MSI today launched a new addition to its Trident gaming desktop PC range. This popular and well-established lineup typically combines an incredibly slim build with full-size, desktop-class graphics. However, the newest entrant in the series, the MSI MAG Trident S 5M, is fully AMD APU powered and has no option or space inside for a discrete GPU add-on card. MSI says this is still a great choice for gaming PCs as it’s targeting the “cloud gaming and mobile gaming markets”.
The lack of a discrete GPU option means that at just 2.6 liters and dimensions of 13.17 x 7.3 x 3.66 inches (334.7 x 185.4 x 93 mm), MSI is likely the smallest Trident PC could ever develop. Previous MSI Trident PCs with discrete GPUs are compact, but closer to 5 liters at best. The form factor-busting size might be appealing, but the AMD APU-only formula might cause some headaches in terms of its gaming prowess. AMD APUs are widely considered the best for iGPUs, but their 3D acceleration capabilities pale in comparison to some of the most underpowered GPU add-in boards. It hasn’t helped MSI that since some systems have started shipping with AMD APUs, including RDNA2 iGPUs, MSI is still using yesterday’s Ryzen 5000G APUs with integrated Vega 8 graphics at best.
In the olden days, a gaming desktop without the option to add a graphics card wasn’t considered a very serious proposition. In 2022, as the GPU drought continues, causing supply shortages and indecently high prices — plus the rise of cloud gaming — MSI thinks it has a chance to sell such a machine. It also underscores the expected growth of Android games on PCs running Windows 11.
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CPUs |
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G, Ryzen 5 5600G, or Ryzen 3 5300G processor—all with integrated AMD Radeon Vega graphics—on a B300 motherboard |
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R.A.M. |
2 x DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMMs, up to 64GB |
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storage |
2 x M.2 2280 SSD (2xPCIe Gen 3 x4), 1x 2.5 inch drive bay |
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network |
Realtek RTL8111H(1G) LAN, Intel Wi-Fi 5, BT 4.2 |
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sound |
2-channel HD audio (ALC256) |
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I/O front |
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Audio Combo Jack |
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Rear I/O |
1x USB 2.0 Type A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A, 1x RJ45(1G), 1x VGA output, 1x HDMI 2.0, supports a maximum resolution of 4K 60Hz, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 port, supports a maximum resolution of 4K 120Hz , 1x Kensington Lock, 1x DC jack (120 W adapter included) |
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Physical Properties |
2.6 liters volume, 334.7 x 185.4 x 93 mm / 13.17 x 7.3 x 3.66 inches, 2.42 kg weight |
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software |
Windows 11, MSI Game Stadium, MSI Center, MSI App Player, Game Pass (30 day trial), Norton (60 day trial) |
Other notable hardware features include the sleek looking “motherboard quick slot mechanism” that allows you to pull out the innards of the MSI MAG Trident S 5M for RAM or storage upgrades. For cooling, MSI only mentions a “fan cooler,” but we can see a pleasing array of copper heat pipes in the promotional images.
To kickstart your cloud gaming and mobile gaming, MSI has a 30-day free xBox Game Pass Ultimate via Game Stadium software (with a simple joypad-driven interface) as well as MSI App Player – an emulator for Android systems – provided. Yes, Windows 11 is introducing its own Android app service, but it’s not ready for prime time at the time of writing.
For the best cloud gaming experience, you need a fast network, and MSI promises its Lan Manager software is capable of “improving network performance for mobile gaming, cloud gaming, and PC gaming”.
If you still find the MSI MAG Trident S 5M desktop appealing but don’t want to mess with cloud or Android gaming, the Radeon Vega 8 iGPU should be almost as good as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 laptop, depending on the case -GPU game/application.
Is MSI going to charge the gaming PC premium here? We don’t have prices yet, and of course it depends on the region. MSI announced that its MAG Trident S 5M desktop is now shipping.