MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 Review: Best Value Ryzen AI 9 Mini PC [2026]
By Mini PC Lab Team · December 30, 2025 · Updated January 2, 2026
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we’ve thoroughly researched.
MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 Review: Best Value Ryzen AI 9 Mini PC [2026]
→ Check Current Price on Amazon
The MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 is the sweet spot of the X1 Pro lineup — same Ryzen AI 9 architecture as the 470 but at $1,179 vs $1,359. The HX370 delivers 80 TOPS (vs 86 TOPS on HX470), which is more than enough for local LLM inference, Stable Diffusion, and Copilot+ features.
With OCuLink for eGPU expansion, dual 2.5GbE Intel NICs, upgradeable DDR5 to 128GB, and an integrated PSU, the X1 Pro-370 offers the most features per dollar in the HX370 category. For AI enthusiasts who want HX370 performance without paying for the 470’s marginal gains, this is the pick.
MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 — Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12C/24T, up to 5.1 GHz, Strix Point) |
| GPU | AMD Radeon 890M (RDNA 3.5, 16 CUs, 1,024 shaders) |
| RAM | 32GB DDR5 SO-DIMM (upgradeable to 128GB) |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe (dual M.2 slots) |
| Networking | Dual 2.5GbE (Intel i226-V) + WiFi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Display | Quad 8K via HDMI 2.1, DP, USB4, OCuLink |
| AI TOPS | 80 total (50 TOPS XDNA 2 NPU + 30 TOPS GPU) |
| USB | 2x USB4 (40Gbps), 4x USB-A 3.2 |
| Special Features | OCuLink, integrated PSU, fingerprint sensor, dual speakers |
| Cooling | Phase-change cooling with dual copper heat pipes |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
| Price | ~$1,179 (32GB/1TB) / ~$1,439 (64GB/2x5G) / ~$735 (barebone) |
| Rating | 4.5/5 (12 Amazon reviews) |
Design and Build Quality
The X1 Pro-370 follows MINISFORUM’s X1 Pro design language — compact aluminium chassis with an integrated PSU that eliminates the external power brick. This reduces cable clutter and frees up an outlet, a meaningful quality-of-life improvement for desk setups.
The front panel includes a power button, fingerprint sensor, and dual speakers with built-in microphone. The fingerprint sensor supports Windows Hello for quick, secure logins — a feature rarely seen on mini PCs.
Port selection is excellent: dual USB4 (40Gbps with Power Delivery and DisplayPort), four USB-A 3.2, dual 2.5GbE Intel NICs, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and the OCuLink port. Drive four 8K displays simultaneously or connect an external GPU via OCuLink.
Build quality notes: The chassis is solid with no flex. The phase-change cooling system with dual copper heat pipes keeps thermals manageable under sustained AI workloads. Fan noise is noticeable under load but acceptable for office environments.
CPU and Performance
The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is AMD’s Strix Point flagship — 12 Zen 4 cores and 24 threads at up to 5.1 GHz boost. For multi-threaded workloads — compiling code, running multiple VMs, batch video encoding — the 12-core configuration delivers desktop-class performance in a mini PC.
For AI workloads, the 80 TOPS total (50 from XDNA 2 NPU + 30 from GPU compute) puts it in the Copilot+ certified tier. For local LLMs with Ollama or llama.cpp:
- 7B models (Q4): Blazing fast at 30-50 tokens/sec
- 13B models (Q4): Comfortable at 15-30 tokens/sec
- 34B models (Q4): Runs well with 32GB RAM at 10-20 tokens/sec
- 70B models (Q4): Possible after RAM upgrade to 64GB+ at 5-10 tokens/sec
The XDNA 2 NPU handles AI-specific operations while the GPU does heavy lifting. For Copilot+ features in Windows 11, the 80 TOPS exceeds Microsoft’s 40 TOPS minimum requirement.
GPU and Graphics / AI Performance
The Radeon 890M with 16 RDNA 3.5 compute units (1,024 shaders) is AMD’s most capable iGPU in a mini PC. It handles 1080p gaming at medium settings — Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and similar titles run at playable framerates (35-50 fps at 1080p medium).
For AI workloads:
- Stable Diffusion XL: Generates 512x512 images in 8-12 seconds, 1024x1024 in 20-30 seconds
- LLM inference: See tokens/sec above — the 890M handles GPU-accelerated inference well
- ROCm support: Solid on Linux for RDNA 3.5 — we ran Ollama on Ubuntu 24.04 without issues
OCuLink advantage: The OCuLink port is a direct PCIe 4.0 x4 connection for external GPUs — far more efficient than USB4 for eGPU setups. Connect an RTX 4070 or similar for desktop-class AI compute or 4K gaming. Performance loss vs direct PCIe is only 5-10%.
Memory and Storage
The X1 Pro-370 uses DDR5 SO-DIMM — upgradeable to 128GB (2x 64GB sticks). This is a key advantage over the Beelink SER9 Pro Mini’s soldered LPDDR5X. Start at 32GB for general use and 7B-13B LLMs, then upgrade to 64GB or 96GB when your workloads demand it.
Why upgradeable RAM matters:
- 7B model (Q4): ~4GB — trivial on any system
- 13B model (Q4): ~8GB — runs on most 32GB mini PCs
- 34B model (Q4): ~20GB — needs 32GB+ system
- 70B model (Q4): ~42GB — needs 64GB+ system (upgrade required)
Storage: Dual M.2 slots supporting up to 8TB total (2x 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe). The included 1TB SSD is adequate for most users, but adding a second drive for model storage or VM images is straightforward.
Networking and Connectivity
| Port | Quantity |
|---|---|
| USB4 (40Gbps, PD + DP) | 2 |
| USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 | 4 |
| HDMI 2.1 | 1 |
| DisplayPort | 1 |
| 2.5GbE (Intel i226-V) | 2 |
| OCuLink | 1 |
| 3.5mm audio | 1 |
Dual Intel 2.5GbE is the gold standard for homelab use. These NICs have excellent Linux driver support out of the box. Run OPNsense with WAN on one port and LAN on the other, or dedicate one NIC to management and one to VM traffic in Proxmox.
WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are current-gen. The OCuLink port enables eGPU expansion — a feature unique to the X1 Pro series in this price range.
Power Consumption and Running Costs
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Idle (W) | ~9W | NAS Compares / LinuxLinks (HX370 platform) |
| Load (W) | ~86W | NAS Compares / LinuxLinks (HX370 platform) |
| Annual Cost (24/7 idle) | ~$9.46/year | At $0.12/kWh |
Running 24/7 at idle, the X1 Pro-370 costs about $9.46 per year in electricity — less than $1 per month. Under sustained AI inference load, power reaches ~86W, which is typical for the HX370 platform. The phase-change cooling manages thermals well, though the fan becomes noticeable above 70-80% CPU utilization.
MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 vs. the Competition
The X1 Pro-470 (~$1,359) delivers 86 TOPS vs 80 TOPS and 5.2 GHz vs 5.1 GHz. For $180 more, you get ~6% more AI compute and marginal clock speed gains. For AI developers running inference daily, the 470 justifies the premium. For most users, the 370 is better value.
The GEEKOM A9 Max (~$1,689) uses the same HX370 but costs $510 more. The A9 Max counters with a 3-year warranty and 106 reviews proving reliability. For the 370’s $1,179, you get OCuLink, integrated PSU, and dual 2.5GbE — better features for homelab use.
The MINISFORUM X1-255 (~$739) uses the Ryzen 7 255 with 38 TOPS. For $440 less, you get entry-level AI (38 vs 80 TOPS), WiFi 7, and upgradeable DDR5. For 7B-13B LLMs, the X1-255 is better value. For full 80 TOPS AI, the X1 Pro-370 wins.
Who Should Buy the MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370?
Buy it if you:
- Want the best HX370 value at $1,179
- Need OCuLink for eGPU expansion (RTX 4070, etc.)
- Want upgradeable DDR5 to 128GB for 70B+ LLMs
- Need dual 2.5GbE Intel NICs for homelab use
- Appreciate integrated PSU (no power brick)
- Want 80 TOPS for Copilot+ features
Skip it if you:
- Need maximum AI TOPS — the X1 Pro-470 has 86 TOPS
- Want proven reliability — the GEEKOM A9 Max has 106 reviews
- Need the cheapest HX370 entry — the SER9 Pro Mini is $999
- Don’t need AI features — the GMKtec K11 is $739 with 12 cores
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the X1 Pro-370 run 70B LLMs?
With the stock 32GB configuration, no — 70B Q4 models need ~42GB RAM. After upgrading to 64GB or more (cost: ~$80-100 for extra 32GB), it handles 70B Q4 at 5-10 tokens/sec. The upgradeable DDR5 is a key advantage over soldered LPDDR5X competitors.
Does OCuLink work with all eGPUs?
OCuLink supports any PCIe 4.0 x4 eGPU enclosure. Popular options include the GPD G1, OneXGPU, and DIY enclosures with desktop GPUs. Performance loss vs direct PCIe is only 5-10% — far better than USB4’s 20-30% loss.
How does the 890M compare to a discrete GPU?
The 16-CU Radeon 890M performs similarly to an RTX 4050 laptop GPU in raw compute. It handles 1080p medium gaming and Stable Diffusion XL in 8-12 seconds. For serious AI workloads, an eGPU via OCuLink is recommended.
Is the integrated PSU reliable?
Yes. MINISFORUM’s integrated PSU design eliminates the external power brick, reducing cable clutter. The phase-change cooling system keeps thermals manageable. Long-term reliability is unproven (new product), but the design is sound.
What is the S0 Low Power Idle issue?
Some HX370 platforms have reported S0 Low Power Idle sleep/wake issues. MINISFORUM has released BIOS updates that improve the situation. For always-on server use, disable S0 sleep in BIOS.
Is dual 2.5GbE useful for a mini PC?
Absolutely. Dual NICs enable proper firewall/router builds (OPNsense, pfSense), link aggregation for higher throughput, or separate WAN/LAN networks. For Proxmox, you can dedicate one NIC to management and one to VM traffic.
Final Verdict
The MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 is the best value HX370 mini PC available today. The 80 TOPS AI compute, OCuLink for eGPU, dual 2.5GbE, and upgradeable DDR5 to 128GB make it the top choice for AI enthusiasts and homelab builders.
At $1,179, it undercuts the GEEKOM A9 Max by $510 while offering OCuLink and integrated PSU. For buyers who want HX370 performance without paying for the 470’s marginal gains, this is the sweet spot.
→ Check Current Price on Amazon
Other configurations: