Minisforum MS-A1 refresh released with curious AMD Ryzen 9 9950X processor change

Minisforum has offered the MS-A1 exclusively with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G APU so far or as a barebones unit without a CPU (curr. $255.99 on Amazon). For reference, the Ryzen 7 8700G features eight Zen 4 that can reach 5.1 GHz on a 65 W TDP. Additionally, the 16-thread APU integrates a Radeon 780M iGPU, which underpins many popular modern gaming handhelds.

While Minisforum only launched the MS-A1 in July, it has now re-released the machine with the more powerful Ryzen 9 9950X. As such, the MS-A1 now has 16 Zen 5 cores at its disposal that can boost to 5.7 GHz. Unfortunately, Minisforum has dropped the processor's TDP from 170 W to 100 W, presumably to prevent thermal throttling.

Nonetheless, Minisforum boasts that the Ryzen 9 9950X should deliver almost twice the CPU performance compared with the Ryzen 7 8700G. Conversely, the integrated Radeon 610M iGPU is no match for the Radeon 780M inside the Ryzen 7 8700G. In short, gaming on the newer MS-A1 will require using its OCuLink port to connect an eGPU.

Currently, Minisforum is offering the MS-A1 in two configurations, starting at $919 as a barebones unit without RAM, an SSD or a Windows licence. Alternatively, the mini-PC can be picked up with 64 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD for $1,199, as well as a Windows licence. Please see Minisforum's website for more information.