Minisforum MS-A2 PCIe/RAM/Hardward Compatibility And GuideThread

[Stovar]

Nice thread, I have been emailing and advising mini-forums to fix a lot of the issues from the previous MS workstations but despite mentioning them to use Ryzen Pro/ECC support, 8TB nvme or double sided nvmes like WD red nas drives, better cooling ie side panel as giant heatsink/fan, few other niggling issues with nvme space clearance for 3rd party nvme heatsinks..... they pretty much ignored it.

I do see on nascompares recent video from few weeks ago that there is a prototype addon for hte MS workstations, an 6 bay nvme card and a giant heatsink covering them to cool them properly. Not sure if it ever arrives or not but think mini-forums is attempting to fix issues.

Cwwk also have some interesting nas gear in the pipe line.

Its not for myself though, I am getting a little annoyed with mini-pcs and its pandoras box of issues so most likely heading back to desktop or mini itx builds to avoid the thermal throttling, lack of nvme or 8tb nvme support, high temps, cooling/noise and lack of ECC support.

 

[adavid]

J2702 is standart USB2.0
You can try to find GND and VCC5V.

This is useful, thanks! Any chance the pinout is documented somewhere?

I remember therehave a reversed FAN CONN in the back. you can find it.

I think I see it. You mean J3303? (J3302 is the SSD fan connector.)

 

[JaxJiang]

This is useful, thanks! Any chance the pinout is documented somewhere?



I think I see it. You mean J3303? (J3302 is the SSD fan connector.)

FAN PIN

 

[JaxJiang]

Nice thread, I have been emailing and advising mini-forums to fix a lot of the issues from the previous MS workstations but despite mentioning them to use Ryzen Pro/ECC support, 8TB nvme or double sided nvmes like WD red nas drives, better cooling ie side panel as giant heatsink/fan, few other niggling issues with nvme space clearance for 3rd party nvme heatsinks..... they pretty much ignored it.

I do see on nascompares recent video from few weeks ago that there is a prototype addon for hte MS workstations, an 6 bay nvme card and a giant heatsink covering them to cool them properly. Not sure if it ever arrives or not but think mini-forums is attempting to fix issues.

Cwwk also have some interesting nas gear in the pipe line.

Its not for myself though, I am getting a little annoyed with mini-pcs and its pandoras box of issues so most likely heading back to desktop or mini itx builds to avoid the thermal throttling, lack of nvme or 8tb nvme support, high temps, cooling/noise and lack of ECC support.

Ryzen Pro/ECC support depends on what kind of resouce can get from AMD.
Most of your other "Suggestion" may conflict with current MS series's design.
With this size, you have to do some compromise.

 

[Scott Laird]

At the moment, there aren't any 16-core Ryzen Pro CPUs listed on AMD's website, so there's no easy way to make a Ryzen Pro MS-A2 without getting AMD to spin up a new CPU that doesn't currently exist. Which might not actually that *that* difficult in some cases -- the technical difference between Ryzen and Ryzen Pro is probably just software -- but it's still not a small undertaking. It's weird that the MS-A2's BIOS has ECC support options enabled, though.

I assume the problem with 8T M.2s is just mechanical -- they're almost all double-sided, and the MS-* use a lower-profile M.2 connector that won't fit double-sided SSDs? There's a ton of room on that side of the chassis, but I'm *assuming* that the problem is U.2 support -- there needs to be enough clearance to fit U.2 drives, which either means making the case a few mm taller or limiting the SSD height.

If Minisforum dropped U.2 support then they'd probably gain 5-9 mm of free space on that side of the chassis, which would leave *tons* of space for tall SSDs. Or, alternately, you could find an M.2-to-U.2 adapter that will take double-sided M.2s, and then use that in the U.2-to-M.2 adapter that Minisforum supplies. Or, *maybe*, someone makes a M.2-to-M.2 adapter that could be modded into shape -- something that will fit into a low-profile M.2 slot but uses a double-sided connector for piggybacking bigger M.2s. Sort of like the 2242-in-a-2280-only slot adapters, but more so.

Or you could use the PCIe slot for a 2x M.2 adapter.

I *suspect* that future MS-* models will stick with the current M.2/U.2 setup, with their NAS lineup focusing more on the "I want all of the M.2s in the world" use case, but that's just a guess.

 

[mahdimc]

Tested, works:

PCIe x8 to x4x4 OCuLink card - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5HHFHW7
2x M.2 OCuLink adapter - Amazon.com: NVMe to SFF-8612 Adapter, RIITOP M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 to OCuLink SFF-8611 4i Host Adapter for eGPU and SSD : Electronics

All going to Minisforum DEG1 docks
with NVIDIA A4000 GPUs

NOTE: Must use default cable that comes with Minisforum DEG1. Other (longer) cables DO NOT WORK (not enough power from M.2 OCuLink adapter?)

 

[staph]

Can anyone share examples of what RAM manufacturer and models are shipped from the factory for the non-barebone models?

 

[besugo]

Hi,

on the User manual:

5.To prevent the SSD from overheating, the two SSDs on the right side of the back support a
maximum speed of PCIE4.0x4, but are set to PCIE3.0x4 by default. You can adjust it to PCIe Gen4
speed in OnBoard Setting in BIOS, but it may cause the SSD to overheat, which may result in blue
screen, freeze, or data loss.


Really?

 

[Stovar]

Hi,

on the User manual:

5.To prevent the SSD from overheating, the two SSDs on the right side of the back support a
maximum speed of PCIE4.0x4, but are set to PCIE3.0x4 by default. You can adjust it to PCIe Gen4
speed in OnBoard Setting in BIOS, but it may cause the SSD to overheat, which may result in blue
screen, freeze, or data loss.


Really?

Pretty much standard with mini pcs and mini nas devices by now, they will always be limited in size so have thermal limits/thermal issues especially more so if pushed with faster performance.

I have emailed miniforum's many times last 2 years about nvme heatsink and lack of space between slots. Even raising the m2 connector 3-4mm would allow nvme heatsinks and double sided or 8tb+ nvmes but they don't really listen.

They are working on a separate nvme pci-e card where the side panel case doubles up as a giant nvme heatsink, this maybe their fix attempt but unsure if it ever comes out since there was a prototype shown by nascompares YT videos, few months ago.

Only other way around it is mod the m2, remove the side panels yourself or even cut it sections and add more clearance, space and strap larger heatsinks and cooling fans to keep the components properly cool so they don't throttle or overheat.

 

[RafiThissen]

Maybe good to also add this tip: Minisforum MS-A2 9955HX temperature fix - ETCwiki

And I also successfully tested the Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6400 Gaming 4 GB GDDR6 HDMI/DP LP graphics card in this system.

I currently use the Minisforum DEG1 eGPU Dock with an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT connected via a PCIe 4.0 X4 to Oculink Adapter: Xiwai PCI-Express 4.0 4x naar Oculink 4x SFF-8612 SFF-8611 Hostkaart voor U.2 SSD eGPU Externe Grafische Kaart Dock PCIE : Amazon.nl: Elektronica
Works great!

 

[bug]

Hi

Someone tried this config:

• 64Gx2: Crucial CT64G56C46S5T(Not Offical Support)

Any additional Infos about stability or what is interesting to know about this configuration?
Has anyone already gained real experience? Default BIOS Setting or some Tweaks?

Best Regards

 

[MadFerIt]

Hi

Someone tried this config:

• 64Gx2: Crucial CT64G56C46S5T(Not Offical Support)

Any additional Infos about stability or what is interesting to know about this configuration?
Has anyone already gained real experience? Default BIOS Setting or some Tweaks?

Best Regards

Lots of us, myself included, have the 128GB Crucial kit and have had no issues. Mine is with the 7945HX MS-A2. Never had a crash running it as a Proxmox host. The memory training when you first boot will take an eternity, default trained settings should be the correct speed / timings for the kit / CPU.

 

[bug]

Thank you for your experience.

Another question, is someone useing Intel E810-XXVDA2 SFP28 Network Card?
Is there no temperature problem due to the small space and low airflow if you use this Intel E810 Network Card?

again, thank you and...
Best Regards

 

[ShuraX]

Hi!

Recently, unfortunately, I've encountered incompatibility issues between the Hikvision G400E M.2 SSD NVMe 1Tb and the Minisforum MS-A2 when using it with Proxmox VE9 or Ubuntu/Debian distributions. Would you kindly share which specific types and models of SSDs you've successfully used with this setup, particularly for running Proxmox?

 

[JaxJiang]

Hi!

Recently, unfortunately, I've encountered incompatibility issues between the Hikvision G400E M.2 SSD NVMe 1Tb and the Minisforum MS-A2 when using it with Proxmox VE9 or Ubuntu/Debian distributions. Would you kindly share which specific types and models of SSDs you've successfully used with this setup, particularly for running Proxmox?

Try disable ASPM function?
Minisforum offical using Kingston,Crucial SSD.

 

[ShuraX]

Try disable ASPM function?

Unfortunately, this setting didn't help me. I've tried already several options and configurations.

 

[Stovar]

The issue with nvme compatibility is across the board with mini pcs really, you just have to stick with the bigger and better brands out there like intel or samsung or western digital to remain compatible I have found, but it is trial and error so maybe purchase from someone with easier returns system like amazon.

 

[ShuraX]

So, finally after a lot of tests I was able to find the parameter that controls the "visible/invisible" state of my specific SSD in Proxmox/Ubuntu. It's called "PCI SR-IOV" in the BIOS settings. It needs to be set to "Enabled"!

 

[Algent]

FAN PIN
View attachment 44818

Hi, this is very interesting, is it the pinout for J3302 or J3303 (or are they identical ?).
Would you happen to have the info on the exact connector type too ?

I'm having some huge SSD overheating problem with the original fan, looking into replacing it with heatsink on each 22110 SSD that include a small blower but I'm not sure yet how I can power it.


EDIT:
Okay so I went and confirmed a few things.
Both connector are valid for FAN and have working PWM from bios.

In Bios HW Monitor page:
J3302=System Fan
J3303=SSD Fan
So yeah the small fan at the bottom is plugged as System fan for some reason. Not sure where the system temp sensor is but I have a feeling it's on this side of the PCB at all.


As for the pinout I can confirm what JaxJiang wrote:
1: Red (5V) (Note: on PCB side the first pin is the one next to the °)
2: Blue (PWM Signal)
3: Black (GND)
4: Yellow (Sense/Tach)

 

[Stovar]

Hi, this is very interesting, is it the pinout for J3302 or J3303 (or are they identical ?).
Would you happen to have the info on the exact connector type too ?

I'm having some huge SSD overheating problem with the original fan, looking into replacing it with heatsink on each 22110 SSD that include a small blower but I'm not sure yet how I can power it.


EDIT:
Okay so I went and confirmed a few things.
Both connector are valid for FAN and have working PWM from bios.

In Bios HW Monitor page:
J3302=System Fan
J3303=SSD Fan
So yeah the small fan at the bottom is plugged as System fan for some reason. Not sure where the system temp sensor is but I have a feeling it's on this side of the PCB at all.


As for the pinout I can confirm what JaxJiang wrote:
1: Red (5V) (Note: on PCB side the first pin is the one next to the °)
2: Blue (PWM Signal)
3: Black (GND)
4: Yellow (Sense/Tach)

Still nuts one has to go through the trenches to figure out fan and power headers when they could have easily added additional fan headers.
I gave up and just went the usb fan route with the dial switch to adjust the fan rpm, this is with mini pc set ups in general.

I give a fair amount of criticism to mini pc manufactures regarding lack of nvme double sided or 8tb nvme adequate cooling, but I recently found even full size atx motherboard manufactures are somewhat clueless with poor design work. I have an MSI tomahawk £300+ motherboard where 60% of the motherboard is a giant heatsink and none of them cool my 8tb WD nvmes well enough. Had to replace it with £12 thermalright nvme heatsinks.

Really does make me wonder if engineers and designers bother to test their gear for more then 5 minutes, clearly they don't or maybe they just enjoy to waste money and time.