Minisforum has unveiled the new MoDT (Mobile on Desktop) BD790i X3D platform, which combines a compact Mini-ITX motherboard with a 16-core Ryzen 9 7945HX3D mobile processor with additional cache memory. This is still the most powerful gaming mobile chip on the market, and it will remain so at least until the release of the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D.
Image source: Minisforum
The MoDT (Mobile on Desktop) concept involves combining a desktop-class motherboard with powerful mobile processors. The Minisforum BD790i X3D platform is compatible with desktop power supplies (24- and 8-pin connectors), so it can be used in any ATX case. Since this is a solid platform, the manufacturer has also provided a cooling system for it.
Previously, companies released similar boards, allowing users to independently choose the necessary cooling system from third-party manufacturers. The Minisforum BD790i X3D has a pre-installed cooling system. It is responsible for cooling not only the central processor, but also for heat dissipation from the elements of the VRM power subsystem of the motherboard and RAM slots. However, you will have to buy an additional 120 mm fan for the existing radiator.
Taking into account the powerful cooling system, Minisforum increased the TDP of the processor to 100 W, although AMD in the official specifications indicates a range of 55 to 75 W for the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D.
The new product also has an additional radiator with a fan for cooling the M.2 slot for NVMe drives. On the basis of such a platform, you can assemble, for example, a high-performance network storage (NAS). Users do not even need to buy a video card here, since the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D is equipped with integrated Radeon 610M graphics. And yet, the ability to install a video card is also available – the board has a full-fledged PCIe 5.0 x16 slot.
It should be noted that such boards are not equipped with full-size DIMM slots for RAM, so you will have to use SO-DIMM modules for laptops. The platform is declared to support memory up to DDR5-5200.
Network capabilities on the board are represented by a wireless Wi-Fi 6E/Bluetooth 5.3 module and 2.5-gigabit Ethernet.
The Minisforum BD790i X3D is priced at $599. There is also a Ryzen-based version available without the additional 3D V-Cache for $463.
It is worth noting that the MoDT (Mobile on Desktop) concept has been used by various little-known Chinese manufacturers for several years now. Recently, even a very prominent company, Lenovo, joined them, releasing the first desktop gaming PCs based on the MoDT platform with 14th generation Intel Core processors of the HX series. And such solutions find their adherents – they are convenient for assembling compact, high-performance desktops.