It's Not A Homelab Server, But What Is It? MinisForum MS-A1 Review

The MS-A1 felt like it would be a Ryzen-based MS-01, therefore the perfect homelab server? However, it's not! It's still built to the same high quality with some clever design features, but I can't help feeling that it's a missed opporuntity. It still makes for a decent platform on a budget, but there's likely a better fit, chiefly the MS-01.

GitHub:

00:00 - Introduction to MS-A1
01:00 - Conclusion
02:57 - Review - Cost - Comparison to MS-01
10:36 - Crude Benchmarking
11:24 - Storage
14:17 - I/O

[johnoconnor]

well done!...great review & comparison with the MS-01

[_Jonny_]

You misread the specifications page, my MS-A1 runs both M.2 slots on the underside (bottom) of the device at PCIe4.0 x4, per the page says.
It's a shame there's no SFP+ feel like they should of removed a m.2 slot for it (PCIe3.0 maybe). OcuLink is nice but I do wonder how many people will use it with an external card. If someone makes a sleek Oculink to 2x SFP+ then that would solve the networking problem, but for the moment the 2.5gbit NICs is fast enough for my usecase of running service with Proxmox. Another thing I would like is being able to use two U.2 drives, as only having one U.2 drive, means you can't mirror that drive, which in a server usage case isn't ideal.

[LossyLossnitzer]

@15:35 it does say M.2 2280 SSD *2 which I take as times 2

[alphaomega]

i dont know who even ever think that the MS-A1 is for a homelab server at all. majority of consumers are personal computer consumers. not everybody need to have a server. but many people need a PC.
and MS-A1 is a DESKTOP PC(not laptop equivalent like the MS-01), with UPGRADABLE support that wont jacks up your electrical bills the way normal desktop PC would.
you could use all current and FUTURE AM5 AMD CPU in the 65 watts SKU range. that alone boost its relevance/lifespan. while the MS-01 will be obsolete in just a year, you can upgrade the MS-A1 so long AMD still releasing 65 watts chips in the AM5 socket. and they will.
and the APU SKU's of the AM5 chips, the ones with the "G" variant, will continue to have better iGPU releases as generations moves forward, and MS-A1 owner can just upgrade and shift to the newer G variant chip with more powerful iGPU.
i see so many conveniences in the MS-A1 for common PC consumers alike who want desktop performance with low electrical bills.(those electrical bills matters for common people not living in a rich nations). which is majority of the planet.
so who is it for? EVERYBODY. who dont even think about running a homelab server.

[caedis_]

an AMD version of the MS-01 would have been awesome

[brianmorgan]

To slide out the chassis, remove just two screws near the head phone jack and use the little twisher (supplied) to pull the chassis out.

[LuisYomba]

If they made an AR900i with the features of the MS-01, they would be sold out all the time. And if they made an optional case for that, that hosted a slim power supply and space for a horizontal 4U card ( to keep it 2U/3U height I guess ), that too would fly off the shelf.
And if case wise, they also offer an optional muti-HDD ( 4 to 8 HDDs, 8 is better ), the rest of the industry would feel it, as that too would fly off the shelves.
Minisforum, please listen to the users of your products. My MS-01s are cooking under that flimsy CPU cooling solution.
Jim, as always, another excellent video !

[vstockwell]

I'm looking at getting one of these barebones with the dock to slap my 7800X3D into. I believe it will be a fine gaming system in a compact SFF case with the Oculink Dock. But there is only one way to find out. As a current owner of the BD790i 16c/32t system, it's a decent home lab server. I installed 64 GB's of DDR5 5600 and a Dell Perc Card and have 2x M.2's and 8 SATA currently running. My theory is this will be fine as a home lab box as well. You could use the Oculink dock to house a SAS Card to an External SAS Enclosure. Lots of options depending on how you wanted to architect things. Personally I want to see if I can built a light weight portable computer I can use for both work and gaming.

[Renee.Dominique]

can I replace the cpu of the ms-01? is yes what is the beefiest processor I can fit?

[homelabjohn]

I think this is the first video of yours which I can tell the product didn't meet your expectations. The cpu is around 20% faster and the graphics is better providing your not using it as media server. Two different machines one can be a great compact efficient server while the other is exactly what the name says a workstation. Like you I wish they made the MS-01 case slightly bigger to allow more pcie cards to fit and instead of the nvme fan a couple of 40mm fans on the back.

[drphibesrises]

I agree. I love the MS-01. So many network options, Thunderbolt etc. In the US, the MS-01 is only about $100 more than the A1, with 32GB, 1TB. I don't like having a docking station on my desk or rack. For me I am not interested in gaming. The MS-01 is best for me.

[gullintanni]

Would this work as a mobile editing pc? I am looking for something smallish with desktop performance for cpu, gpu and m.2 storage. I need to pack it in a suitcase for travel by plane and bus. I like the fact that a docking station works great for packing as I can have it in a separate bag. I usually move 2 times each year so the Oculink port should survive the use. I also use DaVinci Resolve and love gaming so a desktop gpu has become a must for my 2 monitors. I use a laptop now but I never use it disconnected from my rig.

[satcruiser]

I recently acquired both the MS-A1 and MS-01 and am extremely pleased with them. The MS-A1 is set up for gaming with an external eGPU via an Oculink connection, while the MS-01 is configured to run Proxmox for my home lab. I believe both products are outstanding and would like to acknowledge Minisforum for their achievement. Although there's always potential for improvement, I am currently very content and plan to buy another MS-A1 from China (since they're sold out on Amazon US) to set up with TrueNas as a NAS device. The four M.2 NVME slots make it ideal for an affordable, high-performance solid-state NAS, and the Oculink port allows for future storage expansion.

[LukeJedi]

How noisy is the MS-01 than? I am considering getting two for my homelab but since I live in an small apartment I don't want it to be too noisy.

[sburner]

Does anyone know if this motherboard support USB C power delivery? Can this unit be powered using usb c?

[lenovomoto]

Intel 13 series has a hardware bug when doing AI work, I would completely ignore any intel cpu hardware for now. MS-A1 is a perfect choice if you want to carry a 4090 with you traveling.

[peteradshead]

it missed the mark ?, you are not joking .
I think if they was making a AMD version of the MS-01 they failed badly, but if it was just a plain workstation it is o.k

[AlphaConde-qyvi]

It's a "review" but you just comment screenshots of the website ? 🤨

[danielgriffith]

was never marketed as a homelab server.

[MrakCZ]

Ms-01 "excellent job on this" I disagree.. I am disappointed how loud AF this pc is.. Terrible for homelab. Just small load means loud fans even with battery profile in bios and turned off turbo..