MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra vs MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

Gray MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra mini workstation in a front and side view
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max viewed from the front in its dark gray ventilated chassis
VS

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MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone

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MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB RAM, 2TB SSD, US

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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?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Geekbench 6 single-core 2957 points
  • Geekbench 6 multi-core 17992 points
  • Cinebench 2024 single-core Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Geekbench 6 single-core Not available
  • Geekbench 6 multi-core Not available
  • Cinebench 2024 single-core 110 points

2Can it handle sustained work?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Sustained CPU cooling rating 100 W sustained
  • Cinebench R23 multi-core Not available
  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core Not available
  • Qwen3 235B local inference Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Sustained CPU cooling rating Not available
  • Cinebench R23 multi-core 37062 points
  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core 1886 points
  • Qwen3 235B local inference 13.73 tokens/s

3Can it game?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider with RTX 5060 121 fps
  • Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Not available
  • Cyberpunk 2077 Not available
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider with RTX 5060 Not available
  • Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail 68 fps
  • Cyberpunk 2077 67 fps
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 90 fps

4Is it loud or hot?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Idle noise 35 dBA
  • CPU stress noise 36 to 39 dBA
  • Maximum observed CPU temperature Not available
  • Load sound level Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Idle noise Not available
  • CPU stress noise Not available
  • Maximum observed CPU temperature 63 C
  • Load sound level 43 dBA

5How much electricity does it use?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Idle wall power 18.3 to 20.6 W
  • CPU stress wall power 145 W
  • 25GbE adapter power 8 to 12 W
  • Cinebench wall power Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Idle wall power 12 W
  • CPU stress wall power Not available
  • 25GbE adapter power Not available
  • Cinebench wall power 130 W

6Can I upgrade and connect everything?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Memory is upgradeable Yes
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • USB4 is present Yes
  • Internal expansion 4x M.2 and 3x PCIe
  • Thunderbolt is present Not available
  • High-speed I/O Not available
  • Linux 10GbE support Not available
  • Expansion limits Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Memory is upgradeable No
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • USB4 is present Not available
  • Internal expansion Not available
  • Thunderbolt is present No
  • High-speed I/O 4x USB4 and 2x 10GbE
  • Linux 10GbE support Driver work required
  • Expansion limits PCIe 4.0 x4, no 75W GPU power

7Is it good value?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Barebone list price $1,449
  • Manufacturer price Not available
  • Verified Amazon configuration Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Barebone list price Not available
  • Manufacturer price $3,719
  • Verified Amazon configuration B0G348H88N

8Will it be dependable?

MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra

  • Setup complexity Manual tuning recommended
  • Seller warranty 2 years
  • Cooling and acoustics Not available
  • Operating-system caveat Not available

MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Setup complexity Not available
  • Seller warranty 3 years
  • Cooling and acoustics Cool but audible
  • Operating-system caveat Linux NIC caveat

References

  1. MINISFORUM. MINISFORUM product specifications. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 9 285HX barebone

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. MINISFORUM. MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max 128GB Max AI Compute Edition. Product page. . Accessed .

    Configuration: MS-S1-MAX12US: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB LPDDR5X-8000, 2TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, US power cable

    Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications, current price, availability, warranty, and return terms.

  6. ServeTheHome. The BEST AMD Strix Halo Mini PC Minisforum MS S1 Max. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory, 2TB SSD review system

    Disclosure: The description contains an Amazon affiliate link and does not state how the review unit was obtained.

  7. Level1Techs. Minisforum MS S1 Max AI Review, Benchmarks, and Comfy UI Setup Guide. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory MS-S1 Max review system; installed SSD capacity not stated in narration

    Disclosure: The description does not state how the review unit was obtained and does not contain a retailer affiliate disclosure.

  8. Tech Notice. NOTHING is better than THIS ... AMD is too good! | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX review. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory, 2TB SSD review system

    Disclosure: The description contains product and software affiliate links and does not state how the review unit was obtained.

  9. Jim's Garage. Running LLMs Locally - MinisForum MS-S1 MAX Review. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory, 2TB SSD review system

    Disclosure: The reviewer says in the narration that the device was sent free; the description links MINISFORUM without an affiliate disclosure.

  10. RandomGaminginHD. The Fastest Integrated Graphics Yet - The Radeon 8060S (ft. Minisforum MS-S1 MAX). Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, Radeon 8060S, 128GB LPDDR5X-8000, 2TB SSD review system

    Disclosure: The description links the tested system but does not state how the unit was obtained or include an affiliate disclosure.

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 MS-02 Ultra

  • Supports 128 GB more memory
  • Provides 4 storage slots versus 2
  • Has a manufacturer list price about $3,200 lower

Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max

  • Uses a smaller 3.53 liter enclosure

Verified specifications

Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status

Processor

SpecificationMS-02 UltraMS-S1 Max
CPUIntel Core Ultra 9 285HXAMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395
Cores / threads24 / 2416 / 32
Processor default TDP55 W130 W
Integrated graphicsIntel GraphicsAMD Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 40 compute units

Memory and storage

SpecificationMS-02 UltraMS-S1 Max
Memory typeDDR5-4800 ECC SODIMMLPDDR5X-8000 unified memory
Maximum memory256 GB128 GB
Upgradeable memoryYesNo
Storage slots42

Connectivity

SpecificationMS-02 UltraMS-S1 Max
EthernetDual 25GbE + 10GbE + 2.5GbE2x 10GbE RJ45 (Realtek RTL8127)
WirelessWi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4
USB4YesYes
ThunderboltNoNo

Size and price

SpecificationMS-02 UltraMS-S1 Max
Enclosure volume4.8 liters3.53 liters
List price$1,449$4,649
Product classMini workstationLocal AI and high-speed networking