Thermalright has introduced the AI HydroNous R1, its first mini PC, designed to deliver workstation-class performance in a compact form factor. Leveraging AMD’s latest Strix Halo platform, the system marks the brand’s expansion beyond cooling solutions into complete high-performance systems tailored for AI workloads and demanding applications.
The AI HydroNous R1 distinguishes itself with a custom liquid-cooling solution, enabling significantly higher power delivery than typical mini PCs. Built around the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, the system leverages an aggressive thermal design to sustain higher performance levels within a compact 2.6-litre chassis. The design itself traces back to the liquid-cooled mini PC prototypes Thermalright showcased at COMPUTEX 2025, now refined into a production-ready system.
Liquid Cooling Meets Compact AI Workstation Design
At the core of the Thermalright AI HydroNous R1 is a patented high-performance liquid cooling system featuring a custom 180mm radiator, a full-coverage copper cold plate, and phase-change thermal interface material. This setup allows the processor to operate at substantially higher power levels, delivering improved performance for compute-intensive workloads.
The system is housed in a CNC-machined aluminium chassis with a vertical layout to optimise airflow and thermal efficiency. A built-in 4.6-inch front display provides real-time system monitoring, reinforcing its positioning as a compact workstation for enthusiasts and professionals.
High-End Specifications and Expandability
The Thermalright AI HydroNous R1 is equipped with flagship-grade hardware, including 128GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. It also supports up to 96GB of shared VRAM allocation, making it suitable for AI processing and graphics-heavy workloads.
• AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor (16-core, 32-thread)
• 128GB LPDDR5X 8000MHz memory
• Up to 96GB configurable VRAM
• 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
• Additional 2× M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots for expansion
Connectivity options include dual USB4 ports, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and support for up to four displays. Networking is equally comprehensive, featuring both 10GbE and 2.5GbE LAN alongside Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Workstation-Class Features in a Mini PC Form Factor
Despite its compact dimensions of 234.7 × 83.3 × 133 mm, the Thermalright AI HydroNous R1 is positioned as a desktop-class solution capable of handling AI workloads, content creation, and heavy multitasking. Multiple performance modes allow users to balance thermals, acoustics, and power consumption depending on their needs.
With its premium build, advanced cooling design, and extensive connectivity, the Thermalright AI HydroNous R1 stands apart from typical mini PCs, offering a compact yet powerful alternative to traditional desktop systems.
Pricing
Thermalright has listed the AI HydroNous R1 in China with a reported price of around CNY 23,990 (approximately $3,500 USD / £2,800 GBP), while global pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed. To learn more, visit the Thermalright website.
