AceMagic’s Retro X5 is the kind of mini PC that makes you do a double-take. At first glance, it looks like a modern take on the classic Nintendo Entertainment System vibe—compact, clean, and topped off with an NES-style red power button. But beneath that retro shell is a surprisingly serious gaming and emulation machine built for people who want big performance without giving up desk space.
The headline feature is its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, a 12-core, 24-thread chip paired with AMD’s Radeon 890M integrated graphics featuring 16 RDNA 3.5 compute units. In real-world terms, that’s the sort of hardware mix that can handle modern PC games at enjoyable settings while also powering demanding emulation setups that older mini PCs often struggle with. The Retro X5 also comes well-equipped out of the box, packing 32GB of DDR5-6500 RAM and a 1TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD, giving it the kind of memory and storage headroom that benefits gaming, content loading times, and multitasking.
A hands-on benchmark run from YouTube reviewer ETA PRIME shows the Retro X5 delivering legitimately impressive results for a palm-sized system. Cyberpunk 2077, for example, holds a stable average around 70 FPS at medium settings using FSR Balanced—exactly the kind of performance that turns an iGPU-based mini PC from “neat idea” into “actually practical.” Other demanding titles like Spider-Man 2 and Forza Horizon 5 also perform strongly, with Forza reportedly landing in the 60 to 80 FPS range at High or Medium settings at 1440p, depending on configuration.
Where this small PC gets even more interesting is emulation. Thanks to the strong CPU and capable integrated graphics, the Retro X5 is suited for a wide range of systems, including higher-end emulation scenarios like PlayStation 3 via RPCS3, plus Nintendo Wii U and Switch emulation. For retro enthusiasts, that means one compact box can cover classic libraries and still serve as a credible modern gaming PC.
AceMagic didn’t stop at raw performance. Connectivity is another big selling point, especially for users who want a mini PC that can anchor a full setup. On the back, you’ll find dual 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, DisplayPort 2.0, HDMI 2.1, two USB 3 Type-A ports, and a USB4 Type-C port. The front adds a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. That mix makes it easy to run multiple high-refresh or high-resolution displays, connect fast external storage, and build a tidy console-style living room setup—or a surprisingly powerful tiny workstation.
Design-wise, the case looks closer to an NES Classic-inspired style than a full-size NES replica, but the smaller footprint feels like a smart trade. It keeps the nostalgia without turning the system into a bulky showpiece, and it’s the kind of mini PC you can tuck behind a monitor, slide into a TV console, or travel with easily.
Pricing is positioned in premium territory, but the current deal makes it far more tempting. The Retro X5 is listed at $1,399.99 on Amazon, with a coupon that drops the price to $999.99. That puts it in line with other systems using AMD’s Strix Point platform, and it may even look like a strong value given the included 32GB RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD.
For anyone hunting for a high-performance AMD mini PC that can handle modern PC gaming, high-end emulation, and a multi-display setup—while also delivering a fun retro-inspired design—the AceMagic Retro X5 makes a compelling case, especially at the discounted price.
