DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowHalloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › Home Lab

Minisforum UM890 Pro Buyer’s Guide: Ryzen 9 Power, Cold Wave 2.2 Cooling and OCuLink

By Freedom251 Team · · 7 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Bottom line: The Minisforum UM890 Pro is a powerful, upgradeable mini desktop for developers, creators, home-lab users and gamers who may add an external GPU. Its Ryzen 9 8945HS, two SO-DIMM slots, dual NVMe bays, dual 2.5GbE ports, USB4 and native OCuLink are unusually flexible. However, its Radeon 780M remains integrated graphics, the processor is a soldered mobile chip, Minisforum’s cooling figures are claims rather than independent measurements, and official pages showed conflicting prices and stock on August 18, 2026.

What the Minisforum UM890 Pro is

The UM890 Pro is a compact integrated desktop PC built around AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS mobile APU. It is not a socketed desktop: the CPU and Radeon 780M graphics cannot be replaced. Meaningful expansion comes from two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, two PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 bays, USB4 peripherals and a native PCIe 4.0 x4 OCuLink connector for an external GPU.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

That combination makes it more than an ordinary office mini PC. It can serve as a development workstation, multi-monitor desktop, compact server or gaming system with an eGPU, provided you understand the costs and limitations of each use.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Specifications at a glance

Feature UM890 Pro information Important qualification
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, Zen 4, 8 cores/16 threads Mobile APU; Minisforum lists boost up to 5.2 GHz
Integrated graphics Radeon 780M Uses system memory; not a discrete GPU
Power Up to 70 W claimed by Minisforum Depends on firmware and selected power mode
Memory Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, up to 5600 MT/s Official maximum is 48 GB per module, 96 GB total; compatibility varies
Storage Two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots Product information claims up to 8 TB total
Networking Two 2.5GbE ports, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth Bluetooth version differs among published regional materials
USB and expansion Two USB4 ports up to 40 Gbps, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A ports, OCuLink Display and power-delivery behavior depends on the connected device
Video outputs HDMI, DisplayPort and USB4 display output Minisforum claims support for up to four displays
Cooling Cold Wave 2.2, 6 cm fan, active DDR/SSD cooling and liquid-metal CPU interface Noise and temperature figures below are manufacturer claims
US prices observed $439.90 barebone on the product page; $463 sale versus $579 on the US store Checked August 18, 2026; another official page showed sold out
Warranty Two years for US-store purchases on or after August 1, 2026 A three-year promotion covered eligible March 9–July 31, 2026 purchases; other sellers may differ

Primary specifications are listed on the official UM890 Pro product page, with additional port details in the UM890 Pro manual summary.

#1 Best Overall
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (up to 5.2GHz) Mini Computers, 32GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM&1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, Mini Desktop Quad Display HDMI/DP1.4/USB-C, AMD Radeon 780M/Dual LAN 2.5G
  • 【Powerful Ryzen 9 8945HS】MINISFORUM UM890 Pro is equipped with a new-generation AMD AI Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, with 8 cores and 16 threads, 16 MB L3 cache, a maximum acceleration frequency of 5.2 GHz and an integrated AMD Radeon 780M graphics card with an operating frequency of up to 2,800 MHz, offering excellent graphics processing power for multitasking and gaming needs. Equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU) to handle certain AI-related tasks.
  • 【Large Memory & Storage Support】UM890 Pro is equipped with DDR5 32GB RAM,a SODIMM slot, frequency of up to 5600 MHz, and can be expanded up to 96 GB. In terms of storage, it provides two M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD slots, supports rapid removal, and can be expanded up to 8 TB, facilitating rapid upgrading and replacement.
  • 【Quad-Screen Display】Mini Pc Ryzen 9 8945HS UM890 Pro is equipped with HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4 , and 2 x USB4, supporting maximum resolution of 8K at 60Hz/4K at 144Hz, providing a variety of video output options and with more flexible and efficient work space.
  • 【Various Peripheral Interfaces】Including 2 x 45.2G RJ5 Ethernet ports, 1 x Oculink port, 4 x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, 2 x USB4 ports (supports Alt PD, 65-100W PD input, 15W PD output), 1 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × DP 1.4, 1 × audio jack, 1 × DMIC, 1 × Clear CMOS button, providing comprehensive connection options to meet various peripheral needs.
  • 【Efficient Heat Dissipation System】Equipped with two 8mm high-performance heat pipes and a high-density offset blade fan to provide efficient heat dissipation. It is also equipped with an active DDR&SSD heatsink fan and liquid gold CPU cooling material to ensure that noise remains at a low level of 43 dB in performance mode.

What Ryzen 9 8945HS performance means here

AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS is an eight-core, 16-thread Zen 4 laptop processor with integrated Radeon 780M graphics and the Ryzen 8040-series AI/NPU features. The “Ryzen 9” name does not make it equivalent to a desktop Ryzen 9 7900- or 9900-class processor. In a mini PC, sustained results depend on the power limit, cooling, memory configuration, firmware and workload.

It is well suited to compiling code, office multitasking, virtual machines, compression, light rendering and other CPU-heavy work. A larger desktop with a socketed processor remains the better choice for maximum sustained all-core performance or future CPU upgrades.

AMD’s processor specifications are available on its Ryzen 9 8945HS product page.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Cold Wave 2.2 cooling: design versus evidence

Minisforum says Cold Wave 2.2 uses an upgraded 6 cm fan, liquid-metal CPU thermal interface and active cooling for both DDR5 memory and SSDs. The company claims a power mode of up to 70 W, 43 dB noise (5 dB below the previous generation), a 60% DDR temperature reduction and a 40% SSD temperature reduction.

Rank #2
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS(8C/16T, up to 5.2GHz) 32GB DDR5 1TB PCIe4.0 SSD, 2xUSB4(PD 8K)|1xHDMI|1xDP Four Outputs, 2x RJ45, BT5.2 4xUSB3.2 AMD Radeon 780M Graphics Micro Computer
  • 【Ryzen 9 8945HS Processor】MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC is an ultra-thin processor manufactured using a 4nm process with the Ryzen 8000 series AMD ryzen 9 8945HS CPU equipped with an AI engine. With 8 Cores and 16 Threads, the standard clock speed is 4.0GHz, and the max boost speed is up to 5.2GHz.
  • 【Powerful Graphics】UM890 Pro Desktop computer adopted the latest Zen 4 architecture, Cinebench shows up to 14% improvement in single-core performance compared to the previous generation ZEN 3+ architecture. Featuring the AMD Radeon 780M with the revolutionary AMD RDNA 3 architecture that powers the next generation of AMD graphics on the GPU, it is designed for next-generation efficient high-performance gaming.
  • 【8K Display Output】This Micro PC equipped with 2x USB4(8K@60Hz), 2xHDMI(4K@120Hz) and 1x USB4(4K@60Hz) and 1x DP(4K@60Hz) outputs, supporting multi-display with 4K and 8K displays. Provide you with a bigger and wider field of view and improve your work efficiency. [USB4 PD] Can drive a 15w mobile display with a single cable via the USB4 interface. *If your monitor is overclockable, it supports up to 4K@160hz in 4K mode when using HDMI.
  • 【Two 2.5Gbps LAN】It comes with Two 2500Mbps Lan Port, and expand its functions and improved performance of computer to a large extent and allows you to use more networks such as software routers (OpenWRT / DD-WRT / Tomato etc.), firewalls, NAT, network isolation etc. It supports Auto Power On, PXT Boot, WOL, RTC Boot etc, just need you to send it in the BIOS.
  • 【OCulink Support】This UM890 Pro was equipped with the industry's first OCulink port. OCuLink is a standard for externally connecting PCI Express, the speed is PCIe4.0 x4=64G. With this port, you could install external GPU with faster support speeds compared to Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. Note: *Non-hot-swappable, OCulink requires one M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSⅮslot*.

Those figures are manufacturer claims, not independent measurements. “43 dB” does not establish how loud the unit is in your room, and percentage reductions do not provide absolute component temperatures. A high-power mode can sustain more performance while increasing fan noise, heat and energy use. Extra fans also add moving parts, dust exposure and disassembly complexity.

The cooling hardware is most potentially valuable with two memory modules, two NVMe drives and long compiles, renders, encodes or virtualization workloads. It does not automatically make the UM890 Pro silent.

Radeon 780M gaming expectations

Radeon 780M is capable integrated graphics, but it shares system memory and is not a substitute for a modern discrete GPU. Performance is especially sensitive to dual-channel memory, memory speed, driver version, VRAM allocation, resolution, game settings and the selected power mode.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Good matches

  • Esports and competitive games.
  • Indie titles, emulation and older AAA games.
  • A compact system paired with an external GPU.

Conditional matches

  • Current AAA games at 1080p with low or medium settings and, where available, upscaling.
  • Users willing to tune graphics, power and fan settings.

Poor matches

  • Native 4K AAA gaming on the integrated GPU.
  • Ray-tracing-heavy games without a discrete GPU.

Use two matched SO-DIMMs when possible: a single module reduces memory bandwidth available to the iGPU. Increasing BIOS-assigned VRAM does not create extra graphics hardware and can reduce RAM available to Windows or Linux.

Rank #3
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS(8C/16T, up to 5.2GHz) 32G DDR5 512G PCIe4.0 SSD, 2xUSB4(PD 8K)|1xHDMI|1xDP Four Outputs, 2xRJ45, BT5.2 4xUSB3.2 AMD Radeon 780M Graphics Micro Computer
  • 【Ryzen 9 8945HS Processor】MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC is an ultra-thin processor manufactured using a 4nm process with the Ryzen 8000 series AMD ryzen 9 8945HS CPU equipped with an AI engine. With 8 Cores and 16 Threads, the standard clock speed is 4.0GHz, and the max boost speed is up to 5.2GHz.
  • 【Powerful Graphics】UM890 Pro Desktop computer adopted the latest Zen 4 architecture, Cinebench shows up to 14% improvement in single-core performance compared to the previous generation ZEN 3+ architecture. Featuring the AMD Radeon 780M with the revolutionary AMD RDNA 3 architecture that powers the next generation of AMD graphics on the GPU, it is designed for next-generation efficient high-performance gaming.
  • 【8K Display Output】This Micro PC equipped with 2x USB4(8K@60Hz), 2xHDMI(4K@120Hz) and 1x USB4(4K@60Hz) and 1x DP(4K@60Hz) outputs, supporting multi-display with 4K and 8K displays. Provide you with a bigger and wider field of view and improve your work efficiency. [USB4 PD] Can drive a 15w mobile display with a single cable via the USB4 interface. *If your monitor is overclockable, it supports up to 4K@160hz in 4K mode when using HDMI.
  • 【Two 2.5Gbps LAN】It comes with Two 2500Mbps Lan Port, and expand its functions and improved performance of computer to a large extent and allows you to use more networks such as software routers (OpenWRT / DD-WRT / Tomato etc.), firewalls, NAT, network isolation etc. It supports Auto Power On, PXT Boot, WOL, RTC Boot etc, just need you to send it in the BIOS.
  • 【OCulink Support】This UM890 Pro was equipped with the industry's first OCulink port. OCuLink is a standard for externally connecting PCI Express, the speed is PCIe4.0 x4=64G. With this port, you could install external GPU with faster support speeds compared to Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. Note: *Non-hot-swappable, OCulink requires one M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSⅮslot*.

Ports, displays and networking

The unusual connectivity is a major reason to choose this model. Dual 2.5GbE suits a NAS, router, firewall or home lab; dual USB4 supports fast storage, docks and displays; and HDMI, DisplayPort and USB4 can support a multi-monitor desk.

Minisforum publishes maximum interface capabilities of HDMI up to 8K/60 or 4K/120, DisplayPort 1.4 up to 4K/240 and USB4 display output up to 8K/60 or 4K/144. The company also claims up to four displays. Actual combinations depend on the monitor, cable, adapter, driver, refresh rate and how outputs are routed through the integrated GPU. These are interface limits, not a guarantee that four displays can run at their maximum resolution and refresh simultaneously.

OCuLink and the real eGPU cost

OCuLink provides a direct PCIe 4.0 x4 connection for a compatible external GPU dock. It can have less overhead than a USB4 eGPU connection, but it is not a complete graphics solution. You still need a dock, desktop graphics card, power supply unless the dock includes one, cable and a practical way to house the card.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Minisforum’s DEG1 dock was listed at $109 sale versus $139 on the US store when checked. Add that dock to the mini PC, GPU and power supply when calculating the total. An eGPU also sacrifices some of the UM890 Pro’s simplicity and portability, and performance depends on the card, drivers, monitor connection and game.

Rank #4
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS(8C/16T, up to 5.2GHz) Barebone Version, 2xUSB4(PD 8K)|1xHDMI|1xDP Four Outputs, 2X RJ45, BT5.2 4xUSB3.2 AMD Radeon 780M Graphics Micro Computer
  • 【Ryzen 9 8945HS Performance】MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC is an ultra-thin processor manufactured using a 4nm process with the Ryzen 8000 series AMD ryzen 9 8945HS CPU equipped with an AI engine. With 8 Cores and 16 Threads, the standard clock speed is 4.0GHz, and the max boost speed is up to 5.2GHz.
  • 【Powerful Graphics】UM890 Pro Desktop computer adopted the latest Zen 4 architecture, Cinebench shows up to 14% improvement in single-core performance compared to the previous generation ZEN 3+ architecture. Featuring the AMD Radeon 780M with the revolutionary AMD RDNA 3 architecture that powers the next generation of AMD graphics on the GPU, it is designed for next-generation efficient high-performance gaming.
  • 【8K Display Output】This Micro PC equipped with 2x USB4(8K@60Hz), 2xHDMI(4K@120Hz) and 1x USB4(4K@60Hz) and 1x DP(4K@60Hz) outputs, supporting multi-display with 4K and 8K displays. Provide you with a bigger and wider field of view and improve your work efficiency. [USB4 PD] Can drive a 15w mobile display with a single cable via the USB4 interface. *If your monitor is overclockable, it supports up to 4K@160hz in 4K mode when using HDMI.
  • 【Two 2.5Gbps LAN】It comes with Two 2500Mbps Lan Port, and expand its functions and improved performance of computer to a large extent and allows you to use more networks such as software routers (OpenWRT / DD-WRT / Tomato etc.), firewalls, NAT, network isolation etc. It supports Auto Power On, PXT Boot, WOL, RTC Boot etc, just need you to send it in the BIOS.
  • 【OCulink Support】This UM890 Pro was equipped with the industry's first OCulink port. OCuLink is a standard for externally connecting PCI Express, the speed is PCIe4.0 x4=64G. With this port, you could install external GPU with faster support speeds compared to Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. Note: *Non-hot-swappable, OCulink requires one M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSⅮslot*.

Memory, storage and upgradeability

Installing two DDR5 SO-DIMMs enables dual-channel operation and is particularly important for Radeon 780M. Minisforum lists support for up to 48 GB per module and 96 GB total, normally achieved with two 48 GB modules. That is an advertised maximum, not a guarantee with every kit; check module compatibility and firmware.

Two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots allow separate system and data drives or a mirrored, striped or application-specific layout. The listed 8 TB total depends on the drives selected and the operating system. The CPU, iGPU and motherboard platform remain fixed.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Windows, Linux, BIOS and maintenance

Configurations vary by region and sale. Official listings have shown barebone, 32 GB/1 TB and 64 GB/1 TB versions. A barebone purchase generally requires DDR5 SO-DIMMs, at least one SSD and an operating system; do not assume the same RAM, SSD, Windows license or power plug across listings.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Linux is plausible because the hardware is conventional, but compatibility should be checked with the exact distribution and kernel you intend to use. Verify Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, suspend/wake, display output, USB4, OCuLink eGPU behavior, fan controls, video acceleration and BIOS update procedures rather than assuming every feature works identically to Windows.

Best Value
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (up to 5.2GHz) Mini Computers, 32GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM& 512 PCIe 4.0 SSD, Mini Desktop Quad Display HDMI/DP1.4/USB-C, AMD Radeon 780M/Dual LAN 2.5G
  • 【Powerful Ryzen 9 8945HS】MINISFORUM UM890 Pro is equipped with a new-generation AMD AI Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, with 8 cores and 16 threads, 16 MB L3 cache, a maximum acceleration frequency of 5.2 GHz and an integrated AMD Radeon 780M graphics card with an operating frequency of up to 2,800 MHz, offering excellent graphics processing power for multitasking and gaming needs. Equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU) to handle certain AI-related tasks.
  • 【Large Memory & Storage Support】UM890 Pro is equipped with DDR5 32GB RAM,a SODIMM slot, frequency of up to 5600 MHz, and can be expanded up to 96 GB. In terms of storage, it provides two M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD slots, supports rapid removal, and can be expanded up to 8 TB, facilitating rapid upgrading and replacement.
  • 【Quad-Screen Display】Mini Pc Ryzen 9 8945HS UM890 Pro is equipped with HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4 , and 2 x USB4, supporting maximum resolution of 8K at 60Hz/4K at 144Hz, providing a variety of video output options and with more flexible and efficient work space.
  • 【Various Peripheral Interfaces】Including 2 x 45.2G RJ5 Ethernet ports, 1 x Oculink port, 4 x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, 2 x USB4 ports (supports Alt PD, 65-100W PD input, 15W PD output), 1 × HDMI 2.1, 1 × DP 1.4, 1 × audio jack, 1 × DMIC, 1 × Clear CMOS button, providing comprehensive connection options to meet various peripheral needs.
  • 【Efficient Heat Dissipation System】Equipped with two 8mm high-performance heat pipes and a high-density offset blade fan to provide efficient heat dissipation. It is also equipped with an active DDR&SSD heatsink fan and liquid gold CPU cooling material to ensure that noise remains at a low level of 43 dB in performance mode.

Minisforum provides drivers, manuals, BIOS files and installation resources through its product information and downloads page and support center.

  1. Record the exact UM890 Pro model and CPU configuration.
  2. Download only the UM890 Pro-specific BIOS and drivers.
  3. Connect stable power, back up important data and do not interrupt a firmware update.
  4. After updating, check memory speed, VRAM allocation, power mode, boot order and any PCIe/OCuLink settings.
  5. If a setting prevents booting, use Clear CMOS as directed by the current manual.

BIOS menu names and available options can change between firmware versions, so avoid applying instructions written for another UM-series model.

Price, stock and warranty

On August 18, 2026, the official product page displayed a $439.90 barebone price, while the US store showed $463 on sale versus $579. An official AMD collection page also showed a sold-out signal. These conflicting pages may reflect inventory, regional channels or stale promotions; verify the exact SKU, stock and checkout price immediately before buying.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The Minisforum FAQ states that the standard US-store warranty is two years for purchases made on or after August 1, 2026. The earlier three-year extension applied to eligible purchases from March 9 through July 31, 2026. Marketplace and regional sellers can use different warranty and return policies.

Who should buy it?

Choose the UM890 Pro if you need

  • A compact but relatively high-performance CPU.
  • Up to 96 GB of replaceable memory and two internal NVMe drives.
  • Native OCuLink for a future external GPU.
  • Dual 2.5GbE for storage, routing or lab work.
  • USB4 and a multi-monitor desktop.

Consider another mini PC if you want

  • A newer or substantially faster integrated GPU.
  • Predictably quiet operation under sustained maximum load.
  • A mainstream retail channel with simpler local support.
  • A replaceable desktop CPU or a discrete GPU inside the enclosure.
  • No need for OCuLink, dual 2.5GbE or two NVMe bays.

Barebone or preconfigured?

For a barebone system, budget for the mini PC, a matched DDR5 SO-DIMM kit, SSD or SSDs and an operating-system license if required. For an eGPU setup, add the OCuLink dock, graphics card and power supply. When the discounted ready-to-use price is close to the barebone price, the preconfigured unit may be better value if its included memory, SSD, warranty and availability meet your needs.

Final recommendation

The UM890 Pro is a strong specialist buy, not a universal best mini PC. Its case is the combination of Ryzen 9 CPU performance, two upgradeable memory slots, two NVMe bays, dual 2.5GbE, USB4 and native OCuLink. Buy it when those features solve a real requirement and you can accept integrated graphics, mobile-CPU limits and changing seller terms. Choose a newer integrated-GPU system, a socketed small-form-factor desktop or a built-in-discrete-GPU model when gaming performance, CPU replacement or mainstream support matters more than expansion flexibility.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Home Labmini PCMinisforumOCuLinkRadeon 780MRyzen 9 8945HSUM890 Pro

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.