The EliteMini B550 is a compact desktop computer from Chinese PC maker MINISFORUM that’s powered by a 65-watt AMD Ryzen desktop processor with integrated graphics. But it’s also positioned as a computer that can be used with a desktop-class discrete graphics card.
Since there’s no room inside the 6.6″ x 6.2″ x 2.6″ computer for a discrete GPU though, it comes with dock that allows you to connect a graphics card and power supply (sold separately). First announced a few months ago, the MINISFORUM EliteMini B550 is now up for pre-order for $499 and up and should ship in May, 2022.
That starting price is for a barebones model with an AMD Ryzen 7 4700G processor, but you can also pay an extra $100 for a model with a Ryzen 7 5700G chip, and MINISFORUM is offering configurations with up to 32GB of RAM and 512GB of solid state storage for folks who’d prefer to buy a system with those pre-installed, rather than providing their own.
Since the computer has an AM4 socket, you can also replace the included processor with other AMD Ryzen 4000 or Ryzen 5000 series chips. Just keep in mind that the computer only supports chips with up to a 65W TDP, so that rules out higher-power processors like the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X.
9/06/2022 Update: MINISFORUM no longer offers a Ryzen 7 4700G processor option, but the company will let you opt for a barebones configuration with no CPU at all. This is the lowest-cost version of the system and allows you to bring your own processor.Â
But what really makes the little computer stand out is the expansion dock, which allows you to pair a desktop graphics card with the EliteMini B550 over a PCIe 3.0 x16 connection, without the need to buy a third-party dock. Since the included power brick isn’t strong enough to provide electricity to a discrete GPU though, you’ll need to buy a PSU in addition to a graphics card if you want to use that expansion dock.
The computer itself has two SODIMM slots for up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, two M.2 2280 slots for PCIe NVMe or SATA storage (PCIe 4.0 support is available for some processors, while others will only support PCIe 3.0), a 2.5 inch bay for a SATA hard drive or SSD, and support for WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
Ports include:
- 2 x HDMI
- 1 x DisplayPort
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
- 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1 x 3.5mm mic input
- 1 x 3.5mm line out
- 1 x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
With a user-replaceable processor, memory, and storage, the EliteMini B550 would already have been one of the most upgradeable/customizable mini PCs, around. But thanks to the graphics dock that comes with the computer, it’s certainly one of the most versatile devices in this category.
It would have been nice to see a USB4 port though.
Completely stupid, even without gpu I moved away from such a mini pc to micro-atx because it costs less for much better parts, and it’s actually silent, while the mini fan of those things is absolute hell
Amen. Micro-atx has worked well for me for years. It’s the Goldilocks form-factor.
This Mini PC doesn’t make one bit of sense to me.
I can’t figure out who this is for. Are there a lot of people who definitely want a Mini PC, and maybe, just maybe, someday they might consider a GPU, but they sure as shit aren’t going to buy a PC case that can fit one?
If you don’t have enough room on your desk for a Mini ITX computer, maybe you need to ask yourself if you can afford to have an exposed GPU sitting in that space. Especially in 2022’s GPU economy.
You’re also sacrificing lots of value and potential expansion by combining a Mini PC with a discrete GPU like this. They want $599 for the 5700g model, but you could build a Mini ITX PC with the exact same specs for $549.
It would have more space for storage, far better cooling, it would already have a suitable PSU included, it could actually house your GPU too, AND best of all — you don’t need to risk sending your money to China with no warranty, or return policy.
This is probably the dumbest mini-pc I’ve ever seen. They included an external dock. Whoop de freaking doo. What a waste of money this is. This is what Minisforum has become? Trash
If you’re actually going to use a graphics card, you’re almost always going to be better off building a PC than using this thing. A ryzen 7 5700g, plus a motherboard, case, and PSU, can be had for as low as $460. That doesn’t include RAM or storage, but neither does the base price for this thing.
Also, there’s a little bit of false advertising with how you’re going to be using a PSU with this. It’s just going to be messier, but at least with a case you’ve got the mess contained a little.
So a micro atx case will be bigger than this plus dock plus PSU plus graphics card, but it may actually take up about the same amount of desk space.