What Minisforum’s New NAS Mini PCs Are Aimed At
Minisforum’s latest NAS mini PCs, the N5 MAX and the S5, are compact networked storage systems that double as full computers, targeting small businesses and content creators who need either heavy compute power near their data or silent, speed‑optimized all‑flash NAS systems for editing and backup. In this NAS mini PC comparison, the N5 MAX centers on AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Strix Halo processor, while the S5 is built around Intel’s Core Series 3 Wildcat Lake platform. Both systems blur the line between mini PC and NAS, but they point in different directions: the N5 MAX is a performance‑focused NAS for AI, graphics, and demanding apps; the S5 is an all‑flash NAS optimized for low noise, efficient 10GbE networking NAS workloads, and compact deployment.
N5 MAX: AMD Strix Halo NAS for Compute-Heavy Workloads
The N5 MAX is built as a power NAS first and foremost, driven by an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 Strix Halo chip with a 16‑core, 32‑thread CPU, discrete‑class Radeon 8060S GPU, and high‑bandwidth memory. According to Liliputing, the N5 MAX “is now available for $2599 (or $2469 when you order by June 15 using the coupon codes: N5MAX100 and AINAS)”—about USD 2599 (approx. RM12,000) and USD 2469 (approx. RM11,400) respectively. It includes 64GB of LPDDR5x‑8000 RAM (soldered) and a 128GB SSD for the OS, with a 128GB RAM variant planned. Storage is extensive: five 3.5/2.5‑inch SATA bays plus five M.2 2280 slots and RAID 0/1/5/6 support, though only one M.2 slot runs at PCIe 4.0 x4. Dual 10GbE ports, multiple USB4/USB 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.1, and an internal USB 3.2 port round it out. Active cooling with five fans prioritizes sustained performance over silence.
S5: Silent Intel Wildcat Lake Storage With All-Flash Design
Where the N5 MAX chases raw compute, the S5 focuses on quiet, dense Intel Wildcat Lake storage. Built on Intel’s Core Series 3 platform, it uses a low‑power laptop chip with at least 5 cores (1P + 5E) and 12GB of LPDDR5X‑7500 memory, plus a 64GB UFS 2.2 chip reserved for the operating system. The NAS side is fully all‑flash: five M.2 2280 slots, each on PCIe Gen4 x1, favor capacity and parallelism over single‑drive speed in this all‑flash NAS system. Minisforum also adds a Realtek RTL8127 controller for 10GbE networking alongside 2.5GbE, 40Gbps USB‑C (USB4/Thunderbolt 4), HDMI 2.1, and dual 10Gbps USB‑A ports. The entire unit is passively cooled via a finned aluminum case, delivering a fanless NAS that can hide on a shelf or behind a monitor with no noise for office or studio use.
Connectivity, OS, and AI Features
Both Minisforum NAS mini PCs share a strong I/O story, but they differ in emphasis. The N5 MAX offers two 10GbE ports for link aggregation or multi‑network setups, plus USB4v2 and USB4 Type‑C, HDMI 2.1, USB 3.2, and USB 2.0, backed by a 250W internal power supply and multi‑fan cooling. It ships with Minisforum’s MinisCloud OS but can run Windows, Linux, or common x86 NAS platforms like TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, or Unraid, making it flexible for hybrid NAS‑plus‑workstation roles. The S5 is more constrained in CPU power but rich in modern connectivity: 10GbE, 2.5GbE, dual 40Gbps USB‑C, HDMI 2.1, and two 10Gbps USB‑A ports. It also ships with MiniCloud OS and pre‑installed AI tools like MinisOpenClaw and MinisPhotos, aimed at light agentic AI and photo cataloging workloads that fit its modest NPU and iGPU capabilities.
Which Minisforum NAS Should You Buy?
Choosing between the AMD Strix Halo NAS and Intel Wildcat Lake storage comes down to workload and environment. Pick the N5 MAX if you need a NAS that doubles as a powerful workstation or AI node—ideal for 4K/8K editing, local AI inference, GPU‑accelerated apps, or a large game library alongside up to ten drives. Its price around USD 2599 (approx. RM12,000) positions it in the mid‑to‑premium NAS range for demanding users. Opt for the S5 if you want a quiet all‑flash NAS system with efficient 10GbE networking NAS performance, low power draw, and enough CPU for file serving, light media, and basic AI photo tasks. For many small businesses and content creators, the S5 will handle storage while a separate workstation does the heavy lifting; the N5 MAX is for those who want everything in one box next to their data.
