Written 22 Aug 2026. Specs from the maker pages linked below. Prices from those stores. I haven't used these.
More CPU in a compact 10G closet box, still not a rack server: Minisforum MS-A2
More CPU in a compact 10G closet box when you outgrow the MS-01, without moving to a used 1U. The MS-A2 does that job with a fan and a higher price.
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, 16C/32T. STH: Intel X710 on the two SFP+ ports; one 2.5G Intel i226-V and one Realtek RTL8125: three NIC drivers from two vendors. USB-C on the rear is USB 3.2 Gen2 10 Gbps, not USB4, not Thunderbolt. That last bit matters if you wanted MS-01-style Thunderbolt clustering. Chassis is just over 1.7 L. Top and bottom vents: don't stack them. Small workstation fans. Not silent. Still not a 1U.
STH’s fetched review page did not publish a single idle watt. NAS Compares / storagediskprices commentary puts load well above the MS-01. Treat watts as unmeasured by us. I won't invent a closet idle.
What to buy
| Box | What it is | Street, 22 Aug 2026 | Buy if |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINISFORUM MS-A2 | Ryzen 9 9955HX, dual 10G SFP+ (X710), 2.5G i226-V + RTL8125, PCIe x16, ~1.7 L. | store.minisforum.com barebone $799 (was $999). minisforum.com US page showed $839.90 and sold-out configs when fetched. Amazon 32 GB / 1 TB ASIN B0G7H72Z1H snap $1,239. 96 GB / 2 TB B0FGJD9Y7N snap $2,079.90. VideoCardz launch: Amazon barebone $799, 32 GB / 1 TB $1,199. | You want the AMD 10G pizza box and you will live with a fan and three NIC drivers. |
| MINISFORUM MS-01 | Intel 12th/13th-gen sibling. USB4. Sold out 22 Aug 2026. | Maker from $439.90 when it existed. | You wanted Thunderbolt / lower street and can wait. |
Skip
Skip a used 1U “because it also has 10G.” See 1U vs pizza box and used vs new. Skip stacking two MS-A2s on top of each other. STH called the heat bleed. Skip treating the rear USB-C as USB4.
Sources
STH MS-A2 review (“almost perfect”; X710 / i226-V / RTL8125; ~1.7 L; no idle watt on the fetched page). Minisforum store MS-A2. Amazon B0G7H72Z1H. Amazon B0FGJD9Y7N. VideoCardz launch note. Street moves.