In our extensive review, the Minisforum MS-A2 proves to be a powerful mini PC, combining AMD's Ryzen 9 9955HX with up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM and allowing the use of multiple fast NVMe SSDs. Despite its compact design, the MS-A2 is aimed at demanding users who need high computing power in small spaces for activities such as multitasking, media editing or CAD applications.
The manufacturer labels it as a mini workstation, which is only partly true. The lackluster 3D performance is the biggest criticism regarding workstation use. Fortunately, Nvidia, AMD and Intel offer suitable 3D accelerators that can be retrofitted, allowing the MS-A2 to be upgraded to a full-fledged workstation.
Connectivity options are comprehensive. In addition to USB-A and USB4, there is HDMI, several LAN ports (including two Intel X710 ports) with speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and OCuLink for the connection of external graphics cards. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure modern wireless connectivity. A highlight is the PCIe x16 slot, which was already featured in the Minisforum MS-01 and the Minisforum MS-A1.
The MS-A2 can be equipped with up to 96 GB of RAM and multiple NVMe storage devices. Even U.2 SSDs can be installed thanks to the included adapter. Despite its powerful processor, the chassis remains comparatively compact, although cooling reaches its limits under high load and the system becomes audible. In stress tests, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX can be operated at approximately 70 watts, resulting in high multi-core performance.
Overall, the Minisforum MS-A2 is an exciting system for power users looking for a compact, expandable solution with room for gaming, content creation and demanding workflows.