- MSI mini PC handles AI workloads locally without relying on external servers
- MSI AI Edge supports up to 128GB unified memory for large models
- Developers can run AI models from natural language, images, or mixed input
MSI has entered the growing mini PC market powered by the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, joining a crowded field that currently includes more than 30 devices.
The new AI Edge device is designed to handle AI workloads on the desktop while providing general computing capabilities for work and gaming.
It includes RDNA 3.5 graphics with 40 compute units and XDNA 2 NPU architecture that offers up to 50 TOPS.
Large memory for on-device AI workloads
AI Edge supports up to 128GB of LPDDR5X 8000 unified memory, with 96GB dynamically allocated to the GPU, a configuration that allows large language models with up to 120B of parameters to run at around 15 tokens per second.
The AI Edge fits into a small 4-liter form factor, which aims to save desktop space while maintaining full desktop functionality.
It also features a built-in power supply and users can choose Windows or Linux depending on their preferred computing environment.
The system can also provide gaming performance comparable to a GeForce RTX 4060-class GPU.
With this level of gaming performance, MSI uses the Glacier Armor thermal design, which applies advanced heatsinks to key components and helps maintain consistent performance during long AI inference or gaming sessions.
The software included in AI Edge takes advantage of the device’s computing resources for productivity tasks such as generating notes, creating mind maps, and processing personal data sets.
Recovery Augmented Generation (RAG) technology allows users to securely query local data sets, ensuring sensitive data remains on the device.
Financial records, for example, can be analyzed for insights directly in AI Edge without cloud involvement.
AI Edge supports real-time AI inference for multimodal models, making it suitable for developers testing natural language models, images, or mixed inputs.
Local AI workloads can run independently without external servers, reducing latency and preserving privacy.
AI Edge offers a simple set of front ports for everyday connectivity.
Users can access a USB-C port for fast data transfer and possible power delivery, while two USB-A ports allow the connection of standard peripherals such as external drives, keyboards or mice.
A 3.5mm audio jack supports headphone or microphone input, ensuring the system can meet basic audio needs without additional adapters.
An SD card slot also allows for quick access to media or external storage, supporting workflows that rely on portable storage and file transfer.
In a market filled with more than 30 Ryzen AI Max+ 395 mini PCs, MSI’s AI Edge will likely compete through its high memory capacity, on-device AI capabilities, and gaming performance.
Its success will likely depend on how well these features meet the needs of developers and professionals looking for a compact and versatile AI desktop.
TechRadar will cover this year’s edition extensively CESand will bring you all the important announcements as they happen. Go to our CES 2026 News page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from wireless TVs and foldable screens to new phones, laptops, smart home devices and the latest in artificial intelligence. You can also ask us a question about the show on our CES 2026 Live Q&A and we will do our best to answer it.
And don’t forget follow us on tiktok and WhatsApp For the latest from the CES fair!
