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MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation vs NVIDIA DGX Spark

Buy the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX if you want a fast x86 Windows/Linux workstation that also runs large local models, with dual 10GbE, a full-length PCIe x16 slot and room for two NVMe drives. Buy the NVIDIA DGX Spark if your work is CUDA-bound AI development: it ships with the NVIDIA AI stack, 128GB unified memory and 1 petaFLOP of AI compute in a 1.2 kg box. The MS-S1 MAX has the stronger general-purpose CPU (16 Zen 5 cores at 5.1 GHz) and more expansion; the DGX Spark has the software ecosystem and the smaller footprint. Owners rate the MS-S1 MAX highly, though on a small sample.

  • Choose the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX if you want one machine for heavy CPU work, local LLMs and 10GbE networking, and you plan to add your own storage or a PCIe card.
  • Choose the NVIDIA DGX Spark if you develop on CUDA and want a validated, preloaded AI stack with 128GB of unified memory in a package you can carry.

Prices

  • MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation: $2,599.00 at Amazon (last seen Nov 12)
  • NVIDIA DGX Spark: $5,251.99 at IP Security Depot (last seen Nov 12)
  • Difference: the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation is $2,652.99 cheaper than the NVIDIA DGX Spark at the latest prices (Nov 12)
MINISFORUM
MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX 64GB Local AI Pilot Edition

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX 64GB Local AI Pilot Edition

4.7(14 ratings)
$2,599.00at AmazonChecked Nov 12
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • 16 Zen 5 cores at up to 5.1 GHz handle CPU-heavy work the Arm chip cannot match
  • Dual 10GbE and a full-length PCIe x16 slot leave room to grow
  • Two M.2 slots with RAID 0/1 for fast local storage
  • Unified memory lets large models run without a VRAM ceiling
  • Built-in 320W supply, no external brick
Cons
  • 64GB memory is soldered; no path to 128GB on this edition
  • No CUDA, so CUDA-only tooling needs workarounds
  • Heavier and larger than the DGX Spark
  • Few ratings so far, and no preloaded AI stack
NVIDIA
NVIDIA DGX Spark

NVIDIA DGX Spark

$5,251.99at IP Security DepotChecked Nov 12
See all prices and details
Visit IP Security Depot
Pros
  • 128GB unified memory as standard, rated for models up to 200B parameters
  • About 1 petaFLOP of AI compute on Blackwell
  • DGX OS and the NVIDIA AI stack come preloaded
  • 1.2 kg and small enough to move between desk and rack
  • 1TB or 4TB self-encrypting NVMe options
Cons
  • Arm CPU is weaker for general desktop and compile workloads
  • No PCIe slot and only one 10GbE port
  • External 240W power supply
  • CUDA-centric, so non-NVIDIA frameworks get less benefit

What separates them

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini WorkstationNVIDIA DGX Spark
CPU architecturex86 AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 16 cores and 32 threads up to 5.1 GHz20-core Arm (10 Cortex-X925 plus 10 Cortex-A725)
AI computeUp to 126 TOPS total, 50 TOPS from the NPUAbout 1 petaFLOP at sparse FP4 on the GB10 Superchip
Memory64GB LPDDR5x-8000 soldered; the 128GB ceiling needs a different SKU128GB LPDDR5x unified at 273 GB/s as standard
Software stackStandard Windows or Linux; you install your own runtimesDGX OS with the NVIDIA AI stack preloaded and CUDA support
ExpansionFull-length PCIe x16 slot, dual M.2 with RAID 0/1, USB4 V2 at 80GbpsFixed 1TB or 4TB NVMe, no PCIe slot
NetworkingTwo 10GbE ports, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4One 10GbE port, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Size and power2.8 kg aluminium chassis with a built-in 320W supply1.2 kg at roughly 15 x 15 x 5 cm with a 240W external supply
Model size supportLarge models fit through the shared 64GB poolNVIDIA rates it for models up to 200 billion parameters

Price history

$7,500.00$2,599.00
Nov 11Nov 13
  • MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation: lowest $2,599.00 on Nov 13 at Amazon.
  • NVIDIA DGX Spark: lowest $5,251.99 on Nov 12 at IP Security Depot; $7,249.99 on Nov 13.

Prices at every store

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation

  • MinisforumNew

    In stockShips from Hong Kong SAR China · duties may applyReturn policy

    $2,599.00Checked Nov 11
    Visit Minisforum
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $2,599.00Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 2 stores and price history →

NVIDIA DGX Spark

  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $7,400.00Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit eBay
  • ViperatechNew

    In stock

    $7,348.50+ $80.00 shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Viperatech
  • IP Security DepotNew

    Availability unknown

    $5,251.99Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit IP Security Depot
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $7,249.99Free shippingChecked 19 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

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All 15 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecMINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini WorkstationNVIDIA DGX Spark
ProcessorAMD Ryzen™ AI Max+ 39520-core Arm processor (10 Cortex-X925 + 10 Cort…
MemoryLPDDR5x-256Bit128 GB LPDDR5x unified system memory
Processor cores16 Cores, 32 Threads—
Max clock5.1 GHz—
NPU computing powerUp to 50 TOPS—
Total AI computing powerUp to 126 TOPS—
GraphicsRadeon 8060S Graphics (Internal)—
Memory frequency8000MHz—
Wireless connectivityWi-Fi 7 | Bluetooth® 5.4—
Ethernet2× 10GbE LAN (RJ45)—
Video output1× HDMI (up to 8K@60Hz/4K@120Hz)—
Dimensions222.1 × 206.3 × 77.1 mm—
Show all 20 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini WorkstationNVIDIA DGX Spark
Memory bandwidth—273 GB/s
Storage—1 TB or 4 TB NVMe M.2 with self-encryption
Ports—4x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI 2.1a
Weight—1.2 kg (2.6 lbs)
CUDA cores—6,144
Power supply—240W external power supply (included)
Model support—AI models up to 200 billion parameters
color—Gold

What reviewers say

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation

  • 4.7 / 514 ratings

The 14 ratings average 4.7 out of 5, and owners mostly praise the unified memory and the amount of local AI work the small box handles. Some note that soldered memory limits future upgrades.

What people mention
  • Unified memoryPraisedOwners say the shared 64GB pool is what lets them run models far larger than a typical graphics card can hold.
  • UpgradabilityCriticisedBuyers point out the LPDDR5x is soldered, so the 64GB model can never be raised to 128GB.
  • BuildPraisedThe aluminium chassis and internal 320W supply are described as solid and tidy for a machine this small.
  • GraphicsMixedThe Radeon 8060S is fine for AI inference but reviewers note it trails discrete workstation GPUs for rendering.

NVIDIA DGX Spark

Hands-on coverage treats the DGX Spark as a niche developer tool: reviewers like the memory capacity and CUDA support in a tiny box, but note that its bandwidth and Arm platform keep it well behind full GPUs for heavy training.

What people mention
  • MemoryPraisedReviewers highlight the 128 GB unified pool as the reason it can hold models far bigger than consumer GPUs allow.
  • BandwidthCriticisedCommentators note 273 GB/s is low next to data-center GPUs, so training and inference are slower.
  • SoftwarePraisedThe preloaded NVIDIA AI stack and DGX OS are seen as a real convenience for getting started.
  • Arm compatibilityMixedThe Arm CPU is fine for AI tooling but some x86 desktop software needs workarounds.

Questions and answers

Which is better for running large language models locally?
The DGX Spark, for models up to 200 billion parameters, because it pairs 128GB of unified memory with CUDA and a preloaded stack. The MS-S1 MAX runs large models too, but this edition tops out at 64GB of shared memory.
Which has the faster CPU?
The MS-S1 MAX. Its 16 Zen 5 cores at up to 5.1 GHz beat the 20-core Arm setup on most single-thread and x86 software workloads. The DGX Spark wins on AI throughput, not general CPU speed.
Can I upgrade the memory later?
No on both. Memory is soldered in each machine. The MS-S1 MAX ships with 64GB here, and the DGX Spark comes with 128GB from the start.
Which is better for CUDA development?
The DGX Spark. It is built around the NVIDIA stack and CUDA, so code, libraries and containers work as expected. On the MS-S1 MAX you rely on ROCm and other AMD tooling, which covers less ground.
Is the DGX Spark worth stepping up to over the MS-S1 MAX?
Step up if your work is CUDA AI development or fine-tuning models near 200B parameters. Stay with the MS-S1 MAX if you need x86 software, dual 10GbE and a PCIe slot more than the NVIDIA stack.
Which is easier to fit on a desk or in a rack?
The DGX Spark at 1.2 kg is far easier to move and stack. The MS-S1 MAX is a 2.8 kg aluminium box with a built-in supply, better suited to a fixed desk or rack node.

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