The Ryzen 7945HX Mobile is an INSANE Server CPU - Minisforum BD790i in a 45Drives HL8

The 45Drives HL8 is a very impressive platform for both homelabs and small business servers. But for those craving more power, I've got an insane solution, and it won't even break the bank.

Today, we're taking a brief look at the Minisforum BD790i, complete with a Ryzen 9 7945HX 16-Core Mobile APU, 64GB of Patriot DDR5-5600, along with 2.5Gb networking built right in. I don't want to spoil anything... but it might be one of the fastest server platforms I've tested, especially for just $539.

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[ZeronicMatrix]

The GPU Spec for the 7945HX is wrong, it only a 610M and only 64GB of RAM Per Minisforum Spec sheet. I run the same board with a 10G Card for a pair of Proxmox Nodes.

[DarkSideAvatar]

BD790i owner here, some technical info you might want :
- PCI bifurcation modes are : 8x4x4, 4x4x4x4, ( PS: upgrade to latest bios if the option is missing, i know i had too ) :)
- Internal fan controler is from ITE and supported on Linux if you load the it87 module
- If you cant figure out how to disable Secure Boot, it's because you need to set up the Admin Password in BIOS first
- if u need a second NIC, the Wifi card is on an M.2 slot, i changed mine, the bandwitdh is ok, i get like 2.2Gb/s on it in real life with a cheap M.2 to 2.5GB card
- Pretty much works with unraid out of the box ( PS: if you plan on adding an intel arc card, upgrade unraid to 7.0.0-beta for the best experiance)

Got any more questions ? Feel free to ask :)

[SpatzDerBadezusatz]

Be careful! The M.2-to-8-SATA adapter uses an JMB585, which offers 5 SATA ports, and one of the SATA ports is connected to a JMB575 port multiplier. This means 4 of the 8 SATA ports on the M.2 adapter share the bandwidth of a single SATA lane.

Furthermore, the JMB585 does not support ASPM in Linux, which results in higher idle power consumption.

A good alternative is the ASM1166, which offers 6 full bandwidth SATA ports, and supports ASPM.

[Promit]

The slightly lower spec 7940HX SE is also up there for quite a lot less money, and there's an additional discount code if you search. Incredible option for two hundred less dollars.

[erickgruis]

You killed that m.2 card when you plugged in the connectors. You have to plug them in first and then install it in the slot so you don't over-flex it. Mine came with some instructions that warned about this.

[zrdfx]

M.2 to PCIE 4x with an LSI 9300 8i hidden away somewhere in the case. Should work fine with 4 lanes 😊

[drew]

Have I missed something. Where is the beer on his desk and his impressions of it at the end???

[HoJoGoGo]

I've seen mention that a BIOS update allows for PCIe bifurcation on the x16 slot, which could be very useful to put 4xNVME drives on it, and use one of the M.2 slots for 10gbe, or with a M.2 to PCIe adapter to host the ARC A310 for video encoding.

[frankwong]

That m2 controller and m2 slot holder need some reinforcement, maybe 3d print a reinforcement bracket / support for it ?

[michaelbyrd]

I have been waiting on a review like this on this combo. I've been considering buying it for the past year. I have no real need for it but whatever, I want it. It is unique amongst all the other stuff. Thanks for the video.

[heyitsjel]

Following up on this for anyone who is also interested in the BD790i SE (the 7940HX, 16c/32t, but runs at 5.2ghz instead of 5.4ghz):

I'm happy to report that:
1) You can use M.2 to pcie adapters without issue - currently have a Mellanox CX-3 running at full speed off one of the M.2 ports.
2) The wifi socket (M.2 2230 Key E Slot) will handle nvme's no issue - have a Samsung 980 Pro running off it at 16GT/s x1 lane (boot drive for TrueNAS) ie. Gen4 x 1 lane
3) Bifurcation is still fully supported on the main x16 slot (ie. x16; x8x8; x8x4x4; x4x4x4x4), just as for the BD790i.

In my setup, I've been able to jam 6x Gen4 nvme's (5x Gen4 x4 lanes; and 1x Gen4 x1 lane), and 1x 10g NIC into this tiny setup. Not a bad little all-flash NAS!

[opshlds]

Super excited for these projects. As a newb in the homelab scene, I love all the potential projects I have at my fingertips. Just wish the wallet didn't groan with every video I watch on the topic of self-hosted homelab goodness!
Cheers!

[ipoopmuffins]

this is like the 2nd or 3rd youtuber ive seen put an m.2 to sata card in and then jam the cable into it without supporting the back of it and bending the hell out of it lol. not sure if thats what killed it but i really wouldnt doubt it.

[TheMongolPrime]

I'm so curious if the wifi card could be replaced with some other cursed replacement. Maybe there is an upgrade in it's future?

[VeritronX]

if that m.2 adaptor gets replaced, you could probably solve the problem by using an m.2 extension and putting the adaptor in a 3d printed casing instead of mounting it on the motherboard directly

[VoldoronGaming]

I now know what I will be using for my daughter's new computer. That motherboard/cpu combo, 64gb ram and a 6750 XT in a Cooler Master NR200 SFF case. Will be using the secondary M.2 slot with an M.2 to sata adapter. I am so glad I came across your video Jeff. This is an amazing piece of kit.

[reviewaccount]

I don't know if the case has any other card slots, but you could get an m2 to PCIE 4x converter and add another PCIE card in there.

[HoJoGoGo]

Stick a self adhesive cable mount on the side of the Noctua fan to hold the cables, keeping them from flexing the card?

[deneguil-]

Love to see minisfoum getting in on the embedded motherboard business. I'm really hoping they make a Strix Halo version of this board in the future. I'm planning on making a custom couch console and this would be perfect for it

[ghomerhust]

that board kit is friggin ridiculous horsepower for the money