One of the first Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 PCs costs $7,399 and comes with 192GB of unified memory

Minisforum's AI workstation packs AMD's Gorgon Halo processor into a tiny PC

by · TechSpot

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.
TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust.

First look: Minisforum, a maker of mini PCs and compact workstations, is selling a compact system with 192GB of unified memory, dual 10GbE networking and AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 processor for $7,399 in the US. The MS-S1 MAX-P495 is one of the first PC available for purchase with Team Red's chip, part of AMD's Gorgon Halo platform.

The MS-S1 MAX-P495 is built for buyers running demanding AI workloads locally, not for typical desktop users. Its design shows how AMD's high-memory Halo platform is being positioned for specialized AI and workstation tasks, where large shared memory pools can matter as much as raw compute performance.

AMD's Ryzen AI Max 400-series platform follows Strix Halo and raises the maximum supported unified memory capacity to 192GB – a key feature behind these high-end configurations.

Unlike a desktop with a discrete GPU and dedicated VRAM, the processor's Radeon graphics share the system's memory. In the MS-S1 MAX-P495, up to 160GB can be assigned to the integrated GPU.

AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495 has 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and Radeon 8065S graphics with 40 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units. Its NPU is rated at up to 55 TOPS. Minisforum rates total processor performance at up to 131 TOPS.

The workstation uses 192GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory on a 256-bit interface. Minisforum lists a 120W performance mode and says the cooling system can handle peak power of up to 160W. The cooling hardware includes a copper base, six heat pipes, phase-change thermal material and two fans.

Minisforum includes a 2TB SSD in the US model. The chassis also has two M.2 slots and a full-length PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, giving buyers options for additional storage or expansion cards. Connectivity includes dual 10GbE ports, two 80Gbps USB4 Version 2.0 ports, two 40Gbps USB4 ports and HDMI 2.1 FRL.

// Related Stories

The MS-S1 MAX-P495 is priced close to a 192GB configuration of HP's forthcoming ZBook Ultra G3a, which can also use the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 495. HP's Local AI Value Calculator puts a configuration with 192GB of memory and a 512GB SSD at $7,449, or $50 more than Minisforum's system.

The pricing shows how AMD is positioning its Halo-class processors. Strix Halo had obvious gaming potential thanks to its powerful integrated Radeon graphics. But AMD and its partners have focused on AI systems and workstations, where large shared-memory pools can be more valuable than gaming performance alone.

Minisforum is also pitching the MS-S1 MAX-P495 for bulk purchases and clustered AI deployments. Its European product page is live but does not yet show an active price. The US listing makes the target market clear: buyers who need a small system with unusually large unified memory capacity and are willing to pay workstation-level prices for it.

See more TechSpot in Google Add us as a preferred source and our reporting shows up first when you search.
Add TechSpot