Introduction

Acemagic continues to expand its retro-inspired Mini-PC lineup with the Retro X3, a more affordable alternative to the Retro X5 I reviewed earlier. The two systems share much of the same design, with a gray enclosure and oversized red power button that resemble a miniature game console from the late 1980s. Inside, however, the X3 takes a different approach, using AMD's Ryzen 7 H 255 processor and Radeon 780M integrated graphics. Having already spent time with the more powerful X5, I was interested to see how much performance the X3 gives up and whether its lower price makes it a better option for everyday computing and some gaming.


The Retro X3 uses AMD's Ryzen 7 H 255, an eight-core, 16-thread Zen 4 processor (a rebranded 8745H) paired with Radeon 780M graphics. That is a step-down from the Retro X5's Zen 5 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and RDNA 3.5 Radeon 890M, but it's still quite capable hardware for a compact Windows desktop. It's especially interesting for someone who likes the design and wants to play older games, use emulators, or mix occasional PC gaming with everyday office work.

The biggest compromise with this configuration is the permanently installed memory, which is something to consider before choosing the X3. My review unit has 16 GB of LPDDR5-6400 soldered directly to the motherboard, so there is no option to swap it for larger modules later. That could become a limitation for anyone planning to keep the system for several years, especially when some similarly priced Mini-PCs support replaceable SO-DIMMs. Storage is a different matter, with two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slots and a 1 TB Bestoss GM888 SSD already installed in my system. There is also USB4, 2.5 GbE networking, and enough USB-A connectivity that most people won't immediately need a hub.

The Radeon 780M is an older integrated GPU based on RDNA 3, but it still performs reasonably well in lighter games and everyday applications. More demanding titles will require lower settings or resolutions, as the gaming results show. I also appreciate that Acemagic has kept the Retro X5's distinctive design and connectivity, even with the X3's lower price. Let's get into it.

Packaging and Contents

The Retro X3 comes in a much smaller and simpler box than the Retro X5, whose presentation was a fun extension of the whole retro-console theme. Here, the computer is packed quite tightly into a plain retail package, with the accessories kept underneath. It still does the job of protecting the system, but anyone expecting the same unboxing experience as the X5 will find this one more ordinary.


Alongside the PC, Acemagic includes a power adapter, HDMI cable, VESA mounting hardware, and a user manual. It's a fairly standard selection of accessories for a Mini-PC, with everything needed to connect the system to a display.

Design and Build

Acemagic has kept a lot of the Retro X5 charm with the X3, with its gray, squared-off shell, contrasting front trim, ventilation pattern across the top, and red power button. It's made from plastic, but the finish looks tidy and the compact 128.2 × 128.2 × 44 mm enclosure is easy to fit beside a monitor. I appreciate styling that is unique without adding lights or other LED decorations that would get distracting during regular work.

The front is where you'll find the red power button, two 10 Gbps USB-A ports, a 40 Gbps USB4 Type-C connector, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Having USB4 on a system at this price is welcome, especially for a fast external SSD or a dock, while the two USB-A ports are useful for peripherals you connect and disconnect often. The power button is much larger than the usual tiny Mini-PC switch.


Around the back are four more USB-A ports, one HDMI output, one DisplayPort connection, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, and the DC power input. That's six USB-A connections altogether. The rear USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports run at 5 Gbps, while the front USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A connections support 10 Gbps, but that's fine for devices like keyboards, mice, and printers, and support for three displays broadens the X3's usefulness as an everyday PC.


The sides have long ventilation openings, with intake openings on the bottom and exhaust paths along the side and rear. There's also a small release slider on each side for the top cover, which turns out to be one of my favorite features of the case. Acemagic has avoided hiding the service screws under adhesive feet, making the first step of opening the PC simple, and the small rubber feet keep the enclosure slightly raised to give the intake some clearance.