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MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation vs MiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC

The MINISFORUM MS-A2 is the stronger pick for anyone who needs serious CPU throughput and fast networking: 16 cores, three M.2 slots and dual 10G SFP+ ports put it in small-workstation territory. The MiniX NR774 is the simpler, more compact choice, with the same 32GB/1TB starting point and dual 2.5G Ethernet, but an 8-core Ryzen 7 and no 10G. Build quality is comparable at this size class; the MS-A2 runs hotter and louder under sustained load, while owners of small MiniX boxes tend to praise quiet operation and criticize limited expansion.

  • Choose the MINISFORUM MS-A2 if you run virtual machines, compile code, edit video or move large files over 10G networking and want room to grow storage to multiple drives.
  • Choose the MiniX NR774 if you want a compact, quiet everyday desktop for office work, media and light gaming with 32GB and 1TB already fitted and no need for 10G.

Prices

  • MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation: $519.00 at Walmart (checked today)
  • MiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC: $899.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation is $380.99 cheaper than the MiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 11)
MINISFORUM
MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation

MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation

4.3(10 ratings)
$519.00at WalmartChecked 5 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • 16-core Ryzen 9 9955HX handles heavy multitasking and virtualization
  • Three M.2 slots allow very large local storage
  • Dual 10G SFP+ ports suit NAS, lab and file-server use
  • Up to 96GB DDR5-5600 for memory-hungry workloads
Cons
  • Weak Radeon 610M graphics limit gaming
  • Fans get audible under sustained all-core load
  • No 10G copper ports, only SFP+
  • Larger and heavier than typical mini PCs
MiniX
Mini Gaming PC,Slim Mini Computer with 32GB RAM/1TB SSD, AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS,Mini PC with Windows 11 Pro (64-bit),dual 2.5G Ethernet LAN ports, triple-band Wi-Fi 6E

MiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC

Mini Gaming PC,Slim Mini Computer with 32GB RAM/1TB SSD, AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS,Mini PC with Windows 11 Pro (64-bit),dual 2.5G Ethernet LAN ports, triple-band Wi-Fi 6E

$899.99at WalmartChecked 18 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Compact, quiet chassis with dual-fan cooling
  • 32GB RAM and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD fitted out of the box
  • Stronger integrated graphics for casual gaming and 4K video
  • Windows 11 Pro preinstalled, dual 2.5G Ethernet
Cons
  • 8-core CPU trails badly in multi-threaded work
  • No 10G networking and limited storage expansion
  • Memory ceiling and slot count not clearly documented
  • Fewer high-speed USB and display options

What separates them

MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini WorkstationMiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC
CPURyzen 9 9955HX, 16 cores/32 threads, up to 5.4 GHzRyzen 7 8745HS, 8 cores/16 threads
GraphicsRadeon 610M integrated, basic 3D and display outputRadeon 780M-class integrated graphics, noticeably better for light gaming
Storage expansion3 x M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots, up to roughly 23TBSingle 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, little or no stated expansion
NetworkingDual 10G SFP+ plus dual 2.5G RJ45Dual 2.5G RJ45 only
Memory ceilingDDR5-5600, up to 96GB32GB DDR5 installed, ceiling not stated
Size and noise196x189x48mm, 1.4kg; louder under sustained loadUltra-compact chassis with dual-fan cooling, quieter in normal use
Operating systemSold bare or with Windows depending on configurationShips with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
WirelessWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E

Price history

$999.00$899.99
Nov 9Nov 10
  • MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation: lowest $999.00 on Nov 9 at Newegg; $999.00 on Nov 10.
  • MiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC: lowest $899.99 on Nov 10 at Walmart.

Prices at every store

MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by MINISFORUM StoreReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $519.00Free shippingChecked 5 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • NeweggCheck price at Newegg
Prices and history →

MiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Ehui Global

    $899.99Free shippingChecked 18 h ago
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecMINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini WorkstationMiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC
colorBlackBlack
editionMSA2-7745HX(32+1T)—
ProcessorAMD Ryzen 9 9955HX—
Processor cores16C/32T—
Max turbo clock5.40 GHz—
Memory typeDDR5-5600—
Max RAM96 GB—
M.2 slots3 x M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD slots—
Max storage23TB—
Network portsDual 10G SFP+ ports and dual 2.5G RJ45 ports—
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 6E—
Bluetooth version5.2—
Show all 28 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini WorkstationMiniX NGC NR774 Mini PC
Dimensions196×189×48mm—
Weight1.4 kg—
ConnectionsHDMI—
TouchscreenNo—
Optical DriveNo—
BluetoothYes—
Wi-FiNo, Yes—
SSD Size1 TB—
Graphics Card AMDRadeon 610M—
USB VersionUSB 2.0 (480Mbps)—

What reviewers say

MINISFORUM MS-A2 Mini Workstation

  • 4.3 / 510 ratings

With a small number of ratings averaging 4.3, owners mostly praise the port selection and CPU performance for the size. Complaints center on fan noise under load and the weak integrated graphics.

What people mention
  • NetworkingPraisedOwners value the dual 10G SFP+ and dual 2.5G ports for lab and NAS use.
  • PerformancePraisedThe Ryzen 9 handles virtualization and multi-threaded work well for the size.
  • NoiseCriticisedSome owners find the fan audible when the CPU is pushed for long periods.
  • GraphicsCriticisedThe Radeon 610M is seen as too weak for gaming or GPU-accelerated work.

Questions and answers

Which is better for video editing?
The MS-A2. Its 16 cores and 96GB memory ceiling cut export and render times far more than the NR774's 8 cores. The NR774's stronger integrated graphics help with playback and light GPU effects, but not enough to close the gap.
Which handles gaming better?
The MiniX NR774. Its Radeon integrated graphics are clearly faster than the MS-A2's Radeon 610M, so it runs older and lighter titles at playable frame rates. Neither is a substitute for a dedicated GPU.
Do I need the 10G SFP+ ports?
Only if you already have 10G switches or a fast NAS. For home broadband and normal file sharing, the NR774's dual 2.5G ports are plenty and simpler to cable.
Which is quieter?
The NR774 in typical use. The MS-A2's 16-core chip needs more cooling, so its fans spin up under sustained load. At idle both are close.
Is the MS-A2 worth stepping up to?
Yes if you run VMs, compile large projects, edit high-bitrate video or need multi-drive storage. If your work is browsing, Office and streaming, the NR774 covers it with less noise and complexity.
Which lasts longer before needing an upgrade?
The MS-A2, because you can add two more NVMe drives and raise RAM to 96GB. The NR774 arrives well equipped but has little headroom, so a heavier workload means replacing it.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best mini PCs with AMD Ryzen processors and 32GB RAM
  • Best mini desktop computers with 32GB RAM
Processor Speed (GHz)5.1—
Hard DriveSSD—
TypeCompact—
RAM32 GB—
GPU TypeAMD GPU—
CPU BrandAMD CPU—