The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 mini-PC boasts a distinctive design reminiscent of the classic Nintendo NES, featuring a grey chassis with striking red accents. Beneath its nostalgic exterior lies a high-performance system centered around the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, making it well-suited for gaming and other demanding tasks thanks to its integrated AMD Radeon 890M graphics. The device is equipped with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD, along with comprehensive connectivity options detailed throughout this review.
Technical Specifications of the ACEMAGIC Retro X5
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Design | Grey plastic chassis with retro console aesthetics Compatible with VESA 100 mount |
| Dimensions | 138 x 128 x 45 mm (length, width, height) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores – 24 threads) 4 Zen 5 cores up to 5.1 GHz 8 Zen 5c cores up to 3.3 GHz AMD Ryzen AI NPU (50 TOPS) 12 MB L2 Cache + 24 MB L3 Cache TDP: 15 – 54W |
| Memory | 2 x 16 GB SO-DIMM DDR5 @ 5,600 MT/s |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon 890M (16 cores @ 2.9 GHz) |
| Storage | 1 TB HUAWEI M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD 1x free M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 slot |
| Networking | 2 x Realtek RTL8125 2.5 GbE (RJ-45) Realtek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Other Connections | Front: 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4, PD Charging) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 1 x TRRS Jack (headphone and microphone)Rear: 1 x USB 4 (40 Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4, PD Charging) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x DisplayPort 2.0 2 x RJ-45 (2.5 GbE) |
| Power Supply | 120W adapter |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
Packaging and Accessories
The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 comes in an attractive white cardboard box with a visually appealing front panel. The rear displays some of its technical specifications, and a hinged opening allows access to the interior. Inside, along with the mini-PC, you’ll find a user manual, an HDMI cable, a VESA mount adapter, and a compact 120W power adapter.
Design and Connectivity of the ACEMAGIC Retro X5
The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 features a two-tone grey plastic chassis designed to evoke the original Nintendo NES. This retro-inspired model is ideal for console emulation enthusiasts but also excels in many other applications. Measuring 138 x 128 x 45 mm, it’s a remarkably compact device that fits easily in the palm of your hand and is highly portable. The top cover can be unlocked via side latches to reveal an interesting internal design.
Front Connectivity
The front panel is highlighted by a vibrant red power button. It also houses essential connectivity, including a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port (10 Gbps) supporting DisplayPort 1.4 and PD charging, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a TRRS jack for combined headphone and microphone use.
Rear Connectivity
The rear of the ACEMAGIC Retro X5 offers the majority of its connectivity. Video outputs include HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0, along with a USB 4 port (40 Gbps) that supports DisplayPort and PD charging. Additionally, there are two RJ-45 ports for dual Realtek RTL8125 2.5 GbE network interfaces, and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
Internally, the device features a Realtek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 card with Bluetooth 5.4, complementing the high-performance dual 2.5 GbE wired networking.
The base is equipped with four rubber feet for stability. Removing them reveals four screws providing access to the internal components. The cooling system consists of a turbine-style fan, two copper heat pipes drawing heat from the processor, and two copper radiators through which the fan directs airflow.
The compact PCB houses two M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots (one occupied) and two SO-DIMM DDR5 slots for RAM.
Hardware of the ACEMAGIC Retro X5
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor
The core of the ACEMAGIC Retro X5 is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor from the Strix Point family. This processor features a hybrid architecture with 4 high-performance Zen 5 cores (up to 5.1 GHz) and 8 power-efficient Zen 5c cores (up to 3.3 GHz), all supporting hyper-threading for a total of 24 threads. It boasts 24 MB of L3 cache and 12 MB of unified L2 cache, with a configurable TDP between 15W and 54W. The integrated AMD Ryzen AI NPU offers 50 TOPS for accelerating AI-driven tasks.
32 GB DDR5 Memory
The mini-PC is equipped with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, configured as two 16 GB Kingston modules running at 5,600 MT/s in dual-channel mode. This configuration ensures optimal performance for both the CPU and the integrated graphics, which utilize system memory as VRAM.
Integrated AMD Radeon 890M Graphics
Graphics processing is handled by the integrated AMD Radeon 890M, featuring 16 cores clocked at 2.9 GHz. This GPU delivers impressive performance for gaming, utilizing system memory for its VRAM.
M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD Storage
The device comes with a 1 TB HUAWEI Xtreme 200E M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD, offering excellent sequential read/write speeds of approximately 6-7 GB/s. A second M.2 slot is available for storage expansion.
Performance Tests
After completing the Windows 11 Pro installation, the ACEMAGIC Retro X5’s performance was evaluated. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor demonstrates strong single-core and excellent multi-core performance, comparable to some desktop i5 CPUs, especially considering its compact form factor and limited TDP.
The 32 GB of DDR5 RAM operating at 5,600 MT/s provides substantial data transfer rates (around 70-85 GB/s), significantly boosting both CPU and integrated graphics performance.
Procyon benchmarks for photo and video editing indicate that the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 offers commendable performance for professional tasks, suitable for content creators handling moderate 4K video workloads.
For gaming, the AMD Radeon 890M integrated graphics perform exceptionally well. In 3DMark Time Spy, it achieves a respectable score, even outperforming some discrete desktop GPUs like the RTX 3050. In practical gaming scenarios, the Radeon 890M can handle Full HD gaming with low to medium filter settings, leveraging technologies like FSR and frame generation for a smooth experience in modern titles.
Cooling is managed effectively by a compact system that keeps CPU temperatures around 85 ºC under load. While the fan’s noise level increases at maximum performance, it remains within acceptable limits and is barely noticeable during less demanding tasks. The processor’s efficient power consumption, around 65W at full load, also contributes to thermal and acoustic management.
Conclusions of the ACEMAGIC Retro X5
The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 stands out with its distinctive Nintendo NES-inspired design. Performance-wise, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, coupled with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, delivers excellent performance for professional tasks such as photo and video editing, and capable gaming in Full HD thanks to the AMD Radeon 890M integrated graphics.
The inclusion of a fast 1 TB M.2 SSD, with an additional slot for expansion, is a significant plus. The mini-PC also offers robust connectivity, including a 40 Gbps USB 4 port, multiple USB 3.2 ports, dual 2.5 GbE network interfaces, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
Availability and Price
The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 is available for 919 euros on the official website using the coupon ACERETRO. Considering the current market prices for RAM and SSDs, this represents a very attractive offer for the performance and features provided.
Key Advantages
- Exceptional Nintendo NES-inspired design
- Powerful and efficient AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor
- Great gaming performance with AMD Radeon 890M graphics
- 32 GB DDR5 RAM at 5600 MT/s in dual-channel
- High-performance 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
- Excellent USB connectivity: USB 4 and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports
- Versatile video outputs: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, and USB-C
- Comprehensive networking: 2 x 2.5 GbE, Wi-Fi 7, and BT 5.4
- Pre-installed and licensed Windows 11 Pro
Disadvantages
- Higher price compared to some desktop options
- Slightly elevated noise level at maximum performance
The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 earns a Gold Award.
