MINISFORUM N5 Hybrid NAS Mini PC Launches with Ryzen 7 and 8-Bay Storage Support
MINISFORUM has released the N5 series Hybrid NAS Mini PC, expanding its lineup of compact computing solutions. Announced in early July, the new system is now available and targets users looking for a combined NAS and mini PC platform. Built around the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS eight-core processor, the N5 offers solid computing performance alongside comprehensive storage and networking capabilities.
The N5 is housed in a dual-compartment enclosure measuring 199×202×252 mm. This layout separates storage and compute components, aiding cooling and accessibility. The upper section is dedicated to five SATA III drive bays, compatible with both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch hard drives or SSDs. These bays are cooled by dual 0225 fans to maintain consistent airflow and drive temperatures.
The lower compartment contains the mainboard, memory slots, and storage expansion options. It offers three internal slots for M.2 or U.2 SSDs—two M.2 PCIe 4.0 x1 and one M.2 PCIe 4.0 x2. Two of these slots can be converted for U.2 interface drives, supporting faster storage options for demanding applications. A full-length PCIe 4.0 x4 slot is also available, allowing for additional hardware such as high-speed network cards, GPUs, or accelerators. A USB-A 10Gbps slot is reserved for system flash storage.
Connectivity on the front panel includes one full-function USB4 port, one USB-A 10Gbps port, a power button, and multiple status indicators for drive activity and system health. The rear panel expands these options with another USB4 port, HDMI 2.0, OCuLink interface, USB-A ports (10Gbps and 480Mbps), and two RJ45 Ethernet ports—one supporting 10GbE and the other 5GbE—enabling high-speed network transfers and virtualization support. A Kensington security slot is also included.
The N5 runs on MinisCloud OS, MINISFORUM’s in-house operating system designed for hybrid NAS devices. It supports the ZFS file system, public network access, LZ4 compression, Docker containers, and features such as AI-based photo sorting. These capabilities make the N5 suitable for use as a home server, media center, or compact enterprise storage node.
With its combination of compact size, AMD processing power, PCIe 4.0 support, and flexible storage options, the MINISFORUM N5 positions itself as a versatile solution for both personal and professional environments. The system is now available through official sales channels and select online retailers.
