The MINISFORUM UM890 Pro redefines mini PC performance with its AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB NVMe SSD, delivering desktop-level power in a compact design. Its Oculink port, Wi-Fi 6E, and dual 4K outputs enhance connectivity and gaming capabilities, making it ideal for professionals and gamers seeking high efficiency in minimal space. Thermal optimization ensures sustained performance under heavy workloads.
How Does the UM890 Pro Enhance Gaming Performance?
With its Radeon 780M integrated graphics (12 RDNA 3 cores) and Oculink connectivity, the UM890 Pro supports external GPUs for 1440p gaming. The DDR5-5600 memory reduces latency, while the NVMe SSD enables rapid game loading. Users achieve 60+ FPS in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at medium settings when paired with an RX 7600 XT via Oculink.
The UM890 Pro’s gaming prowess stems from its unique combination of bandwidth optimization and hardware synergy. Unlike Thunderbolt-based solutions limited to 40Gbps, the Oculink port delivers 63Gbps PCIe 4.0 x4 connectivity – enough to unleash 95% of a desktop GPU’s potential. This enables smooth gameplay in demanding titles like Horizon Zero Dawn at 2560×1440 resolution with high textures. The integrated Radeon 780M itself outperforms many mobile GPUs, handling eSports titles like Valorant at 165 FPS in 1080p without external graphics. Advanced users can create hybrid GPU configurations, using the integrated graphics for streaming while the external GPU handles rendering.
| Game Title | Resolution | Settings | FPS (Oculink) | FPS (Integrated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 1440p | Medium | 62 | 28 |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 1080p | Ultra | 78 | 41 |
| Apex Legends | 1440p | High | 114 | 65 |
What Connectivity Options Does the UM890 Pro Offer?
The UM890 Pro provides:
- Oculink (PCIe 4.0 x4) for external GPUs/NVMe arrays
- 2x USB4 (40Gbps)
- 3x USB 3.2 Gen2
- Dual HDMI 2.1 + DP 1.4 (8K total output)
- 2.5G Ethernet + Wi-Fi 6E tri-band
- 3.5mm audio combo jack
This connectivity supports multi-monitor setups, high-speed storage, and low-latency networking.
The UM890 Pro’s connectivity suite is engineered for professional workflows. The dual HDMI 2.1 ports support 48Gbps bandwidth each, enabling 4K/120Hz HDR output simultaneously to two displays. Content creators can daisy-chain three 8K monitors using DisplayPort 1.4’s Multi-Stream Transport feature. For storage expansion, the USB4 ports deliver 40Gbps throughput – fast enough for direct 8K RAW video editing from external NVMe drives. Network engineers benefit from the 2.5G Ethernet port’s 2,500 Mbps capability, which reduces 100GB file transfers to under 6 minutes when paired with compatible NAS systems.
| Port Type | Quantity | Bandwidth | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oculink | 1 | 63Gbps | External GPUs, RAID arrays |
| USB4 | 2 | 40Gbps | 4K capture devices, SSD enclosures |
| HDMI 2.1 | 2 | 48Gbps | 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz displays |
How Efficient Is the UM890 Pro’s Thermal Design?
The copper heat pipe and dual fan system maintain CPU temps below 85°C under sustained 65W TDP loads. The chassis features four ventilation zones with dust filters, enabling quiet operation (28dB at idle, 42dB under load). Stress tests show no thermal throttling during 30-minute Cinebench R23 loops.
What Makes the UM890 Pro Unique Among Mini PCs?
Its Oculink implementation provides 63Gbps bandwidth – 4x faster than Thunderbolt 4 – enabling true desktop GPU performance. The DDR5-5600 memory operates at 1.1V for 20% better power efficiency than previous gen. The 100W GaN charger is 50% smaller than traditional adapters while supporting PD 3.0 fast charging.
How Does the Ryzen 9 8945HS Compare to Competing Processors?
The 8945HS outperforms Intel’s Core i7-1360P by 38% in multi-core benchmarks (Cinebench R23: 15,987 vs 11,543). Its Zen 4 architecture delivers 18% better IPC than Zen 3, with 16MB L3 cache reducing latency. The chip supports AMD PRO technologies for enterprise security and manageability.
What Real-World Applications Benefit Most From This Configuration?
- 4K video editing: 8-stream ProRes 422 HQ playback in DaVinci Resolve
- 3D rendering: Blender BMW scene in 3:12 (vs 4:45 on i7-1360P)
- Software development: 25% faster Docker container builds
- AI workloads: 16 TOPS NPU accelerates local LLM inference
“MINISFORUM’s Oculink implementation changes the game,” notes tech analyst Mark Chen. “By offering PCIe 4.0 x4 throughput without the 15W power limit of Thunderbolt, users can leverage full desktop GPUs. When paired with the Ryzen 9’s efficiency cores, this creates a hybrid system that outperforms many mid-tower PCs in half the space.”
Conclusion
The UM890 Pro bridges the gap between compact computing and high-end performance. Its strategic use of Oculink, DDR5, and Zen 4 architecture creates a versatile system for creators, developers, and gamers needing portable power. While priced at $899, it delivers 83% of a $1,500 desktop’s performance in a 0.5L footprint.
FAQs
- Q: Can the RAM/SSD be upgraded?
- A: Yes – the unit has two SO-DIMM slots (max 64GB DDR5) and two M.2 2280 slots (PCIe 4.0 x4).
- Q: Does it support Linux?
- A: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS works out-of-box. The Oculink driver requires kernel 6.2+.
- Q: What GPUs work via Oculink?
- A: AMD RX 6000/7000 and NVIDIA 30/40 series (requires separate PSU). Adapters cost $25-$50.