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Suryasis 34.1K Views
Dec 2, 2024 5:24 PM

Minisforum MS-A1 Barebones Mini PC (No CPU/OS) w/ AM5 Ryzen 7000/8000/9000 Support

$240

$259

7% off
+ Free Shippingat Minisforum
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Deal Details
Minisforum has Minisforum MS-A1 Workstation Barebone Mini PC (Without CPU / OS License) on sale for $259 - extra $20 off when you apply discount code CM20 at checkout = $239 Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Suryasis for finding this deal.

Product Details:
  • AM5 CPU socket supporting Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series Desktop Processors (9000 series support w/ BIOS update)
  • 2x DDR5 SODIMM slots (supports up to 96GB 5200 MT/s)
  • 2x PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 2280 slots
  • 1x PCIe Gen 3x4 M.2 2280 slot
  • 1x PCIe Gen 4x1 M.2 2280 slot
  • 1x M.2 2230 for NIC (Populated)
  • Wi-Fi 6E (2x2) + Bluetooth 5.2
  • Front Ports:
    • 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
    • 1x USB-A 2.0
    • 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack
  • Rear Ports:
    • 1x DC-In (19V 12.63A, 240W)
    • 1x HDMI 2.1
    • 1x DisplayPort 2.0
    • 1x OCulink Dedicated Port
    • 1x USB 4.0 Type-C 40 Gbps (Data + DisplayPort)
    • 1x USB-A 3.2 gen 2 10 Gbps
    • 1x USB-A 2.0
    • 2x Realtek 2.5G RJ-45 supporting link aggregation
  • Features:
    • Supports Raphael (Ryzen 7000 desktop), Phoenix (Ryzen 8000 series Desktop) and Granite Ridge (Ryzen 9000 series Desktop) Processor. 9000 series will be supported with BIOS update
    • The 3x M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD bandwidth depends upon the CPU choice as the Phoenix APUs do not offer as many PCIe Gen 4 lanes as the Ryzen 7000 series Desktop Processors. If 8000 series is used, the 2nd PCIe Gen 4x4 Slot will run at Gen 4x2 speed. 

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Offer valid for a limited time (while supplies last).
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion. 

Original Post

Written by Suryasis
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Minisforum has Minisforum MS-A1 Workstation Barebone Mini PC (Without CPU / OS License) on sale for $259 - extra $20 off when you apply discount code CM20 at checkout = $239 Shipping is free.

Thanks to community member Suryasis for finding this deal.

Product Details:
  • AM5 CPU socket supporting Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series Desktop Processors (9000 series support w/ BIOS update)
  • 2x DDR5 SODIMM slots (supports up to 96GB 5200 MT/s)
  • 2x PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 2280 slots
  • 1x PCIe Gen 3x4 M.2 2280 slot
  • 1x PCIe Gen 4x1 M.2 2280 slot
  • 1x M.2 2230 for NIC (Populated)
  • Wi-Fi 6E (2x2) + Bluetooth 5.2
  • Front Ports:
    • 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
    • 1x USB-A 2.0
    • 1x 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack
  • Rear Ports:
    • 1x DC-In (19V 12.63A, 240W)
    • 1x HDMI 2.1
    • 1x DisplayPort 2.0
    • 1x OCulink Dedicated Port
    • 1x USB 4.0 Type-C 40 Gbps (Data + DisplayPort)
    • 1x USB-A 3.2 gen 2 10 Gbps
    • 1x USB-A 2.0
    • 2x Realtek 2.5G RJ-45 supporting link aggregation
  • Features:
    • Supports Raphael (Ryzen 7000 desktop), Phoenix (Ryzen 8000 series Desktop) and Granite Ridge (Ryzen 9000 series Desktop) Processor. 9000 series will be supported with BIOS update
    • The 3x M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD bandwidth depends upon the CPU choice as the Phoenix APUs do not offer as many PCIe Gen 4 lanes as the Ryzen 7000 series Desktop Processors. If 8000 series is used, the 2nd PCIe Gen 4x4 Slot will run at Gen 4x2 speed. 

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Offer valid for a limited time (while supplies last).
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion. 

Original Post

Written by Suryasis

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28 Comments

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Dec 2, 2024 6:32 PM
183 Comments
Joined Feb 2018
KimT1912Dec 2, 2024 6:32 PM
183 Comments
how much power in watts ? Can this one take the 8600g?
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Dec 2, 2024 6:50 PM
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SuryasisDec 2, 2024 6:50 PM
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Quote from KimT1912 View quoted comment :
how much power in watts ? Can this one take the 8600g?
Yes, any Zen 4 and Zen 5 CPU with Integrated graphics. And it supports TDP up to 110W. In fact, they sell a model with 8700G preinstalled, which is currently out of stock.
Last edited by Suryasis December 5, 2024 at 09:00 PM.
Dec 2, 2024 7:32 PM
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SlickCrayon1512Dec 2, 2024 7:32 PM
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Quote from KimT1912 View quoted comment :
how much power in watts ? Can this one take the 8600g?
A 8600G with this cost you about $400. You would be better just go to buy that bare bone with 7940hx (an efficient monster 7950x) for less.
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Dec 2, 2024 8:31 PM
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SuryasisDec 2, 2024 8:31 PM
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Quote from SlickCrayon1512 View quoted comment :
A 8600G with this cost you about $400. You would be better just go to buy that bare bone with 7940hx (an efficient monster 7950x) for less.
Different purpose. The deal you are talking about is based on that BD790i MoDT platform and targeted for desktop use. This is more of a Server and network centric device. You will get a lot of ports for that purpose, like dual 2.5G ethernet, OCulink, USB4, which you won't find on that one.
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Dec 3, 2024 2:13 AM
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BurritoSupremo
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Dec 3, 2024 2:13 AM
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Quote from KimT1912 View quoted comment :
how much power in watts ? Can this one take the 8600g?
Seeing as they sell these with an 8700g installed... You'll be fine.
1
Dec 3, 2024 7:41 AM
183 Comments
Joined Feb 2018
KimT1912Dec 3, 2024 7:41 AM
183 Comments
Quote from SlickCrayon1512 View quoted comment :
A 8600G with this cost you about $400. You would be better just go to buy that bare bone with 7940hx (an efficient monster 7950x) for less.
Thanks for reply. 8600g/8700g has better graphic and ai cores. Is it ok for a gaming device at around xbox price range? 7940hx is using 610m graphics.but has 16 cores.
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Dec 3, 2024 1:18 PM
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SuryasisDec 3, 2024 1:18 PM
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Quote from KimT1912 View quoted comment :
Thanks for reply. 8600g/8700g has better graphic and ai cores. Is it ok for a gaming device at around xbox price range? 7940hx is using 610m graphics.but has 16 cores.
Without knowing your use cases, it is hard to recommend one over other. In basic summary,
if you want a lot of CPU performance for demanding applications like Video editing, running rendering applications, databases etc. and more of a conventional desktop like setup with standard mini-ITX sized motherboards, ability to add dedicated Graphics card directly using PCIe X16 slot and put them into standard form factor Case then the BD790i-SE moDT motherboard or the system referred here based on that, is a better choice.
On the other hand, if you want a SFF sized PC with far better integrated graphics for playing basic games, a tons of specialized ports like OCulink, USB4, 2.5G networks, a tons of storage for running media server or NAS, lower power consumption and still decent enough CPU power then the MS-A1 is a better choice.
Another thing is that unlike normal mini-PCs which use soldered Laptop Processors, this one is basically a STX motherboard with AM5 CPU socket and supports both current Zen 4 and Zen 5 CPUs. So, future CPU upgrade is a choice here. You can still add a dedicated graphics card, by using either OCulink or USB4 eGPU dock.
1

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Dec 4, 2024 5:19 PM
1.9K Comments
Joined Jan 2007
SysopDec 4, 2024 5:19 PM
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Quote from Suryasis View quoted comment :
Without knowing your use cases, it is hard to recommend one over other. In basic summary,
if you want a lot of CPU performance for demanding applications like Video editing, running rendering applications, databases etc. and more of a conventional desktop like setup with standard mini-ITX sized motherboards, ability to add dedicated Graphics card directly using PCIe X16 slot and put them into standard form factor Case then the BD790i-SE moDT motherboard or the system referred here based on that, is a better choice.
On the other hand, if you want a SFF sized PC with far better integrated graphics for playing basic games, a tons of specialized ports like OCulink, USB4, 2.5G networks, a tons of storage for running media server or NAS, lower power consumption and still decent enough CPU power then the MS-A1 is a better choice.
Another thing is that unlike normal mini-PCs which use soldered Laptop Processors, this one is basically a STX motherboard with AM5 CPU socket and supports both current Zen 4 and Zen 5 CPUs. So, future CPU upgrade is a choice here. You can still add a dedicated graphics card, by using either OCulink or USB4 eGPU dock.
Everyone always says to only use Intel for media servers. Is that still true.
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Dec 4, 2024 8:21 PM
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SuryasisDec 4, 2024 8:21 PM
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Quote from Sysop View quoted comment :
Everyone always says to only use Intel for media servers. Is that still true.
For Plex, as per my knowledge, Intel hardware Acceleration, which is QuickSync, has better compatibility than any other Graphics. AMD Graphics is supported unofficially but setting up is probably not that straight forward.
Dec 4, 2024 8:29 PM
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Joined Oct 2005
DerProfiDec 4, 2024 8:29 PM
1.6K Comments
Quote from Suryasis View quoted comment :
For Plex, as per my knowledge, Intel hardware Acceleration, which is QuickSync, has better compatibility than any other Graphics. AMD Graphics is supported unofficially but setting up is probably not that straight forward.
Correct. Even Nvidia hasn't bested Intel in transcoding quality from a wattage or processor load perspective. I have an N5105 fanless router box that will transcode multiple simultaneous 4K streams in a Proxmox Plex container without breaking a sweat.
Dec 4, 2024 9:48 PM
67 Comments
Joined Jul 2019
DavidB1977Dec 4, 2024 9:48 PM
67 Comments
Quote from Suryasis View quoted comment :
Yes, any AM4 and AM5 CPU with Integrated graphics. And it supports TDP up to 110W. In fact, they sell a model with 8700G preinstalled, which is currently out of stock.
With that occu link I think you can get an external video card
Dec 6, 2024 12:38 AM
16 Comments
Joined Mar 2015
dustybowlerDec 6, 2024 12:38 AM
16 Comments
Quote from Suryasis View quoted comment :
Yes, any AM4 and AM5 CPU with Integrated graphics. And it supports TDP up to 110W. In fact, they sell a model with 8700G preinstalled, which is currently out of stock.
You're going to have a hard time putting an am4 CPU in the am5 socket, lol
1
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Dec 6, 2024 1:29 AM
782 Comments
Joined Nov 2011
Muddy_BottomsDec 6, 2024 1:29 AM
782 Comments
Quote from Sysop View quoted comment :
Everyone always says to only use Intel for media servers. Is that still true.
Meh, I have a 5600g running unRAID that does hw transcoding and hdr. unRAID made it simple, like 5 minutes and there's a step by step on YouTube.
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Dec 6, 2024 5:00 AM
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SuryasisDec 6, 2024 5:00 AM
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Quote from dustybowler View quoted comment :
You're going to have a hard time putting an am4 CPU in the am5 socket, lol
My Bad, was trying to say Zen4 and Zen5

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Dec 6, 2024 11:16 AM
550 Comments
Joined Dec 2003
apurvabDec 6, 2024 11:16 AM
550 Comments
Quote from Suryasis View quoted comment :
Without knowing your use cases, it is hard to recommend one over other. In basic summary,
if you want a lot of CPU performance for demanding applications like Video editing, running rendering applications, databases etc. and more of a conventional desktop like setup with standard mini-ITX sized motherboards, ability to add dedicated Graphics card directly using PCIe X16 slot and put them into standard form factor Case then the BD790i-SE moDT motherboard or the system referred here based on that, is a better choice.
On the other hand, if you want a SFF sized PC with far better integrated graphics for playing basic games, a tons of specialized ports like OCulink, USB4, 2.5G networks, a tons of storage for running media server or NAS, lower power consumption and still decent enough CPU power then the MS-A1 is a better choice.
Another thing is that unlike normal mini-PCs which use soldered Laptop Processors, this one is basically a STX motherboard with AM5 CPU socket and supports both current Zen 4 and Zen 5 CPUs. So, future CPU upgrade is a choice here. You can still add a dedicated graphics card, by using either OCulink or USB4 eGPU dock.
Thanks for this reply. If I'm in the 1st camp (desktop alternative), could you link to good product? I'm new to this market, and the terminology seems alient compared to my PC experience. A link would be a helpful launching point.

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