The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra packs impressive performance into a tiny 4.8-liter chassis, challenging traditional desktop PCs with its Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor, RTX 5060 LP graphics, and extensive connectivity options.
The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra mini workstation presents a compelling challenge to traditional desktop PCs, packing workstation-class performance into a chassis that's 11 times smaller than a typical ATX system. After extensive hands-on testing, this diminutive powerhouse proves it can handle demanding workloads while offering unique advantages in size, power efficiency, and connectivity.
Size Matters: The Physical Transformation
The most striking aspect of the MS-02 Ultra is its physical footprint. Measuring just 221.5 x 225 x 79mm and weighing 3.45kg without a discrete GPU, it's dramatically smaller than a conventional desktop setup. My comparison system, housed in a Fractal Define S case, occupies 54.6 liters and weighs 8.5kg—making the Minisforum's 4.8-liter volume truly remarkable.
This size reduction comes with trade-offs. The compact design limits expandability compared to a full ATX system with seven PCIe slots, but the MS-02 still offers three expansion slots and supports GPU upgrades—a rarity in the mini PC space.
Featured image: The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra challenges traditional desktop PC design.
Performance: CPU King, GPU Contender
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor is the star performer in this system. With 24 cores and 24 threads running at up to 5.5GHz, it delivers exceptional multithreaded performance that rivals desktop processors like the Core i9-14900K and Ryzen 9 9950X. In Cinebench R23, the MS-02 Ultra achieved single-thread scores comparable to high-end desktop chips and multicore performance that competes with the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.
However, the GPU story is more nuanced. While my desktop's Radeon RX 9070 would typically dominate gaming performance, the MS-02's RTX 5060 LP (installed in the PCIe 5.0 x16 slot) proved surprisingly capable for my gaming needs. Games like The Division 2 and Far Cry 5 ran smoothly at 1440p with high to ultra settings, though the desktop's RX 9070 maintained a clear advantage in GPU-bound scenarios.
Connectivity and I/O: A Modern Advantage
The MS-02 Ultra shines in connectivity. It features three USB4 ports (two supporting 80Gbps with DisplayPort capabilities), 10GbE, 2.5GbE, and two 25GbE ports via a pre-installed SFP+ NIC. This extensive I/O suite surpasses what's typically available on desktop motherboards at similar price points.
Additional highlights include:
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 built-in
- Four M.2 SSD slots supporting PCIe 4.0
- Support for ECC memory
- 350W SFX power supply with room for GPU upgrades
Power Efficiency and Thermal Performance
One of the MS-02 Ultra's strongest advantages is power efficiency. While idling at just 33W (compared to 58W for my desktop), it consumes approximately 120W less during gaming sessions. This translates to lower electricity bills and reduced heat output—particularly valuable in space-constrained environments.
However, thermal management presents challenges. The system's compact size means the 48dBA noise level under load is noticeable, especially when positioned on a desk. Moving it under the desk reduced noise to 41dBA, but this placement makes front-panel access inconvenient.
Real-World Performance Testing
My benchmark suite focused on practical workloads rather than synthetic tests:
Productivity Performance:
- Cinebench R23: Single-thread ~2263, Multi-thread ~34,500
- Handbrake 4K transcoding: 2m 12s (MS-02) vs 2m 35s (desktop)
- 7-Zip compression: 110 GIPS (MS-02) vs 85 GIPS (desktop)
- Procyon AI image generation: Competitive performance with Stable Diffusion
Gaming Performance:
- Cyberpunk 2077 (high): 80.5 FPS (MS-02) vs 136.5 FPS (desktop)
- The Division 2 (high): 83 FPS (both systems)
- Far Cry 5 (ultra): 128 FPS (MS-02) vs 146 FPS (desktop)
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider (highest): 128 FPS (MS-02) vs 183 FPS (desktop)
Price and Value Proposition
The tested configuration (Core Ultra 9 285HX, 32GB DDR5, 1TB SSD, RTX 5060 LP) costs approximately $1,942.90. While this premium pricing reflects the engineering required to pack workstation performance into a mini chassis, it's competitive when considering the unique combination of features:
- Workstation-class CPU in mini PC form factor
- GPU upgradeability (rare in this category)
- Extensive high-speed connectivity
- Dual 25GbE ports for professional workloads
The Verdict: A Desktop Replacement for Many
The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra successfully challenges the notion that powerful computing requires a large desktop. For users prioritizing space efficiency, power savings, and modern connectivity over maximum gaming performance, it's an excellent choice.
The system particularly excels for:
- Content creators needing CPU power in limited spaces
- Professionals requiring extensive network connectivity
- Users wanting a powerful yet portable workstation
- Anyone seeking to reduce their computing footprint
While the fan noise under load and premium pricing are considerations, the MS-02 Ultra represents a significant step forward in mini workstation design. It proves that with thoughtful engineering, you don't need to sacrifice performance for size—you just need to be willing to embrace a different approach to PC building.
For my daily computing needs—multiscreen productivity, occasional gaming, and content creation—the MS-02 Ultra has proven more than capable of replacing my hulking desktop PC, while freeing up valuable desk space and reducing power consumption. The future of desktop computing might indeed be smaller than we imagined.
Specifications Comparison:
| Component | Minisforum MS-02 Ultra | Desktop System |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX (24C/24T, 5.5GHz) | Intel Core i5-14400F (10C/16T, 4.7GHz) |
| GPU | RTX 5060 OC LP 8GB | AMD Radeon RX 9070 16GB |
| RAM | 32GB DDR5-4800 (4x SODIMM) | 32GB DDR4-3200 (4x DIMM) |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe4x4 NVMe SSD (4x M.2 slots) | 1TB PCIe4x4 NVMe SSD (2x M.2), 500GB SATA SSD |
| I/O | 3x USB4 (2x 80Gbps), 10GbE, 2x 25GbE, Wi-Fi 7 | HDMI 2.1, DP, USB-C 20Gbps, Wi-Fi 6 (adapter) |
| Size | 221.5 x 225 x 79mm (4.8L) | 233 x 451 x 520mm (54.6L) |
| Weight | 3.45kg | 8.5kg |
Price (as tested):
- MS-02 Ultra base: $1,583.90
- RTX 5060 LP GPU: $359.00
- Total: $1,942.90
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