Rare AMD CPU powers this just-announced NAS offering, not only 2 USB4 ports but also one OCuLink connector - I'd love to use it as a mini PC

Date:
Sat, 05 Jul 2025 13:04:00 +0000

Description:
Minisforums N5 NAS uses an obscure Ryzen 7 255 chip, which lacks AI acceleration but offers solid CPU and GPU performance, along with versatile connectivity, making it suitable for both hybrid NAS and mini PC use.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Ryzen 7 255 is a downclocked, China-exclusive chip without the usual 16 TOPS AI NPU Minisforum N5 supports up to 96 GB of DDR5 RAM but lacks ECC memory support The N5 offers dual USB4 ports and 10GbE networking for versatile connectivity

Minisforum has introduced the N5, a compact network-attached storage ( NAS) device now available globally.

Released alongside the more powerful N5 Pro , this new model is powered by
the AMD Ryzen 7 255, a processor so obscure that it doesnt even appear on
AMDs official global website.

Instead, its listed only on AMDs Chinese site as the Ryzen 7 H 255, a chip with eight Zen 4 cores and a base clock of 3.8GHz, boosting up to 4.9GHz. Downclocked chip with missing AI features

Falling under the Ryzen 200 and Hawk Point series, the processor has a
default TDP of 45W, configurable between 35W and 54W.

However, the Ryzen 7 255 raises some questions about positioning and performance.

Minisforum also uses this processor in the AI X1, but it seems to be a rebadged Ryzen 7 8745HS, essentially a lower-wattage variant of the Ryzen 7 8745H, a chip offered exclusively in China.

It appears that the Ryzen 7 255 misses out on the 16 TOPS NPU that most of
the Ryzen 7 250 series chips use, which means the chip is expected to lag in AI-centric tasks.

The CPU and GPU are also slightly downclocked, which could lead to modest but noticeable performance reductions.

Despite those caveats, the Minisforum N5 offers an attractive array of features that may appeal to users seeking a hybrid between a NAS device and a mini PC .

Like its Pro variant, the N5 supports up to 96GB of DDR5 memory through dual SO-DIMM slots.

However, it does not offer ECC RAM support, a key distinction for those prioritizing data integrity.

The device can run multiple operating systems, including Linux, MinisCloud
OS, and Windows 11 Pro.

For connectivity, it includes two USB4 ports, 5Gbps and 10Gbps Ethernet
ports, an OCuLink interface, and a PCIe x16 slot running at PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds.

These features make it viable not only as a NAS device but also as a
potential mini workstation, especially when paired with the best NAS drives for storage expansion.

Pricing begins at $553 for a base configuration that includes 64GB of storage but no RAM, though a version with 16GB of RAM is available for an extra $48. You might also like These are the fastest SSDs you can buy right now Take a look at some of the best external hard drives available OWC reveals fast 4TB secure portable SSD for less than $530



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/rare-amd-cpu-powers-this-just-announced-nas-offe ring-not-only-2-usb4-ports-but-also-one-oculink-connector-id-love-to-use-it-as -a-mini-pc


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