Intel NUC 14 Pro vs Minisforum MS-01
Buy the Minisforum MS-01 if you need raw CPU power, dual 10GbE SFP+ networking, or a small workstation for rendering and virtualization. Buy the Intel NUC 14 Pro if you want a barebone you configure yourself with a 13th-gen Core chip, up to 96GB DDR5, and a single low-power 40W design. The MS-01's only recorded price is $679.00 as of November 1, 2026; no price was given for the NUC 14 Pro, so compare against its current store listings before deciding.
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Intel NUC 14 Pro
Choose the Intel NUC 14 Pro if you want a compact, low-power barebone kit with DDR5-5600 support up to 96GB and a 40W thermal design you can pair with your own 13th-gen CPU.
Pros
- Low 40W cTDP keeps heat and fan noise down
- Supports DDR5-5600 up to 96GB across two slots
- One PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 2280 slot takes drives up to 4TB
- Small UCFF chassis fits on a desk or behind a monitor
Cons
- Barebone kit: you supply CPU, RAM, SSD, and OS
- Only one M.2 slot and no 10GbE networking
- No ECC memory support
- No price was provided for comparison
What separates them
| Intel NUC 14 Pro | Minisforum MS-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Barebone kit for 13th-gen Intel Core chips, 6 P-cores, up to 4.80 GHz boost, 40W cTDP | Sold as MS01-S1390 with Intel Core i9-13900H, 14 cores, 20 threads, up to 5.4 GHz |
| Memory | 2 DDR5 SODIMM slots, 5600 MHz, up to 96GB, no ECC | 2 DDR5 SODIMM slots; the listed edition ships with 32GB installed |
| Storage | One M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 slot, 128GB to 4TB | Three M.2 slots: one PCIe 4.0 x4 (alt U.2) plus two PCIe 3.0, one at x4 and one at x2 |
| Networking | Standard NUC 14 Pro connectivity, no 10GbE listed | 2x 2.5GbE RJ45 plus 2x 10Gbps SFP+, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ports | Typical NUC 14 Pro port set, no USB4 or SFP+ listed | 2x USB4 40Gbps with Alt DP, 2x USB 3.2 Gen2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen1, 2x USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0, audio jack |
| Power and size | UCFF mini PC, 40W cTDP, built for quiet low-power use | Mini workstation with a 14-core H-series chip; runs hotter and louder under load |
| What you get |
Price history
$679.00$340.79
- Intel NUC 14 Pro: lowest $340.79 on Nov 1 at Walmart.
- Minisforum MS-01: lowest $679.00 on Nov 1 at Walmart; $679.00 on Nov 2.
Prices at every store
Intel NUC 14 Pro
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- Best BuyCheck price at Best Buy
- DihuniCheck price at Dihuni
Minisforum MS-01
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- B&H Photo-Video-AudioCheck price at B&H Photo-Video-Audio
- GigaParts.comCheck price at GigaParts.com
Specs compared
| Spec | Intel NUC 14 Pro | Minisforum MS-01 |
|---|---|---|
| Number Of Cores | 6 (performance cores) | 14-core |
| Motherboard Manufacturer | ASUS | — |
| Motherboard Socket Type | BGA-2049 | — |
| Motherboard Chipset | Integrated | — |
| Motherboard Form Factor | UCFF | — |
| Motherboard Model | ASUS NUC 14 Pro Motherboard | — |
| Motherboard Series | NUC 14 Pro | — |
| Socket Type | BGA-2049 | — |
| CPU Compatibility | Intel's existing 10th to 13th Gen Intel NUCs | — |
| GPU Video Memory Type | DDR5 SDRAM | — |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a home lab or router build?
- The MS-01. Its dual 10Gbps SFP+ and dual 2.5GbE ports plus three M.2 slots make it a natural firewall or virtualization node. The NUC 14 Pro has no 10GbE and only one M.2 slot.
- Which is faster for video editing and 3D rendering?
- The MS-01. Its Core i9-13900H has 14 cores and 20 threads boosting to 5.4 GHz, well above the NUC 14 Pro's 6 P-cores at 4.80 GHz. The NUC's 40W limit also caps sustained performance.
- Which runs cooler and quieter?
- The NUC 14 Pro. Its 40W cTDP and UCFF chassis are built for low-power, quiet operation. The MS-01's H-series i9 draws more power and needs more cooling under load.
- Do both come ready to use?
- No. The NUC 14 Pro is a kit needing CPU, RAM, SSD, and OS. The MS-01 edition listed is the 0+0 barebone without RAM, SSD, or OS, even though the listing shows 32GB and 1TB.
- Is the MS-01 worth $679.00?
- It is if you need 10GbE SFP+, USB4, and three M.2 slots in a small box. That price is barebone, so add RAM and storage before comparing it to a configured NUC 14 Pro build.
- Which supports more memory?
- Both have two DDR5 SODIMM slots. The NUC 14 Pro is rated to 96GB at 5600 MHz. The MS-01's listed edition includes 32GB, and its maximum is not stated.