Minisforum MS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX)

Minisforum MS-A2 (Ryzen 9 9955HX)

A 16-core homelab box with dual 10G SFP+, a PCIe slot and U.2 support that ServeTheHome rates as best of its class.

  • AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (16 cores, 32 threads)
  • 10 GbE
  • 1.78 L

PCPR score

8.4

Great

Best price we’ve seen

$799Nov 9

Checked recently. Confirm at the retailer.

R1

The short version

The MS-A2 is a 1.78-liter workstation built around AMD's 16-core Ryzen 9 9955HX with two 10G SFP+ ports, two 2.5GbE ports, a PCIe x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x8 and U.2 NVMe support. ServeTheHome rates it the leading homelab node of its size, though its fans are audible under load and it lacks ECC support and capable built-in graphics. Memory and storage are user-upgradable with two SO-DIMM slots and three M.2 slots, and it uses an external 19 V adapter.

Pros

  • Up to 16-core Zen 5 Ryzen 9 9955HX in a 1.78-liter chassis
  • Dual 10G SFP+ (Intel X710) plus dual 2.5GbE networking
  • Physical PCIe x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x8, splittable into two x4 links
  • Three M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots including one that accepts U.2 NVMe drives up to 15TB
  • Socketed DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM memory up to 96GB

Cons

  • Fans are audible under load, per ServeTheHome
  • No ECC support, per ServeTheHome
  • Weak Radeon 610M graphics mean AI or gaming work needs an add-in or external GPU
  • External 19 V, 12.63 A power adapter

Best for

  • Home lab virtualization nodes
  • 10-gigabit network appliances and storage servers

SYS1

Configurations

ConfigurationProcessorGraphicsMemoryStoragePrice
Ryzen 9 9955HX · BareboneAMD Ryzen 9 9955HXAMD Radeon 610M——$799
Ryzen 9 9955HX · 32GB · 1TB (ships early December)AMD Ryzen 9 9955HXAMD Radeon 610M32 GB1 TB$1,335
Ryzen 9 9955HX · 64GB · 1TB (ships early December)AMD Ryzen 9 9955HXAMD Radeon 610M64 GB1 TB$1,783

J5

What you can upgrade later

Memory

Unconfirmed

The maker doesn’t publish its slot layout. Check before buying more memory.

Browse memory

Storage

Unconfirmed

Free storage slots aren’t published for this model.

Browse storage

Graphics card

Unconfirmed

Maximum card length isn’t published.

Browse graphics card

Processor

Unconfirmed

A drop-in upgrade depends on the socket and the maker’s BIOS. Check the board before buying a CPU.

Browse processor

Power supply

Unconfirmed

The maker doesn’t say whether the PSU is standard.

Browse power supply

Motherboard

Unconfirmed

The maker doesn’t say whether the board is standard.

Browse motherboard

J3

Full specifications

Core

Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX (16 cores, 32 threads)
Graphics
AMD Radeon 610M

Memory

Memory type
DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots)
Max memory
96 GB

Fit

Memory upgradable
Yes
M.2 slots
3

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Ethernet
10 GbE

Ports & I/O

USB4 ports
0
HDMI outputs
1
DisplayPort outputs
0

Physical

Volume
1.78 L
Weight
1.4 kg

Software

Operating system
None

Compatibility notes

  • Barebone configuration includes no RAM, SSD or operating system
  • Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots: DDR5-5600 with Ryzen 9000 CPUs, DDR5-5200 with Ryzen 7000 CPUs, 96GB maximum per Minisforum
  • One M.2 2280/U.2 slot up to 15TB, plus two M.2 2280/22110 slots up to 4TB that default to PCIe 3.0 x4 and can be set to 4.0 x4 in BIOS
  • Physical PCIe x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x8 for graphics or network cards
  • External 19 V, 12.63 A power adapter; body measures 196 x 189 x 48 mm

P1

Where to buy

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. Prices move quickly, so confirm the final price at the retailer.

AV1

Video reviews

Positive · Review

Homelab Perfection Minisforum MS-A2

ServeTheHome

ServeTheHome's video review treats the MS-A2 as a homelab system for traditional compute, covering its 10GbE and 2.5GbE networking, NVMe storage and PCIe expansion.

Positive · Benchmarks

Small Form Factor Workstation: Reviewing and Benchmarking the Minisforum MS-A2

Level1Techs

Level1Techs reviews and benchmarks the MS-A2 as a compact workstation that could also serve as a mini home server.

AV2

What reviewers and owners say

  • ServeTheHome

    Positive

    Considers it the leading homelab machine of its size for 16-core compute, 10GbE networking and PCIe expansion, while noting fan noise under load and the absence of ECC or capable built-in graphics.

Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.

R9

Common questions

Does the MS-A2 include RAM and storage?

The barebone version ships without memory, SSD or operating system. Minisforum also sells preconfigured versions, and all memory and storage slots are user-accessible.

What can go in the PCIe slot?

Minisforum describes a physical x16 slot wired at PCIe 4.0 x8 that can be split into two x4 links for graphics or network cards.

How many NVMe drives fit?

Three: one M.2 2280 or U.2 slot supporting drives up to 15TB, plus two M.2 2280 or 22110 slots. Those two default to PCIe 3.0 x4 and can be raised to 4.0 x4 in the BIOS.

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