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Minisforum MS-A1 Barebones Mini PC (No CPU/OS) w/ AM5 Ryzen 7000/8000/9000 Support
$240
$259
7% off
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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:
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.
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:
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.
Community Voting
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Top Comments
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.
Let me explain here a concept called MoDT or Mobile On Desktop. In this concept, manufacturers uses a laptop CPU soldered in a standard form factor motherboard, rather than using custom form factor motherboards used in Mini PC. It can be an mini-ITX (Smallest), ATX, micro-ATX. The motherboard also has standard ports like multiple USB ports and connectors, X16 slot for adding Graphics cards, standard power ports so that normal PSU can be used. The advantage of this over a normal mini PC is that the integrated CPU + Cooler + Motherboard cost is lower than total cost of desktop alternatives and since it is using standard components, you can source standard PSU, case, Graphics cards to make a full build, unlike normal Mini-PCs. Also, since laptop processors are tailor made for lower power consumption, these PCs normally consume lesser power than an equivalent Desktop Processor.
The above example I have given, uses a motherboard called BD790i-SE mini ITX MoDT Motherboard which has a Zen 4 based Ryzen 9 7940HX 16C/32T CPU with very basic integrated Graphics Radeon 610M. This processor is basically the Desktop Ryzen 7000 series Processor, created with better power optimization in a BGA package to be used in Laptops. That processor performs almost like a Desktop 16C/32T Ryzen 9 7950HX but consumes 60% of its power. It has two SODIMM slots (Laptop memory) which you can use up to 64GB and a PCIe Gen 5 X16 Slot which can support any GPU. The case they are using, only supports low profile GPU but you can simply buy the motherboard and source everything else.
Motherboard link: https://www.amazon.com/MINISFORUM...re
All you need to do is add a 120mm fan on top of the CPU Heatsink and then build a normal desktop like that.
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Let me explain here a concept called MoDT or Mobile On Desktop. In this concept, manufacturers uses a laptop CPU soldered in a standard form factor motherboard, rather than using custom form factor motherboards used in Mini PC. It can be an mini-ITX (Smallest), ATX, micro-ATX. The motherboard also has standard ports like multiple USB ports and connectors, X16 slot for adding Graphics cards, standard power ports so that normal PSU can be used. The advantage of this over a normal mini PC is that the integrated CPU + Cooler + Motherboard cost is lower than total cost of desktop alternatives and since it is using standard components, you can source standard PSU, case, Graphics cards to make a full build, unlike normal Mini-PCs. Also, since laptop processors are tailor made for lower power consumption, these PCs normally consume lesser power than an equivalent Desktop Processor.
The above example I have given, uses a motherboard called BD790i-SE mini ITX MoDT Motherboard which has a Zen 4 based Ryzen 9 7940HX 16C/32T CPU with very basic integrated Graphics Radeon 610M. This processor is basically the Desktop Ryzen 7000 series Processor, created with better power optimization in a BGA package to be used in Laptops. That processor performs almost like a Desktop 16C/32T Ryzen 9 7950HX but consumes 60% of its power. It has two SODIMM slots (Laptop memory) which you can use up to 64GB and a PCIe Gen 5 X16 Slot which can support any GPU. The case they are using, only supports low profile GPU but you can simply buy the motherboard and source everything else.
Motherboard link: https://www.amazon.com/MINISFORUM...re
All you need to do is add a 120mm fan on top of the CPU Heatsink and then build a normal desktop like that.
Or add RAM and SSD as you like to this $400 barebone model [amazon.com], price has been fluctuating higher so watch.
No deals on the slightly more efficient 8945HS, $479 barebone is current lowest, def not worth it.
Hoping for better mini PC deals ahead.
Should have sufficient performance, is cheaper, and more efficient since plex servers are generally running 24x7.
For a client, sure, go AMD w/ HDMI 2.1.
But I still don't get the point of DIY when I can get a ready made system for not much more that already has compatibility tested memory and one warranty for everything and a legit windows license already good to go.
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Intel instead of AMD, I an fine with AMD (7950X3D in my desktop) but Intel may have higher compatability with somethings or at the very lease more common for troubleshooting. (hypervisor work, etc)
But the fact it has 3x M2 slots, USB 4, Intel AMT, and built in 10gb SFP+ made it a full server replacement for me.
So I replaced a Dell R710 running ESXi with one of these running Proxmox and I replaced a Dell R210ii with one of these running PFSense (MS-01 not the MS-A1)
There are cheaper mini computers out there, but they are all "mini computer" the MS-01 is bascially a full size computer in a mini package.
Too many times I did a project like a Pi-hole or Emulation Station, and used smaller cheaper parts and the performace let me down. So to me worth over buying for piece of mind, and in the long run that translates into longer ownership before needing to upgrade.
Very much worth it given what I have these boxes doing.
Intel instead of AMD, I an fine with AMD (7950X3D in my desktop) but Intel may have higher compatability with somethings or at the very lease more common for troubleshooting. (hypervisor work, etc)
But the fact it has 3x M2 slots, USB 4, Intel AMT, and built in 10gb SFP+ made it a full server replacement for me.
So I replaced a Dell R710 running ESXi with one of these running Proxmox and I replaced a Dell R210ii with one of these running PFSense (MS-01 not the MS-A1)
There are cheaper mini computers out there, but they are all "mini computer" the MS-01 is bascially a full size computer in a mini package.
Too many times I did a project like a Pi-hole or Emulation Station, and used smaller cheaper parts and the performace let me down. So to me worth over buying for piece of mind, and in the long run that translates into longer ownership before needing to upgrade.
Very much worth it given what I have these boxes doing.
I mean, why not just get an older model phone that does this stuff already? pfft~
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