Last Updated: October 2025 | Author: ArsenalPC Technical Team | Reading Time: ~12 minutes
Quick Answer: What is the ArsenalPC MES2X AI Workstation?
The ArsenalPC MES2X is a dual-GPU, Socket AM5 AI workstation designed for the highest price-to-performance in local AI compute. It features an AMD Ryzen™ 9 9950X, 256GB DDR5, 8TB NVMe RAID0, and dual GeForce RTX™ 5090 GPUs delivering a combined 6,704 AI TOPS with tested, sustained GPU temps of ~82°C and ~77°C in a high-airflow Fractal case.
What You’ll Learn
- Why the MES2X targets maximum AI performance per dollar
- How a dual-RTX 5090 layout compares to a single RTX 6000 Blackwell for AI TOPS
- Why a tuned AM5 platform is a compelling foundation for at-home generative AI
- How our component choices improve cooling, stability, and day-to-day reliability
- Where the upcoming Threadripper™ PRO lineup fits for extreme multi-GPU users
- Who the MES2X is built for: researchers, creators, and enthusiasts who also game
- Introduction: It’s Alive — Meet the MES2X
- Design Goal: Highest Price-to-Performance for Local AI
- Core Specifications
- Thermals, Airflow, and Noise Considerations
- Storage Architecture for AI Workloads
- Why Dual GeForce RTX 5090 for Generative AI
- MES2X vs Single RTX 6000 Blackwell: AI TOPS Perspective
- Who This Build Is For: Real-World Workflows
- Weekends Matter: Gaming Capability
- What About Threadripper™ PRO? Our Roadmap
- FAQ
- Professional Services
- Additional Resources
- Disclaimers
Introduction: It’s Alive — Meet the MES2X
The ArsenalPC MES2X AI Workstation is our Halloween-season creation for anyone who wants serious local AI compute without overpaying: a tuned AM5 platform, dual RTX 5090 GPUs totaling 6,704 AI TOPS, 256GB DDR5, and 8TB NVMe RAID0 in a high-airflow Fractal chassis. It’s built to train, fine-tune, and infer — then game on weekends.
Happy Halloween! Like Dr. Frankenstein, our team has been in the lab testing, validating, and testing again. The RGB is set to orange for the holiday, and the monster is officially alive. We engineered MES2X to break into the AI workstation space with an emphasis on more compute per dollar than typical “entry” platforms.
Design Goal: Highest Price-to-Performance for Local AI
Our mission with MES2X: deliver a workstation that out-muscles typical single-GPU “starter” AI rigs, but stays attainable for researchers, creators, and power users building locally. For only slightly more than the cost of one RTX 6000 Blackwell card, MES2X delivers two GeForce RTX 5090 GPUs and a balanced platform around them.
Core Specifications
| Category | Component | Highlights | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen™ 9 9950X | 16 performance-oriented cores | Fast compile, preprocessing, and orchestration; great mixed workloads |
| Memory | 256GB Crucial Pro DDR5 | 4×64GB configuration | Room for large context windows and multi-model experimentation |
| Storage | 2×4TB NVMe SSD (RAID0) | 8TB total high-throughput pool | Rapid dataset streaming and scratch space for AI pipelines |
| Graphics | Dual NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 | 64GB total GDDR7 VRAM, 6,704 AI TOPS | Massive AI compute vs single-GPU “entry” rigs |
| Cooling | Arctic Liquid Freezer III | High-efficiency liquid cooling | Stable clocks during long training or inference sessions |
| Chassis | Fractal Design (high airflow) | Thermal headroom under sustained load | Measured GPU temps ~82°C / ~77°C in sustained AI compute |
Thermals, Airflow, and Noise Considerations
We chose a Fractal Design chassis for its ventilation and radiator support, pairing it with the Arctic Liquid Freezer III for reliable CPU thermals. In sustained AI compute, our observed GPU temperatures were approximately 82°C on one card and 77°C on the other — within our target envelope for long sessions. Cable routing and unobstructed intake paths were prioritized to maintain consistent airflow across both GPUs.
Storage Architecture for AI Workloads
Two 4TB NVMe drives configured in RAID0 provide a unified 8TB high-throughput scratch and dataset volume. This approach emphasizes sequential throughput for large model assets and datasets. Users who prefer redundancy can opt for additional drives or alternative arrangements; the MES2X baseline is tuned for speed and workspace capacity.
Why Dual GeForce RTX 5090 for Generative AI
The MES2X doubles down on consumer-class flagship GPUs for a simple reason: compute density for the price. With 64GB total GDDR7 VRAM and an aggregate 6,704 AI TOPS, dual RTX 5090s give you a powerful base for fine-tuning, local inference, and experimentation across multiple models. The AM5 platform keeps the system approachable while still enabling serious multi-GPU workflows.
MES2X vs Single RTX 6000 Blackwell: AI TOPS Perspective
| Build Concept | GPU Configuration | Total AI TOPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArsenalPC MES2X | 2× GeForce RTX 5090 | 6,704 AI TOPS | Designed for maximum compute/$ on AM5 |
| Typical “Entry” Pro Rig | 1× RTX 6000 Blackwell | ~4,000 AI TOPS | Common single-GPU workstation baseline |
As positioned, the MES2X aims to deliver more aggregate AI compute for only slightly more than the cost of that single professional GPU, while retaining the flexibility and upgrade path of a standard desktop platform.
Who This Build Is For: Real-World Workflows
- Generative AI at home: Fine-tune or run local LLMs, image/video diffusion, and multimodal pipelines.
- Creative professionals: Accelerated media and content tools that benefit from dual-GPU workloads.
- Researchers and tinkerers: Experiment with model variants, prompt engineering, and rapid iteration.
- Small teams and labs: A practical, desk-side system with serious compute that doesn’t require a server room.
Why AM5 Works Here
- Balanced Platform: Enough CPU cores for preprocessing and orchestration alongside dual-GPU loads.
- Attainable Footprint: Desktop standards and parts availability simplify service and upgrades.
Weekends Matter: Gaming Capability
We built this for work — but the MES2X absolutely plays. Dual RTX 5090s and a 16-core Ryzen 9 keep frame times smooth on modern titles at high resolutions. If your daily workload is AI and your weekend plan is 4K gaming, this system is more than ready.
What About Threadripper™ PRO? Our Roadmap
Competitors often jump straight to Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO 9000WX CPUs for AI. We’re finalizing those configurations as well, targeting users who need up to four RTX 6000 Blackwell Max-Q GPUs, up to 14,044 AI TOPS, and up to 1TB DDR5. If your workflow requires that ceiling, stay tuned: our multi-GPU TR PRO workstations are on the way.
FAQ
Q: What makes the MES2X “highest price-to-performance” for AI?
A: Its focus on dual RTX 5090 GPUs for an aggregate 6,704 AI TOPS on a tuned AM5 platform delivers more total AI compute than typical single-GPU “entry” rigs that use a single RTX 6000 Blackwell (~4,000 AI TOPS). The goal is simple: maximize compute for the spend while keeping the platform practical to own and upgrade.
Q: Are the reported GPU temperatures under real sustained load?
A: Yes. During sustained AI compute in our lab, we observed approximately 82°C on one card and 77°C on the other inside a high-airflow Fractal chassis with the Arctic Liquid Freezer III on the CPU. Airflow planning and tidy cable management are part of the build standard.
Q: Why not launch on Threadripper™ PRO first?
A: Many users don’t need the platform overhead of TR PRO to start doing serious work. MES2X aims to give creators and researchers maximum compute per dollar on a desktop-class platform. For users who truly need more PCIe lanes or 3–4 professional GPUs, our TR PRO line is in development.
Q: How much VRAM is available?
A: The configuration provides 64GB total GDDR7 across two RTX 5090 GPUs. This layout supports multi-model experimentation and large-context workloads common in local generative AI.
Q: Can I change the storage layout?
A: The baseline is 2×4TB NVMe in RAID0 for an 8TB high-throughput workspace. If you prefer redundancy, data separation, or additional capacity, we can discuss alternatives during configuration.
Q: Is this system quiet enough for a desk-side environment?
A: The Fractal chassis and cooler selection prioritize airflow efficiency, which helps maintain comfortable acoustics during typical workloads. Under heavy GPU loads, fan speeds rise as expected; situating the case where front and side intakes breathe freely will keep noise down and performance consistent.
Q: Who should consider waiting for the Threadripper™ PRO line?
A: If you require up to four RTX 6000 Blackwell Max-Q GPUs, memory configurations up to 1TB DDR5, or platform features unique to TR PRO, the upcoming line will be a better fit. For most at-home generative AI creators and small labs, the MES2X provides a strong balance today.
Professional Services
Need Expert Assistance?
Contact ArsenalPC to configure the MES2X or discuss Threadripper™ PRO workstations for extreme multi-GPU needs:
- Phone: 866-277-3627 (Toll-Free) | 440-602-7090 (Local)
- Email: Contact Form
- Visit: 4711 E355 St, Willoughby, OH 44094
- Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 11AM-3PM
Additional Resources
- ArsenalPC Custom PC Builder
- Contact ArsenalPC
- ArsenalPC Support Portal
- About ArsenalPC
- Warranty & Support Information
Disclaimers
Disclaimer: Specifications, thermal observations, and configuration options are based on ArsenalPC in-lab builds and testing of the MES2X as described. Individual results can vary with ambient conditions, workloads, and component updates.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains no affiliate links. All recommendations are based on professional experience and internal validation.