Minisforum Official MS-01 6x M.2 SSD Upgrade Card - WHAT THE WHAT?

In this video, I evaluate the Minisforum MS-01 as a NAS drive, highlighting its impressive hardware including 10G ports, a 13th gen Intel CPU, and multiple M.2 NVMe slots. I critique the limited NVMe slots for full 10G utilization but praise the new prototype upgrade card from Minisforum, which expands the slots from three to six. I detail the installation, the prototype nature of the upgrade card, cooling challenges, and performance tests. Although the internal performance is promising, external performance faced issues, particularly with a 40GbE card. The video ends with plans for further testing and a follow-up review.

Chapters:
Introduction (0:00-0:35)
Prototype Upgrade Card (0:36-1:45)
Disclaimers and Cooling Issues (1:46-3:00)
Installation Process (3:01-4:28)
Lane Distribution and Performance Testing (4:29-6:23)
External Performance Challenges (6:24-9:14)
Future Testing and Conclusion (9:15-12:06)

The NAScompares Podcast - Let's Talk Data

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[marcogenovesi]

YES, more of this. Even if this prototype does not pan out (and I have my doubts about cooling), making a mini PC with a ton of m.2 slots (with proper cooling) is 1000% something we want

[MikeBibik]

I do hope this ends up getting released as this finally pushed me to buy an MS-01! Have been looking for a small home server that can do 10gbe, 5+ NVME SSDs, and was more flexible than the Flashstor.

[famitory]

since they'll need extra cooling anyway they should make this as a whole module that extends the case vertically. maybe with some extra ports or other functionality if that fits alongside a nice big fan and the nvme expansion.

[atavusable]

Even this doesn't pan out : they can still use that knowledge to make one works for the next model.
Any brand that try to innovate for their customer is good.

[jeffnew]

When Dr. Frankenstein's creature was bolted together, things did not turn out especially well. Maybe Minisforum should rethink this addition to/conversion of the MS-01 and start building the MS-02. The same size box -- more or less -- in width and depth, but a bit thicker, to take a wider PCIe card in its internal slot, and with an OCuLink interface, like their AMD-based macine has.

Since the MS-01 is already thicker that one rack unit, a 2U sized machine wouldn't be a major mounting hindrance. Indeed, I think Minisforum should offer a side-by-side 2U 2-unit rack mount kit for the machine.

[InspectorGadget]

I've seen it before on another YT channel.
Kudos for Minisforum for designing something quite creatively.
Eventhough it might have some limitations and perhaps issues that still need to be overcome.
Minisforum is really trying to move mountains (in a positive way!).
If they can get the cooling solved in a solid way (thicker cooling pads stacked on top of all the M.2's?) it could be a desirable solution for some.
As for the BDOD, you're sure you have removed the CrowdStruck drivers? (joke!)
Looking forward to part 2!

[JamesTenniswood]

Looks good but I would love to see a more balanced speed across all the connectors

[russellmm]

I know some will complain about the PCI arrangement but it makes a lot of sense for Truenas or Unraid. You can buy a superfast NVME and put it in the PCIE4x4 slot and make it a cache drive

[johnbayfield]

I want one. Excellent post as always.

[htrs]

The coolest thing is that Minisforum shows interest in the desires of its customers, this is very commendable. Previously, I don’t remember such responsiveness from large brands.

[thekennethofoz]

Thank you. I'm only an enthusiastic amateur, who plays round with stuff like this for mental exercise. Your videos really help me, both with awareness of the hardware out there, and with ideas.. All the disclaimers with this board are noted ... but it's so interesting!

[SonyJimable]

Im very keen if they can get a finished product out. This has a lot of potential in a few markets including business IT.

[FragEightyfive]

I love that Minisforum is experimenting in the consumer space like this.
If the cooling is critical, I wouldn't mind his as like an add-on hump to the case, or a small extension to the case.

[SaarN]

I don't think it would hurt if they sold it with an alternative cover that's raised a bit and can accomodate the active cooler and the heatsinks for the drives themselves. It would still remain pretty small.

[bokami]

Nice one MinisForum! Nice to know that there are companies out there that are paying attention to their customers and willing to try and innovate. Now this as pointed out may never become a purchasable product, but I'll bet dollars to donuts that MinisForum will probably use what's learn here for some future product that fits the bill.

[glennwest]

Currently designing my own NAS, and here's what I would love. Icy Dock has 12 x m.2 SATA, and pairing it with a low profile Raid Expander card, gives me 24 drives. I'd love to see a similar product, that is 12 x m.2 sata with a 12 port pcie switch. Then you could put 12 drives, no drivers, and a m.2 slot gives you 12 drives. There is also dual mode expanders that could support it.

[bzmrgonz]

you could 3d print a one inch gasket/spacer to allow for the fan and cover. I hope it makes it to market, since it will give asustore some competition.

[fwiler]

I'm glad they are working on things like this. This is what customers want. As long as the lane can saturate 10Gb, I'm all for it although PCIE4 x1 would have been nice. Please make this with large slim fan on top. And please don't get rid of 12600 option as that is more than enough for NAS storage machine and runs a lot cooler than that 13900.

[alldecentnamestaken]

Tbh I hope this makes it to market. I could see a lot of niche uses for a system like this.

[siutingkwan]

this seems to be great idea, minisforum good job. hope it will release the retail version soon❤