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Apex hardware install

2026-05-22 · B&H package arriving today · step by step

What's arriving: Crucial 64GB DDR5-4800 SODIMM kit (2× 32GB) + WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. Total $948.99 + tax.

What you currently have: Apex is a Minisforum HPBSD (EliteMini Series) with 16GB DDR5-5600 in DIMM 0 (DIMM 1 empty), a 512GB Kingston NVMe as the boot drive (59GB free, getting tight), and a second M.2 slot empty. BIOS is version 1.02 dated 3/27/2024 — old enough that we want to update before the install.

Follow these steps in order. Skip none. Each step has a green check when done.

Current state — what's in the box now

ComponentCurrentAfter
Motherboard / BIOSHPBSD, BIOS 1.02 (3/27/2024)HPBSD, latest BIOS
RAM1 stick: 16GB A-DATA DDR5-56002 sticks: 64GB Crucial DDR5-4800
Boot NVMe (Slot 1)512GB Kingston (C: + G:, 59GB free)Same — untouched
Second NVMe (Slot 2)EmptyNEW 2TB WD_BLACK SN850X
Why we're removing the existing 16GB A-DATA instead of just adding new sticks: the new Crucial is DDR5-4800 and the old A-DATA is DDR5-5600. If they mix, both get clocked down to the slower one (4800), so the A-DATA loses its speed advantage. Plus, 16GB + 64GB > max supported (64GB total). The A-DATA either goes on a shelf for emergency or to one of the boys.

BEFORE the package arrives — do today

1

Download the latest Minisforum HPBSD BIOS

Visit Minisforum's official support page: minisforum.com/support. Search for "HPBSD" or "EliteMini" and find the BIOS / Firmware section for your exact model. Download the latest BIOS file.

Notes on Minisforum BIOS updates (general pattern from MS-A2/MS-01 docs):

If Minisforum's site doesn't have an HPBSD-specific BIOS update, the current 1.02 may already be the latest. Check with bbs.minisforum.com forum for confirmation.

2

Back up anything you can't afford to lose

We are NOT touching the boot drive. But hardware swaps sometimes go sideways. Safer to be conservative:

BIOS flash — before opening the case

3

Flash the new BIOS — do this BEFORE physical install

Per Minisforum's standard pattern (varies slightly by model — trust the BIOS ZIP's README over this):

  1. Copy the extracted BIOS files to the root of a FAT32 USB drive
  2. Plug into Apex
  3. Reboot Apex, mash Del during POST to enter BIOS
  4. Go to Settings → Security → Secure Boot, set to Disabled
  5. Press F4 to save and exit; let it reboot back into BIOS
  6. Find the BIOS Update / Flash menu (location varies; common: Advanced or Tool menu)
  7. Select the new BIOS file from the USB
  8. DO NOT INTERRUPT THE UPDATE. Power loss mid-flash = bricked board. Apex should be on UPS or at minimum stable power.
  9. After "Update successful" or similar, reboot
  10. Re-enter BIOS, confirm the version is the new one
  11. Re-enable Secure Boot (if you want it on — you may not need it)

If you cannot find an HPBSD-specific BIOS update on Minisforum's site: 1.02 may be the only one. Stop here, proceed to physical install. The 1.02 is from March 2024 which is recent enough for DDR5 support.

Physical install — when the package is in hand

4

Power down completely — not just sleep

  1. From Apex: shut down Windows via Start menu (not just close-lid).
  2. Wait for all fans to stop and lights to be off.
  3. Unplug the power cable from the back of Apex.
  4. Hold the power button for 5 seconds with no power connected — this drains residual capacitor charge.
  5. Move Apex to a flat, well-lit workspace (kitchen counter or desk). Keep a small bowl nearby for screws.
5

Ground yourself — touch a metal surface before opening

Static discharge can kill DIMMs and NVMes. Touch the metal case of Apex or an unpainted radiator/sink for 10 seconds before handling components. If you have an ESD wristband, use it. Don't work on carpet.

6

Open the case

Minisforum HPBSD (EliteMini): the bottom panel comes off. Look for 4 rubber feet on the bottom — pop them off (they're stickers covering screws), then remove the 4 Phillips screws underneath. The bottom panel lifts off.

You'll see the motherboard with:

7

Remove the existing 16GB A-DATA stick

The current stick is in DIMM 0. To remove:

  1. Push the two retention clips on either end of the slot outward (away from the stick) at the same time.
  2. The stick will pop up at an angle.
  3. Grip the stick by the edges (NOT the gold contacts), pull it out.
  4. Set it aside in an anti-static bag or on a non-static surface. Don't put it on a fabric chair or carpet.
8

Install both new 32GB Crucial sticks

The Crucial kit comes as two identical 32GB sticks. Install one in each slot:

  1. Hold a stick by the edges. Look at the gold contacts — there's a notch in the middle that lines up with the slot key.
  2. Insert at a ~30° angle into DIMM 0. Push firmly until it stops.
  3. Press down on both ends of the stick until the retention clips snap up to grab the notches on the stick's edges. You'll hear a click.
  4. Repeat for the second stick into DIMM 1.
  5. Both sticks should be fully seated, parallel to the motherboard, with both end clips engaged.
9

Install the new 2TB WD SN850X NVMe

This goes in the empty M.2 slot (don't touch the existing Kingston boot drive in the other slot).

  1. Locate the empty M.2 slot. There should be a small standoff screw at the far end and a hinge clip at the slot.
  2. If the slot has a thermal pad cover (small heatsink/shield), remove its screw and lift it off. Save the screw.
  3. Insert the WD SN850X into the slot at a ~30° angle, sticker-up. Push firmly until fully seated.
  4. Press the drive down flat against the motherboard. Insert the small standoff screw to hold it down.
  5. If there was a thermal pad cover, re-install it (peel any plastic film off the thermal pad first if present).
10

Close case, reconnect, power on

  1. Re-attach the bottom panel. Replace the 4 screws + the 4 rubber feet stickers.
  2. Move Apex back to its operating location.
  3. Plug in power cable.
  4. Power on.
  5. First boot may take longer than usual — the BIOS is detecting new RAM + a new drive. Be patient.

Post-install verification — the gates

11

BIOS reports the new hardware

Mash Del during boot to enter BIOS. Confirm:

If RAM shows less than 64GB: one of the sticks isn't seated correctly. Power down, re-seat, re-test.

If only one drive shows: the new NVMe isn't seated correctly OR the BIOS needs to re-detect. Power down, re-seat, re-test.

12

Windows boots normally

Boot into Windows. Open Task Manager → Performance tab → Memory. Confirm 64.0 GB visible. Speed should read 4800 MHz (or close to it).

13

Format and mount the new 2TB drive

  1. Open Disk Management (Start → type "Create and format hard disk partitions")
  2. The new drive will appear at the bottom as "Unknown" / "Not Initialized"
  3. Right-click the drive label (left side) → Initialize Disk → choose GPT partition style (NOT MBR)
  4. Right-click the unallocated space → New Simple Volume → Next → Next → pick drive letter D: → Format as NTFS, label "DATA" → Quick Format → Finish
  5. Wait ~30 seconds for format to complete
  6. You should now see D: DATA as a 2TB empty drive in File Explorer

What goes on the new D: drive (decide later, no rush)

14

Candidates to migrate off C: when you're ready

C: is at 59GB free of 475GB total. Things that have grown big and don't need to be on the boot drive:

I'll write the migration runbook in a separate step once D: is up — don't rush this. C: only needs to NOT be at 0 free, which after install we'll still have 59 GB. We have time.

If something goes wrong

Common failure modes + recovery

Worst-case fallback: re-install the original 16GB A-DATA stick. Apex boots back to known-good config. Diagnose from there.

Minisforum HPBSD · EliteMini Series · AMI BIOS 1.02 currently · upgrade target: 64GB DDR5-4800 + 2TB WD SN850X