MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX

Published on February 2, 2026

The MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX represents a new category of mini workstation designed specifically for AI development and professional content creation. Powered by AMD’s flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor with 16 Zen 5 cores and the Radeon 8060S integrated GPU, this compact system delivers workstation-class performance in a form factor that fits on a desk or mounts directly into a 2U rack. The standout feature is the massive 128GB of LPDDR5x-8000 unified memory, which allows the CPU, GPU, and NPU to share a single high-bandwidth memory pool—essential for running large language models locally. With dual 10GbE networking, USB4 V2 ports supporting 80Gbps transfers, and a built-in 320W power supply, the MS-S1 MAX targets AI researchers, video professionals, and power users who need maximum connectivity without external power bricks.

Pros and Cons of the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX

Related Videos

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX Comparison Chart

	MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX
Price	List Price: $2,919.00 Amazon Prices: Loading prices...
Version	128GB RAM / 2TB SSD / Ryzen AI Max+ 395
Perfomance Rating	8.5
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro
Processor	Sixteen-core 3.00 Ghz (max 5.10 Ghz) AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395
GPU	Integrated AMD Radeon 8060S
RAM	128 GB LPDDR5X (128GB LPDDR5x-8000MT/s unified memory (UMA), soldered.)
Internal Storage	2 TB NVMe SSD
Dimensions width x length x thickness	8.74 x 8.11 x 3.03 inches (222 x 205.99 x 76.96 mm)
Weight	6.2 lbs (2.82 kg)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4
Ethernet	2 Ethernet ports at 10 Gbps
HDMI	1 Full-Size HDMI Port
DisplayPort	DisplayPort available via USB4/USB-C with Alt DP2.0 support.
VGA	No VGA Ports
USB Ports	2 USB 2.0, 3 USB 3, 4 USB 4
Thunderbolt Ports	No
Internal SATA Ports	No SATA ports
Card Reader	No Card Reader
Headphone Jack	combo
Fanless	No
VESA Mount	Yes
In the Box	Mini PC with built-in 320W PSU, power cable, user manual.
Expandability	Full-length PCIe x16 slot (electrically x4) for low-profile expansion cards. Dual M.2 NVMe slots. RAM is soldered and not upgradeable.

Detailed Insights into the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX

The MS-S1 MAX measures 8.74 x 8.11 x 3.03 inches and weighs approximately 6.2 pounds, making it larger than typical mini PCs but compact for a workstation of this caliber. The chassis features a slide-out design for easy access to the dual M.2 slots and PCIe expansion area. The front panel provides two USB4 ports at 40Gbps, a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A port, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and dual DMIC microphones with AI noise cancellation. The rear is packed with connectivity: two USB4 V2 ports running at 80Gbps, two USB 3.2 Gen2 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI 2.1 output supporting up to 8K 60Hz, and dual 10GbE Ethernet ports using Realtek RTL8127 controllers. The sophisticated cooling system includes a copper base, six heat pipes, dual turbine fans, and phase-change material to sustain 130W continuous operation with peaks up to 160W.

At the heart of this system lies the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, a 16-core, 32-thread processor built on the Zen 5 architecture with boost clocks reaching 5.1GHz. The integrated Radeon 8060S GPU based on RDNA 3.5 features 40 compute units and performs competitively with discrete cards like the NVIDIA RTX 4060 in many workloads. Combined with the 50 TOPS NPU, the total AI compute capability reaches 126 TOPS—2.2 times that of an RTX 4090 in AI-specific benchmarks according to AMD. In real-world testing, reviewers found the system handles AAA gaming at 1080p with high settings above 60 FPS without a discrete GPU. For professional applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop, the AI-accelerated features process noticeably faster than competing platforms.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7 wireless with Bluetooth 5.4 and the aforementioned dual 10GbE Ethernet ports. The port selection provides extensive USB bandwidth with four USB4 ports total, two of which support the newer V2 specification at 80Gbps. Storage expansion is handled via two M.2 2280 NVMe slots supporting PCIe 4.0, with RAID 0/1 capability for up to 16TB total capacity. The internal PCIe x16 slot can accommodate low-profile single-slot expansion cards, though users should note it’s electrically wired for x4 speeds only. For those building compute clusters, the MS-S1 MAX includes a cascading power connector that allows multiple units to be controlled together.

Reviewer Insights on the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX

Patrick Kennedy (ServeTheHome)

Patrick Kennedy from ServeTheHome conducted an extensive technical review focusing on the MS-S1 MAX’s suitability for AI workloads. His testing revealed this is currently one of the top choices for running large language models locally due to the combination of 128GB memory and optimized performance modes. He noted that “this has become one of our favorite systems… certainly takes my top spot for my favorite AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 system.”

The review highlighted several unique hardware choices, including the internal Lite-On power supply that eliminates the giant power brick common to high-powered mini PCs. Patrick praised the dual 10GbE networking using the new Realtek RTL8127 chips, though he cautioned that these newer chips may require manual driver installation on some operating systems. His thermal testing showed fan noise reaching 42-43 dBA under sustained load, which he characterized as acceptable given the performance levels. The key takeaway was clear: “I wouldn’t buy this system just because I wanted really good CPU performance—I would buy this system because I cared about the GPU and I cared about doing AI.”

ETA PRIME

ETA PRIME’s hands-on review covered synthetic benchmarks, gaming performance, and power consumption in detail. He emphasized the unique position of the MS-S1 MAX as having “new features built in that we haven’t seen in any other mini PC on the market, like USB 4 V2, so up to 80 gigs instead of 40.” The premium full-metal chassis design impressed him, as did the sophisticated cooling system handling up to 160W boost TDP.

Gaming benchmarks showed the Radeon 8060S delivering impressive frame rates without a discrete GPU. The review measured total system power consumption reaching 236W under full load—high for a mini PC but reasonable for the performance delivered. ETA PRIME noted that “having that built-in power supply is a plus. That way, we don’t have to worry about that power brick behind the desk.” His primary criticism focused on fan noise in performance mode, where the 95% duty cycle creates audible noise that may bother sensitive users.

RandomGaminginHD

RandomGaminginHD’s gaming-focused review tested numerous AAA titles at various settings. The results exceeded expectations, with games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 running above 60 FPS at high settings. He described the experience as “a glimpse at the future of graphics cardless gaming, of integrated gaming solutions.” The Radeon 8060S even handled ray tracing in supported titles like GTA V.

The review positioned the MS-S1 MAX as showcasing what’s possible with modern APU technology, even if the price puts it out of reach for most gamers. “I did not expect this sort of frame rate from an iGPU. Yeah, over 60 frames per second. Not with low settings either, but with high settings,” he noted. The internal power supply design makes the system particularly attractive for living room setups where cable management matters.

TechRadar

According to TechRadar, the MS-S1 MAX “is really a mini workstation that will fit equally well on a desk or directly into a 2U rack system.” The review awarded 4 out of 5 stars, praising the fast unified memory, dual USB4 v2 ports, and 126 TOPS AI compute capability. However, they noted the high price tag and audible fans under load as significant considerations.

The review found that Adobe Creative Cloud applications particularly benefit from the AI acceleration: “The real difference comes when you start to utilise the AI features in those applications, and even in Premiere Pro, with the CPU and GPU capable of processing Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro’s AI-at-heart features quickly.” TechRadar concluded that this is “essentially a specialist machine” targeting professionals who need local AI processing power.

NotebookCheck

NotebookCheck provided the most detailed technical analysis, awarding an 84% rating. Their review praised the “sturdy and high-quality aluminum housing” and the practical UEFI options including fan control. The connectivity was highlighted as “a real unique selling point—above all the 10G LAN and the large number of USB ports.”

The review identified idle noise as the primary weakness preventing a higher score, noting the system is “too loud in idle mode (in performance mode)” without manual BIOS adjustments. They also found high DPC latency values and poor ventilation for PCIe expansion cards as concerns for certain use cases. Nevertheless, they concluded: “If you are looking for maximum performance and future-proofing in the smallest of spaces, the Minisforum MS-S1 Max is not a toy but a true powerhouse.”

Across multiple reviews, the consensus points to exceptional AI compute capability and connectivity as primary strengths, while fan noise and the premium price point appear consistently as areas for consideration. Reviewers agree this is a purpose-built machine for professionals rather than a general-purpose mini PC.

Customer Reviews of the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX

Amazon customers have rated the MS-S1 MAX highly across multiple listings, with ratings ranging from 4.5 to 5.0 stars. The most praised aspects include the exceptional performance for such a compact form factor and the convenience of the built-in power supply. Buyers particularly appreciate the high-speed networking options and the ability to run demanding workloads without a discrete graphics card.

However, some customers note driver availability challenges, particularly for Linux distributions where the new Realtek 10GbE chips may require manual installation. Several reviews mention fan noise as a consideration, with some finding it acceptable for a workstation and others preferring quieter operation. A few users noted the Ethernet port design can make removing CAT5e cables difficult without tools.

Overall, the customer sentiment is strongly positive, with most buyers finding the MS-S1 MAX delivers on its promise as a compact AI workstation. Users running Proxmox clusters, TrueNAS setups, and AI development environments report excellent stability and performance.

Conclusion

The MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX stands out as a purpose-built AI workstation for professionals who need substantial local compute power without the space requirements of a traditional tower. Its combination of 128GB unified memory and 126 TOPS AI performance makes it well-suited for running large language models, video production with AI features, and high-end virtualization. The dual 10GbE networking and USB4 V2 connectivity position it as a future-proof platform for demanding workflows.

That said, users primarily seeking a quiet general-purpose PC or gaming machine should consider alternatives. The fan noise under load and premium pricing reflect its professional positioning. Users who need expandable RAM or full PCIe x16 bandwidth for discrete GPUs might want to look at traditional workstations or larger mini PC platforms.

For those comparing options, see our Mini PC Comparison Chart to find the best match for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions