Thermalright announced the AI HydroNous R1, a 2.6L mini PC that pushes AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 to 176W using a custom liquid cooling system, entering the same segment as the GMKtec EVO-T2 mini PC.
The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 typically operates around a 120W power level, but this system raises it significantly through its cooling design. The higher power limit improves gaming performance and boosts CPU and AI workloads under sustained load. This places the PC among the highest-power APU-based mini PCs currently announced, alongside mini PC like the Tianbei Maco 47.
The processor integrates CPU, GPU, and AI acceleration in a single package, including Radeon 8060S graphics capable of handling modern gaming workloads without a discrete GPU.
Thermalright’s cooling solution includes a full-coverage copper water block, phase-change thermal material, and a custom 180mm radiator paired with dual LCP fans. The mini PC supports multiple performance modes and uses a vertical airflow layout that pulls air from the base and exhausts through the radiator side for stable performance.
The chassis measures 2.6 liters in volume and uses CNC-machined aluminum construction. A 4.6-inch front LCD provides system monitoring and integrates with Thermalright’s control software. The exterior includes more than 4,000 ventilation holes to support airflow.
This model represents Thermalright’s first mass-produced mini PC following earlier concept demonstrations at Computex 2025, where compact PC such as the Minisforum MS03 mini workstation with Intel Panther Lake were also shown.
This mini PC comes with dual USB4 ports, a 10Gb Ethernet port, and an additional 2.5Gb Ethernet connection. Additional I/O details have not been disclosed.
The platform supports up to 128GB memory and multi-terabyte SSD storage based on current Ryzen AI Max configurations.
The HydroNous R1 Mini PC supports both vertical and horizontal placement. Pricing and availability have not been announced.
Thermalright AI HydroNous R1 Mini PC: Key Specifications
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 |
| GPU | Radeon 8060S (integrated) |
| Cooling | Custom liquid cooling, 180mm radiator, dual LCP fans |
| Peak Power | Up to 176W (vs ~120W standard) |
| Chassis Volume | 2.6L |
| Build | CNC aluminum |
| Display | 4.6-inch front LCD |
| Ports | Dual USB4, 10GbE, 2.5GbE |
| Cooling Features | Copper water block, phase-change TIM, multi-mode operation |
| Orientation | Vertical / Horizontal |
| Memory | Up to 128GB (platform support) |
| Storage | Multi-TB SSD support |
| Price | Not announced |
Source: IT Home
