MSI unveils two AI-powered mini PCs with 96GB unified memory and 50 TOPS performance

MSI's new tiny PC has 96GB unified memory and Ryzen AI Max CPUs

Small desktop PCs can often be a compromised experience compared to full-size desktops, but they don't have to be. MSI just revealed its new AI Edge desktop, and the Ryzen Max+ chipset under the hood should deliver excellent performance. The MSI AI Edge is a new compact desktop PC, revealed for the first time at CES 2026. It's powered by AMD's updated Ryzen AI Max+ 300 series of processors, with the highest-end model using the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. Much like Apple Silicon chips, the 96GB of memory is shared across RAM and VRAM, depending on what is needed for the current workload. There's also RDNA 3.5 graphics with 40 compute units, and a dedicated NPU for up to 50 TOPS of AI acceleration. MSI said in a press release, "A distinct advantage of the AI Edge is its memory configuration, which effectively removes VRAM bottlenecks. The system utilizes up to 128GB of LPDDR5X 8000 on-board Unified Memory, designed for low-latency speed. Critically, up to 96GB of this high-speed memory can be dynamically and exclusively allocated to the GPU." Earlier versions of those Ryzen AI Max already deliver great performance in the Framework Desktop, HP Z2 Mini, and other computers. That should mean the MSI AI Edge will be great for local machine learning and generative AI, as well as 3D rendering, some gaming, and other tasks that benefit from more GPU power and lots of VRAM. MSI didn't provide exact physical dimensions for the MSI AI Edge, except that it has a 4-liter internal volume, with a built-in power supply. For context, the Framework Desktop is 4.5 liters. That's not quite as small as some other small PCs, but most of those are using lower-power integrated graphics -- the GPU in this PC is more comparable to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060. There's also MSI's "Glacier Armor thermal solution" to keep everything cool at high workloads. The announcement also highlighted an important difference between this and a Mac Mini or Mac Studio -- the ability to run any traditional PC operating system. The latest Mac desktops with Apple Silicon chips are stuck with macOS (Asahi Linux is only up to M2 chips so far), but this is a standard 64-bit x86 PC, so you can safely install Windows or desktop Linux. Even though existing local AI apps like LM Studio or Ollama would work well, MSI is also working on its own front-end software for productivity work. The announcement said, " This multimodal software leverages the device's on-premises computing resources. It features powerful capabilities for essential productivity tasks, such as generating meeting notes and creating mind maps, all while maximizing data privacy. Additionally, the software integrates advanced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology, enabling users to securely process and query local datasets for highly contextual and data-specific output." Subscribe for in-depth coverage of compact AI PCs Get deeper hands-on analysis -- subscribe to the newsletter for buyer's guides, performance breakdowns, thermal and memory insights, OS and compatibility comparisons, and practical setup tips for compact AI desktops. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. MSI did not provide an exact release date or price tag for the AI Edge. You'll have to keep an eye on MSI's online store and other retailers if you want to buy one.

MSI Unveils 0.5-Liter Panther Lake-Based Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG Mini PC With Up To Core Ultra 9 386H

New Panther Lake-based mini PC from MSI is here, and it's incredibly small and powerful. Apart from introducing many mainstream PC hardware at the CES event currently being held in Las Vegas, MSI has also debuted a new ultra-compact AI mini PC. This is the Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG, which uses just a 0.51-litre chassis to achieve an incredibly compact form factor that can be carried easily anywhere. Despite its small footprint, the mini PC houses incredibly powerful hardware for intensive computing and AI workloads. The Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG showcases MSI's dedication to providing powerful AI-driven solutions in the smallest possible form factor. Our collaboration with Intel allows us to offer customers advanced performance, versatile connectivity, and a sustainable design -- perfectly suited to meet the demands of modern workplaces, - James Yeh, VP, System & Display Group, MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 3MG uses the latest Intel Panther Lake, aka Core Ultra Series 3, processors to bring powerful compute and enhanced AI performance. The mini PC is a certified Copilot+ PC, thanks to the latest NPU5 (5th gen NPU), which can deliver 50 TOPS of AI performance. Users will have the flexibility to choose between different processors as it will be available with three different SKUs to fit users' budgets. For users on a tight budget, the Core Ultra 5 322 processor will be available, but for faster processing, the higher core-count Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor will be best. The flagship configuration will offer the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, which will bring 16 cores to the system for intensive operations. Moreover, this SKU also brings a decently-capable integrated graphics with 4 Xe3 GPU cores. For memory, users will have up to 32 GB using the 2x SO-DIMM slots, and a single NVMe slot for adding fast storage. Connectivity is also top-notch, bringing the latest WiFi 7, dual LAN ports, and multiple USB ports for peripheral connectivity. For display, users can use dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, which can support up to 4 displays simultaneously. This is especially convenient for those who want to have greater multitasking prowess at their fingertips. Talking of fingertips, the mini PC comes with a fingerprint-recognition power button for streamlined authentication and improved protection.