The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 is a mini PC that blends nostalgic design with high-end modern components. Drawing inspiration from the NES, its shell captures the shape and color treatment of early gaming while incorporating contemporary technology.
The system is powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, a 12-core, 24-thread CPU, paired with Radeon 890M graphics clocked at 2900 MHz. This pairing places it in the class of premium mini PCs.
The Retro X5 is equipped for high performance, featuring 32 GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600 RAM (supporting up to 128 GB), two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD slots, and advanced connectivity including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Its comprehensive I/O options include HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, USB4 Type-C DP Alt Mode, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C. It supports connection to up to four displays, with output capabilities including 8K at 60 Hz via HDMI or DisplayPort.
In terms of performance, the Retro X5 performs strongly for a system using integrated graphics. Gaming titles like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 ran well, while heavier games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 offered more capability than typical mini PCs in its class.
For general use and professional tasks, the CPU speed provides premium performance. The system showed strong results in Cinebench, Geekbench, and PCMark 10 for productivity and multitasking. Creator-focused work was also supported effectively; Photoshop performed strongly, and Blender CPU rendering speeds were noted as very good for this size class.
The device’s connectivity is robust, offering dual 2.5 GbE LAN ports alongside the USB4 port, providing flexibility for networking and multiple peripherals.
Beyond performance, the build quality is highlighted by its distinctive design elements. The physical construction is described as far more unique than most mini PCs, and unlike some themed products, it does not feel cheap in hand.
A key advantage noted was the ease of internal maintenance and upgrades. Features such as removable inner plates and visible memory/SSD layouts make upgrading intuitive for users.
Compared to competitors like the GEEKOM A9 Max, which shares core specifications (Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, Radeon 890M, 32 GB DDR5), the Retro X5 demonstrated an edge in certain CPU-intensive benchmarks such as Cinebench multicore and y-cruncher. However, the A9 Max showed a slight lead in some graphics-focused runs like 3DMark.
The most significant differentiator remains design. While the A9 Max offers a conventional, business-like metallic chassis, the Retro X5 provides a unique and distinct aesthetic appeal through its NES-style shell, packaging, and retro touches.
The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 maintains its status as a premium integrated-graphics mini PC at $1,159. Its performance supports its appearance: it handles a wide range of everyday and creator workloads efficiently, provides strong esports gaming capability, and offers superior design uniqueness and upgrade accessibility compared to many compact desktop alternatives.
Source: TechPowerUp