Thermalright HydroNous R1: Liquid-Cooled Mini PC Packs Ryzen AI Max+ 395

Thermalright, known for PC cooling accessories, has launched its first mini PC: the HydroNous R1. This compact desktop packs AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor with liquid cooling, 128GB of LPDDR5x-8000 memory, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD into a small form factor that measures just 234.7 x 83.3 x 133mm (9.24" x 3.28" x 5.23").

image via ITHome

The HydroNous R1 stands out in the mini PC market for several reasons. First, it's one of the few systems available with AMD's high-end Strix Halo processor, which combines powerful CPU and integrated graphics capabilities. The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 features Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, making it capable of handling demanding workloads without a dedicated GPU.

But what truly sets this system apart is its liquid cooling solution. While many mini PCs struggle with thermal constraints due to their compact size, Thermalright has implemented a water cooling system that allows the HydroNous R1 to dissipate enough heat for up to 176 watts of peak performance or 153 watts of sustained performance. This is particularly impressive for a system of this size.

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The front of the chassis features a 4.6-inch, 960 x 320 pixel LCD display, which can show system information, temperatures, or other custom content. This adds a unique aesthetic element while providing useful monitoring capabilities at a glance.

In terms of connectivity, the HydroNous R1 doesn't compromise despite its small footprint:

• 3 x M.2 2280 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4) for storage expansion
• Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 (WiFi 7 & BT 5.4) for cutting-edge wireless connectivity
• 2 x USB4 Type-C (40 Gbps) ports
• 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10 Gbps) ports
• 1 x HDMI and 1 x DisplayPort for multi-monitor setups
• Dual LAN options: 1 x 10 Gigabit and 1 x 2.5 Gigabit
• 1 x microSD card reader
• 1 x 3.5mm audio jack

The system is currently available in China for approximately $3,500. While this price point is certainly premium, it's worth noting that this isn't the most expensive mini PC with a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip and 128GB of RAM. What makes the HydroNous R1 unique is that it's the only model I'm aware of that combines these high-end specifications with liquid cooling in a mini PC form factor.

via ITHome...

There's currently no information about availability in other markets such as North America or Europe, or what the pricing might be if it does expand internationally. Given the system's specifications and the inclusion of liquid cooling, it would likely maintain a premium price point even in other regions.

For users who need workstation-level performance in a compact form factor, the HydroNous R1 represents an interesting option. The combination of AMD's powerful Strix Halo processor, abundant memory, fast storage, and effective liquid cooling makes it suitable for demanding applications like video editing, 3D rendering, or AI development, all while maintaining a relatively small desktop footprint.

via ITHome...

via ITHome

The launch of the HydroNous R1 also signals Thermalright's expansion beyond cooling accessories into complete system design, suggesting we might see more integrated solutions from the company in the future.