MSI Trident 3 10th review
TechRadar Verdict
The MSI Trident 3 10th is an excellent value if you need a small form-factor gaming PC that will fit right at home with your TV and consoles. However, the entry-level model’s hard drive may be frustrating if you’re used to that SSD life.
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Two minute review
SPEC SHEET
Here is the MSI Trident 3 10th configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F (2.9GHz base, 4.3GHz boost, 12MB cache)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super
RAM: 8GB @ 2,466MHz
Storage: 1TB Seagate Barracude @ 7,200RPM
Ports (front): 2 x USB-A; 1 x USB-C; 2 x 3.5mm Audio
Ports (rear): 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI, 1 x DVI, 1 x LAN, 4 x USB 2. 0, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 3 x Audio jack
Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 2×2, Bluetooth 5.0
Gaming PCs are magical things, aren’t they? They come in all shapes and sizes and can be some of the most powerful pieces of technology on the market, or just scrape by with the minimum. The fact that you can pick up an entry-level prebuilt gaming PC like the MSI Trident 3 10th and upgrade it at a later date with more powerful hardware means that you can continually keep up to date – but sometimes the «entry level» is a bit too low.
The MSI Trident 3 10th that was sent to TechRadar for review is the bare minimum spec, packed with an Intel Core i5-10400F, an Nvidia GTX 1650 Super, and just a 1TB hard drive. We can’t find this model listed anywhere, but once it does make its way to stores, it will start at $879 (about £690, AU$1,240). Considering the version with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super, the same processor, but paired with a way faster 512GB SSD will set you back $999 (about £780, AU$1,406), that’s the model we’d recommend.
It is $120 (about £90, AU$170) more, but the experience will be so much better with that SSD.
(Image credit: Future)
Fortunately, this is also one of the smallest gaming PCs we’ve ever used. When you lay the computer down on its side, similar to a console, it’s only a bit taller than the PS4 Pro, not as deep and just a bit wider. All told, it’s just 2.83 inches tall and has a similar footprint to any console other than the Nintendo Switch. The days where you need a giant tower to partake in a bit of PC gaming are over with the MSI Trident 3 10th.
- MSI Trident 3 10th (1TB 16GB RAM) at Newegg for $1,919.99
The computer has this all-black, angular design that is way less edgy and «gamer-y» than we’d expect an entry-level gaming PC to have. The only lighting here is a red LED near the power button that, well, indicates that the thing is turned on.
At the front of the device, there is a healthy amount of ports, with two USB-A, a USB-C and separate 3.
5mm audio jacks for audio in and out.
(Image credit: Future)
Benchmarks
Here’s how the Corsair One a100 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
Cinebench R20: 3,131 points
3DMark Time Spy: 4,815| Fire Strike: 10,594 | Night Raid: 34,560
Geekbench 5 Single Core: 1,140
Multi Core: 5,027
PCMark 10 Home: 4,407
Total War: Three Kingdoms: 141 fps (1080p, low); 31 fps (1080p, ultra)
Metro Last Light: 110 fps (1080p, low) 37 fps (1080p, ultra)
However, with this small form factor you lose out a bit one of the best parts of PC gaming: upgrade-ability. You can technically crack this chassis open, but it’s not the easiest thing in the world. Once you pop off the bottom panel, remove the screws and then slide the top of the chassis off, you can then access the internals.
However, with how complex and compact the MSI Trident 3 10th chassis is, we wouldn’t recommend novice PC users even try – which further makes it harder to recommend the entry level model. That version with a 1660 Super and a 512GB SSD keeps looking more and more tempting.
Which of course leads us to performance. If you pick up the entry level model of the MSI Trident 3 10th, you’re going to have a bit of an exercise in patience. At this point, Windows 10 is clearly designed with SSDs in mind, as the flash-based drives get cheaper and cheaper seemingly by the day. As such, once you boot into Windows, you’re going to have to sit and wait for a couple minutes, while the startup tasks finish up in the background. We find that the disk is pinned at 100% for the first two minutes or so as the computer starts up.
That’s just the hard drive life, however, but it’s something to be aware of going in, especially if you’re accustomed to using something like a modern laptop.
Once the system warms up a bit, however, the desktop performs exactly how we would expect it to.
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super in this device is perfect for medium-high settings in the latest AAA games, but where this GPU really excels is in esports. This graphics card will absolutely cut through the likes of Overwatch, Valorant, League of Legends or whatever your multiplayer poison is – just don’t go in expecting miraculous frame rates in Call of Duty: Warzone or Battlefield V.
(Image credit: Future)
For the most part, our gaming benchmarks line up with the Surface Book 3 of all things, with the MSI Trident 3 10th coming in with a Time Spy score of 4,815 to the Surface Book 3’s 4,840. Microsoft’s pro-level laptop is similarly suited mainly for lightweight casual and esports games at 1080p, so that tracks.
The Intel Core i5-10400F, is only a bit weaker than the full-fat Core i5-10600K. In Cinebench R20, you’re getting a score of 3,131 points to the 10600K’s 3,548. Combined with the Geekbench 5 single-core score of 1,140, you’re losing about 10-15% performance, but way less temperature and fan noise than a full overclockable chip would bring.
Essentially, the MSI Trident 3 10th is ideal if your idea of a good time is sitting back and playing some League of Legends or World of Warcraft with friends, and you’re not too concerned about maxing out all the graphics settings. And, with how popular esports are, that’s probably a ton of people – and the MSI Trident 3 10th will work wonders for them.
Or, you can just use it as a media PC, as that GPU can easily handle 4K video, and the capacious hard drive is much more than something like the Apple TV offers.
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if…
You don’t have a lot of space
The MSI Trident 3 10th is one of the smallest gaming PCs we’ve ever seen, not much larger than a gaming laptop – while being cheaper for equivalent hardware. If you don’t have a ton of space, this is an easy choice.
You’re into esports
There’s a massive amount of gamers out there that only really want to play League of Legends or Counter-Strike.
For people like this, the hardware on offer will be more than enough to ensure an excellent experience, without draining your wallet.
You’re trying to save some cash
There are other gaming PCs with a similar footprint – MSI makes one itself – that are far more expensive for the hardware on offer. This is thanks in large part to flashy RGB lighting and liquid cooling, none of which this desktop offers. If you’re looking for bang-for-the-buck, this is it.
(Image credit: Future)
Don’t buy it if…
You care about upgrade-ability
Because of how compact this PC is, it’s kind of a pain to tear apart to service or upgrade. For that reason alone, it’s probably best to get a higher-end version of the device, but if you want a PC that you can upgrade later, you may want to look elsewhere.
You need an SSD at the entry level
The entry level model of the MSI Trident 3 10th only has a hard drive and 8GB of RAM.
For the money and considering the small form factor that’s not really a bad deal, but Windows 10 with an SSD is a much better experience. If you can afford it, we’d recommend going with the $999 model.
MSI Trident 3 10th: Price Comparison
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Jackie Thomas is Deputy Editor at Decisionary. Previously, she was TechRadar’s US computing editor. She is fat, queer and extremely online. Computers are the devil, but she just happens to be a satanist. If you need to know anything about computing components, PC gaming or the best laptop on the market, don’t be afraid to drop her a line on Twitter or through email.
MSI Trident 3 Review: A Gaming PC Built for the Living Room
DT Recommended Product
“MSI’s Trident 3 packs performance in a small package, but annoying bloatware holds it back.”
Pros
- Compact design
- Sturdy feel
- Solid 1080p gaming
- Tons of plugs
Cons
- Bloated with extra software
- Odd port selection
Gaming PC manufacturers have been chasing the dream of a console-sized gaming PC for years, and as Intel, Nvidia, and AMD have improved power and thermal efficiency over the last few years, there’s been some success. Yet the combination of power and affordability required in a small gaming rig remains a difficult recipe, and one MSI has struggled with in the past.
Now, MSI is trying its hand at that category once again, this time aided by the appropriately mid-range GTX 1060 with 3GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i7-7700HQ with 16GB of RAM, all for right $1,300.
It doesn’t quite cut the price as low as more mundane desktop offerings from competitors, but its compact size could be worth the extra cash. Is the Trident 3 a perfect fit for your living room? Or has the recipe soured once more?
Always improving
With the Trident 3, MSI has strayed a bit from the red-and-black look that’s become synonymous with gaming computers, ditching it in favor of RGBLEDs on the system’s corners. This simple switch is a welcome change, lending the system a more versatile look. It should have no trouble sneaking into a home theater cabinet, or alongside other consoles, thanks to its compact design.
MSI’s quality has matured in recent years, and the Trident 3 follows that trend with sturdy panels and an attractive, striking look. That said, the stiff panels aren’t put together tightly, so there are still spots where light leaks through from the internal LEDs. Sitting next to a TV, though it’s unlikely anyone will notice a few panel gaps.
Many plugs, but the wrong kind
The Trident 3 doesn’t skimp on connectivity.
The front panel houses three USB 3.1 ports — two Type-A and one Type-C — 3.5mm audio in and out, and an HDMI port for virtual reality, which we’ll discuss in more detail in a moment. Around back there’s gigabit Ethernet, another Type-A USB 3.1 port, four USB 2.0 ports, HDMI for the internal GPU, and the VR link HDMI port.
Out of the box, both the internal GPU HDMI port, and the VR Link HDMI port, are plugged with plastic stoppers. The VR Link requires an included HDMI jumper from the GPU into the port on the back. The system then passes that signal to the port on the front for a VR headset.
The Trident 3 has no trouble sneaking into a home theater cabinet alongside other consoles.
It’s a nice thought with some practical problems, the most obvious being the GPU, which only sports one HDMI, one DisplayPort, and one DVI. That means there’s no easy way to simultaneously plug in a VR headset and a HDTV (a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter could do the trick). Also, the HDMI pass-through only brings the port up about 10 inches, and an Oculus Rift will have to plug into the USB 3.
1 port on the back anyway, with the Oculus trackers plugged into the front. That rather minimizes the advantage of the HDMI port on the front.
Like many small form factor systems with ITX motherboards, the Trident 3 sports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. If we’re just counting ports, the Trident 3 punches up a weight class, but its graphical outputs keep it limited to home theater or living room applications. It seems like an avoidable problem, considering the system sports an MSI GPU.
Familiar parts
The process for opening the system wasn’t immediately obvious. As it turned out, we had to pry back a panel on the bottom of the case to reveal the four screws holding the side panel on. Once inside, we were greeted by familiar, off-the-shelf parts. The motherboard isn’t anything special or clever, it’s just a standard ITX motherboard. The cases’ GPU area is small, but it’s nothing most half-length cards can’t squeeze into, as long as they don’t need extra PSU power.
You’re stuck with the blower cooler on the CPU, as it’s unlikely you’ll find anything efficient enough that will fit, but everything else is off the shelf. RAM is easily accessible, and there’s space for a 2.5-inch SSD or HDD around back, next to an M.2 slot. There’s basically nothing inside you couldn’t replace or upgrade if you wanted to, except the power supply, which is an external unit.
The processor holds up
Our configuration sported an Intel Core i7-7700, a four-core CPU with Hyper-Threading, and 16GB of RAM. Apart from a lack of overclocking support and a lower 65-watt TDP, the chip bears a close resemblance to the enthusiast Core i7-7700K, and should provide excellent performance for the size.
As a side note, our MSI Trident 3 was an engineering sample with a bit of an odd configuration. It packed in the higher-end CPU and GPU, with 16GB of memory, but only a 128GB SSD. The more typical $1,300 model sold at retail includes a 256GB model. This won’t impact processor performance, but it’s worth noting.
No surprises here. The Intel Core i7-7700 holds its own against similarly-minded systems, taking a strong lead against the slightly more budget-friendly Dell XPS 8910 SE. The Core i7 makes an even bigger difference in the Handbrake 4K video conversion test, where it dominates the Core i5-6400 in the XPS 8910 SE.
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Whether it’s synthetic or real-world benchmarks, the MSI Trident 3’s performance is commendable, and for the price point, very competitive. The Digital Storm Velox beats it out by a wide margin, but its Intel Core i7-7700K chip is much more expensive, in a higher-end system, with a lofty 5GHz overclock on it. For what it is, the Core i7-7700 in the Trident 3 holds its own quite well.
Storage and options
MSI outfitted our review unit with a Kingston 128GB SATA SSD and a 1TB mechanical HDD. The SSD holds the OS and any demanding applications or oft-used files, while the larger mechanical drive keeps extra files and media. It’s a cost effective option, and one that provides a lot of versatility.
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As expected, the SSD’s read speeds far outweigh its mediocre write speeds, a trend we see in most drives like it. It shouldn’t drag while loading big applications, and makes startup lightning fast, although our review unit only boasted 128GB, which we quickly filled with games. Higher-end systems like the Digital Storm Velox are moving to PCIe and NVMe drives, but for the price point, we don’t expect that.
Instead, MSI has thrown an extra HDD inside, a 1TB data drive in our case. It’s unsurprisingly slow and lumbering, but it will allow you to stash extra games or movies without having to use up a plug with an external option. Its competitors aren’t always as thoughtful, and the Dell XPS uses only a mechanical drive, which is far from ideal.
Not a runner
MSI portrays the Trident as a gaming system, so we’ll make sure to put it through the full ringer of graphical benchmarks. Equipped with a 3GB GTX 1060 from MSI, it should be capable of pumping out decent framerates at 1080p, unless its petite size gets in the way.
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Nothing scary to report here. The Trident 3 holds its own under the demanding 3DMark graphical test, with the CPU allowing the GTX 1060 to basically run at its full potential. Both the XPS 8910 SE and Velox take a strong lead here thanks to their improved graphical options. The 3DMark benchmarks tend to be a lot harder on the CPU than most modern games, so it’s always worthwhile to see how it fares against commonly played PC titles.
Steady jog
Most games don’t challenge the CPU very much, and our test suite is indicative of that. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI tends to be the only game that puts a lot of stress on the processor, while the rest place most of the strain on the GPU. Still, we want to see how the combination fares together, and whether the CPU holds up the potential performance.
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While it might look like a trouncing for the little Trident, it’s once again betrayed by the more premium systems it competes with.
It’s more than capable of holding a 60 FPS average in most modern titles, an increasingly big ask for gaming computers.
Although we didn’t include it on our graphs, due to lack of direct competitors we have results for, the Trident 3 averaged 82 FPS at ultra in Battlefield 1, and 76 FPS in For Honor. Both are modern titles without heavy CPU demands, and both are ready to run quite well on that 1080p television hooked up in front of the couch.
It may not reach the upper echelons of gaming power, but with so many users still playing at 1,920 x 1,080, and so many televisions sitting at 60Hz, the Trident 3 targets the perfect performance spot.
Cut the crap
We’ve tested MSI systems in the past, and we’ve often noticed a problem with lots of pre-installed software. The Trident 3 was no exception.
Annoying bloatware holds it back.
The usual suspects made an appearance, with a handful of MSI control panel and optimization apps, and something called Houzz, which has to do with home design.
We have no idea why that’d be included on a gaming rig.
Any bloatware is too much, but Norton Security is a particularly virulent strain. It constantly bothered us with notifications about files and applications. Norton also repeatedly tried to install several Chrome extensions that Google classifies as potentially threatening.
Warranty
MSI covers the Trident 3 and its internal components for one year. That’s not exactly luxurious for a gaming PC, but it’s similar to what you’ll find on other mid-tier systems from major manufacturers, including the Dell 8910 SE.
Unlike previous Trident models, MSI says it’s perfectly fine to open up the Trident 3 and replace or upgrade parts. That said, MSI’s warranty won’t cover any damage due to user maintenance, so make sure to work carefully.
MSI has packed a decent all-around gaming system into a compact box that won’t look out of place between a cable box and a Playstation 4, and there’s something to be said for that.
Still, the small form factor market is growing quickly, and the Trident 3 is far from the most refined, or budget-friendly system on the list, at $1,300 for the closest configuration to our review unit.
Is there a better Alternative?
Alienware’s Alpha R2 does the same thing in a much smaller footprint, and the best model is available for $949, but it still sports a GTX 1060 and mobile processor. The Zotac Magnus E Box undercuts the Trident price-wise, although the best models are barebones, so users will have to bring their own SSD and RAM.
How long will it last?
MSI’s little box certainly has the hardware to last through a few graphical update cycles over the next few years. It’s a system meant to sit next to a television, and if that television is 1080p, it’s happy to oblige.
Should you buy it?
No. While the Trident 3 offers decent performance in a compact size, there are too many solid alternatives that don’t have its problems with bloatware, and offer a better value.
The Alienware Alpha is a simple, no-nonsense option with slower parts at a better price, and Zotac’s offerings offer more variety and plenty of upgrade options.
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Test and Review: MSI Oculux NXG253R — Fast 360Hz eSports Display with G-Sync
universal scenarios. But there is a special category of monitors aimed at hardcore gamers. A good example is the MSI Oculux NXG253R, which offers 360Hz refresh rate, G-Sync eSport and NVIDIA Reflex for eSports players. Let’s see how the monitor will show itself in practice.
Let’s say right away: the MSI Oculux NXG253R monitor is unlikely to be of interest to most readers.
If you prefer to play at high frame rates, there are several suitable displays on the market. They offer various gaming features, a 27″ or 32″ diagonal panel, and refresh rates from 144 to 240 Hz. We have already tested several of these models.
On the other hand, for hardcore gamers or e-sports players, the right equipment can make the difference between life and death. And for them, MSI just developed the Oculux NXG253R. The diagonal is only 24.5″, Full-HD resolution, which is still not enough for ordinary gamers. However, the panel provides a refresh rate of 360 Hz, six times higher than the standard level. Accordingly, the picture is updated the same number of times per second, which allows both you can see the opponent earlier and react.0005
So far, only 24.5″ displays have had this refresh rate, but ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27AQN, the first 27″ monitor with a high refresh rate, was unveiled at CES 2022.
The features don’t stop there. Panel announced over time 1ms response time.
In addition, the full version of NVIDIA G-Sync 360 eSport is supported.The monitor has a built-in G-Sync module, so the frame rate is synchronized throughout the range.ESport mode allows you to highlight dark areas of the picture.
Professional orientation Oculux NXG253R is noticeable for the price: you will have to pay for the monitor from 63,200 ₽, which is quite a lot for a 24.5″ diagonal.
| Retail price: | from 63.200 ₽ |
|---|---|
| Warranty: | 36 months |
| Manufacturer website: | msi.com |
| Diagonal: | 24.5″ |
| Curvature | x |
| Colour: | Black |
| Format: | 16:9 |
| Panel: | IPS |
| Look up Table: | 8 bit |
| Glossy panel: | No |
| Approval: | 1. 920 x 1.080 pixels |
| Contrast: | 1.000:1 |
| Brightness: | Max. 400 cd/m² |
| Pixel response time: | 1 ms |
| Refresh rate: | 360 Hz |
| Viewing angles: | Horizontal: 178° Vertical: 178° |
| Interfaces: |
1x DisplayPort 2.4 |
| HDCP: | Yes |
| Weight: | 6.47 kg |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 761 x 410 x 207 mm |
| Ergonomics: | Panel height: 130 mm Panel tilt: -5° — 20° Panel rotation: -45° — 45° |
| Kensington lock: | No |
| Wall mount: | 100 x 100 mm |
| Built-in speakers: | Yes |
| Power supply: | External |
| Optional: | G-Sync eSport, NVIDIA Reflex, RGB element |
Case and workmanship
The MSI Oculux NXG253R looks rather austere on a desktop, it can easily pass for an office monitor.
But looks are deceiving. Of course, the 24.5″ edge-to-edge panel is very small by today’s standards. There are no decorations on the front, except for the MSI logo on the bottom frame.
The case is quite deep, but you shouldn’t expect wonders in design from the NXG253R.
The same goes for the rack, where functionality comes first. The stand does its job, the panel is held well. We did not find any panel vibrations, the hinge is quite rigid, but this is not surprising for such a diagonal.
Behind the monitor looks more interesting. The MSI logo is no longer embossed, it is printed in white. There is also a large G-Sync 360 logo. You can’t confuse a tournament monitor with anything on the back. There is a small RGB insert between the two logos.
There are no complaints about the quality of workmanship.
All gaps are uniform, we did not find sharp edges. Although given the price, plastic could be better.
Interface panel
The NXG253R interface panel is divided into two parts. In the main area, which is habitually angled, there are two HDMI inputs and one DisplayPort. In addition, MSI installed a power socket and a USB Upstream port.
On the left panel, MSI has added three USB ports that are fairly easy to access. They allow you to conveniently connect peripherals. To use NVIDIA Reflex technology, the mouse must be connected to the top port of the three.
<>Test & Review: MSI Oculux NXG253R — High Speed 360Hz Esports Display with G-Sync
Ergonomics
Trident — Underwater HD Camera Drone / Drones / Photo News 9002.902. 2015
Now, at the dawn of the era of autonomous drones, airspace is the fastest to master. Flying multicopters are already available in abundance — models from different manufacturers, varying greatly in both functionality and price.
As for floating, and even more so diving drones, there are far fewer options so far, and therefore the release of literally every new model becomes a significant event. OpenROV just launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign for the production of the Trident underwater drone.
The OpenROV team spent five years developing their own drones, and then they decided to launch the drone on an open platform. The Trident underwater drone is ready to go as soon as you take it out of the box. The controls are made as simple as possible so that even beginners won’t get confused.
The OpenROV developers say they’ve been hard at work on the Trident. They explain that the special hydrodynamic design of the rudders allows the drone to move quickly, while at the same time shifting to subtle maneuvering when needed.
The Trident drone is “small enough to fit in your backpack or under an airplane seat” so you can take it with you wherever you go. The developers note that the protruding side faces of the drone are covered with durable rubber, which protects it «from underwater obstacles, as well as from rough handling.
»
The Trident drone measures 40 x 20 x 8 cm and weighs 2.9 kg. It can dive to a depth of 100 meters, and the maximum speed reaches 2 m / s (this is about 7 km / h). The great thing is that Trident can operate on a single battery charge for up to three hours — flying drones have never dreamed of such a thing.
You don’t have to worry about the drone getting lost — it uses a neutral buoyancy cable for insurance. It also carries streaming video and telemetry signals (the developers explain that radio waves do not propagate well under water). A 25m cable will come standard, with longer options available.
The technical specifications of the camera used are very vague — it says that this is an HD camera, and nothing more. LEDs are installed in front of the drone, illuminating the surrounding underwater space.
You can control the drone using «any device» thanks to the support of various Internet standards — from HTML5 and webRTC to WebVR and WebGL. The Trident software is open source, so anyone can develop their own drone control apps.
