Lenovo M Series SFF ThinkCentre M90s Gen 6 SFF Review
The ThinkCentre M90s SFF packs a surprisingly powerful GPU into a tiny box, but saddles it with only 8GB of RAM and a small SSD, making it a oddly unbalanced machine.
The 30-Second Version
This SFF desktop has a best-in-class integrated GPU but underwhelming everything else. The 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD are major bottlenecks. Only worth it if compact size and strong graphics are your absolute top priorities.
Overview
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s Gen 6 SFF is a small-form-factor desktop that's built for business, not fun. It's got a surprisingly powerful integrated GPU, but that's paired with a modest 8GB of RAM and a tiny 256GB SSD. Lenovo's pitch is about AI performance, thanks to an optional NPU, but the core specs feel like they're from a different, more budget-focused era.
Performance
The AMD integrated graphics here are a standout, landing in the top tier for GPU performance. That's great for driving a 4K display or handling some light visual tasks. The CPU is solid, middle-of-the-pack, but the rest of the package is underwhelming. The 8GB of RAM is a real bottleneck for multitasking, and the 256GB SSD is disappointingly small. Our reliability data also suggests this system lags behind most in that department.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The integrated GPU performance is genuinely impressive. 95th
- The SFF design saves a ton of desk space. 72th
- Includes an HDMI 2.1 port for 4K output. 69th
- Optional NPU could be useful for specific AI tasks.
Cons
- Only 8GB of RAM is a major limitation for modern work. 23th
- The 256GB SSD is tiny and will fill up fast. 26th
- Reliability scores are concerningly low.
- It's not built for anything remotely resembling gaming.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 |
| Cores | 10 |
| Frequency | 4.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB |
Graphics
| GPU | Graphics |
| Type | integrated |
| VRAM | 48 GB |
| VRAM Type | GDDR6 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| Storage Type | NVMe SSD |
Build
| Form Factor | SFF |
| PSU | 310 |
| Weight | 5.3 kg / 11.7 lbs |
Connectivity
| HDMI | HDMI® 2.1 (supports resolution up to 4K@60Hz) |
| DisplayPort | 2 x DisplayPort™ 1.4 |
System
| OS | Windows 11 |
Value & Pricing
At around $719, this feels like a weirdly unbalanced package. You're paying for a top-tier GPU housed in a system with mediocre RAM, disappointing storage, and questionable reliability. The value proposition hinges entirely on whether you need that specific GPU power in a small box and can live with the other compromises. For most people, it's a tough sell.
vs Competition
Compared to gaming desktops like the HP OMEN 45L or Alienware Aurora, this ThinkCentre is a different beast. Those systems are built for raw power and upgradability. This Lenovo is about compactness and a specific GPU strength. Even against Lenovo's own Legion Tower, the M90s sacrifices everything for size. The MSI Aegis and Asus ROG NUC are more balanced small systems that don't skimp so heavily on core components. If you need a SFF PC, those competitors often make more sense.
| Spec | Lenovo M Series SFF ThinkCentre M90s Gen 6 SFF | Dell Tower Plus Dell Tower Plus Desktop Computer | HP OmniDesk HP - OmniDesk Desktop - Intel Core Ultra 7 265F | MSI Aegis MSI Gaming Desktop PC Aegis RS2 AI A2NVP7-1480US | ASUS ROG ASUS - ROG GM700 Gaming Desktop - AMD Ryzen 7 | Acer Nitro Acer Nitro 60 N60-640-UR26 Desktop, Intel Core |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265F | Intel Core Ultra 7 | AMD Ryzen 7 8700F | Intel Core i7-14700F |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 1024 | 1024 | 2048 | 1000 | 2048 |
| GPU | AMD Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
| Form Factor | SFF | mid-tower | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop | Desktop |
| Psu W | 310 | 750 | 400 | 750 | 600 | 850 |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Cpu | Gpu | Ram | Port | Storage | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo M Series SFF ThinkCentre M90s Gen 6 SFF | 69.1 | 95 | 23.3 | 63.8 | 26.3 | 71.9 |
| Dell Tower Plus Tower Plus Compare | 89.7 | 81 | 86.3 | 99.9 | 66.2 | 71.9 |
| HP OmniDesk OmniDesk Compare | 87.5 | 69.9 | 88.5 | 99.6 | 66.2 | 71.9 |
| MSI Aegis Gaming Desktop PC RS2 AI Compare | 96.5 | 81 | 91.3 | 99.8 | 93.1 | 41.2 |
| ASUS ROG GM700 Gaming Compare | 71.3 | 74.6 | 91.3 | 99.5 | 59.3 | 41.2 |
| Acer Nitro 60 N60-640-UR26 Compare | 83.9 | 74.6 | 79.5 | 82.2 | 93.1 | 36.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Can I upgrade the RAM and storage easily?
Yes, SFF PCs like this are designed for some upgradability, but you'll need to do it. Adding more RAM and a larger SSD is a must for any serious use.
Q: Is the optional NPU worth it?
Only for very specific AI-accelerated tasks in business software. For general use, it's unlikely to make a noticeable difference.
Q: Can this PC handle gaming?
No. Our score for gaming is one of the worst we've seen. The GPU is strong for output, but the limited RAM and lack of a discrete gaming GPU make it a non-starter.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a developer, need a workstation, or plan to do any multitasking. The 8GB RAM will choke. Also, if reliability is a key concern, our data shows this model falls behind. And obviously, gamers should look elsewhere.
Verdict
Buy this only if your primary need is a very small desktop with exceptional integrated graphics for display output or light visual work, and you're willing to immediately upgrade the RAM and storage. It's a niche machine for a specific office setup.