Exterior Look

For me, MSI really hit it off here with the MSI Trident 3 Desktop. It comes with a stand, which allows you to position it up vertically. With a console-sized GAMING rig, this is a pre-requisite in my eyes, so I was very happy to see the included stand in the box.


Up top is an LED built into the uppermost corner that extends out in three directions, next to which is the power button, within easy reach whether the unit is installed either vertically or horizontally.


If you do have the MSI Trident 3 in a horizontal orientation, all you really see of the LED is the bit on the front. It isn't overly bright, either, and you can chose the color, the brightness, or just turn it off. On the opposite side you'll find an MSI logo. Other than the GAMING logo up top and the MSI logo here, there are no other brand markings anywhere, and I really have to commend MSI on making sure the Trident 3 looks good.


On the front you have a fairly traditional I/O panel, with USB and audio ports here, although the addition of a VR port makes the MSI Trident 3 not just your everyday PC. The main rear I/O have USB, HDMI and audio ports, along with a power plug. No optical audio here, unfortunately.


The outputs of the included MSI GAMING GTX 1060 6 GB card are available, providing another HDMI port, a DisplayPort, and DVI. To enable the VR link on the front, you plug the provided cable into the VGA HDMI port, and then plug the other end of the cable into the VR Link port on the rear, which then sends the signal to the VR Link port on the front.


MSI did very much use a traditional VGA here, with the edge of the PCI bracket sticking out the rear of the MSI Trident 3. There is venting on the bottom "side" of the MSI Trident 3, right next to the VGA to help warm air heated by the VGA escape easily.


There is also a vent on the side or "top" of the MSI Trident 3, right above the VGA's fan, so it can draw in fresh air no matter what. There is also another vent on the top, or "left side", to help the CPU cooling.