$3,919 for 128 GB and 2 TB
Or $4,199 with a 4 TB drive, and $2,599 for 64 GB, on Minisforum’s US store on 3 November 2026. The 192 GB P495 is $7,399 and was not taking orders that day.
Minisforum MS-S1 MAX for local AI
The Minisforum MS-S1 MAX is a 2.8 kg Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 mini PC with two 80 Gbps USB4 v2 ports, two 10 GbE ports, a half-height PCIe slot and a 320 W supply inside, made to stand on a desk or lie flat in a 2U rack. The MS-S1 MAX-P495 is the same chassis with the PRO 495 chip and 192 GB.
Made to rack and cluster
A Rack power mode, a header that switches a group of units on and off together, and Minisforum’s own results for two and four linked units.
A slot for half-height cards
The x16 slot is wired at PCIe 4.0 x4 and pitched by Minisforum for capture, storage and network cards. A full-size graphics card does not fit.
MS-S1 MAX specs: what is inside?
The MS-S1 MAX pairs AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 with 64 or 128 GB of LPDDR5X-8000 at 256 GB/s, in an aluminum case of 222 x 206 x 77 mm with its 320 W power supply inside.
| Spec | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX-P495 | Lucebox Zero 495 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395, 16 cores, Radeon 8060S graphics | AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ PRO 495, 16 cores, 40-CU Radeon graphics | AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ PRO 495 and a Radeon AI PRO R9700 card |
| Memory | 64 or 128 GB LPDDR5X-8000 | 192 GB LPDDR5X-8533 | 32 GB on the card, plus 128 GB or 192 GB LPDDR5X-8533 |
| Memory speed | 256 GB/s | 273 GB/s | 640 GB/s on the card, 273 GB/s unified |
| Networking | 2x 10 GbE, Wi-Fi 7 | 2x 10 GbE, Wi-Fi 7 | 10 GbE, Wi-Fi 7, optional 100 GbE cluster kit |
| Ports and expansion | 2x USB4 v2 (80 Gbps), 2x USB4; a full-length PCIe x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2x USB4 v2 (80 Gbps), 2x USB4; a full-length PCIe x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2× USB4, 2× USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2× USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, plus 4 display outputs on the GPU |
| Power | Up to 130 W, 160 W peak; 320 W power supply inside | Up to 120 W, 160 W peak; 320 W power supply inside | 1,000 W power supply, SFX form factor |
| Noise | Not stated | 48 dB at full load in its performance mode, per Minisforum | Not stated |
| Size and weight | 222 x 206 x 77 mm, 2.8 kg; fits a 2U rack | 222 x 206 x 77 mm, 2.8 kg; fits a 2U rack | 340 × 110 × 320 mm, 11.97 L, 6 kg |
| Ships with | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro | Ubuntu Server with the Lucebox engine and models installed |
| Warranty | 2 years | Not stated | 1 year, parts and labor |
| Sources | Minisforum | Minisforum | Lucebox |
MS-S1 MAX ports: USB4 v2 and two 10 GbE
The back of the MS-S1 MAX carries two USB4 v2 ports at 80 Gbps, two 10 GbE ports on Realtek RTL8127 chips, HDMI 2.1, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 and two USB 2.0 ports. The front adds two 40 Gbps USB4 ports, one more USB 3.2 Gen 2, a headset jack and two microphones. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are built in.
Two M.2 slots, one of them slow
The board sits on a tray that slides out, with two M.2 2280 slots of up to 8 TB each and RAID 0 or 1. One slot runs at PCIe 4.0 x4 and the other at PCIe 4.0 x1, a quarter of the lanes, so put the drive that holds your models in the x4 slot.
Cooling and noise in each power mode
Two 80 mm blower fans and six heat pipes cool the chip at up to 130 W sustained and 160 W peak in Performance mode, 95 W in Balanced and 60 W in Quiet. Minisforum measured the P495 at 50 cm under load at 41.6 dB in Quiet, 42 dB in Balanced and 48 dB in Performance. ServeTheHome measured about 43 dBA at 1 m under load on the 395 version and called the acoustics middling.
Power supply, size and warranty
The 320 W supply is inside the case, so there is no brick; ServeTheHome measured 9 to 12 W at idle and about 120 W at full AI load. The MS-S1 MAX weighs 2.8 kg, and Minisforum’s US store gives 2 years of warranty on orders from 1 August 2026.
Can the MS-S1 MAX take a GPU? The PCIe slot
Only a small one: the MS-S1 MAX has a full-length PCIe x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x4, and ServeTheHome found it takes half-height cards only.
Minisforum pitches the slot for capture cards, storage controllers and network adapters, and publishes no power budget for it. ServeTheHome adds that airflow under the card is limited, so pick a card with its own fan, and that the slot was not built for high-performance cards.
That rules out the full-size graphics cards that hold a 27B model in their own memory, such as the 32 GB R9700 in the Lucebox. A faster network card for linking boxes, or a storage controller, is what the slot was made for.
MS-S1 MAX 64 GB or 128 GB?
The 64 GB MS-S1 MAX ($2,599) holds Qwen3.8-27B (15.2 GB) with room to spare; only the 128 GB version ($3,919) holds DeepSeek V4 Flash (101.5 GB) or Qwen3.8-Flash-Next (106.3 GB).
| Model and size | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX, 64 GB64 GB unified | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX, 128 GB128 GB unified | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX-P495192 GB unified | NVIDIA DGX Spark128 GB unified | Lucebox Zero 495, 192 GB32 GB card + 192 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qwen3.8-27B15.2 GB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, on the card |
| DeepSeek V4 Flash101.5 GB | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, card and unified |
| Qwen3.8-Flash-Next106.3 GB | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, card and unified |
| Qwen3.8-27B and DeepSeek V4 Flash at once116.7 GB | No | Just, little room left | Yes | Just, little room left | Yes, card and unified |
| DeepSeek V4.1 Flash190.8 GB | No | No | Just, little room left | No | Yes, card and unified |
Is the 64 GB MS-S1 MAX enough?
For 27B to 32B models, yes. The $2,599 version cannot load the 100B-class models in this table, and its memory is soldered to the board, so buy 128 GB if you may want them later.
The 128 GB MS-S1 MAX with a 4 TB drive
Minisforum added a 128 GB, 4 TB version at $4,199, next to $3,919 for 2 TB (3 November 2026). A 100B-class model file is about 100 GB on disk, so the bigger drive matters if you keep several.
MS-S1 MAX-P495: the 192 GB version
The MS-S1 MAX-P495 is the same chassis with AMD’s Ryzen AI MAX+ PRO 495 and 192 GB of LPDDR5X-8533 at 273 GB/s, listed at $7,399 (a sale price, $9,249 regular) on Minisforum’s US store, where it could not be ordered on 3 November 2026.
Minisforum unveiled it at IFA on 4 September 2026 and sells it as a single 192 GB version with a 2 TB drive. Up to 160 GB of the 192 GB can be set aside as graphics memory, per Minisforum, and Performance mode holds 120 W sustained, against 130 W on the 395 version, with the same 160 W peak.
192 GB is what DeepSeek V4.1 Flash needs: about 191 GB at 2 bits, which no 128 GB box holds. On the same PRO 495 chip, Framework measured 16 tok/s writing it with a 32K prompt.
How fast is the MS-S1 MAX for AI?
The MS-S1 MAX’s 395 chip wrote DeepSeek V4 Flash at 41.9 tok/s with drafting in our lab and Qwen3.8-Flash-Next at 51.39 tok/s on LocalMaxxing, and the P495’s PRO 495 chip wrote DeepSeek V4.1 Flash at 16 tok/s in Framework’s run. None of the three was made on an MS-S1 MAX; the other runs are in the full Strix Halo speed table.
Model
Measure
These runs differ in engine, file or prompt. Drafting speeds some prompts far more than others.
These runs differ in engine, file or prompt. Drafting speeds some prompts far more than others.
These runs differ in engine, file or prompt. Drafting speeds some prompts far more than others.
Is the MS-S1 MAX faster than other 395 boxes?
A little, in ServeTheHome’s tests, where it beat the other Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 systems it had reviewed in GPU and multi-thread work. Its Performance mode allows 130 W sustained, where the GTR9 Pro, EVO-X2 and Framework Desktop list 120 W. Token speed is still set mostly by the memory, the same 256 GB/s on every 395 box.
Minisforum MS-S1 MAX price
The Minisforum MS-S1 MAX costs $2,599 with 64 GB and $3,919 with 128 GB, each with a 2 TB drive and Windows 11 Pro, and $4,199 with 128 GB and 4 TB, on Minisforum’s US store on 3 November 2026.
| Machine | Memory | Bandwidth, GB/s | Software | US price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA GB10 | ||||
| NVIDIA DGX Spark | 128 GB | 273 | CUDA | $6,950 to $6,995 |
| AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ | ||||
| Minisforum MS-S1 MAX | 64 or 128 GB | 256 | ROCm, Vulkan | 64 GB: $2,599 in stock 128 GB: $3,919 backordered |
| Minisforum MS-S1 MAX-P495 A sale price; $9,249 regular. | 192 GB | 273 | ROCm, Vulkan | $7,399 out of stock |
| Lucebox | ||||
| Lucebox Zero 495, 128 GB | 32 GB on the GPU + 128 GB | 640 / 273 | ROCm, Vulkan | $5,999 |
| Lucebox Zero 495, 192 GB | 32 GB on the GPU + 192 GB | 640 / 273 | ROCm, Vulkan | $8,199 |
US prices read on 30 and 31 October 2026.
MS-S1 MAX price history
Liliputing reported a $2,299 launch price in September 2025, and ServeTheHome put the 128 GB version at $2,900 to $3,000 in January 2026. By 3 November 2026 the same 128 GB, 2 TB box was $3,919, listed as a sale price against $4,899 regular. If you are reading older reviews or Reddit threads, check the date on any price you see.
Minisforum MS-S1 MAX alternatives
At the MS-S1 MAX’s 128 GB price, the closest rival is the Framework Desktop, the other 395 box with a PCIe slot, and the Lucebox Zero 495 is the one with a graphics card inside. Every machine we compare is on the hub.
Model
Rank by
Our pick
Lucebox Zero 495, 128 GB
- Holds DeepSeek V4 Flash (101.5 GB) across the 32 GB card and 128 GB of unified memory.
- Writes it at 51.1 tok/s on our earlier 395 build, drafting on (our lab).
- $5,999, right at your budget.
Also consider
Framework Desktop (Ryzen AI MAX+ 395), 128 GB
- Holds DeepSeek V4 Flash (101.5 GB) in 128 GB of unified memory.
- Writes it at 41.9 tok/s on another box with the same chip, drafting on (our lab).
- $3,449, $2,550 under your budget.
We make the Lucebox. It is ranked by the same rule as every other row; a run marked “on our earlier 395 build” comes from the previous Lucebox, with the same R9700 card.
- Lucebox Zero 495, 128 GB32 GB card + 128 GBCard + unified 63% used273 GB/s51.1 tok/s drafting on, our lab, on our earlier 395 build
- Framework Desktop (Ryzen AI MAX+ 395), 128 GB128 GB unifiedFits 79% used256 GB/s41.9 tok/s drafting on, our lab, on another box with the same chip
- Minisforum MS-S1 MAX, 128 GB128 GB unifiedFits 79% used256 GB/s41.9 tok/s drafting on, our lab, on another box with the same chip
The pick holds the model with room for the prompt, fits your budget and has the fastest run we can link to. Runs with drafting rank against each other first, then runs without it, then machines with no run, by memory speed. The amber band is the Lucebox's 32 GB card.
MS-S1 MAX review: who should buy one?
The MS-S1 MAX suits buyers who will link several boxes or rack them and want 10 GbE and USB4 v2 without adapters; ServeTheHome called it the best Ryzen AI MAX mini PC it had tested, in January 2026.
Buy one if
- You want to stack boxes: two 80 Gbps USB4 v2 ports and two 10 GbE ports link them, and the case lies flat in a 2U shelf.
- You want a network or storage card inside the case, in the half-height PCIe slot.
- You need 192 GB on one chip and can wait for the P495 to come back in stock.
Look elsewhere if
- You want the cheapest 128 GB box on this chip: the GMKtec EVO-X2 was $3,500.
- You planned to put a full-size graphics card in the slot: it takes half-height cards only.
- You want a quiet box on your desk under full load: ServeTheHome rated its acoustics middling.
MS-S1 MAX vs Lucebox Zero 495: where each fits
The Lucebox Zero 495 is a workstation with the same PRO 495 chip as the P495 plus a 32 GB Radeon AI PRO R9700 graphics card, the kind of card the MS-S1 MAX’s half-height slot cannot take.
We make the Lucebox Zero 495, so read this box as ours.
Where it fits
- DeepSeek V4.1 Flash on 192 GB: the Lucebox wrote it at 33 tok/s with a 32K prompt, where the PRO 495 chip alone did 16 in Framework’s run.
- Qwen3.8-27B on the R9700 card: 303.38 tok/s with drafting on a short code prompt (36.7 without) on LocalMaxxing, 2.9x the 395 chip on the same engine and file, with the unified memory left for a second model (2.6x without drafting).
- The models come installed, with the Lucebox engine on Ubuntu.
Where it doesn't
- The MS-S1 MAX costs less for 128 GB: $3,919 against $5,999.
- You want two 10 GbE ports and USB4 v2 on the box; the Lucebox has one 10 GbE port.
- You want a 2.8 kg box for a 2U rack; the Lucebox case is 11.97 L and 6 kg.
From $5,999, delivered from January 2027. See the hardware Configure and order
More local AI hardware comparisons
NVIDIA DGX Spark
AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ boxes
- DGX Spark vs Strix Halo Close on memory speed, about half the price, CUDA only on the Spark.
- Framework Desktop The same chip as the cheaper boxes, in a small case you can build.
- GMKtec EVO-X2 AI mini PC One of the cheapest 128 GB Strix Halo boxes, with 64 GB as an option.
- Beelink GTR9 Pro A 128 GB Strix Halo box with two 10 GbE ports.
- Corsair AI Workstation 300 Strix Halo from a big US brand, in stock.
Apple Mac Studio
MS-S1 MAX FAQ
How much does the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX cost?
The Minisforum MS-S1 MAX is $2,599 with 64 GB and $3,919 with 128 GB, both with a 2 TB drive, on Minisforum’s US store (31 October 2026). A 128 GB version with 4 TB was $4,199 on 3 November, and the 192 GB MS-S1 MAX-P495 is $7,399.
Can the MS-S1 MAX take a graphics card?
The MS-S1 MAX takes only a half-height card. Its slot is x16 in size but wired at PCIe 4.0 x4, ServeTheHome found room for half-height cards only, and Minisforum names capture cards, storage controllers and network adapters for it, with no slot power figure.
MS-S1 MAX or Framework Desktop?
The MS-S1 MAX comes built, with Windows 11 Pro, a 2 TB drive, two 10 GbE ports and two 80 Gbps USB4 v2 ports, for $3,919 with 128 GB. The Framework Desktop 395 is a kit at $3,449 with no drive or OS, one 5 GbE port and a PCIe x4 slot the standard case keeps closed, and was out of stock on 31 October 2026.
Can you cluster two MS-S1 MAX?
Two MS-S1 MAX can be clustered, and Minisforum publishes its own results: two units ran a 235B model at Q4 at 10.87 tok/s, four in a 2U rack ran DeepSeek-R1 671B at Q4_0 (380 GB), and two P495 units ran Qwen3.5-397B at 16 tok/s. A cascade power-on header switches the group on and off together; Minisforum does not say whether the units were linked over USB4 v2 or 10 GbE.
MS-S1 MAX or DGX Spark?
The DGX Spark costs $6,950 for 128 GB, runs CUDA and has a 200 Gbps ConnectX-7 port for linking a second Spark. The MS-S1 MAX costs $3,919 for 128 GB, runs ROCm and Vulkan with 256 GB/s of memory speed against the Spark’s 273, and adds a PCIe slot the Spark does not have.