MINISFORUM N5 MAX NAS Features AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Strix Halo Processor

MINISFORUM has revealed specifications for its upcoming N5 MAX network-attached storage device, positioning it as the flagship model in its NAS lineup. While maintaining the same physical footprint as last year's N5 and N5 Pro models, the N5 MAX delivers significant hardware upgrades centered around AMD's premium Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Strix Halo processor.

This chipset combines a 16-core, 32-thread Zen 5 CPU with clock speeds up to 5.1GHz and discrete-class Radeon 8060S integrated graphics featuring 40 compute units. The processor's neural processing unit delivers 50 TOPS performance, enabling the NAS to handle demanding workloads like running 128-billion parameter AI models locally.

Beyond the processor upgrade, the N5 MAX introduces several architectural improvements:

• Memory: Non-upgradeable LPDDR5x-8000 RAM with 256-bit bus width (204.8 GB/s bandwidth)
• Storage Expansion: Five 3.5" SATA bays plus three M.2 2280 NVMe slots (PCIe 4.0 x1) and one M.2 2280 NVMe slot (PCIe 4.0 x4)
• Connectivity: Dual USB4v2 Type-C ports (80Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and dual 10GbE LAN
• Power: Integrated 250W power supply replacing external adapter
• Expansion: Internal PCIe x16 slot (PCIe 4.0 x4) and OCuLink external connector

The cooling system has been redesigned to handle the processor's 45-120W TDP range, a significant increase over the 35-54W TDP of the existing N5 model ($599) and 15-54W TDP of the N5 Pro ($1019).

Performance Comparison

Component	N5 MAX	N5 Pro	N5
Processor	Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (16c/32t)	Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 370 (12c/24t)	Ryzen 7 255 (8c/16t)
GPU	Radeon 8060S (40 CU)	Radeon 890M (16 CU)	Radeon 780M (12 CU)
Max RAM	128GB LPDDR5x	96GB DDR5	96GB DDR5
M.2 Slots	4x NVMe	3x NVMe	2x NVMe
USB Bandwidth	2x USB4v2 (80Gbps)	2x USB4 (40Gbps)	USB 3.2 Gen 2
Power Supply	Built-in 250W	External 280W	External

This hardware positions the N5 MAX beyond traditional NAS duties. With theoretical storage capacity reaching 190TB when combining SATA drives and NVMe storage, plus its AI acceleration capabilities, the device could function as a compact server for video processing, local AI deployment, or even gaming with its powerful integrated graphics. The PCIe expansion slot further enables GPU or accelerator card installation.

MINISFORUM hasn't announced pricing, but given the premium components and $1019 cost of the lower-specced N5 Pro, the N5 MAX will likely command a significant price premium. For typical home media storage and sharing, the existing N5 models offer more cost-effective solutions. The N5 MAX targets professionals and enthusiasts requiring workstation-level performance in NAS form factor.

For detailed specifications, see MINISFORUM's official product pages. The device is expected to launch in Q4 2024.

Image credits: PCWatch