MINISFORUM MS-01

The Minisforum MS-01 is a feature-packed Mini PC designed for users who need high-performance computing in a compact form factor. It is powered by up to an Intel Core i9-13900H processor, with 14 cores and 20 threads, making it suitable for demanding tasks such as virtualization, media transcoding, and advanced networking. With dual 10GbE SFP+ ports, dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, and support for up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM, the MS-01 is particularly appealing to home lab enthusiasts, media server users, and professionals seeking a versatile workstation.

The MS-01 stands out for its extensive connectivity options, including dual USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt support, three M.2 slots for storage, and a PCIe x16 expansion slot (running at x8 speeds). Its compact design integrates thoughtful cooling solutions, ensuring stable performance even under heavy workloads. While it excels in networking and storage flexibility, some design quirks, such as limited GPU compatibility and a potentially risky SSD voltage switch, may require careful consideration from users.

Detailed Features of the Minisforum MS-01

The Minisforum MS-01 is built around the powerful Intel Core i9-13900H processor, which features six performance and eight efficiency cores, delivering a maximum boost clock of 5.4 GHz. This makes it capable of tasks like virtualization, media transcoding, and even light AI workloads. The system supports up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM across two channels, providing plenty of headroom for multitasking or memory-intensive applications. Storage options are equally impressive, with three M.2 slots supporting Gen 4x4, Gen 3x4, and Gen 3x2 configurations and U.2 NVMe drives via an included adapter. These features make the MS-01 a versatile choice for users requiring high-speed storage and expandability.

Connectivity is another standout feature of the MS-01. The dual 10GbE SFP+ ports powered by Intel's X710 NIC and dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports with Intel i226-LM NIC offer exceptional networking capabilities, ideal for home labs or server setups. Additionally, the device includes two USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt support, enabling high-speed data transfer, external GPU connections, or additional display outputs. The PCIe x16 slot (running at x8 speeds) adds further flexibility, allowing users to install low-profile GPUs or additional network cards. However, the slot's physical constraints limit compatibility to single-slot, half-height cards, which may not suit all users.

The MS-01's compact design integrates thoughtful cooling solutions, including a dedicated fan for SSDs and a copper heatsink for the CPU. These features ensure stable performance under sustained workloads, though the system can become noisy during heavy use. While the device is designed for advanced users, some quirks—such as the SSD voltage switch and limited GPU compatibility—require careful attention during setup. Overall, the MS-01 balances high performance, extensive connectivity, and compact design, making it a strong contender for professionals and tech enthusiasts.

What Reviewers Are Saying About the Minisforum MS-01

ServeTheHome Review: The Pinnacle of Mini PC Servers - Minisforum MS-01

Patrick from ServeTheHome provides a detailed overview of the Minisforum MS-01, highlighting its robust hardware and versatility. He praises its exceptional networking capabilities, including dual 10GbE SFP+ ports and dual 2.5GbE Ethernet ports, which make it ideal for advanced networking setups. Patrick also commends the system's storage flexibility, with three M.2 slots and U.2 drive support and its PCIe expansion slot for low-profile GPUs or network cards. However, he points out a significant design flaw: the SSD voltage switch, which, if misconfigured, could damage drives. He also notes compatibility issues with certain PCIe cards, such as some quad-port NICs, which may limit its appeal for specific use cases. Despite these quirks, Patrick concludes that the MS-01 is an excellent choice for advanced users who can navigate its limitations, calling it "a feature-packed Mini PC that excels in networking and storage."

Patrick also praises the MS-01's cooling system, which effectively manages heat even under heavy workloads, though he mentions that the system can become noisy at full load. He appreciates the compact design and thoughtful internal layout but criticizes the lack of tool-less access for certain components, which could make upgrades more tedious. Overall, ServeTheHome positions the MS-01 as a powerful and versatile Mini PC, particularly for users seeking high-performance networking and storage in a small form factor.

ShortCircuit Review: This Packs a PUNCH! - Minisforum MS-01

ShortCircuit's review emphasizes the MS-01's impressive hardware and versatility, describing it as "basically an entire server in a small box." The reviewer highlights the Intel Core i9-13900H processor, dual 10GbE ports, and PCIe expansion slot as standout features, making the MS-01 a strong contender for server applications, virtualization, and media transcoding. They also note the system's ability to support up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM and three M.2 drives, which adds to its appeal for power users. However, the reviewer points out that the MS-01's price is higher than similar devices, though they believe the hardware justifies the cost.

ShortCircuit praises the MS-01's design, particularly its compact form factor and efficient cooling solutions, which include heatsinks for all M.2 slots. However, they criticize some design quirks, such as short-threaded screws for the heatsinks, which could be prone to stripping. They also note that the PCIe slot's physical constraints limit GPU compatibility, which may be a drawback for users looking to add higher-end graphics cards. Despite these limitations, the reviewer concludes that the MS-01 is a powerful and versatile Mini PC that pushes the boundaries of what small form factor PCs can achieve.

Craft Computing Review: Is the Minisforum MS-01 Worth It for Homelabs?

Jeff from Craft Computing calls the MS-01 "the Mini PC of my dreams," praising its performance, expandability, and suitability for home lab setups. He highlights the Intel Core i9-13900H processor's strong performance, particularly in virtualization tasks, and the system's dual 10GbE ports as key features for advanced networking. Jeff also appreciates the PCIe x16 slot, which allows for additional functionality, though he notes that its half-height, half-length design limits compatibility with larger GPUs. He successfully tested the MS-01 with Proxmox, running multiple virtual machines simultaneously without performance issues, making it an excellent option for home lab enthusiasts.

Jeff also points out some limitations, such as NVMe performance bottlenecks when all three M.2 slots are utilized and the system's inability to support two-slot GPUs. He praises the MS-01's efficient cooling system, which prevents thermal throttling even under heavy loads, but notes that the system can become noisy during sustained use. Despite these drawbacks, Jeff highly recommends the MS-01 for users seeking a compact yet powerful system for home labs, media servers, or advanced networking tasks.

Level1Techs Review: Minisforum MS-01: A Pint Sized Workstation Powerhouse

Level1Techs provides a detailed and largely positive review, describing the MS-01 as an innovative and versatile Mini PC. The reviewer highlights its exceptional connectivity options, including dual 10GbE ports, Thunderbolt support, and multiple USB ports, which make it ideal for home labs and small workstation setups. They also praise the system's expandability, with support for U.2 storage and PCIe peripherals, though they note some inconsistencies with PCIe Gen 4 device compatibility. The MS-01's cooling system is commended for maintaining stable performance under load, though the reviewer wishes the case were slightly larger to accommodate additional components.

The review also points out some limitations, such as the integrated GPU's modest capabilities and the physical constraints of the PCIe slot, which limit its potential as a high-end workstation. Despite these issues, Level1Techs rates the MS-01 highly, calling it a significant step forward for Minisforum and a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts seeking a compact yet powerful platform for virtualization, media servers, or home automation.

ETA Prime Review: MS-01 First Look, An All-New Ultra Fast Mini PC With GPU Support! Hands On

ETA Prime praises the MS-01 for its upgradeability, robust hardware, and versatile connectivity. The reviewer highlights its Intel Core i9-13900H processor, dual 10GbE ports, and PCIe x16 slot as standout features, making it a strong choice for compact workstations. They also note the system's ability to support up to 24TB of storage across three M.2 slots, ideal for media servers or advanced storage configurations. However, the reviewer points out that the PCIe slot's physical constraints limit GPU compatibility to single-slot, low-profile cards, which may not suit users needing higher-end GPUs.

ETA Prime also commends the MS-01's cooling system, which includes a blower-style fan for NVMe drives, though they note that the CPU can reach high temperatures under load. Gaming performance is solid with a low-profile GPU, but the system is better suited for general productivity, light gaming, and media tasks. Overall, ETA Prime concludes that the MS-01 is an excellent mini workstation with significant potential for customization, though its GPU limitations may deter users seeking high-end gaming or rendering capabilities.

What Customers Are Saying About the Minisforum MS-01

Customer reviews for the Minisforum MS-01 are overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its performance, versatility, and compact design. Many appreciate its ability to handle demanding workloads like virtualization, media transcoding, and even creative tasks like 2D animation. One customer highlighted the ease of upgrading the RAM to 96GB, noting that the total cost was still significantly lower than comparable laptops. Another user successfully employed the MS-01 as a DIY TrueNAS server, emphasizing its reliability and compatibility with advanced networking tasks like pfSense or OPNsense.

However, a few users encountered minor issues. One reviewer mentioned loud fan noise, which they resolved by adjusting the power settings. Another noted that upgrading the RAM caused the hibernate function to stop working, requiring a workaround involving partition resizing. Despite these challenges, customers were impressed by Minisforum's exceptional customer service, with one reviewer sharing how the company went above and beyond to resolve a hardware issue. Overall, the MS-01 is highly recommended for a variety of use cases, from professional content creation to server applications.

Conclusion: Who Should Consider the Minisforum MS-01?

The Minisforum MS-01 is an excellent choice for users who need a powerful, compact system for demanding tasks. Its high-performance Intel Core i9-13900H processor, dual 10GbE networking, and extensive storage options make it ideal for home lab enthusiasts, media server users, and professionals working with virtualization or advanced networking. Expanding RAM up to 96GB and utilizing three M.2 drives adds to its appeal for multitasking and storage-heavy applications.

However, the MS-01 may not be the best fit for everyone. Users seeking a quiet system or those unfamiliar with advanced hardware configurations might find the fan noise and quirks like the SSD voltage switch challenging. Additionally, its limited GPU compatibility and lack of support for two-slot cards may deter gamers or professionals needing high-end graphical performance. Alternative Mini PCs with more robust GPU support might be a better option for those users.

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