Revolutionary Mini PC Unveiled: Meet the Minisforum MS-R1 with China-Made Arm Cixin P1 and PCIe x16 Slot

Minisforum has introduced an exciting innovation in the realm of mini PCs with the launch of its first ARM-based model, the MS-R1. This compact unit is designed with a powerful 12-core CPU, tailored to meet the needs of tech enthusiasts and professionals alike. With its compact form factor, the MS-R1 is set to make waves in the industry, offering users a blend of performance and connectivity.

Unveiling the Minisforum MS-R1

The MS-R1 is a unique ARM desktop-class mini PC that has caught attention for its inclusion of a PCIe x16 slot, making it stand out in its category. Reports suggest that this model, featuring CIX Technology’s China-based P1 SOC, was first showcased at this year’s Computex. Built on a 6nm process node, the MS-R1 boasts a 12-core configuration and is equipped with a dedicated NPU capable of delivering up to 30 TOPS of AI performance.

MINISFORUM MS-R1 Mini Workstation with arm and PCI Express branding beside its packaging.

Under the hood, it features a combination of Cortex-A720 performance and Cortex-A520 efficient cores, with clock speeds ranging from 1.8 GHz to 2.6 GHz. Enhanced by the integrated Immortalis G720 GPU and support for LPDDR5 memory, the MS-R1 offers a robust configuration. Its chassis, mirroring the MS-01, integrates a more power-efficient ARM processor and options for memory include 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB LPDDR5, with storage options extending to 1 TB.

Open computer case showing motherboard with H63RA and cooling fan visible.
ASUS fan labeled Sunon Maglev inside an open computer case.

A New Era for ARM-Based Computing

This device targets general computing needs and operates on a custom Debian 12 OS, although users have the flexibility to install standard Debian 12/13. This feature makes it particularly appealing for developers and ARM platform testers. Furthermore, the MS-R1’s inclusion of a dedicated PCIe 4.0 x16 slot places it among a select group of ARM-based devices capable of supporting discrete GPUs. Currently, the availability and price of the Minisforum MS-R1 are unknown.

Specs at a Glance:

  • CIXIN P1 Processor
  • Immortalis-G710 MC10 GPU
  • 16 GB/ 32 GB/ 64 GB LPDDR5
  • No/ 512 GB/ 1 TB PCIe SSD storage
  • PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (wired for x8)
  • 40-pin GPIO header
  • eDP connector, UART, I2C touch connector, TPM header
  • Dual 10Gb Ethernet
  • Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3
  • 2× USB-C (USB-PD + DP Alt Mode), 2× USB 3.2 Gen2, 2× USB 2.0
  • HDMI 2.0 and audio jacks
  • 100W USB-PD power support
  • 180W AC Power Adapter