There’s always a lot of new and different stuff at CES, but I’ve never seen a desktop quite like this. Sure, it goes up to an Intel Core i9 and RTX 2080 Ti (opens in new tab), but what’s different about this is the design, including a dial and an OLED (opens in new tab) panel. Oh, and it’s the first 5G desktop we’ve seen, too.
The desktop was shown at CES in prototype form, and specs weren't totally final. We're told it will have the latest Intel and Nvidia parts when it releases.
MSI MEG Aegis Ti5 Specs
| CPU | Latest Intel Core i9 |
|---|---|
| GPU | Up to MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti (or latest Nvidia GPU) |
| RAM | Up to 128GB, 4x 2,666 MHz UDIMMs |
| Storage | 3x M.2 SSDs, 2x 2.5-inch drive bays, 1x 3.2-inch drive bay |
| Connectivity | Intel AX201 (Wi-Fi 6), 5G, 2.5G and 1G LAN |
| PSU | 650W 80 Plus Platinum SFX |
Through what MSI calls the MSI Commander Unit, or MCU, you can see real-time information about the desktop on the OLED display. That could include desktop notifications, system statistics or even local weather reports.
There’s also a knob that MSI has dubbed the “Gaming Dial” to make some adjustments on the fly. Between that, its black chassis and some RGB lighting, it kind of looks like the center console you'd find in a car.
With 5G connectivity on board, MSI claims the MEG Aegis Ti5 offers networking transfer speeds that are faster than, not just 4G but also wired networks, which would be a serious change to the way most people play games online. (Of course, this also assumes you currently have access to a reliable 5G network.)
The case uses MSI’s Silent Storm 4 cooling, which keeps the processor, graphics card (opens in new tab), power supply (opens in new tab)and now VRMs in separate, distinct chambers, which the company said will help improve airflow.
Besides the latest Intel Core i9 and RTX 2080 Ti, the system will support up to 128GB of RAM (opens in new tab) and has a ton of space for storage. That includes up to three M.2 SSDs (opens in new tab), two 2.5-inch drive bays and a 3.5-inch bay as well.
What we don’t yet know is how much the Aegis will cost or when it will come out (an MSI rep estimated Q3 and that it could be around $4,000). But with top-of-the-line specs, an ambitious design and 5G support, it won’t be cheap. We’re looking forward to seeing what this can do on our test bench.