Despite current RAM prices, I wanted to try out the Minisforum BD895i SE motherboard & CPU combination for its lower power draw when doing RAW image photo processing. I understood that as a laptop CPU based system there would be limited device connections. I liked the idea of 2 top mounted NVMe drive slots for easy access. It is also a full 10mm lower in height than my favorite low profile CPU cooler - the Alpenfoehn Blackridge.
I tested the combination with 32 GB Crucial at 5600 MHz memory using both its internal video as well as a RTX A2000 GPU 6GB. I used a recently formatted Windows 11 Gen 4 NVMe drive.
It did not go well.
The BIOS was very limited and I never found any setting to adjust the fan speed despite this being listed in their product description. Also, FanControl software did not function with this CPU Motherboard. Otherwise it seemed to be working.
After approximately 2 hours of use, the BIOS could not longer be accessed despite numerous attempts.
After another hour of use and normal shutdown the unit would simply start up when connected to a PSU without touching the vandal switch - the fan would spin, but no video output was generated - either with internal graphics or adding the A2000 GPU. Even disconnecting the Vandal switch made no difference. PSU wiring was disconnected and reconnected with still no video output.
The PSU - a Corsair SF 750 was reconnected to my backup system Aorus B550 MB & Ryzen 7 5700G where it functions normally.
The BD895i SE and RAM were returned the next day.
I tested the combination with 32 GB Crucial at 5600 MHz memory using both its internal video as well as a RTX A2000 GPU 6GB. I used a recently formatted Windows 11 Gen 4 NVMe drive.
It did not go well.
The BIOS was very limited and I never found any setting to adjust the fan speed despite this being listed in their product description. Also, FanControl software did not function with this CPU Motherboard. Otherwise it seemed to be working.
After approximately 2 hours of use, the BIOS could not longer be accessed despite numerous attempts.
After another hour of use and normal shutdown the unit would simply start up when connected to a PSU without touching the vandal switch - the fan would spin, but no video output was generated - either with internal graphics or adding the A2000 GPU. Even disconnecting the Vandal switch made no difference. PSU wiring was disconnected and reconnected with still no video output.
The PSU - a Corsair SF 750 was reconnected to my backup system Aorus B550 MB & Ryzen 7 5700G where it functions normally.
The BD895i SE and RAM were returned the next day.
