MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra launches with Arrow Lake-HX, PCIe 5.0 and dual 25 GbE
MINISFORUM has started selling the MS-02 Ultra, a 4.8 liter Arrow Lake-HX desktop that sits between a typical mini PC and a compact tower. The system was first shown in October and is now live on the company’s store with multiple Intel Core Ultra HX options and workstation-style expansion.
At the top of the stack sits the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX , a 24-core Arrow Lake-HX processor with 8 performance cores, 16 efficiency cores, boost clocks up to 5.5 GHz, integrated Arc graphics and a 13 TOPS NPU. All models use soldered mobile CPUs, so there is no socketed upgrade path, but every configuration offers four DDR5-4800 SODIMM slots with support for up to 256 GB of memory. ECC memory and Intel vPro remote management are reserved for the 285HX variant.
Source: Minisforum
The chassis hides three PCIe slots: one PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for a dual-slot desktop GPU (low profile of course), one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and one PCIe 4.0 x4 slot. Storage is handled by up to four M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSDs with support for RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10, depending on CPU configuration. Cooling comes from a six-heatpipe, dual-fan assembly rated to sustain 100W CPU power and short 140W turbo loads, backed by an internal 350W PSU and a slide-out design for easier access.
Source: Minisforum
Networking and I/O are another focus. Core Ultra 9 285HX models ship with an Intel E810-based 25 GbE NIC in the PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, adding two 25 GbE SFP+ ports on top of 10 GbE and 2.5 GbE RJ45. All SKUs include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, HDMI 2.1 for up to 8K60 or 4K120 output, two USB4 v2 Type-C ports at 80 Gbps, one USB4 at 40 Gbps and four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports.
Source: Minisforum
On pricing, the lineup starts with a Core Ultra 5 235HX barebone at 719 USD. The Core Ultra 7 275HX barebone is listed at 949 USD, or 1,239 USD with 32 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD. Core Ultra 9 285HX models start at 1,199 USD for a barebone, 1,499 USD with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD, 2,099 USD with 96 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD, and 2,899 USD with 192 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD.
MS-02 Ultra Pricing
- Core Ultra 5 235HX , barebone: $719
- Core Ultra 7 275HX , barebone: $949
- Core Ultra 7 275HX , 32 GB RAM + 1 TB SSD: $1,239
- Core Ultra 9 285HX , barebone: $1,199
- Core Ultra 9 285HX , 32 GB RAM + 1 TB SSD: $1,499
- Core Ultra 9 285HX , 96 GB RAM + 2 TB SSD: $2,099
- Core Ultra 9 285HX , 192 GB RAM + 2 TB SSD: $2,899
MINISFORUM lists 285HX systems as in stock for immediate shipping, while 275HX configurations are scheduled for early December, and early MS-02 Ultra buyers can get an EOP4A PCIe to OCuLink card bundled for free or at a reduced price.
Source: Minisforum
