Minisforum MS-02 Ultra Mini-PC review: Compact workstation power

Based on the provided text, here is a structured summary of the benchmark results, stress tests, noise level, and conclusion for the tested system (Minisforum MS-02 Ultra).

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🎮 Benchmark Settings & Results

The following settings were applied during the testing:

Rainbow Six Siege X Performance

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⚙️ Stress Tests & System Metrics

The text provides measurements related to power consumption, temperature, and noise levels under load.

Thermal and Power Measurements

Idle Power Consumption: 27.4 watts.
Maximum CPU Temperature (System): 91°C (without delta to room temperature).
Maximum Power Consumption (System Wide): 214.0 watts.
Average Power Consumption (System Wide): 161.5 watts.
Maximum CPU Temperature: 92°C.
APU Temperature: 57°C.
Alternative Measurement (with APU focus): Maximum power consumption of 194.0 watts and an average of 157.3 watts were measured for the entire system.

Noise Level

Sound pressure level was determined using a Voltcraft SL-200 measuring device at a distance of 40 cm in Lo mode:

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📝 Summary and Conclusion

The author concludes that while the system performs adequately, there are trade-offs and specific considerations for potential buyers:

Performance & Value:
The author notes that including this workstation in a comparison highlights the significant difference in CPU performance.
The setup is considered reasonable for the equipment offered, especially considering features like ECC support and Intel vPro remote management. The target market is positioned more toward value-adding sectors rather than private users.

Hardware & SSD Notes:
The Kingston NV3 SSD could be filled to 90% at an average speed of 155 MB/s, with a maximum temperature of 68°C.
There are practical difficulties when installing SSDs with integrated heatsinks (even slim models like the Samsung 980 Pro do not fit), which is why manufacturers often supply extra-flat heatsinks.

Future Outlook:
The text mentions Minisforum’s development of expansion cards (like “PCIe TO 4”) at CES 2026, focusing on features like OCuLink and USB Type-C 20Gbps, suggesting a move toward specialized AI/Edge computing solutions in the mini-PC market.