The MS-S1 Max Mini is likely the first mini PC to feature the latest UB4 version 2 port, which unlocks 80 Gbps bandwidth, and also offers a full-size PCIe x16 slot for graphics cards.
Minisforum Unveils Ryzen AI Max+395-Powered MS-S1 Max Mini With Up To 160W of Peak Power; Brings a Built-in 320W PSU and Blazing Fast USB4 V2 ports
Popular mini PC manufacturer, Minisforum, is back with a powerful AI workstation called MS-S1 Max Mini AI Workstation, which is its most powerful mini PC yet. The MS-S1 Max features the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, offering 16x Zen 5 cores and SMT to deliver excellent gaming and productivity performance. Capped at 160W for peak workloads, it's ready to boost the performance whenever required.
The MS-S1 Max delivers leading specifications inside a small chassis with a capacity of 3.2L and offers 2U rack mounts. Apart from boasting the fastest integrated graphics, i.e., the Radeon 8060S, the mini workstation is apparently ready to support dedicated GPUs via a PCIe x16 slot available inside the chassis. We don't know how much clearance is available for the dGPUs inside, but it is likely made for low-profile entry-level graphics cards. To ensure the system gets sufficient power, a 320W power supply is deployed to meet the requirements.
To allow quick access to the hardware, the MS-S1 Max offers a slide-out pull design, which is a tool-free mechanism that also makes maintenance easier. The system uses a dual-fan cooling design and six heat pipes to keep thermal throttling at bay and has ample ventilation for the hardware.
Perhaps one of the most notable features of the MS-S1 Max is the availability of a USB4 V2 interface, which unlocks a staggering 80Gbps of bandwidth. Through this port, users will be able to unlock support for uncompressed visuals on higher resolutions and at high refresh rates. Compared to the USB4 V2, the bandwidth is doubled, making the MS-S1 Max perfect for modern external GPUs like the ASUS ROG XG Mobile 2025 and Razer Core X V2. However, one shouldn't expect speeds like the standard PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 x16 interface.
The MS-S1 Max is ready for AI workloads, thanks to the dedicated NPU on the Strix Halo chip, which offers up to 50 TOPS of AI performance and up to 126 TOPS of AI performance overall. The mini PC supports large models, such as up to 109B parameter LLMs, and can offer exceptional AI performance on your desk while also excelling at intensive CPU operations.
The MS-S1 Max will be released in the second half of 2025, but there is currently no word on the pricing yet.
News Source: Weixin
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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