MINISFORUM MS-03 vs MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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MINISFORUM MS-03
Core Ultra 9 386H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
Core Ultra 9 386H / 16GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD / Windows 11 Pro
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
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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PCMark system performance Not available
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Proxmox compatibility check Not available
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
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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3DMark CPU Profile multi-thread Not available
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
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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3DMark Night Raid integrated graphics Not available
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3DMark Steel Nomad Light frame rate Not available
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
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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Reviewer fan-noise observation Not available
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Manufacturer acoustic range Not available
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
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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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
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 -
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 -
Security lock also restricts bottom access Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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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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Reviewer expansion caveat Not available
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Security lock also restricts bottom access
Level1Techs showed that the Kensington lock opening also secures the bottom cover, restricting access to memory and storage. The reviewed unit had 32GB memory rather than this SKU’s 16GB.
Level1Techs · 1:13
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 -
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
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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Configured list price Not available
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Reviewer value tradeoff Not available
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 -
Network boot stack was disabled by default Not available
MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
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Seller warranty Not available
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Short-term review only Not available
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Network boot stack was disabled by default
Level1Techs showed the UEFI network stack disabled in BIOS EB211IMS.1A20 and explained that it must be enabled for network boot. Firmware defaults can change.
Level1Techs · 8:17
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+ 3MG US SKU specifications. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 386H / 16GB DDR5 / 1TB SSD / Windows 11 Pro
Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications; no MiniPCBench measurements.
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Level1Techs. Finally! Panther Lake! A Quick Look at the Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 386H / 32GB DDR5-5600 / 1TB Phison SSD / Windows 11 Pro. BIOS EB211IMS.1A20 dated March 4, 2026 shown. Power profile unconfirmed.
Disclosure: Reviewer thanks MSI for access to the hardware; whether the unit was loaned or retained is unclear. Affiliate link disclosed.
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 32 GB more memory
- Provides 3 storage slots versus 1
Higher listed specifications for MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG
- Uses a smaller 0.51 liter enclosure
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |
| Cores / threads | 16 / 16 | 16 / 16 |
| Processor default TDP | 25 W | Not disclosed |
| Integrated graphics | Intel Graphics | Intel Graphics |
Memory and storage
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | DDR5 SO-DIMM |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 96 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | Yes | Yes |
| Storage slots | 3 | 1 |
Connectivity
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Dual 10GbE SFP+ + 10GbE RJ45 + 2.5GbE RJ45 | 2 x Intel I226-V 2.5GbE |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6 | Wi-Fi 7; adapter model and Bluetooth version unconfirmed for this SKU |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | No | Yes |
Size and price
| Specification | MS-03 | Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 1.78 liters | 0.51 liters |
| List price | $1,899 | Not published |
| Product class | Virtualization and high-speed networking | Not assigned |