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The MINISFORUM MS-A1 is a small desktop computer that packs a lot of functionality into a compact package: it has two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports, support for up to three displays, and an OCuLink connector that an be used for high-speed connections to an external graphics dock or other acccessories.
But there’s one other thing that really sets the MS-A1 apart from most mini PCs on the market: While MINISFORUM sells a model that comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G desktop processor, the computer has an AMD AM5 socket. If you opt for a barebones configuration you can bring your own processor, and the system should support a range of CPUs including AMD’s brand new Ryzen 9000 Granite Ridge chips.
First unveiled in June, the MINISFORUM MS-A1 is now available for purchase from the MINISFORUM website, with a barebones model going for $259, while a version with a Ryzen 7 8700G processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and Windows 11 sells for $729.
Under the hood there are two SODIMM slots with support for up to a total of 96GB of DDR5-5200 memory, a cooling system that combines 4 heat pipes and two fans, and support for up to four SSDs:
- 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4
- 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x1
- 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4
- 1 x U.2 (or M.2 with adapter) PCIe 4.0 x4
There’s also an M.2 2230 wireless card with support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
Ports include:
- 1 x OCuLink (64 Gbps)
- 1 x DisplayPort 2.0
- 1 x HDMI 2.1
- 1 x USB4 Type-C (40 Gbps w/DisplayPort Alt Mode)
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps)
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps)
- 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A (480 Mbps)
- 1 x 3.5mm audio
- 2 x 2.5 GbE Ethernet(RTL8125BG)
- 1 x DC power input (19V/12.63A 240W)
According to the MINISFORUM website and the spec sheet the company sent me, the MS-A1 measures 170 x 173 x 1.6mm (6.7″ x 6.8″ x 0.06″), but given how unlikely that height is, I’m guessing those are the physical dimensions of the motherboard, not including ports and other protrusions.
I suspect the computer itself is probably closer in size to the Intel-powered MINISFORUM MS-01 that launched late last year, which sells for $419 and up, measures 196 x 189 x 48mm (7.7″ x 7.4″ x 1.9″). That model has a few features the AMD version lacks, including a PCIe 4.0 x16 connector for half-height cards and two 10 GbE SFP+ network cages in addition to dual 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports. But it lacks an OCuLink port and comes with Intel Alder Lake or Raptor Lake H-series mobile processor options.