Minisforum has introduced the ESP4B expansion card, which utilizes the AMD B850 chipset. Unlike most competing models that typically feature only two slots, this new board provides space for four SSDs.
The device supports PCIe 4.0 connectivity. When two drives are installed, they operate in PCIe 4.0 x4 mode, delivering speeds of approximately 6 GB/s. With all four slots occupied, the configuration shifts to PCIe 4.0 x2, resulting in speeds around 3.3 GB/s.
The ESP4B board is equipped with OCuLink ports and a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C connector. These additional features distinguish the product from standard expansion cards currently available on the market.
The manufacturer has set the price for the ESP4B at $135. This cost is two to three times higher than that of typical expansion boards, which generally lack both the four-slot capacity and the OCuLink interface.
