What the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX Is
The MS-S1 MAX is Minisforum's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 desktop with a built-in power supply, positioned as an AI workstation. Minisforum sells it through its US store as the "128GB Max AI Compute Edition" and lists up to 126 TOPS of platform AI performance. A 64 GB "Local AI Pilot Edition" is linked from the same page.
The MS-S1 MAX-P495 uses the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 with 192 GB of LPDDR5x-8533 and lists up to 131 TOPS. Notebookcheck reports it uses the same chassis and cooling as the 395 model. It is a single configuration, 192 GB with a 2 TB SSD.
Specifications
Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Processor (128 GB model) | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, Radeon 8060S with 40 CUs |
| Processor (192 GB model) | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 |
| Memory (128 GB model) | 128 GB LPDDR5x-8000, soldered |
| Memory (192 GB model) | 192 GB LPDDR5x-8533 |
| Storage | Two M.2 2280 slots, one PCIe 4.0 x4 and one PCIe 4.0 x1; 2 TB or 4 TB SSD on the 128 GB model |
| Networking | Dual 10GbE (Realtek), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Ports | Two USB4 v2 (80 Gbps), two USB-C 40 Gbps, HDMI 2.1, USB-A ports, audio combo jack |
| Expansion | Internal PCIe x16 slot, PCIe 4.0 x4 electrically |
| Power supply | 320 W internal, C14 AC inlet |
| Size and weight | 222.1 x 206.3 x 77.1 mm, 2.8 kg |
| Rack mounting | Can be rack-mounted in 2U |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro on the reviewed unit |
| GPU-usable memory | Notebookcheck: up to 96 GB on the 128 GB model, up to 160 GB on the P495 (reported figures) |
Processor, memory speed, networking, rack-mount support and the 126 and 131 TOPS figures come from the Minisforum US store and its P495 page. Ports, PSU, size, weight and OS come from ServeTheHome's review; the M.2 and PCIe slot details from Liliputing and NAS Compares. GPU-usable memory is from Notebookcheck's review and P495 report. Minisforum does not state a bandwidth for the 192 GB model; a 256-bit bus at 8533 MT/s works out to about 273 GB/s by arithmetic, which we have not seen measured.
Price and Availability
The 128 GB / 2 TB model is listed at $3,919 on sale against a $4,899 regular price. DRAM shortages have moved prices across this class repeatedly, and the sale price here is a store promotion, so check the live page before ordering. All prices are US dollars from the stated source, read on 2026-10-31.
Configuration | US price | Source and date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 GB / 2 TB (Ryzen AI Max+ 395) | $3,919 sale / $4,899 regular | Minisforum US store, read 2026-10-31 | Shipping estimate: early November |
| 128 GB / 4 TB (Ryzen AI Max+ 395) | $4,199 sale / $5,249 regular | Minisforum US store, read 2026-10-31 | No shipping date shown |
| MS-S1 MAX-P495, 192 GB / 2 TB | $7,399 sale / $9,249 regular | Minisforum US store, read 2026-10-31; Notebookcheck reported $7,399 on 2026-09-28 | Sold out; estimated shipping mid-November |
| 64 GB Local AI Pilot Edition | Not seen | Linked from the Minisforum US store page | Price not shown in what we read |
| 128 GB / 2 TB at launch | $2,299 pre-order | Notebookcheck review, 2025 | Historic price, for context |
The store also lists a 2-year seller warranty, free shipping, free RMA returns and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What Independent Reports Show
We found three independent reviews and none of them published local-LLM token-speed results, so there is no measured inference speed to cite for this machine. ServeTheHome (2026-01-14) called it its favorite Ryzen AI Max mini PC to date, praising the dual 10GbE, the two USB4 v2 ports, the internal PSU and the 2U rack option. It also flagged the uncommon C14 power inlet, that Realtek drivers may be needed for the network ports during a fresh install, and the lack of a dedicated DisplayPort.
NAS Compares (2025-12-19) scored it 8.4 overall, with 6 out of 10 for price. It measured idle power of about 13 to 16 W, about 141 to 158 W under heavy GPU testing, and about 51 to 53 dBA under heavy load. Its cons were the uneven M.2 slots and a PCIe slot limited to x4 with little room for cards.
Notebookcheck rated it 84%, criticizing idle noise in performance mode (quieter after BIOS v1.03), poor ventilation for expansion cards and non-expandable memory. Its only AI figures were Geekbench AI scores. For the 192 GB P495 we found only Notebookcheck's launch report, which repeats Minisforum's claim that it can run DeepSeek V4 Flash (284 billion parameters); we have not seen that claim tested.
Who It Suits and Who Should Skip It
- Suits: lab or homelab users who need dual 10GbE and USB4 v2 in one box; see the NAS Compares verdict.
- Suits: buyers who want a rack-capable 2U option with an internal power supply rather than an external brick.
- Suits: buyers who want 192 GB on a retail store listing; the P495 was sold out at the last check.
- Skip if price decides it; compare the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 alternatives below.
- Skip if you need measured LLM speed before buying; no review we read provides it.
- Skip if you plan a large graphics card: reviewers report a x4 slot and limited cooling for cards.
Alternatives in the Same Class
- DGX Spark: NVIDIA GB10 with CUDA and 200 Gbps ConnectX-7 networking, but capped at 128 GB.
- Ryzen AI Halo: AMD's own Ryzen AI Max+ 395 box with a single 10GbE port and an independent comparison against the Spark.
- Framework Desktop: a 4.5 L modular case with a 192 GB PRO 495 option on pre-order; Framework's store pages show batch 3 shipping in December.
- GMKtec EVO-X2: the same 395 processor and 128 GB; its US price is reported inconsistently across sources.
- Local AI Workstations: Strix Halo vs. DGX Spark: the full category comparison with a price table across all machines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more memory to the MS-S1 MAX later?
No. The memory is soldered, and Notebookcheck lists non-expandable memory among its criticisms. The only way to get 192 GB is to buy the MS-S1 MAX-P495.
Can I fit a graphics card in the PCIe x16 slot?
Liliputing says the slot can take a full-length card, but it carries only four PCIe 4.0 lanes. Notebookcheck and NAS Compares both note limited airflow and space for cards.
Does it come with Windows or Linux?
ServeTheHome's unit shipped with Windows 11 Pro. We found no Minisforum statement about a pre-installed Linux image.
What happens if the sale price ends?
The store shows a regular price about 25 percent above the sale price on all three listings (for example $9,249 vs. $7,399 on the P495). The store page does not say how long each promotion lasts.
Does the P495 have the same ports as the 395 model?
Minisforum lists USB4 V2, dual 10GbE, Wi-Fi 7 and a PCIe x16 slot for the P495, and Notebookcheck reports the same chassis. We did not find a full side-by-side port list.