the 8700G model is priced at $729. The Ryzen 9 9950X version retails for $919. Minisforum suggests it might be more cost-effective to purchase the barebone model and a CPU separately.
MiniWorkStation MS-A1 Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU |
AM5- AMD Ryzen™ 9 9950X, 16 Cores/32 Threads (64M L3 Cache, up to
5.7 GHz) AMD Ryzen™ 7 8700G, 8 Cores/16 Threads (16M L3 Cache, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| GPU |
AMD Ryzen™ 9 9950X: AMD Radeon™ Graphics AMD Ryzen™ 7 8700G: AMD Radeon™ 780M |
| Memory | DDR5 Dual Channel (sODIMM Slots x2, up to 5200 MT/s, Max 96GB) |
| Storage | M.2 2280 NVMe SSD |
| Storage Expansion |
– 2x M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD Slots (up to 4TB each, PCIe4.0x4, Back side)
– 1x M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD Slot (up to 4TB, PCIe3.0x4, CPU Side) – 1x M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD Slot (up to 4TB, PCIe4.0x1, CPU Side) |
| Wireless Connectivity | M.2 2230 Wi-Fi Support (Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2) |
| Ethernet | RJ45 2.5G Ethernet Port x2 |
| Video Output |
– HDMI 2.1 (8K@60Hz) – DP 2.0 (4K@144Hz) – USB-C Port (Alt DP 2.0, 4K@144Hz) |
| Audio Output |
– HDMI x1 – DP x1 – USB-C Port x1 – 3.5mm Audio Jack |
| Peripheral Interfaces |
– OCuLink x1 – DC Jack x1 – RJ45 2.5G Ethernet Port x2 – Type-C x1 (USB4 only on PHX CPU) – DP x1 – HDMI x1 – USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps x1 – USB 2.0 x1 – USB 3.0 Gen1 5Gbps x2 (Front side) – USB 2.0 x1 (Front side) |
| Buttons |
– Power Button x1 with LED – Reset Button x1 (Inside, Clear CMOS) |
| Power | DC 19V/12.63A (adapter included) |
| System | Windows 11 |
| Product Dimensions | 189.5 x 186 x 48 mm |
