It is hard not to miss the days gone by. For many, the stressors of modern life feel tangible and overwhelming, leading to a massive resurgence in nostalgic design language. Acemagic is clearly capitalizing on this trend with their latest offering, the Acemagic Retro X5.
At first glance, the X5 looks like a carbon copy of the classic NES, albeit with swapped ports and a slightly smaller footprint. However, don't let the aesthetic fool you; this isn't just a piece of decor. This is a fully-fledged SFF gaming PC packed into a tiny, stylish chassis. Whether you are a millennial looking to relive the pre-internet era or a Gen Xer wanting a Windows 11 powerhouse strapped to your 4K OLED TV, the Retro X5 is designed to capture your attention (and your budget).
Premium Build and Retro Aesthetics
Physically, the device is a thing of beauty. Much like the Silverstone FLP02, it utilizes a design language that feels incredibly soothing. The hard lines, sleek gloss black detailing, and two-tone grey matte finish encapsulate late '80s and early '90s chic perfectly.
The attention to detail is evident in the CAD-carved grooves and the premium packaging. It stands in stark contrast to other mini PCs on the market, feeling more like a high-end collector's item than a standard piece of office hardware. Even though it looks decades old, the internal components ensure it performs like a modern beast.
Impressive Connectivity Options
Despite its diminutive size, the port selection is surprisingly robust:
- Rear I/O: Dual 2.5 Gb ethernet ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 2.0.
- Front I/O: Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, a high-speed USB4 (40Gbps) port, and a 3.5mm audio out.
- Wireless: Full support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
The inclusion of the USB4 port is particularly vital. It allows users to connect rapid external SSD docks or even an eGPU if they need to push the graphical performance even further.
High-End Performance in a Small Package
The real magic happens under the hood. While the exterior screams retro, the internal specs are cutting-edge. The Acemagic Retro X5 is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, a 12-core, 24-thread chip that handles heavy workloads with ease.
In Cinebench testing, the processor delivered impressive single-core and multi-core scores. During a 10-minute multi-run, it maintained an average frequency of approximately 3,527 MHz, peaking at a temperature of 85 degrees. This is supported by 32 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and the AMD Radeon 890M iGPU, which provides a surprisingly capable gaming experience for a mini PC.
Storage and Value Considerations
The unit comes equipped with a 1 TB Huawei eKitStor Xtreme 200E PCIe 4.0 SSD. While it lacks a DRAM cache, it remains a functional drive for most users.
However, potential buyers should be wary of the pricing volatility. The cost of this machine has seen significant shifts—at one point dropping by as much as $400. To get the best value out of your Acemagic Retro X5, you should aim to buy it when it is on sale.
The Verdict:
- Buy if: You crave that authentic 80s aesthetic without sacrificing modern performance.
- Don't buy if: You are paying full retail price; look for sales of up to 32% off to make the most of your investment.
