Minisforum Teases Mini-ITX PC with High-End AMD Dragon Range & Intel Raptor Lake CPUs

Unleashing the Dragon Range & Raptor Lake HX

The AMD Dragon Range and Intel Raptor Lake 55W HX series are desktop-grade marvels, sporting similar core configurations. The AMD Ryzen offerings soar up to an impressive 16 cores and 32 threads, with the upcoming Dragon Range X3D variants offering up to a massive 128 MB of cache. On the other hand, the Intel Raptor Lake-HX chips offer 24 cores and 32 threads, and with the upcoming Refresh series, users will have the luxury of choosing from higher clocks and more core configurations. These powerhouses will undoubtedly elevate the computing experience to a whole new level.

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Cutting-Edge Motherboard Technology

The Minisforum Mini-ITX PC is built on the backbone of advanced motherboards, which were showcased during the Computex 2023 event in Taipei. These motherboards boast an 8-Phase power delivery, ensuring stable and efficient power distribution. With two DDR5 SO-DIMMs, users can experience up to a staggering 96 GB of memory capacity. Additionally, the inclusion of two M.2 slots and a PCIe Gen 5.0 x16 slot allows for seamless expansion, catering to the demands of modern users.

Unraveling the Features

Let’s take a closer look at the standout features of the Minisforum Mini-ITX PC:

• 6-Liter Chassis Design: A compact, space-saving design without compromising performance.
• Intel Raptor Lake-HX & AMD Dragon Range-HX 55W CPU Support: Embrace the power of high-end processors.
• Up To 16 Core AMD & 24-Core Intel CPU Option: Choose the processing might that suits your needs.
• Dual DDR5 SO-DIMM Supports: Experience lightning-fast memory performance with up to 96 GB capacity.
• Dual M.2 Slots: Enjoy expandable storage options for all your files and data.
• One PCIe 5.0 x16 Slot For dGPU: Elevate your graphics performance with a high-performance discrete GPU.
• Supports SFX PSU: Compatible with SFX power supplies for enhanced power delivery.
• I/O Connectivity: Expect DP/HDMI outputs, several USB ports (including Type-C), Ethernet LAN port, WIFI capabilities, and a 3-channel audio jack.

Cooling Innovation

To ensure optimal cooling efficiency, Minisforum has engineered a single-fan blow-through design for this Mini-ITX PC. This ingenious solution effectively vents air out through the exhaust ports at the back of the chassis, maintaining ideal temperatures even during intense workloads or gaming sessions.

Related: New LG gram Ultraslim, Style, and 2-in-1 Laptops Unveiled at CES 2023

The NUC Replacement

The Minisforum Mini-ITX PC is more than just a tech marvel; it serves as an impressive replacement for Intel’s NUC series, which has been phased out. This next-generation computing wonder promises to deliver performance that surpasses the expectations of even the most discerning users.

Interesting Facts:

• Minisforum is a Chinese company that specializes in making compact and powerful mini PCs for various use cases.
• The company has teased its upcoming Mini-ITX PC that will support high-end 55W AMD Dragon Range and Intel Raptor Lake-HX CPUs, which are expected to launch later this year.
• These CPUs are desktop-grade designs that offer up to 16 cores and 32 threads for AMD and up to 24 cores and 32 threads for Intel, with the AMD X3D variants featuring up to 128 MB of cache and the Intel Refresh series offering higher clocks and more core configurations.
• The Mini-ITX PC will feature a 6-liter chassis with a stylish design that features an aluminum frame on the sides and a wooden plate on the top. It will also support an SFX power supply and a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot for adding a discrete GPU.
• The Mini-ITX PC will be based on the same motherboards that Minisforum displayed at Computex 2023, which feature an 8-phase power delivery, two DDR5 SO-DIMMs that allow for up to 96 GB of memory, two M.2 slots, and a Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 port.
• The Mini-ITX PC will be available in both barebone and pre-configured variants, and users can expect to purchase the machine through Kickstarter campaigns towards the end of this year.

Pros:

1. High-performance CPUs with up to 24 cores and 128 MB of cache
2. Compact and stylish chassis with PCIe 5.0 slot for discrete GPU
3. DDR5 memory and Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 support

Cons:

1. High power consumption and heat generation from 55W CPUs
2. Limited storage options with only two M.2 slots
3. Possible high price and availability issues