- Minisforum N5 Pro Ryzen AI 9 Processor Powers Work Load Far Our A Typical NAS
- ECC DDR5 — Memory ensures system stability during extended, demanding operations
- Five SATA bells and Three NVMe -Slots support solid hybrid storage
The Minis Forum N5 Pro enters the market as a network replacement storage (NAS) device, but carries specifications more typical of compact workstation systems.
In its core, Ryzen AI 9 HX Pro 370 processor is with 12 cores, 24 threads and a on board NPU capable of 50 peaks.
Combined with support for up to 96 GB ECC DDR5 memory, the device moves closer to workstation class performance while being packed in a compact form factor reminiscent of a mini PC.
Storage flexibility in a compact structure
N5 Pro supplies five SATA buges next to three NVME or U.2 slots that support as much as 144 TB of mixed storage.
Unlike some devices that depend on shared gates, each SATA connection is direct, which improves consistency under transfers.
Expansion paths include a PCI Gen 4 × 16 slot and oculink that enables the addition of GPUs or external drift cages.
This combination is rarely found in the best NAS devices, suggesting that the Minis Forum is targeted at users of domestic or professionals.
Connection is equally ambitious, with double ethernet ports that supply 10 GBE and 5GBE speeds.
Tests showed that these interfaces achieved sustained flow close to their nominal capacity, making the system suitable for requiring multi-discs or virtualization environments.
Two USB4 ports and an HDMI 2.1 output add additional settings, enabling direct high-speed link to desktops or portable SSDs.
The system comes with mini -cloud OS, loaded onto a small SSD. The platform is ZFS-based and includes snapshots, compression, RAID control, Docker support and AI-driven photo indexing.
This is functional, but its unfinished interface and lack of corporate functions limit its appeal compared to mature solutions such as Truenas or Unraid.
N5 Pro has been available since July and it has seen several adjustments since its first release.
The Minis Forum initially offered a 64 GB storage setting, but this has now been replaced by 128 GB drive as a baseline.
The barebone unit is currently noted at $ 1,019, down slightly from $ 1,039, but a pre -configured variant with 48 GB ECC DDR5 memory is priced at $ 1,308, reflecting a minimal $ 3 reduction.
The High-end 96 GB variant has risen in costs and moved from $ 1,583 to $ 1,597 for no reasoned reason.
Via Minis Forum
