MINISFORUM AI X1 vs MINISFORUM MS-03
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MINISFORUM AI X1
Ryzen 7 255 / 32GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD / silver chassis / US adapter; included OS unconfirmed
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?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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PCMark system performance Not available
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Proxmox compatibility check Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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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?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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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?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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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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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?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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Fan noise did not intrude during review
Mr. Sujano described the fans as audible but unobtrusive during his use of the Ryzen 7 255 model. This is his subjective experience, without a comparable sound-pressure measurement.
Mr. Sujano · 7:40 -
Reviewer fan-noise observation Not available
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Manufacturer acoustic range Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Fan noise did not intrude during review 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?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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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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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?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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OCuLink takes the second SSD slot
Robtech installed the supplied M.2-to-OCuLink adapter in the second storage slot. Using that adapter leaves room for one internal M.2 SSD in the reviewed AI X1.
Robtech · 3:54 -
USB4 is present Not available
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Internal expansion Not available
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Reviewer expansion caveat Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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OCuLink takes the second SSD slot Not available
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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 -
Reviewer expansion caveat Third M.2 limited to PCIe 4.0 x1
VirtualizationHowTo verified three internal M.2 slots but emphasized that the third is limited to PCIe 4.0 x1, so three identical NVMe drives should not be expected to deliver identical performance.
Hands-on storage-layout inspection · Core Ultra 9 386H review unit
VirtualizationHowTo · 6:15
7Is it good value?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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Configured list price Not available
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Reviewer value tradeoff Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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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 -
Reviewer value tradeoff $999 barebones; feature-dependent value
VirtualizationHowTo said the roughly $999 barebones price only makes sense for buyers who need the MS-03's combination of 10GbE, multiple NVMe slots, PCIe expansion, vPro, and newer processor; lighter virtualization needs have cheaper options.
Review-date price and use-case assessment · Core Ultra 9 386H barebones pricing discussed with a configured Core Ultra 9 review unit
VirtualizationHowTo · 12:44
8Will it be dependable?
MINISFORUM AI X1
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Protective film left on a thermal pad
Robtech found protective plastic still covering a memory/storage thermal pad in his review sample and left it in place for his thermal tests. This is a fault observed on that unit, not an established failure rate.
Robtech · 3:35 -
Seller warranty Not available
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Short-term review only Not available
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Protective film left on a thermal pad 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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MINISFORUM. AI X1 specifications and US configurations. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen 7 255 / 32GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD / silver chassis / US adapter; included OS unconfirmed
Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications; no MiniPCBench measurements.
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Robtech. The Most Requested Mini PC Review - Minisforum AI X1. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen 7 H 255 / 32GB Crucial DDR5-5600 / 1TB Kingston PCIe 4 SSD / Windows 11 Pro; firmware unconfirmed. OCuLink adapter installed during review.
Disclosure: Manufacturer supplied a free review sample; affiliate links disclosed.
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Mr. Sujano. Mini PC that packs a Punch: minisforum AI X1 review - AMD Ryzen 7 255. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen 7 255 / 32GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD / Windows; OS edition, firmware and installed memory layout unconfirmed.
Disclosure: Reviewer says MINISFORUM sent the unit; affiliate links disclosed.
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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 MINISFORUM AI X1
Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-03
- Supports 64 GB more memory
- Provides 3 storage slots versus 2
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | AI X1 | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 255 | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
| Cores / threads | 8 / 16 | 16 / 16 |
| Processor default TDP | Not disclosed | 25 W |
| Integrated graphics | AMD Radeon 780M | Intel Graphics |
Memory and storage
| Specification | AI X1 | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM | DDR5-5600 SODIMM |
| Maximum memory | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | Yes | Yes |
| Storage slots | 2 | 3 |
Connectivity
| Specification | AI X1 | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 1 × 2.5GbE | Dual 10GbE SFP+ + 10GbE RJ45 + 2.5GbE RJ45 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | Not published | No |
Size and price
| Specification | AI X1 | MS-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | Not published | 1.78 liters |
| List price | Not published | $1,899 |
| Product class | Not assigned | Virtualization and high-speed networking |