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MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation vs STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC

These are different machines for different jobs. The Minisforum MS-S1 MAX is a compact AI workstation: 64GB of unified LPDDR5x memory shared by a 16-core Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and Radeon 8060S graphics, so it can run large local language models that a 32GB graphics card cannot hold. The Stormcraft Phantom is a gaming tower built around the RTX 5090 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the faster combo for games, 3D rendering and CUDA-based AI tools. Buy the Minisforum for local LLM work in a small, quiet box; buy the Stormcraft for gaming and GPU-heavy creative work.

  • Choose the Minisforum MS-S1 MAX if you want to run large language models locally on a desk-sized machine with dual 10GbE and a full-length PCIe slot.
  • Choose the Stormcraft Phantom if gaming, ray tracing and CUDA software matter more to you than unified memory capacity.

Prices

  • MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation: $2,599.00 at Amazon (last seen Nov 12)
  • STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC: $8,999.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 12)
  • Difference: the MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation is $6,400.99 cheaper than the STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC 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
  • 64GB unified memory runs large local models a 32GB GPU cannot
  • Dual 10GbE and Wi-Fi 7 suit cluster and NAS setups
  • Small, quiet 2.8 kg chassis with an internal 320W PSU
  • Full-length PCIe x16 slot and dual M.2 with RAID
Cons
  • Memory is soldered; no path from 64GB to 128GB
  • Integrated Radeon 8060S trails a discrete RTX 5090 badly in games
  • Some CUDA-only AI tools need ROCm or Vulkan workarounds
  • Only 14 ratings so far, so the long-term record is thin
STORMCRAFT
STORMCRAFT Gaming PC PHANTOM

STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC

STORMCRAFT Gaming PC PHANTOM

$8,999.99at WalmartChecked Nov 12
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • RTX 5090 is the fastest consumer GPU for gaming and rendering
  • 9800X3D is among the best gaming CPUs available
  • 32GB DDR5 and 2TB NVMe are easy to upgrade later
  • CUDA and Windows 11 Home work with most AI and creative software out of the box
Cons
  • 32GB of VRAM caps the size of models you can run on the GPU
  • Full tower with a 360mm AIO and 1300W PSU takes desk space and power
  • No dual 10GbE or Wi-Fi 7 listed
  • Overkill for anyone who does not game or render

What separates them

MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini WorkstationSTORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC
Memory architecture64GB LPDDR5x-8000 unified pool shared by CPU and GPU, soldered, no upgrade to 128GB32GB DDR5-6000 in slots, upgradeable, plus 32GB of dedicated GDDR7 VRAM on the RTX 5090
Local LLM capacityRuns models far larger than a consumer GPU's VRAM allows, because the GPU draws from the full 64GB poolLimited to what fits in 32GB of VRAM for GPU inference
Gaming performanceRadeon 8060S integrated graphics, fine for 1080p and light 1440pRTX 5090 with DLSS 4 and ray tracing, built for 4K high refresh
CPU16 cores, 32 threads Zen 5 at up to 5.1 GHz8 cores, 16 threads 9800X3D at 4.7 GHz with 3D V-Cache tuned for games
NetworkingDual 10GbE LAN plus Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4Standard desktop networking, no dual 10GbE listed
Expansion and form2.8 kg aluminium chassis, built-in 320W PSU, full-length PCIe x16 slot, dual M.2 with RAIDFull tower with 360mm AIO and 1300W PSU, room for standard GPU and drive upgrades
Software ecosystemBest with ROCm and Vulkan-based local AI stacks; some CUDA-only tools need workaroundsCUDA and Windows 11 Home out of the box, widest support for AI and creative apps
Power and heat320W total system draw, small footprint, low noise1300W PSU and a 360mm radiator; needs space and moves more heat

Price history

  • MINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini Workstation: lowest $2,599.00 on Nov 13 at Amazon.
  • STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC: lowest $8,999.99 on Nov 11 at Newegg.

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 →

STORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Newegg Inc.Returns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $8,999.99Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Walmart
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $8,999.99Free shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit Newegg

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecMINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini WorkstationSTORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC
ProcessorAMD Ryzen™ AI Max+ 395AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
MemoryLPDDR5x-256Bit32GB DDR5 6000MHz RGB
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 25 specsShow fewer specs
SpecMINISFORUM MS-S1 MAX AI Mini WorkstationSTORMCRAFT Phantom Gaming PC
color—Black
Graphics card—NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
Storage—2TB NVMe SSD
CPU cooler—360mm AIO
Power supply—1300W PSU
Operating system—Windows 11 Home
Number Of Cores—8-core
Graphics Processor—NVIDIA GPU
Style—Tower
Hard Drive Type

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.

Questions and answers

Which is better for running local AI models?
The Minisforum, for large models. Its 64GB unified pool lets the GPU address far more memory than the Stormcraft's 32GB of VRAM. The Stormcraft is faster per token on models that fit in 32GB, and it has broader CUDA software support.
Which is better for gaming?
The Stormcraft Phantom, clearly. The RTX 5090 and 9800X3D target 4K high-refresh gaming with ray tracing. The Minisforum's integrated Radeon 8060S is a 1080p-class GPU.
Can I upgrade the Minisforum's memory later?
No. The 64GB of LPDDR5x is soldered to the board, and Minisforum states there is no user upgrade to 128GB. Buy the capacity you need up front.
Is the Stormcraft worth stepping up to over the Minisforum?
Only if gaming, 3D rendering or CUDA tools are your main workload. For local LLMs and multi-machine AI clusters, the Minisforum's unified memory and dual 10GbE are the better fit.
Which is quieter and easier to live with?
The Minisforum. It is a 2.8 kg box with a 320W internal supply. The Stormcraft is a full tower with a 360mm liquid cooler and a 1300W PSU, so it needs more desk space and moves more heat.
Does the Minisforum work as a server or cluster node?
Yes. Dual 10GbE, Wi-Fi 7 and a rack-friendly chassis make it usable as a desktop workstation or a node in a small AI cluster. The Stormcraft is a desktop tower first.

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Solid State Drive
Processor Speed—4.7 GHz
Installed Memory—32 GB RAM
Drive Capacity—2 TB Storage