GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition vs MINISFORUM MS-03
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GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD
MINISFORUM MS-03
Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.
| Memory | ||
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| Storage |
1Is it fast for normal work?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Cinebench 2024 multi-core 1151 points
The stock single-module configuration scored up to 1,151 points in Cinebench 2024 multi-core.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 6:54 -
Cinebench 2024 single-core 119 points
The stock single-module configuration scored up to 119 points in Cinebench 2024 single-core.
Cinebench 2024 single-core · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 6:56 -
Geekbench 6 multi-core 11283 points
The stock single-module configuration scored 11,283 points in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
Geekbench 6 multi-core · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 7:11 -
PCMark 10 8003 points
The stock single-module configuration scored 8,003 points in PCMark 10.
PCMark 10 · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 7:34 -
PCMark system performance Not available
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Proxmox compatibility check Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Cinebench 2024 multi-core Not available
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Cinebench 2024 single-core Not available
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Geekbench 6 multi-core Not available
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PCMark 10 Not available
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PCMark system performance 8418 points
NASCompares reported a PCMark office and workstation-style score of about 8,418 on its Core Ultra 9 review unit. The reviewer did not publish enough settings for this result to enter the MiniPCBench score.
PCMark office and workstation-style test · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; memory and storage capacities not stated
NASCompares · 7:20 -
Proxmox compatibility check All 4 NICs detected
VirtualizationHowTo installed Proxmox VE 9.2 and reported that all four network adapters were detected and that the system behaved as expected during short-term testing.
Proxmox VE 9.2 installation and short-term use · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit
VirtualizationHowTo · 9:05
2Can it handle sustained work?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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PugetBench for Photoshop 8088 points
The stock single-module configuration scored 8,088 points in PugetBench for Photoshop.
PugetBench for Adobe Photoshop · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 7:46 -
PugetBench for Premiere Pro 19423 points
The stock single-module configuration scored 19,423 points in PugetBench for Premiere Pro.
PugetBench for Adobe Premiere Pro · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 8:00 -
3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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PugetBench for Photoshop Not available
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PugetBench for Premiere Pro Not available
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3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread 10323 points
NASCompares reported about 10,323 points in the 3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread test. The result remains attributed evidence because the complete test configuration and run conditions were not published.
3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; complete run conditions not stated
NASCompares · 7:20
3Can it game?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Counter-Strike 2 stock memory 125 fps
The stock single-channel configuration averaged 125 FPS with a 72 FPS 1% low in Counter-Strike 2.
Counter-Strike 2 benchmark · 1080p low; stock 32 GB single-channel memory
Toasty Bros · 12:34 -
Counter-Strike 2 dual channel 193.5 fps
With a 16 GB dual-channel kit installed, the average increased to 193.5 FPS and the 1% low to 111 FPS.
Counter-Strike 2 benchmark · 1080p low; reviewer-installed 16 GB dual-channel memory
Toasty Bros · 12:37 -
Time Spy stock memory 2279 points
The stock single-channel configuration scored 2,279 overall in 3DMark Time Spy, with a 2,023 graphics score and 8,107 CPU score.
3DMark Time Spy · Stock 32 GB single-channel memory
Toasty Bros · 12:49 -
Time Spy dual channel 3602 points
The reviewer-installed 16 GB dual-channel kit raised the Time Spy result to 3,602 overall and 3,233 for graphics.
3DMark Time Spy · Reviewer-installed 16 GB dual-channel memory
Toasty Bros · 12:58 -
Night Raid memory comparison 20334 points
The Night Raid total score increased from 20,334 with stock single-channel memory to 29,752 with the dual-channel kit.
3DMark Night Raid · Stock single-channel result; dual-channel result reported separately as 29,752
Toasty Bros · 13:08 -
3DMark Night Raid integrated graphics Not available
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3DMark Steel Nomad Light frame rate Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Counter-Strike 2 stock memory Not available
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Counter-Strike 2 dual channel Not available
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Time Spy stock memory Not available
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Time Spy dual channel Not available
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Night Raid memory comparison Not available
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3DMark Night Raid integrated graphics 25456 points
NASCompares reported about 25,456 points in Night Raid using the integrated Intel graphics. This is attributed reviewer evidence, not a MiniPCBench gaming score.
3DMark Night Raid · Integrated Intel Graphics; Core Ultra 9 386H review unit
NASCompares · 7:20 -
3DMark Steel Nomad Light frame rate 14 to 15 fps
NASCompares observed roughly 14 to 15 FPS in Steel Nomad Light on the integrated graphics and reported a score of about 2,137.
3DMark Steel Nomad Light · Integrated Intel Graphics; Core Ultra 9 386H review unit
NASCompares · 7:20
4Is it loud or hot?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Idle noise 30 to 33 dBA
Hubwood measured about 30 to 33 dBA at idle from 50 cm away in balanced fan mode.
Windows desktop idle · Balanced fan mode; 50 cm measurement distance
Hubwood · 6:02 -
Cinebench load noise 42 dBA
Hubwood measured about 42 dBA during a longer all-core Cinebench run.
Long Cinebench all-core run · Balanced fan mode; 50 cm measurement distance
Hubwood · 6:20 -
Memory thermal issue
With two memory modules installed, Hubwood observed memory overheating and severe frame-time stutter in modern games after several minutes in silent and balanced fan modes. Performance fan mode avoided the issue in his test.
Modern games after several minutes · 64 GB dual-channel configuration; silent and balanced fan modes
Hubwood · 10:15 -
Reviewer fan-noise observation Not available
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Manufacturer acoustic range Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Idle noise Not available
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Cinebench load noise Not available
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Memory thermal issue Not available
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Reviewer fan-noise observation Audible under full CPU load
VirtualizationHowTo found the system effectively inaudible at idle but said its fans ramped frequently and became noticeable during a full CPU load, more so than the reviewer's MS-01 systems.
Idle and 100% CPU load · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; no sound-pressure meter result
VirtualizationHowTo · 10:43 -
Manufacturer acoustic range 32–45 dB Balance
MINISFORUM reports 32 to 45 dB at 50 cm in Balance mode and 30 to 38 dB in Quiet mode, measured in its anechoic chamber. These are manufacturer figures, not independent measurements.
Idle to full load · Manufacturer anechoic chamber at 50 cm
MINISFORUM
5How much electricity does it use?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Idle wall power 9 W
Hubwood reported about 9 W for the complete system at idle.
Windows desktop idle · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration
Hubwood · 5:38 -
VirtualizationHowTo idle wall power Not available
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VirtualizationHowTo CPU-load wall power Not available
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NASCompares idle wall power Not available
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NASCompares CPU-load wall power Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Idle wall power Not available
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VirtualizationHowTo idle wall power 13.3 W
VirtualizationHowTo measured a little over 13.3 W at idle with no VMs running, no SFP+ connection, and only the 2.5GbE port connected.
Proxmox idle · No VMs; 2.5GbE connected; SFP+ disconnected
VirtualizationHowTo · 9:45 -
VirtualizationHowTo CPU-load wall power 75.9 W
VirtualizationHowTo measured 75.9 W at the wall under a 100% CPU load.
100% CPU load · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit
VirtualizationHowTo · 9:45 -
NASCompares idle wall power 10.1 W
NASCompares measured about 10.1 W at idle in its review setup.
System idle · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; exact installed memory, storage, and network state not stated
NASCompares · 10:11 -
NASCompares CPU-load wall power 76 to 77 W
NASCompares measured about 76 to 77 W under full CPU load in its review setup.
Full CPU load · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; exact installed memory and storage not stated
NASCompares · 10:11
6Can I upgrade and connect everything?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Tested configuration
Hubwood tested the stock 32 GB single-module configuration with a 2 TB Kingston PCIe 4.0 SSD, then added a second 32 GB module for comparison tests.
Review-unit identification · Stock 32 GB single-channel configuration and reviewer-installed 64 GB dual-channel configuration
Hubwood · 1:05 -
SSD sequential throughput 5 GB/s
Hubwood reported about 5 GB/s for both reads and writes from the stock 2 TB Kingston SSD.
Sequential SSD test · Stock 2 TB Kingston PCIe 4.0 SSD
Hubwood · 1:25 -
Storage is upgradeable Not available
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USB4 is present Not available
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Internal expansion Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Tested configuration Not available
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SSD sequential throughput Not available
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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USB4 is present Yes
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Internal expansion 3x M.2 plus PCIe 4.0 x4
The MS-03 provides two PCIe 5.0 x4 M.2 positions, one PCIe 4.0 x1 M.2 position, U.2 support through the included adapter, and a physical PCIe x16 slot wired for PCIe 4.0 x4.
Manufacturer expansion-layout check · MS-03-S386H
MINISFORUM
7Is it good value?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Manufacturer list price $1,599
GEEKOM lists the Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 configuration with 32GB of memory and a 2TB SSD at $1,599 before temporary discounts.
Manufacturer retail-price check · Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD
GEEKOM -
Configured list price Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Manufacturer list price Not available
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Configured list price $1,899
MINISFORUM lists the Core Ultra 9 386H configuration with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD at $1,899 before temporary discounts.
Manufacturer retail-price check · Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, US adapter
MINISFORUM
8Will it be dependable?
GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
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Hardware warranty 3 years
GEEKOM states that the A9 Max includes a standard three-year warranty covering hardware defects and manufacturing issues.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check
GEEKOM -
Seller warranty Not available
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Short-term review only Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Hardware warranty Not available
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Seller warranty 2 years
The MINISFORUM US product page lists a two-year seller warranty for the MS-03.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check · Purchases from the MINISFORUM US store
MINISFORUM -
Short-term review only No long-term conclusion
VirtualizationHowTo reported no issues during its initial Proxmox testing but explicitly said it did not yet have long-term experience with the MS-03.
Short-term Proxmox VE 9.2 use · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit
VirtualizationHowTo · 13:41
References
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GEEKOM. GEEKOM product specifications. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD
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Hubwood. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 Is Here! GEEKOM A9 MAX Mini-PC Reviewed. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Stock: Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, one 32GB DDR5-5600 module, 2TB Kingston PCIe 4.0 SSD; 64GB dual-channel configuration tested separately
Disclosure: Hubwood said GEEKOM sent the unit, with no payment, editorial control, or publishing obligation.
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Toasty Bros. Gaming on a POWERFUL Mini PC - Geekom A9 Max 2026. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Stock: Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, one 32GB DDR5-5600 module, 2TB SSD; 16GB dual-channel kit tested separately
Disclosure: GEEKOM sponsored the video and the description contains compensated affiliate links; unit acquisition was not separately stated.
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MINISFORUM. MINISFORUM MS-03 product specifications. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, US adapter
Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications, laboratory claims, and direct-store pricing.
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VirtualizationHowTo. Minisforum MS-03 Review: The MS-01 Home Lab Upgrade I've Been Waiting For?. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; installed memory and storage capacities not stated
Disclosure: VirtualizationHowTo states that MINISFORUM sent the review unit; return terms were not stated. The description links to the manufacturer's store.
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NASCompares. Minisforum MS-03 Workstation Review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 386H review unit; installed memory and storage capacities not stated
Disclosure: NASCompares did not state how the unit was acquired. The video description and accompanying article contain affiliate links.
Value for money
No value comparison is available. It requires eligible test scores and at least four current price observations in seven days.
Specification differences
Differences supported by the listed manufacturer specifications
Higher listed specifications for GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition
- Uses a smaller 0.82 liter enclosure
- Has a manufacturer list price about $300 lower
Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-03
- Provides 3 storage slots versus 2
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | A9 Max 2026 Edition | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
| Cores / threads | 12 / 24 | 16 / 16 |
| Processor default TDP | 28 W | 25 W |
| Integrated graphics | Radeon 890M | Intel Graphics |
Memory and storage
| Specification | A9 Max 2026 Edition | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | DDR5-5600 SODIMM |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | Yes | Yes |
| Storage slots | 2 | 3 |
Connectivity
| Specification | A9 Max 2026 Edition | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Dual 2.5GbE | Dual 10GbE SFP+ + 10GbE RJ45 + 2.5GbE RJ45 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | No | No |
Size and price
| Specification | A9 Max 2026 Edition | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 0.82 liters | 1.78 liters |
| List price | $1,599 | $1,899 |
| Product class | AI mini PC | Virtualization and high-speed networking |