Mini hosting is something that many people should have heard of. This gadget, which is even smaller than the ITX console, is almost extreme in size, so it is also loved by many players who like ITX and miniaturized consoles. Although the author himself said that he only knows a little bit about the ITX host, but after all, he has also installed several ITX hosts, and the current main machine is also an ITX computer with an A4 chassis, so when he heard that MSI has launched a new mini host MAG Trident S 5M, of course, it is also the first time to volunteer to experience it for yourself.
Speaking of MSI's mini-host, perhaps the most familiar to everyone will be their Neptune series. In addition to having a sufficiently mini size, this series of mini hosts also has very good performance, and has always been the first choice for many ITX players who want to be in one step.
However, the newly launched MAG Trident S 5M is different from the previous Neptune mini host in terms of positioning. If the previous mini console was the main strong game performance, then this time MAG Trident S 5M is the direction of low-to-medium games, cloud games and mobile games.
Host specifications
Since it is a main medium and light gamer, the MAG Trident S 5M is of course in line with this positioning in terms of configuration. On the CPU, this mini host is the highest optional AMD Ryzen™ 7 5700G processor, and everyone should also know that the processor with G suffix in the Ryzen series comes with a GPU, so it also saves the space for unique display, and the entire host can be made smaller. The one we received this time is the version that uses the Ryzen™ 7 5700G processor. Its built-in AMD Radeon Graphics VEGA 8 GPU has a frequency of 2000MHz.
In terms of storage and memory, the MAG Trident S 5M can be equipped with up to DDR4 3200MHz SO-DIMM memory with dual-channel pass and a maximum capacity of 32GB*2 of 64GB. In the storage area, the host has a 2.5-inch hard disk location and two M.2 interfaces that can install SSDs up to 2280 specifications. The author's hand is already built-in 16GB of memory and 500GB SSD. In terms of network connectivity, the MAG Trident S 5M has a Gigabit wired LAN port and a WiFi 6E network card.
One thing to say is that the MAG Trident S 5M comes with a 120W power adapter.
Host appearance
If anyone would think of the MAG Trident S 5M as a decoration or router, it would be forgivable, as the appearance of this console is completely different from other game consoles. Most of the other mini-PC consoles will have some gaming features in terms of appearance, such as angularity or many lines to highlight their sense of technology, but the MAG Trident S 5M is very different.
The entire chassis of the MAG Trident S 5M is boxy, with a black and white color scheme. Coupled with the ultra-small size of 334.7mm high, 185.4mm deep and 93mm high, this wonderful combination makes the MAG Trident S 5M look more like a router than a mini-host. If you look closely, you may find that the shape of this MAG Trident S 5M is actually somewhat similar to that Xbox One S or PS2. Sure enough, what the hero saw was a little bit the same (laughs).
Of course, as a game host, the RGB that you must have to play the game is also available on this console, and the blue RGB light hidden in the front panel part is also very beautiful.
The front of the console is simple, and only the Dragon Shield badge in the upper left corner indicates that this is a product of MSI. The surface is made of brushing and is very comfortable to the touch. The opening in the lower half may look like an air intake, but it is really just for decoration.
Coming to the back, here is the pure black color scheme. The opening in the first half is like an air intake, but it's not actually (laughs), the real air intake is in the row at the top of the main unit. In addition to the air intake at the top, there are two buttons, namely the power key and the G-Key shortcut key.
Speaking of buttons and interfaces, the MAG Trident S 5M has a 3.5mm microphone interface, a 3.5mm audio output interface, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface. Such an interface size is just enough for the positioning of the entire host, especially the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface also has a 15W charging power, allowing the player to connect the mobile device to it to charge.
If the player feels that the interface is not enough, in fact, the host has some additional interfaces in the I/O interface part. This includes 1 DP 1.4, 1 HDMI 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 USB 2.0 Type A and 1 1GB wired Lan port available.
Another interesting thing is that the MAG Trident S 5M will also be equipped with a wireless gamepad for players to use. The built-in GC30 V2 gamepad button layout is the same as the Xbox's gamepad and can be connected to a computer or Android device. It has a built-in 600 mAh battery, which can be used for more than 8 hours by the official. Players can choose 2.4G wireless, or wired way to connect to the device they want to play, but its wired interface is a Micro USB interface, if it is replaced by a Type-C interface may be better. The D-PAD arrow keycaps on the handle can be replaced by the style you want.
Overall, the MAG Trident S 5M's unobtrusive but calm exterior design is very in line with its positioning, but also very good-looking. The overall small size also allows the player to place the console in a narrow space.
Gaming experience
As a game console, of course, I want to experience what it's like to play games with this console. First of all, let's take a look at the frame rate of this console's game. Ryzen™ 7 5700G as we all know, is an APU, and the APU GPU will not be much stronger, so the author plays games on this console with medium or low special effects, as well as 1080P resolution.
In better-optimized games, such as Forza Motorsport: Horizon 5, the MAG Trident S 5M can achieve 36 frames in medium quality, and 48 frames in low quality. As for "Assassin's Creed: The Hall of Heroes", which has higher hardware requirements, it can just pull an average of 30 frames under low quality. In "Metro: Departed", the low picture quality can give a score of 28.92 frames.
It can be seen that in fact, under the low quality, MAG Trident S 5M can still rely on its Ryzen 7 5700G to play AAA masterpieces, and in terms of frame rate, it basically meets the most basic requirements of playing games at 30 frames.
MSI Game Stadium
This is the more fun thing about the MAG Trident S 5M, the player only needs to press the G-Key shortcut on the console, you can immediately start the software. It is an integrated Xbox app with its own Android emulator, MSI APP PLAYER. The former allows players to leverage Xbox Game Pass to play games locally, or Xbox Cloud Gaming in supported regions for cloud gaming, while the latter allows players to play mobile games.
MSI Game Stadium is actually equivalent to giving MAG Trident S 5M a game mode, because the interface is basically the content of the game, and the style is also a bit similar to that of the dedicated game console. More importantly, this application can be controlled by using the console's own gamepad, which gives the player a lot of flexibility. If the player turns on the console just to play the game and relax, then MSI Game Stadium is a good fit.
Temperature testing
Temperature has always been an issue for ITX and mini-consoles, and I certainly take this opportunity to see how far the thermal performance of this MAG Trident S 5M can go.
At a room temperature of 25.2 degrees, the MAG Trident S 5M had CPU and GPU temperatures of 82 and 67 degrees, respectively, after 15 minutes of fire Strike Extreme and AIDA 64 Stress FPU grills.
However, in the actual game, the PRESSURE on the CPU is of course not as big as in the Stress FPU, so the maximum temperature of the CPU and GPU during normal games is about 73 and 64 degrees, which is also relatively good for such a compact mini host.
As for the noise, this MAG Trident S 5M is also relatively well controlled, and basically only a relatively low whistling sound can be heard at a distance of 1 meter, and it will not be too noisy.
summary
Small, small, and sexually usable, this is probably the author's summary of this MAG Trident S 5M. As a host that uses APU, it is equipped with the Ryzen™ 7 5700G for playing games under 1080P, with low special effects, at least 30 frames are still given, allowing players to have a host-like experience of the previous generation. And if you have a higher frame rate game experience, then you can actually use this console to cloud games.
However, the biggest advantage of this console is that it is small enough, and because the air outlet is not on the left and right sides of the chassis, it can be placed down even in a narrow space and there will not be much heat dissipation problem, as long as the rear and upper space is enough. Whether it's going to be placed vertically or horizontally, there won't be many problems.
Overall, the MAG Trident S 5M will be a good choice for those who want a small enough game and a good look, can play mobile games and can play AAA masterpieces lightly, and even want to experience cloud games.