The Minisforum MS-S1 Max no longer forces buyers into its 128GB RAM tier: the compact AMD Strix Halo workstation now has a 64GB RAM + 2TB SSD configuration priced at $2,639.
That makes the new model $560 cheaper than the existing 128GB RAM version, which generally costs $3,199, according to Notebookcheck. The core platform stays the same: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, and the same 2TB SSD.
A 128GB-only launch now has a $2,639 entry point
Minisforum released the MS-S1 Max in late October 2025 as a high-end mini PC built around AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395. At launch, buyers had only one configuration: the APU paired with 128GB of LPDDR5x RAM.
The new 64GB option changes the price equation without turning the machine into a different product. Notebookcheck reports that the storage remains unchanged at 2TB, and the rest of the specifications match the 128GB model.
That makes this a configuration cut, not a refresh. Minisforum is lowering the entry price for buyers who want the Strix Halo platform but do not need the top memory tier.
The immediate before-and-after is simple:
- Before: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB RAM, 2TB SSD, generally $3,199
- Now: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, $2,639
- Difference: $560 less for half the RAM, with the same storage and core hardware
For MLXIO readers tracking other 64GB RAM hardware coverage, related reports include Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Grabs AMD Zen 5 and 64GB RAM Power and Lenovo Unleashes 64GB RAM ThinkPad with 120Hz VRR Display.
The same Strix Halo box now asks a different buyer question
The appeal of the MS-S1 Max is still its dense hardware mix. Minisforum’s official product page positions the system around the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, AMD Radeon 8060S Graphics, up to 126 TOPS, LPDDR5x-8000MT/s, USB4 V2, dual 10GbE, Wi-Fi 7, and a full-length PCIe expansion slot.
The new configuration matters because 64GB is not a low-memory build. It is simply lower than the flagship MS-S1 Max option.
That distinction is important. Buyers are not being asked to give up the processor, SSD capacity, port layout, or chassis design. They are being asked whether the jump from 64GB to 128GB is worth $560 for their workloads.
Minisforum’s own US store listing also adds a constraint buyers should not miss:
“Please note: The 64GB memory chips on this model are soldered to the motherboard. User upgrade to 128GB is not possible.”
That makes the cheaper model a more final decision. If the workload later grows beyond 64GB, the upgrade path is not a memory swap.
The $560 gap puts the 128GB upsell under sharper scrutiny
The biggest technical compromise is not the SSD or the CPU. It is how much memory can be assigned to the integrated graphics.
Notebookcheck notes that the 64GB model cannot assign 96GB of VRAM to the Radeon 8060S iGPU. That capability belongs to the larger memory configuration, where the system has enough unified memory to carve out that much for graphics.
Here is the buying trade-off in cleaner form:
| MS-S1 Max configuration | Price cited | SSD | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64GB RAM + 2TB SSD | $2,639 | 2TB | Lower entry price; cannot assign 96GB VRAM to Radeon 8060S |
| 128GB RAM + 2TB SSD | $3,199 generally | 2TB | Higher memory ceiling; costs $560 more |
Analysis: the 64GB version likely makes the most sense for buyers who want the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 platform, the port selection, and the compact chassis, but do not need the full unified-memory ceiling. The 128GB model still has the cleaner case for heavier local AI work, large memory allocations, and workloads where the integrated GPU benefits from unusually large shared VRAM.
The storage parity matters too. Minisforum did not pair the cheaper RAM option with a smaller SSD to hit the price. Both versions keep the 2TB SSD, so the decision centers on memory and price.
Ports and expansion remain strengths, but the PCIe slot has limits
Notebookcheck’s review highlighted the MS-S1 Max’s port selection, especially the two 80Gbps USB4 v2 ports and two 10GbE LAN ports. That I/O profile remains part of the 64GB configuration.
The chassis also earned praise for build quality and easy access. For a compact machine aimed at workstation-style use, serviceability is not a small detail.
The expansion story is more complicated. The machine has a full-length PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, which can take a discrete GPU if needed, but Notebookcheck says the slot is limited to x4 speed and that there is not enough ventilation around it.
That matters because the PCIe slot is the obvious fallback if the Radeon 8060S or the lower memory allocation does not fit a buyer’s needs. The slot exists, but the bandwidth and airflow notes keep it from being a clean desktop replacement path.
Notebookcheck also found the system “a bit too loud in idle mode,” despite Minisforum’s emphasis on the internal cooling setup. That is a practical warning for buyers considering the MS-S1 Max as a desk-side workstation rather than a racked or tucked-away machine.
Availability and thermals are the next pressure points
The new $2,639 configuration lowers the cost of entering the MS-S1 Max platform, but buyers still need to verify regional pricing, availability, and shipping timing at purchase. The supplied store material lists the product with a sale price of $2,639.00 and also shows stock-status language, so availability may vary.
The bigger watch item is how the cheaper configuration performs under the same sustained loads that made the 128GB model interesting. Independent testing around thermals, idle noise, AI acceleration, iGPU behavior, and PCIe expansion will matter more than the spec sheet alone.
The practical takeaway is narrow but meaningful: the MS-S1 Max is now cheaper to enter, while the best configuration depends on whether a buyer’s workloads can actually exploit 128GB RAM and large shared-memory graphics allocations. If they can, the $560 premium still has a clear purpose. If they cannot, the new 64GB build removes the most expensive assumption from Minisforum’s Strix Halo mini PC.
The Bottom Line
- The new 64GB model lowers the MS-S1 Max entry price by $560.
- Buyers still get the same Ryzen AI Max+ 395 platform and 2TB SSD.
- The change makes Minisforum’s Strix Halo mini PC more accessible to users who do not need 128GB of RAM.
