Minisforum MS-R1 POWERHOUSE ARM Mini PC

Last updated on 23 May 2025 📧 Subscribe
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1 Minisforum Reveal the MS-R1 PCIe Gen4 ARM Mini PC
1.1 Minisforum MS-R1 PC Hardware Specifications
1.2 Why the Minsforum MS-R1 is a Big Deal?
1.3 When will the Minisforum MS-R1 Be Released and Price?
2 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Minisforum Reveal the MS-R1 PCIe Gen4 ARM Mini PC

At Computex 2025 in Taipei, Minisforum introduced the MS-R1 — a new class of mini PC that marks a distinct departure from its usual reliance on x86 architecture. This compact system is built around the ARM-based CIX P1 processor, an emerging 12-core chip aimed at redefining performance standards for ARM in desktop computing. The MS-R1 combines this processor with dual 10GbE networking, PCIe Gen 4 expansion, and up to 64GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory — all within a chassis under 5 cm thick. Unlike traditional Minisforum models that have leaned on AMD Ryzen or Intel Core platforms, this system positions itself as a versatile option for edge computing, AI acceleration, and lightweight server tasks.

The MS-R1 is clearly still in development, but its early prototype already suggests Minisforum is exploring wider horizons beyond conventional desktop replacement PCs. It leverages many of the strengths typically associated with ARM — such as power efficiency and thermally lightweight design — while mitigating common limitations through generous I/O and expansion capabilities. Whether this signals a broader shift in the company’s product direction remains to be seen, but the MS-R1 offers an intriguing glimpse into how ARM-based platforms might coexist with, or even challenge, traditional x86 solutions in the years ahead.

Minisforum MS-R1 PC Hardware Specifications

The Minisforum MS-R1 is equipped with the newly announced CIX P1 (CP8180) processor, a 12-core, 12-thread ARM-based SoC built on the ARMv9.2-A architecture. Manufactured using a 6nm process, the CPU combines eight performance cores and four efficiency cores, operating at up to 2.6 GHz. It is complemented by a 10-core Arm Immortalis GPU, likely the G720 series, which supports advanced graphical output and light AI rendering. Additionally, the chip includes a 30 TOPS-capable neural processing unit (NPU), bringing the total onboard AI compute power to 45 TOPS. This SoC runs Linux systems with kernel 6.6 or later and offers a UEFI-compatible BIOS with ACPI support — a rare but increasingly essential feature for ARM-based systems targeting general desktop or server use.

Component Details
CPU CIX P1 (CP8180) – 12-core (8P + 4E), ARMv9.2-A, up to 2.6 GHz
Process Node 6nm
GPU Arm Immortalis (10-core) – likely G720 series
NPU 30 TOPS (Total AI: 45 TOPS)
RAM 64GB LPDDR5 (128-bit, onboard/soldered, non-upgradable)
Storage Expansion 1 × M.2 2280/22110 NVMe (PCIe 4.0 x4, up to 4TB)
Wireless M.2 2230 slot – Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2
Display Output 1 × HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), 2 × USB-C (Alt DP1.4, 8K@60Hz support)
Audio Output HDMI, USB-C (Alt DP), 1 × 3.5mm combo audio jack
PCIe Expansion 1 × PCIe x16 slot (wired as PCIe 4.0 x8)
Ethernet 2 × 10GbE (Copper RJ45)
USB Ports (Rear) 2 × USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (10Gbps), 2 × USB 2.0
USB Ports (Front) 1 × USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A (5Gbps), 2 × USB 2.0
Power DC-IN (19V / 9.47A)
OS Support Linux kernel 6.6+, UEFI BIOS with ACPI standard
Chassis Dimensions 195.6 × 189 × 48 mm
The MS-R1 includes 64GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory configured in a 128-bit arrangement. The memory is soldered and therefore non-user-upgradable, though the capacity and bandwidth are positioned to meet the needs of multitasking and light-to-midweight computational tasks, including AI inference. For primary storage, the system features a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot compatible with both 2280 and 22110-length NVMe SSDs, supporting drives up to 4TB. In addition to internal storage, a separate M.2 2230 slot provides wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 modules. On the video output side, the device supports HDMI 2.0 (4K at 60Hz) and two USB Type-C ports with DisplayPort 1.4 alternate mode — one of which is capable of up to 8K at 60Hz, enabling high-resolution display setups in professional or creative environments.

Where the MS-R1 notably differentiates itself is in its high-speed I/O and expandability. Dual 10GbE copper LAN ports deliver enterprise-grade networking capability, especially valuable for file servers, edge compute nodes, or hybrid NAS use cases. A full-length PCIe x16 slot (operating at PCIe 4.0 x8 bandwidth) offers GPU or accelerator card support, effectively bridging the gap between ARM architecture and discrete compute expansion — something still rare in this space. USB connectivity is ample: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A on the rear, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Type-A on the front, and four USB 2.0 ports split across the front and rear. Audio is handled via HDMI, the DisplayPort-enabled Type-C ports, and a 3.5mm combo jack. Power is supplied via a 19V barrel-type DC-IN jack rated at 9.47A, and the device is controlled by a front-facing LED-lit power button. Despite its compact 195.6 × 189 × 48mm footprint, the MS-R1 integrates a surprising breadth of features for ARM-based edge computing in a mini PC form factor.

Why the Minsforum MS-R1 is a Big Deal?

The MS-R1 stands out primarily because it brings ARM architecture into a domain traditionally dominated by x86 processors — compact desktop systems with high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and broad OS compatibility. ARM chips have long been associated with mobile, embedded, and power-efficient use cases, but they have rarely offered the kind of performance, I/O, and system flexibility seen in x86-based mini PCs. With the CIX P1 SoC, the MS-R1 challenges that assumption. It pairs a 12-core CPU (based on the ARMv9.2-A standard) with a 10-core GPU and an NPU capable of 30 TOPS, totaling 45 TOPS of AI compute. This puts it within reach of edge AI tasks, containerized application hosting, or lightweight virtualization. It’s also rare to see an ARM system with UEFI BIOS support, which enables compatibility with a wide range of Linux distributions and other OS environments — removing a common barrier for general users or developers.

Another reason the MS-R1 matters is its hardware-level ambition. While many ARM-based devices are limited in I/O and expansion, this system includes two 10GbE ports and a PCIe Gen 4 x8 slot — enabling add-in graphics cards or accelerators, typically absent in ARM ecosystems. Combined with onboard LPDDR5 RAM and NVMe Gen 4 storage, the MS-R1 begins to resemble a standard workstation or edge server in capability. Minisforum’s decision to use the CIX P1 processor, which is likely based on licensable Arm Cortex designs and built for a Chinese market increasingly focused on domestic alternatives, reflects both a strategic and technical shift. It also comes at a time when ARM is being seriously considered for broader computing roles, particularly in energy-efficient high-performance setups. The MS-R1 doesn’t just experiment with ARM—it places it in a form factor, price tier, and feature set that could realistically serve prosumers, developers, and small enterprise users.

When will the Minisforum MS-R1 Be Released and Price?

The Minisforum MS-R1 is not just another compact system — it’s a deliberate move into new territory for the brand. By integrating an ARMv9 SoC with high-speed networking, PCIe expansion, and a mature BIOS environment, the MS-R1 challenges preconceptions about what ARM-based mini PCs can deliver. While still in early development, it already positions itself as a potential edge server, AI inference node, or Linux-based workstation. Its soldered LPDDR5 memory, limited to 64GB, and single NVMe slot may limit flexibility in some use cases, but the inclusion of dual 10GbE and PCIe Gen 4 support compensate with substantial throughput potential. It is not yet clear how the market will respond to such a hybrid product — one that crosses lines between embedded computing and traditional desktops — but it’s an important experiment in bringing ARM computing to mainstream deployment environments.

Minisforum’s broader product roadmap at Computex 2025 suggests that the MS-R1 is just one piece of a larger diversification strategy. Alongside it, the company showcased the upcoming N5 Pro — a Ryzen 9-based NAS/PC hybrid with ECC memory support — and the G1 Pro, a small form factor system housing up to RTX 5060-class graphics and 120W CPUs. These products collectively show the company’s intent to cover multiple tiers of performance and deployment, from ARM-powered edge systems to x86-based content creation rigs.

Component G1 G1 Pro
CPU AMD Ryzen™ 9 8940HX AMD Ryzen™ 9 9895HX (Higher TDP / Performance Tier)
CPU TDP Up to 100W Up to 100W
GPU NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU (120W) NVIDIA RTX 5060 Laptop GPU (120W)
Memory Likely DDR5 SODIMM (config/details not yet confirmed) Likely DDR5 SODIMM (config/details not yet confirmed)
Storage Expansion 2 × M.2 NVMe (PCIe Gen 4) 2 × M.2 NVMe (PCIe Gen 4)
Wireless Wi-Fi (generation not specified), Bluetooth supported Wi-Fi (generation not specified), Bluetooth supported
Power Supply 550W Built-in PSU 550W Built-in PSU
Chassis Volume Approx. 3.9L (small form factor enclosure) Approx. 3.9L (small form factor enclosure)
Cooling Likely air cooling with dual-fan or vapor chamber (TBD) Likely air cooling with dual-fan or vapor chamber (TBD)
Software Minisforum Control Center app support Minisforum Control Center app support
Lighting Adjustable RGB Lighting Adjustable RGB Lighting
Use Case Compact gaming / creator PC Higher-tier gaming / GPU compute mini system

Whether or not the MS-R1 reaches widespread adoption, it represents a notable shift toward ARM’s growing viability outside mobile and embedded contexts. It’s a signal that the boundary between ARM and x86 in high-performance personal computing may continue to blur in the years ahead.

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      77 thoughts on “Minisforum MS-R1 POWERHOUSE ARM Mini PC”

      52. they could sell the nas case as separate optional for every ms-xx mini pc
        it will be amazing! so i can choose or already have the intel ms-01 and transform it into a nas, or buy the ms (i don t remember the model) without the the amd cpu, add a ryzen/epyc 4or 5000 with ecc ram and slide it into the nas case..
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      55. That Minisforum (Atomman) “Gaming PC” is useless. They gimped it with a RTX5060 with only 8GB of VRAM so it cant support any modern games with high textures. It stutters and in many cases crash. Performance is about the same as current Minisforum G7 PT with the RX7600M that has only 8GB too… It’s not an upgrade at all. The smart thing to do would have been to use low cost / low power RX 7800M with 12GB or RTX 4080m with 16GB of VRAM as the entry configuration at a good price, and then offer a “top end” flagship model with the mobile version of RTX 5090 with 24GB VRAM but running with higher power & cooling over competing Laptops. This would give gamers a compact, quiet, cool system equal or better than a desktop RTX 5080Ti in performance but be more capable for running AI locally with the extra memory… Winner!
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      60. Ministorum definitely has some cool stuff with their mobos & upcoming stuff mentioned in this video, however their support supposedly is not that great when something goes wrong. Requiring users to ship defects back to them – in China
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