MSI's mini gaming PC is VR-ready, yet quieter than a library

Running an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070, the little 7-pound desktop is now available in a special Arctic edition.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice

Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.

Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials

More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

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Joshua Goldman

March 28, 2017 10:00 a.m. PT

MSI claims its Trident 3 desktop is the world's smallest VR-ready gaming PC. And now it's available in white.

A black version of the petite 4.7-liter system was originally announced at CES 2017, but for a limited time you can get an Arctic color option. It's still running on an ITX-format MSI GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, which, combined with its Core i7 processor, delivers enough performance for VR gaming. Plus, MSI makes it easy to connect a VR headset with its VR Link HDMI port, and there's software for optimizing the hardware with one click.

What's also impressive is that for a gaming PC that measures only 13.6 by 2.8 by 9.2 inches (34.5 by 7.1 by 23.4 cm), MSI's cooling system can stay super quiet -- less than 36dB under full load.

MSI Trident 3 Arctic

Specifications
Price	$1,500 (approx. £1,195, AU$1,965)
Processor	Intel seventh-gen 3.6GHz Core i7-7700
Chipset	Intel H110
Graphics 8GB MSI GeForce GTX 1070	8GB MSI GeForce GTX 1070
Memory	16GB DDR4 2,400MHz RAM (supports up to 32GB)
Storage	256GB M.2 SSD plus 1TB 7,200rpm HDD
Power supply	330-watt power adapter
Front I/O	Headphone and microphone jacks, USB 3.1 Type-C (gen. 1), two USB 3.1Type-A (one supports super charger 2), VR-Link (HDMI out)
Rear I/O	Microphone, line-in, line-out, Ethernet, USB 3.1 Type-A, Four USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI out, VR-Link (connect front VR-Link and graphics card)

While the PC market is declining overall, gaming systems continue to be a bright spot. Full details are on MSI's site now, with it expected to hit stores some time in April.