HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada) vs MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

HP Z2 Mini G1i workstation viewed from the front
Gray MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra mini workstation in a front and side view
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HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

BM6N6UT#ABA: Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB DDR5-6400, 1TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, RTX 2000 Ada 16GB, Windows 11 Pro High End

Check price Amazon affiliate link

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone

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Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.

iThese are manufacturer-sourced specifications, not MiniPCBench test results. Confirm the exact processor, memory, storage, price, and availability before buying.
Memory
Storage

1Is it fast for normal work?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Exact workstation configuration 24 cores / 32GB / 1TB
  • Commercially aligned hands-on Same CPU/GPU; partial identity
  • Geekbench 6 single-core Not available
  • Geekbench 6 multi-core Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Exact workstation configuration Not available
  • Commercially aligned hands-on Not available
  • Geekbench 6 single-core 2957 points
  • Geekbench 6 multi-core 17992 points

2Can it handle sustained work?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core 1789 points
  • Blender Classroom 91.7 samples/min
  • Sustained CPU cooling rating Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core Not available
  • Blender Classroom Not available
  • Sustained CPU cooling rating 100 W sustained

3Can it game?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Professional discrete graphics RTX 2000 Ada 16GB
  • No proxy gaming result Exact gaming data unavailable
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider with RTX 5060 Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Professional discrete graphics Not available
  • No proxy gaming result Not available
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider with RTX 5060 121 fps

4Is it loud or hot?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Manufacturer-declared idle noise 18 dBA
  • Exact thermals unavailable Not independently measured
  • Idle noise Not available
  • CPU stress noise Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Manufacturer-declared idle noise Not available
  • Exact thermals unavailable Not available
  • Idle noise 35 dBA
  • CPU stress noise 36 to 39 dBA

5How much electricity does it use?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • External power adapter 280W external
  • No exact wall-power test Exact result unavailable
  • Idle wall power Not available
  • CPU stress wall power Not available
  • 25GbE adapter power Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • External power adapter Not available
  • No exact wall-power test Not available
  • Idle wall power 18.3 to 20.6 W
  • CPU stress wall power 145 W
  • 25GbE adapter power 8 to 12 W

6Can I upgrade and connect everything?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Memory is upgradeable Yes
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • Thunderbolt is present No
  • Internal expansion 2 SO-DIMM / 2 M.2 / low-profile PCIe
  • Optional Flex I/O One unpopulated optional-module position
  • USB4 is present Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Memory is upgradeable Yes
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • Thunderbolt is present Not available
  • Internal expansion 4x M.2 and 3x PCIe
  • Optional Flex I/O Not available
  • USB4 is present Yes

7Is it good value?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Current exact-part offer $4,073.76 at B&H
  • Amazon identity unresolved No verified exact Amazon listing
  • Barebone list price Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Current exact-part offer Not available
  • Amazon identity unresolved Not available
  • Barebone list price $1,449

8Will it be dependable?

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Included limited warranty 1-year limited warranty
  • Workstation validation ISV-certified family; HP validation program
  • Serviceable core components Tool-free internal access
  • Setup complexity Not available
  • Seller warranty Not available

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Included limited warranty Not available
  • Workstation validation Not available
  • Serviceable core components Not available
  • Setup complexity Manual tuning recommended
  • Seller warranty 2 years

References

  1. HP. HP Z2 Mini G1i Workstation Desktop PC. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: Z2 Mini G1i family with up to Core Ultra 9 K-series processors, RTX 4000 SFF Ada, 128GB DDR5, two M.2 slots, optional Flex I/O, and 280W adapter

    Disclosure: Manufacturer family overview, port map, expansion claims, official image, and workstation-program claims. Family maxima and optional features are not treated as installed on the exact part.

  2. HP. HP Z2 Mini G1i Workstation QuickSpecs c09133727. Product page. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Worldwide Z2 Mini G1i family specifications, component matrix, service expansion, networking, dimensions, and manufacturer-declared reference acoustics

    Disclosure: Manufacturer technical document. Reference acoustic configurations differ from BM6N6UT#ABA and are excluded from scoring.

  3. B&H Photo Video. HP Z2 Mini G1i Workstation BM6N6UT#ABA. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: HP MPN BM6N6UT#ABA: Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB 2x16 DDR5-6400, 1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, RTX 2000 Ada 16GB, Windows 11 Pro High End, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 280W adapter

    Disclosure: HP-authorized retailer record used for exact fixed-part identity, included hardware, warranty, availability, and current price. No customer benchmark data are imported.

  4. Shukun E-commerce / T客邦. HP Z2 Mini G1i workstation unboxing and hands-on testing. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: Physical G1i with Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada, and 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; regional part and installed memory not clearly stated in accessible text

    Disclosure: Retailer-hosted article labeled Brand Message. It includes original physical and benchmark screenshots but does not disclose unit custody in accessible text; no numeric result is imported.

  5. Principled Technologies. Jumpstart graphics-intensive workloads with the HP Z2 Mini G1i. Product page. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 7 265, 64GB DDR5-6400, 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage, NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada, Windows 11 Pro

    Disclosure: HP commissioned the comparison and supplied both systems. Processor, memory, and GPU differ from BM6N6UT#ABA; every result is excluded from scoring.

  6. MINISFORUM. MINISFORUM product specifications. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone

  7. ServeTheHome. The BEST 25GbE Homelab Node Minisforum MS-02 Ultra. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB DDR5-4800, 1TB SSD, 25GbE adapter

    Disclosure: ServeTheHome did not state how the review unit was acquired.

  8. ETA PRIME. The Most Versatile Mini PC Ever! MS-02 Ultra First Look. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX, 64GB DDR5, 1TB SSD, Windows, low-profile RTX 5060; 90 W PL1 and 110 W PL2

    Disclosure: ETA PRIME did not state how the unit was acquired; the description contains affiliate links and the video includes a sponsored software-key segment.

  9. NASCompares. Minisforum MS-02 Ultra Review. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX, non-ECC memory and installed storage; capacities not stated

    Disclosure: NASCompares said MINISFORUM supplied the hardware without payment or advance review; the description contains 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 HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Uses a smaller 3.17 liter enclosure

Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Supports 128 GB more memory
  • Provides 4 storage slots versus 2

Verified specifications

Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status

Processor

SpecificationZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)MS-02 Ultra
CPUIntel Core Ultra 9 285KIntel Core Ultra 9 285HX
Cores / threads24 / 2424 / 24
Processor default TDP125 W55 W
Integrated graphicsNVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation discrete graphics with 16GB GDDR6 and four Mini DisplayPort outputsIntel Graphics

Memory and storage

SpecificationZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)MS-02 Ultra
Memory type2x 16GB DDR5-6400 SO-DIMM, non-ECCDDR5-4800 ECC SODIMM
Maximum memory128 GB256 GB
Upgradeable memoryYesYes
Storage slots24

Connectivity

SpecificationZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)MS-02 Ultra
EthernetIntegrated Intel I219-LM Gigabit EthernetDual 25GbE + 10GbE + 2.5GbE
WirelessWi-Fi 7 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.4Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
USB4NoYes
ThunderboltNoNo

Size and price

SpecificationZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)MS-02 Ultra
Enclosure volume3.17 liters4.8 liters
List priceNot published$1,449
Product classCompact ISV-certified CAD, rendering, and professional visualization workstationMini workstation