MINISFORUM MS-03 vs MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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MINISFORUM MS-03
Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US, Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD, US
Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.
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1Is it fast for normal work?
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 -
PCMark 10 Not available
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Business workload fit Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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PCMark system performance Not available
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Proxmox compatibility check Not available
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PCMark 10 6864 points
Notebookcheck measured 6,864 points in PCMark 10 on its same-hardware Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB, and 1TB configuration.
PCMark 10 Standard · Same-hardware regional configuration; Windows 11 Pro
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Business workload fit Responsive office use
Tom's Guide used the Core Ultra 7 and 32GB configuration for a week of writing, browser research, image handling, dual-monitor work, and local Copilot voice tasks, and described it as responsive for that office-focused workload.
One-week office and dual-monitor use · Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB LPDDR5X review configuration
Tom's Guide
2Can it handle sustained work?
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 -
Cinebench R15 multi-core loop Not available
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Cinebench 2024 multi-core Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread Not available
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Cinebench R15 multi-core loop 1475 points
Notebookcheck measured a 1,475-point average across its Cinebench R15 multi-core loop, with runs ranging from about 1,459 to 1,488 points.
Cinebench R15 multi-core loop · Performance mode; same-hardware Core Ultra 7 258V/32GB/1TB configuration
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Cinebench 2024 multi-core 419 points
MW Technology reported approximately 419 points in Cinebench 2024 multi-core on the exact Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB, and 1TB hardware configuration.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core · Sponsored review; exact processor, memory, and storage configuration
MW Technology · 7:25
3Can it game?
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 -
Cyberpunk 2077 Not available
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Cyberpunk 2077 with XeSS Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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3DMark Night Raid integrated graphics Not available
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3DMark Steel Nomad Light frame rate Not available
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Cyberpunk 2077 33.9 fps
Notebookcheck measured 33.9 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1920x1080 using the Low preset with FSR disabled. It also observed GPU clocks cycling between 800 and 1,950MHz, producing unstable frame times despite the average result.
Cyberpunk 2077 · 1920x1080, Low preset, FSR off; same-hardware regional configuration
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Cyberpunk 2077 with XeSS 63 fps
ETA PRIME reported a 63 fps average in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Medium with XeSS Balanced, while noting occasional dips below 60 fps.
Cyberpunk 2077 · 1920x1080, Medium preset, XeSS Balanced; Core Ultra 7 258V and 32GB configuration
ETA PRIME · 9:59
4Is it loud or hot?
MINISFORUM MS-03
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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 -
Maximum load sound level Not available
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Prime95 CPU temperature Not available
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Independent thermal cross-check Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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Reviewer fan-noise observation Not available
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Manufacturer acoustic range Not available
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Maximum load sound level 49.2 dBA
Notebookcheck measured a maximum of 49.2 dBA under load in Performance mode. Its Silent mode hovered near 25 dBA, while Performance mode idled around 36 dBA.
Maximum load-noise test · 15cm measurement distance; 24.8 dBA ambient; same-hardware regional configuration
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Prime95 CPU temperature 66 C
Notebookcheck measured the CPU stabilizing at 66 C and about 38W package power during Prime95, with the processor holding approximately 3.2GHz.
Prime95 CPU stress · Performance mode; same-hardware regional configuration
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Independent thermal cross-check 70 C sustained
MW Technology ran Prime95 for roughly two hours and reported a brief 91 C peak, about 70 C sustained temperature, and low-40-dBA ambient-inclusive noise at full load.
Two-hour Prime95 run · Sponsored review; exact processor, memory, and storage configuration
MW Technology
5How much electricity does it use?
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 -
Average idle wall power Not available
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Prime95 wall power Not available
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Power-save idle cross-check Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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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
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Average idle wall power 5.7 W
Notebookcheck measured an average of 5.7 W at the wall during a one-minute idle test, with readings from 2.9 to 10.2 W.
Windows idle · One-minute external-monitor test; same-hardware regional configuration
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Prime95 wall power 49.7 W
Notebookcheck measured 49.7 W average wall power in Prime95 after a 60 W startup spike.
Prime95 V2810 stress · External monitor; 36.7-60W measured range; same-hardware regional configuration
Notebookcheck · 0:00 -
Power-save idle cross-check About 5.6 W
Level1Techs reduced its Core Ultra 7 and 32GB unit to about 5.6 W at idle in power-save mode for a planned always-on mobile crash-cart deployment.
Power-save idle · Core Ultra 7 258V and 32GB configuration
Level1Techs
6Can I upgrade and connect everything?
MINISFORUM MS-03
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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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 -
Thunderbolt 4 is present Not available
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Single storage slot Not available
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Business-oriented I/O Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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Memory is upgradeable No
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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USB4 is present Not available
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Internal expansion Not available
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Thunderbolt 4 is present Yes
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Single storage slot 1x replaceable M.2 2280
Tom's Guide opened the chassis and confirmed that the included M.2 2280 drive can be replaced, but there is no second M.2 storage slot. The four underside screws double as the feet and provide straightforward access.
Hands-on teardown and upgrade check · Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB review configuration
Tom's Guide -
Business-oriented I/O 2x TB4 plus dual 2.5GbE
The exact US model combines two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two 10Gbps front USB-A ports, two rear USB 2.0 ports, HDMI 2.1, two 2.5GbE ports, microSD, VESA mounting, and an external power-switch header.
Manufacturer port specification · Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
MSI
7Is it good value?
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 -
Current US retail price Not available
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Amazon availability Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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Configured list price Not available
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Current US retail price $1,249.99
Best Buy listed the exact 2MG-019US for $1,249.99, reduced from $1,399.99, and sold by MSI Computer Corp when checked.
Exact-retail-configuration price check · Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro
Best Buy -
Amazon availability No verified exact ASIN
Level1Techs linked ASIN B0FHB1RJZC, but Amazon did not expose enough current product identity to independently verify the title and 019US configuration. The catalog therefore leaves the Amazon fields null.
Exact-ASIN identity check · 2MG-019US, CubNUCAI2MG019
Level1Techs
8Will it be dependable?
MINISFORUM MS-03
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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 -
Advanced-replacement warranty Not available
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24/7 qualification Not available
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Repairability tradeoff Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
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Seller warranty Not available
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Short-term review only Not available
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Advanced-replacement warranty 3 years
MSI lists a three-year advanced-replacement warranty for the exact US retail SKU, a longer and more deployment-focused term than the one-year coverage common among consumer mini PCs.
Manufacturer warranty check · Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
MSI -
24/7 qualification Manufacturer-qualified for 24/7 use
MSI says the Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG family is qualified for 24/7 operation and cites more than 246,000 hours of mean time between failures. This is a manufacturer reliability claim, not an independent long-term failure-rate measurement.
Manufacturer reliability documentation · Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG family
MSI -
Repairability tradeoff SSD serviceable; RAM fixed
The SSD and wireless module are serviceable, but the processor-package memory is permanently fixed. A memory failure therefore requires motherboard-level service rather than a DIMM replacement.
Teardown and component-access review · Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB configuration
Tom's Guide
References
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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.
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MSI. Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US Specifications. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US, part CubNUCAI2MG019: Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB LPDDR5X-8533, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, Black, US
Disclosure: Manufacturer specification, gallery, warranty, and family reliability claims. Exact US SKU details were cross-checked against MSI's downloadable 019US specification sheet.
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Best Buy. MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: 2MG-019US: Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB memory, 1TB SSD, Black
Disclosure: Retail price and seller check; listing was sold and shipped by MSI Computer Corp.
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Notebookcheck. MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG review: Straightforward mini PC for business. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140V, 32GB LPDDR5X, 1TB Phison ESR01TBTCCZ-27J SSD; regional retail suffix not stated
Disclosure: The test unit was loaned by the manufacturer or retailer. Notebookcheck says the lender had no influence, received no advance copy, and imposed no publication obligation.
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MW Technology. MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG - Best Mini Windows PC?. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140V, 32GB LPDDR5X, 1TB SSD; Canadian review unit
Disclosure: The reviewer states that the channel partnered with MSI and explicitly calls the coverage sponsored while saying the partnership did not change its opinions.
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ETA PRIME. MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG Review - Compact Copilot+ PC w/ Intel Core Ultra & AI Boost. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140V, 32GB LPDDR5X-8533; storage and retail suffix not stated in the cited segment
Disclosure: The description discloses affiliate links. The source of the review unit and any manufacturer preview relationship were not stated.
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Level1Techs. Showcasing the New MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG on the Server Crash Cart!. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140V, 32GB LPDDR5X; storage and retail suffix not stated
Disclosure: The description contains a tagged Amazon product link. The unit source and manufacturer relationship were not stated.
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Tom's Guide. I tried my first Copilot+ mini PC and it made using AI for work feel natural and not just a gimmick. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 7 258V, Arc 140V, 32GB LPDDR5X; exact storage capacity and US retail suffix not stated in the accessible article text
Disclosure: Tom's Guide describes a review unit that had to be wiped and returned. The article contains retailer deal links; no sponsored-content label was found.
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-03
- Supports 96 GB more memory
- Provides 3 storage slots versus 1
Higher listed specifications for MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US
- Uses a smaller 0.826 liter enclosure
- Has a manufacturer list price about $499 lower
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
| Cores / threads | 16 / 16 | 8 / 8 |
| Processor default TDP | 25 W | 17 W |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Graphics | Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics |
Memory and storage
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 memory on package |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 32 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | Yes | No |
| Storage slots | 3 | 1 |
Connectivity
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Dual 10GbE SFP+ + 10GbE RJ45 + 2.5GbE RJ45 | 2x Intel I226-V 2.5GbE RJ45 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 + Bluetooth 5.3 |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | No | Yes |
Size and price
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG-019US |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 1.78 liters | 0.826 liters |
| List price | $1,899 | $1,400 |
| Product class | Virtualization and high-speed networking | Low-power business desktops and dual-network deployments |