Which MSI Gaming PC is Right For You? Three Systems Tested!

MAG Codex 5 11th Gen

This one is certainly interesting, stepping up to the more traditional mid-tower form factor, which most of you will be very familiar with. This is going to have from for those who may want to make significant upgrades and changes to their system in the future, as the ATX form factor offers such extensive hardware support, with space for larger graphics cards, bigger fans, and more storage hardware. However, this model is more designed to be an entry-level model. So while it promises some actually decent hardware, you may see it looks a little trimmed down in some places to keep the price as appealing as possible.

Features

• Windows 10 Home (FREE Upgrade to Windows 11)
• Up to Intel Core i7-11700 processor
• Up to MSI GeForce^® RTX 3070^™ graphics
• Best airflow design to keep them at peak performance
• Dual side panel optional, choose your personal style
• Mystic Light RGB LED design to customize your Gaming PC
• Easy to upgrade – designed to upgrade your components with an ease
• High-speed M.2 SSD, loading game in the second
• Standard component inside, keeping the system in the latest status
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 with type C reversible design

Specification Reviewed

• Intel Core i5-11400F
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 ti

For in-depth features and specifications, please visit the official product page here.

The MAG Codex 5 series gaming desktop may be an entry-level system, but it’s still packing up to an Intel 11th Gen Core i7-11700 8-core processor, if that’s what entry level is these days, sign me up! That’s also backed up with up to a fantastic MSI GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, so gaming performance should actually be pretty decent on this thing.

What’s interesting is that this case came with a metal side panel on the left side, but also included a glass panel in the box! I stripped that standard and boring panel off and put the glass on straight away. At least this way, you can fully enjoy the built-in RGB lighting! However, I can appreciate that some may prefer the more understated look, and it’s nice to have that choice. You can customize your MAG Codex 5 with Mystic Light software from MSI too, which is nice.

Shiny!

Upgradability is one of the key reasons to choose MSI GAMING desktops, and there’s certainly room to do that here. The interior of the case shows you some of the more entry-level elements of this case. Such as the fairly stock cooler, and a single stick of fairly basic RAM, and while it does have an MSI motherboard and graphics card, they are entry-level models. That being said, if you can still get a good choice of CPU and some potent graphics cards even on a tighter budget… well, that’s no bad thing. As I said, there’s room for upgrading in the future here, with extra storage bays, room for larger coolers and more.

Overall, it’s actually quite a nice-looking case, and I love the tempered glass and RGB. Sure, it looks a bit basic on the interior, but not everything needs to be extreme and more expensive if it doesn’t need to be. Of course, the benchmarks will do some of the talking here, so I’m eager to test this one.