Minisforum is back, and this time they’re shaking up the desktop market with something rather exciting: the MS-R1. This isn’t just another compact PC; it’s an innovative mini workstation powered by the new CIX CP8180 Arm processor, promising to bring data centre-level Arm performance right to your desk.
Designed for developers, enthusiasts, and anyone needing serious yet energy-efficient computing, the MS-R1 aims to make high-performance Arm adoption easier than ever.
MS-R1: Specs and Features
At the heart of the MS-R1 is the CIX CP8180 processor, which boasts 12 cores and 12 threads. Crucially, it manages to deliver exceptional performance while sticking to a very respectable 28 W TDP (Thermal Design Power). For those getting into AI, the system also offers a whopping 45 TOPS of AI performance, including 28.8 TOPS dedicated to NPU acceleration for faster edge computing and AI inference.
A key breakthrough Minisforum is touting is the system’s ability to run mainstream operating systems with ease.
“The MS-R1 is the world’s first Arm mini workstation to support UEFI boot, enabling users to install and run mainstream operating systems like Linux and more without complex setups.”
This means getting started with your preferred OS is as simple as plugging in a USB drive, no complex board-level fiddling required.
MS-R1 Key Features
- Processor: CIX CP8180 (12 cores, 12 threads)
- AI Performance: 45 TOPS total, with 28.8 TOPS NPU acceleration
- Memory: Supports up to 64 GB LPDDR5 5500 MHz with ECC
- Storage: Starts at 1 TB NVMe SSD; expandable up to 8 TB via PCIe 4.0 M.2 or U.2 options
- Connectivity: Dual 10 GbE ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3
- Expandability: Full PCIe x16 slot (physical x16, bandwidth x8) for a discrete GPU, high-speed NIC, or U.2 storage module
- Form Factor: Compact 1.7-litre size
Empowering AI and Connectivity
The high-speed memory and storage options are certainly impressive. With support for up to 64 GB of ultra-fast LPDDR5 5500 MHz memory (with ECC for added reliability), the MS-R1 is well-suited for demanding tasks like virtualisation and heavy multitasking. Furthermore, the storage is incredibly expandable, going from 1 TB up to a massive 8 TB.
On the connectivity front, the dual 10 GbE ports are a serious boon for fast data transfer and enterprise-grade use. Adding to this is the full PCIe x16 slot, which offers impressive flexibility for expanding the system. You can drop in a discrete graphics card for model acceleration or GPU memory utilisation, a high-speed network card, or even a U.2 storage module, allowing users to build a truly custom system for almost any workflow.
What We Think
The Minisforum MS-R1 looks like a pretty good choice for anyone interested in high-performance Arm computing outside of a server rack. The combination of the powerful CIX CP8180, the impressive connectivity and the crucial UEFI boot support makes it incredibly accessible.
In a market where high-power, low-TDP computing is becoming increasingly important, the MS-R1’s ability to handle complex simulations, virtual machines, and substantial AI workloads in such a compact and accessible package is seriously impressive. It truly seems to deliver the speed, flexibility, and scalability modern professional workflows demand.
Where to Buy
The MS-R1 is available globally right now, starting from November 10, 2025, and can be purchased directly through Minisforum’s brand shop. For more information and a closer look at the specifications, you can check out the official product page on the Minisforum website.
