The Minisforum MS-02 Ultra can reportedly display more than 160 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p Ultra with a low-profile GeForce RTX 5060 and DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation enabled at 4×. But the same test produced about 75 FPS before generated frames were counted. Installing the graphics card also reduced the system’s reported CPU power limits, making this a capable compact workstation-gaming hybrid rather than a straightforward 160-FPS gaming machine.
The benchmark result in context
The result comes from a reported ETA Prime test summarized by Notebookcheck, with the configuration also covered by Frandroid. It used:
- Minisforum MS-02 Ultra
- Intel Core Ultra 7 285HX
- 64 GB of DDR5 memory
- Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 low-profile graphics card with 8 GB of GDDR7 VRAM
- External monitor and Windows gaming tests
| Setting | Reported result | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution and preset | 1440p Ultra | The demanding game settings remained enabled |
| Upscaling | DLSS Quality | The game rendered internally below 1440p before reconstruction |
| Frame generation | DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, 4× | Additional AI-generated frames were inserted between conventionally rendered frames |
| Baseline | About 75 FPS | Approximate rendered-game performance before the 4× frame-generation output |
| Headline result | More than 160 FPS | Displayed/output frame rate including generated frames |
The accurate headline is therefore: the system reportedly displays over 160 FPS with DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation, while its underlying rendered rate is around 75 FPS in the cited test. It should not be described as an RTX 5060 rendering Cyberpunk 2077 natively at 160 FPS.
Why generated 160 FPS is not the same as native 160 FPS
DLSS Quality renders the game at a lower internal resolution and reconstructs the image toward the selected output resolution. Multi Frame Generation then creates additional frames using information from rendered frames, motion data and the GPU’s AI hardware.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance AI Processor：The MS-02 Ultra features an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX (24C/24T, up to 5.5 GHz, 13 TOPS NPU), delivering fast and efficient performance for AI inference, algorithm development, and media workloads. A PCIe x16 expansion slot supports desktop-class GPU upgrades for advanced model training and accelerated computing tasks. It's ideal for creators, engineers, and teams handling intensive parallel workloads.
- 4 × M.2 PCIe 4.0 + 4 × DDR5 SODIMM slots:Four DDR5 SODIMM slots support up to 256 GB of memory, while ECC helps maintain data integrity in mission-critical environments. Four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots support up to 24 TB of storage, supporting RAID 0/1/5/10, combining high-speed performance with data protection. It allows for the creation of independent scratch disks, media libraries, and project drives, providing high-throughput for production workflows.
- PCIe & USB 4.0 v2: Up to three PCIe slots can be equipped, including a dual-slot x16 GPU. The main slot supports PCIe 5.0, meeting the needs of high-bandwidth creative and computing workloads. USB 4.0 v2 (80Gbps) supports high-bandwidth external storage and displays.
- Ultra-fast Networking: Wi-Fi 7 further enhances wireless performance with next-generation speeds and low-latency stability. Intelligent bandwidth switching optimizes throughput in different network environments, ensuring optimal performance for enterprise or local networks. Dual 25GbE ports (providing up to approximately 3.125 GB/s bandwidth, about 25 times faster than traditional 1GbE), enabling seamless large-scale file transfers and parallel computing. 10GbE and 2.5GbE ports, with support for Intel vPro technology, ensure enterprise-grade remote management and deployment flexibility.
- Server-grade thermal architecture: Utilizing a dedicated CPU/GPU airflow design, equipped with a 6-pipe dual-fan cooler, it maintains stable performance even under sustained loads, delivering up to 140W Turbo power while maintaining a 100W TDP, and operating with noise levels as low as 36 dB. An integrated 350W power supply ensures stable and reliable output for demanding computing tasks and fully loaded extended configurations.
This can make camera movement appear substantially smoother, especially on a high-refresh display. It does not, however, give the GPU the same game-simulation and input-to-display behavior as conventionally rendering 160 complete frames per second. The approximately 75-FPS baseline remains important because it better represents the rate at which the game is actually producing new rendered frames.
Frame generation can also add latency or produce visual artifacts in some scenes. The result depends on the game, driver, frame-pacing behavior, display and settings. The available report does not establish that this particular test suffered from visible artifacts, so the 160-FPS figure should be treated as generated output rather than a claim about image quality or responsiveness.
Variable-refresh support and a monitor capable of accepting the desired refresh rate matter as well. A 160-FPS counter offers little practical benefit if the display cannot show that output.
The discrete GPU costs some CPU headroom
The more consequential finding for workstation buyers is the change in reported CPU power limits after the RTX 5060 was installed:
| Configuration | PL1 | PL2 |
|---|---|---|
| Without discrete GPU | Approximately 100 W | Approximately 140 W |
| With RTX 5060 low-profile GPU | Approximately 90 W | Approximately 110 W |
That is a power-budget trade-off, not proof that the CPU overheated. The MS-02 Ultra has a compact integrated power and cooling design. Minisforum advertises a 350-W power design and separate airflow arrangements for the processor and graphics card, but the system still has finite electrical and thermal capacity. Allocating more of that capacity to a discrete GPU can leave the CPU with less sustained headroom.
Rank #2
- High-Performance AI Processor: Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX (14 cores/14 threads, up to 5.1 GHz, 13 TOPS NPU), the MS-02 Ultra delivers fast and efficient performance for AI inference and algorithm development. A PCIe x16 expansion slot allows for desktop-class GPU upgrades for advanced model training and accelerated computing tasks, suitable for creative professionals, engineers, and teams handling compute-intensive parallel workloads
- 10GbE Networking & Wi-Fi 7 Ready: Future-proof your connectivity with a built-in 10GbE LAN port for lightning-fast NAS transfers and a secondary 2.5GbE port for network redundancy. Combined with the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 technology, you can experience ultra-low latency and massive bandwidth for high-speed cloud collaboration and seamless remote work
- 4 DDR5 SODIMM Slots: Break the limits of compact computing with 4 x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, supporting a massive capacity of up to 256GB. Whether you are running multiple virtual machines (VMs), handling massive datasets, or rendering high-resolution 3D projects, the MS-02 Ultra provides the server-grade memory overhead required for professional-grade stability
- Advanced USB4 V2 & Triple 8K Display: Experience the bleeding edge of I/O with dual USB4 V2 ports (80Gbps) and one USB4 (40Gbps) port. Support for up to three 8K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz displays via HDMI 2.1 and Type-C, allowing professionals to create an expansive, high-fidelity workspace for precision engineering, color grading, or financial analysis
- Industrial-Grade Cooling System: Engineered for continuous high-load operation, the MS-02 Ultra features a 6-heatpipe radiator and Phase Change Material (PCM) paired with dual high-speed fans (up to 5000 RPM). This thermal system maintains an 80W/100W TDP output while managing heat efficiently, ensuring your workstation remains reliable and quiet (36 dBA idle) during demanding projects
In the reported configuration, the system scored 2,957 single-core and 17,992 multi-core in Geekbench 6. Cinebench R24 results were 128 single-core and 1,938 multi-core. Notebookcheck also lists reference medians of 3,026 single-core and 20,758 multi-core in Geekbench 6, plus 129 single-core and 1,974 multi-core in Cinebench R24, but those comparison figures are identified as Core Ultra 9 285HX data. The tested machine used a Core Ultra 7 285HX, so they are not an apples-to-apples control.
The sensible conclusion is that the RTX 5060 configuration loses some sustained CPU performance, particularly in all-core workloads such as rendering, compiling, encoding and simulation. That reduction may matter much less in a GPU-limited game such as the cited Cyberpunk 2077 test. Power limits can also vary with BIOS, firmware, power mode and CPU SKU, so the reported 90-W/110-W figures should not be treated as immutable specifications for every MS-02 Ultra.
Gaming results beyond Cyberpunk
The reported test was not a complete benchmark suite, but its other results provide useful context:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches| Game | Reported result | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Slightly above 70 FPS at 1440p | Mix of Ultra, High and Medium; no DLSS |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Approximately 121 FPS at 1440p | Very High; no upscaling |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | About 75 FPS, or over 160 FPS with generated frames | Ultra; DLSS Quality, then DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation at 4× |
These numbers suggest credible 1440p gaming performance from a low-profile RTX 5060, but they do not establish universal performance across modern games, ray-tracing settings or 1% lows. Driver version, test scene, power mode and whether a result is an average or a frame-time statistic can materially change the outcome.
Fitment and expansion are central to the purchase
The MS-02 Ultra is not a conventional sealed gaming mini PC. It is a compact, modular workstation platform with PCIe expansion, substantial memory and storage capacity, and high-speed networking options. Minisforum lists support for Intel Core Ultra processors up to the Core Ultra 9 285HX, a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, up to four PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots on the 285HX configuration, up to 256 GB of DDR5 memory, specified ECC support, USB4 v2 and 25-Gigabit Ethernet on selected configurations. Slot and storage counts vary by CPU and product configuration.
Rank #3
- Desktop-Class Intel Core Ultra 9 Performance: Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor with 24 cores, 24 threads, and speeds up to 5.5GHz, the MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra mini PC delivers fast, responsive performance for demanding tasks. This powerful mini computer handles video editing, 3D design, virtual machines, code compilation, and multiple applications with desktop-class responsiveness
- Supports Up to 256GB DDR5 Memory: With four DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and support for up to 256GB of RAM, the MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra desktop PC is built for serious multitasking. Run large design projects, multiple virtual machines, databases, and development tools smoothly on this high-performance mini desktop
- Dual PCIe 4.0 NVMe Slots for Up to 16TB Storage: Install two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs, supporting up to 8TB per slot and 16TB in total. The MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra mini computer provides ample space for your operating system, applications, video files, games, and project data, while making file categorization and management more efficient
- Flexible PCIe Expansion in a Compact Mini PC: The MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra mini desktop features PCIe 5.0 x16 expansion capability for compatible graphics cards and other professional hardware. Add a dedicated GPU, capture card, RAID controller, high-speed network adapter, or other expansion device to customize this compact desktop PC for video production, engineering, AI workloads, storage, or specialized applications. Compatibility may vary depending on the expansion device and system configuration
- High-Speed 10GbE and 2.5GbE Networking: The MINISFORUM MS-02 Ultra mini PC features 10GbE and 2.5GbE Ethernet ports for fast and reliable local networking. Transfer large files, access NAS storage, back up data, and manage shared projects with less waiting. This versatile mini computer suits content creators, IT professionals, home labs, media servers, and advanced home users
Minisforum’s compatibility documentation explicitly names the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 OC Low Profile, ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 LP and ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Low Profile. It also warns that a dual-slot low-profile GPU makes one PCIe x4 slot unusable.
That warning matters because “low-profile” does not mean every card has identical dimensions. Before buying, verify the exact card’s length, height, cooler thickness, bracket, fan arrangement, auxiliary-power connector and clearance. The reported installation was described as a very tight fit. A card that fits a standard low-profile case may still be unsuitable for this specific chassis.
The available report indicates that CPU and GPU temperatures were lower than expected during the cited gaming tests, helped by the ventilation layout and the graphics card’s triple-fan cooling. That is encouraging, but it is not evidence that every workload, firmware version or card model will have identical acoustics or temperatures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The real cost is higher than the headline system price
Minisforum’s product page showed a price of $1,199 for a listed Core Ultra 9 285HX option when the research was captured in August 2026. Prices, availability and included components are date-sensitive, and the product page presents multiple CPU, memory and storage options.
That figure should not be treated as the all-in price of the tested gaming machine. Depending on the selected configuration, the buyer may need to budget separately for:
Rank #4
- 【Powerful Processor and Graphics】The MS-02 Ultra Mini Workstation is equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 235HX(14C/14T,up to 5.1 GHz) that uses a hybrid architecture. featuring the built-in Intel Graphics(max frequency up to 1.8GHz) to enhance the user experience with graphics acceleration and ray tracing hardware. It is designed for next-generation efficient high-performance gaming and widely used in games, 3D rendering, video editing and teleworking.
- 【Multiple Network Ports】This Mini workstation comes with one 10G and one 2.5G RJ45 ports., which is ideal for users demanding ultra-fast wired network connections to high-speed LANs, network storage devices, servers etc. It’s suitable for connecting to high-speed home and office networks and other scenarios requiring rapid network transfers.
- 【Flexible Expandability】This Workstation equipped with Four DDR5 slots(total up to 256G) + Two M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD slots. This SSD slots compatible with RAID0/1/5/10. You can store movies, videos, photos, important files easily. What’s more, it also comes with 1 x PCle 5.0 x16 Slot (bifurcation support ), 1xPCle4.0x16 Slot(PCIe4.0x4+x4+x4) and 1×PCle4.0x4 Slot.
- 【Four Video Output】 This MS-02 Ultra Workstation comes with 1x HDMI 2.1(8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz), 1 x USB4 with DP Alt Mode (8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz) and 2x USB4 V2 with DP Alt Mode (8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz), which support multiple monitors display at the same time and provide a larger and wider filed of view and improve your work efficiency.
- 【Enhanced Heat Dissipation & Ultra-Quiet Performance】 This MS-02 Ultra used Server-Grade Airflow Design, dedicated CPU/GPU airflow channels with a server-grade exhaust layout ensure precise thermal control and sustained system stability. 6 heat pipes and dual fans dissipate up to 140W Turbo heat and sustain a 100W TDP load, delivering stable and quiet operation at just 36 dB. Integrated 350 W power design delivers reliable and efficient power for sustained performance-easy to deploy and maintain.
- The MS-02 Ultra barebone or configured system
- DDR5 memory
- NVMe storage
- The compatible low-profile RTX 5060
- Any required bracket, cable or accessory
- An operating-system license, if not included
- A suitable 1440p high-refresh monitor
The RTX 5060 low-profile card is not necessarily included in the displayed system price. Retail prices and availability for the officially listed cards should be checked separately before purchase.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Who should buy the RTX 5060 configuration?
It makes sense for a buyer who wants one small machine for workstation tasks and gaming, needs PCIe expansion or multiple drives, values high-speed networking, and accepts DLSS and frame generation as part of the gaming experience. It is also a reasonable option for someone comfortable installing a barebone PC and checking exact GPU compatibility.
It is a poor fit for someone specifically seeking native 160-FPS gaming, maximum sustained all-core CPU performance, a plug-and-play gaming system, a high-VRAM graphics card or broad future GPU-upgrade flexibility. A conventional desktop can offer more card choices, easier upgrades, potentially better acoustics and stronger price-to-performance. A simpler gaming mini PC may be more appropriate if the MS-02 Ultra’s workstation expansion is unnecessary.
Verdict
The MS-02 Ultra’s gaming capability is credible, but the 160-FPS claim needs a qualifier. In the reported Cyberpunk 2077 test, the Core Ultra 7 285HX system and low-profile RTX 5060 delivered about 75 FPS at 1440p Ultra with DLSS Quality before DLSS 4’s 4× Multi Frame Generation pushed the displayed output beyond 160 FPS.
That makes the MS-02 Ultra an unusually versatile compact workstation that can also handle serious 1440p gaming. It does not make it a native 160-FPS machine. Buyers must also accept a reported reduction in CPU power limits, tight GPU fitment, the loss of one PCIe x4 slot with a dual-slot card, 8 GB of VRAM and a total build cost well above the barebone product’s headline price.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
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.
