Minisforum UM790 XTX Mini

Nov 06, 2023

Power limit set higher than desktop APUs.

For those eagerly anticipating the arrival of the AMD Zen4-based Phoenix APU for desktops, it might be time to reconsider their plans. Minisforum has just unveiled its latest UM790 XTX system, featuring the AMD Ryzen 7040 APU. While this isn’t the first Minisforum device to incorporate this processor, this particular model boasts an interesting feature: a higher 70W TDP (Thermal Design Power).

The original UM790 Pro Mini-PC was locked at a 54W TDP (and adjustable up to 65W) and offered up to the Ryzen 9 7940HS processor. Its direct competitor, the Beelink GTR7 Pro, also featured the same APU but with a higher power limit of 65W (out of the box). However, Minisforum has been diligently working on an even more powerful variant known as the UM790 XTX, which will offer an even higher TDP of 70W.

UM790 XTX, Source: Minisforum

What sets this model apart, is the inclusion of the Oculink connector, which offers higher bandwidth than Thunderbolt 3/4. This connector enables a direct connection for external GPUs without noticeably sacrificing on performance. Oculink is still quite rare among Mini-PCs, though it is gradually gaining traction in handheld gaming consoles. With a capable APU boasting Zen4 architecture clocked above 5.0 GHz, this device promises to be a good processor for gaming.

UM790 XTX, Source: Minisforum

It’s worth noting that Minisforum currently lacks an Oculink GPU, but other companies, such as GPD, have already introduced theirs. GPD’s GPU is based on the Radeon RX 7600M XT, representing the latest RDNA3 mobile architecture. AMD has yet to unveil its Navi 32-based Radeon mobile series, which might prompt Minisforum to wait for a more powerful option before launching their Oculink GPU-equipped device. We have confirmed with Minisforum that the company is working on their on GPU, but it may not be ready for the launch of UM790 XTX later this year.

Source: Minisforum via ITHome