Verdict: Retro charm with modern AMD power
The Acemagic Retro X3 is a mini-PC that stands out from the competition primarily due to its iconic retro design. Its resemblance to classic game consoles gives the computer high recognition value and makes it an interesting alternative to the typical, generic look of mini-PCs.
Technically, the Retro X3 offers solid specs with the AMD Ryzen 7 255. The CPU delivers good everyday performance, while the integrated Radeon 780M provides decent graphics performance for an iGPU in this performance class. This makes the mini-PC suitable not only for typical office and multimedia tasks but also for occasional gaming, especially older retro titles. Two M.2 slots also allow for flexible expansion of storage capacity.
When it comes to serviceability, the Retro X3 presents a mixed picture. The SSD and Wi-Fi module are easily accessible after removing the top cover and the underlying SSD heat sink—no tools required. The RAM, on the other hand, is soldered in place. To clean the fan, the case must be disassembled further.
The cooling system keeps temperatures under control even under continuous load; however, the Retro X3 becomes clearly audible under heavy load, reaching up to 50.2 dB(A). The system also doesn’t stand out as a marvel of efficiency when it comes to power consumption. However, those who prioritize quieter cooling, more performance, or better upgradeability will find the Minisforum AI X1 to be an interesting alternative. Its greatest strength, therefore, remains the successful combination of iconic retro design, solid performance, and good features.
Pros
Cons
Price and Availability
The Acemagic Retro X3 is currently available on Amazon for $639, a limited deal. The regular price for the Retro X3 is about $899.
With the Retro X3, Acemagic is launching a mini-PC that visually resembles classic game consoles but is significantly more advanced in terms of technology. Inside, it’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 H 255 with an AMD Radeon 780M and 16 GB of RAM. Our in-depth review shows how this compact computer, priced under $1,000 performs in everyday use and under heavy load.
Specifications
Case & Connectivity
The Acemagic Retro X3’s case deliberately features an eye-catching retro look, setting it apart from the typically very plain appearance of classic mini-PCs. Overall, the build quality leaves a solid impression, even though it is primarily made of plastic. In terms of connectivity, the Retro X3 is up to date, offering, among other things, USB4, multiple USB-A ports, HDMI, and 2.5 Gbit LAN. This makes the mini PC suitable not only as a compact everyday computer but also as a versatile multimedia and workstation computer or as a gaming machine for various retro games.
USB4 Speed (ADATA SE920)
| Connectivity - USB 3.x / USB4 / TB - AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Average of class Mini PC (423 - 3906, n=46, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
Accessories
Maintenance
Maintaining the Retro X3 is straightforward at first. The top cover can be removed without tools. Beneath it is a metal plate for cooling the SSD; once removed, the SSD and Wi-Fi module are accessible. To clean the fan on the underside, the case must be disassembled further. The corresponding screws are located under the rubber feet.
Sustainability
Specific information regarding the sustainability of the Acemagic Retro X3 is not available. Its compact design generally has a positive impact, while the limited options for upgrades and maintenance may restrict its long-term service life.
Test Conditions
All benchmarks were conducted in the factory-default Performance mode. The BIOS also offers Balanced and Silent modes. However, it is not possible to customize the fan control settings.
Processor
Acemagic equips the Retro X3 with the AMD Ryzen 7 255, which delivers solid single- and multi-core performance thanks to its modern architecture. Compared to other mini-PCs with similarly equipped 8-core processors, performance is in line with expectations. No artificial performance throttling is apparent. Under load, the SoC can briefly reach a power consumption of up to 65 watts. The thermal limit is set at 85 C. When this temperature is reached, the system slightly reduces performance to limit heat generation.
| Performance rating - Percent | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Cinebench R10 | |
| Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| WinRAR - Result | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekbench 4.4 | |
| 64 Bit Multi-Core Score | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| 64 Bit Single-Core Score | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance Physics | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - 4k Preset | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| R Benchmark 2.5 - Overall mean | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| LibreOffice - 20 Documents To PDF | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - 1M | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - 2M | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Affinity Photo 2 - Combined (Multi CPU) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
* ... smaller is better
AIDA64: FP32 Ray-Trace | FPU Julia | CPU SHA3 | CPU Queen | FPU SinJulia | FPU Mandel | CPU AES | CPU ZLib | FP64 Ray-Trace | CPU PhotoWorxx | CPU CheckMate
| Performance rating | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 -1! | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 -1! | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Average of class Mini PC | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS -1! | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| AIDA64 / FP32 Ray-Trace | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (974 - 82725, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / FPU Julia | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (6115 - 363782, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU SHA3 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (385 - 9475, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU Queen | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (20501 - 154404, n=81, last 2 years) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / FPU SinJulia | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (1116 - 31931, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / FPU Mandel | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (3322 - 192994, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU AES | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (9915 - 204742, n=99, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU ZLib | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (127.2 - 2431, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / FP64 Ray-Trace | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (537 - 43587, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU PhotoWorxx | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (8069 - 96843, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / CPU CheckMate | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (1743 - 19453, n=19, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core Endurance Test
System Performance
In everyday use, the Acemagic Retro X3 proves to be a powerful and responsive mini PC. The fast DDR5 RAM and PCIe SSD enable short load times and smooth performance. Even when compared to other devices in this class, the Retro X3 delivers solid overall performance and is well-equipped for typical everyday tasks.
WebXPRT 4: Overall
WebXPRT 3: Overall
Mozilla Kraken 1.1: Total
CrossMark: Overall | Productivity | Creativity | Responsiveness
* ... smaller is better
| AIDA64 / Memory Copy | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (15933 - 163031, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| AIDA64 / Memory Read | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (14143 - 123769, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / Memory Write | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (10630 - 216693, n=100, last 2 years) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| AIDA64 / Memory Latency | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v6.92.6600) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max (v8.20.8100) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 (v8.20.8100) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (88.1 - 174.6, n=101, last 2 years) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 (v6.92.6600) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v6.92.6600) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 (v8.20.8100) | |
* ... smaller is better
DPC Latencies
| DPC Latencies / LatencyMon - interrupt to process latency (max), Web, Youtube, Prime95 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
* ... smaller is better
Storage devices
The Acemagic Retro X3 features a PCIe 4.0 SSD that delivers solid transfer rates. Thanks to active cooling, performance remains largely stable even under prolonged load, without showing any significant drops. Two M.2 slots are available for mass storage, so there is room for a second NVMe drive in addition to the factory-installed SSD.
| Drive Performance rating - Percent | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Average of class Mini PC | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
* ... smaller is better
Disk Throttling: DiskSpd Read Loop, Queue Depth 8
GPU and Gaming Performance
The Acemagic Retro X3 relies on the integrated Radeon 780M, which, based on the average of our measurements to date, delivers good performance at the expected level. Overall, the graphics performance is even slightly better than that of comparable systems, though it falls just short of the Minisforum AI X1. For everyday tasks, multimedia, and occasional gaming, the Radeon 780M offers performance appropriate for an iGPU in this performance class.
| 3DMark Performance rating - Percent | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Average AMD Radeon 780M | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Unigine Valley 1.0 | |
| 1920x1080 Extreme HD DirectX AA:x8 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Average AMD Radeon 780M (11.8 - 25.4, n=23) | |
| 1920x1080 Extreme HD Preset OpenGL AA:x8 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Average AMD Radeon 780M (9.2 - 22.1, n=23) | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Affinity Photo 2 - Combined (Single / Multi GPU) | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Average AMD Radeon 780M (1072 - 1889, n=22) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
SPECworkstation 4.0: Graphics Score | Accelerator Score | Viewport Graphics | HandBrake | ONNX Inference
| Performance rating | |
| Average NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / Graphics Score | |
| Average NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (n=1) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / Accelerator Score | |
| Average NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (n=1) | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / Viewport Graphics | |
| Average NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (n=1) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / HandBrake | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Average NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (n=1) | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| SPECworkstation 4.0 / ONNX Inference | |
| Average NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (n=1) | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3, AMD Radeon 780M Ryzen 7 255 | GMK NucBox K17, Intel Arc Graphics 130V Core Ultra 5 226V | Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370, AMD Radeon 890M Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255, AMD Radeon 780M Ryzen 7 255 | Geekom IT13 Max, Intel Arc 8-Core iGPU Ultra 9 185H | Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS, AMD Radeon 780M R9 8945HS | Average of class Mini PC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPECviewperf 2020 | -54% | 35% | 15% | -42% | -17% | 116% | |
| 3840x2160 Medical (medical-03) (fps) | 15.9 | 4.32 -73% | 25.9 63% | 12.6 -21% | 7.12 -55% | 10.4 -35% | 24 ? 51% |
| 3840x2160 Energy (energy-03) (fps) | 11.9 | 3.32 -72% | 14.3 20% | 19.1 61% | 5.57 -53% | 8.17 -31% | 35.5 ? 198% |
| 3840x2160 Creo (creo-03) (fps) | 29.8 | 18.7 -37% | 38.2 28% | 33.7 13% | 19.2 -36% | 24.5 -18% | 50.7 ? 70% |
| 3840x2160 CATIA (catia-06) (fps) | 21.2 | 11.5 -46% | 27.4 29% | 24.6 16% | 12.3 -42% | 18.8 -11% | 36.1 ? 70% |
| 3840x2160 3ds Max (3dsmax-07) (fps) | 19.2 | 25.7 34% | 21.5 12% | 15.2 -21% | 17.7 -8% | 57.5 ? 199% | |
| 3840x2160 Siemens NX (snx-04) (fps) | 54.5 | 6.7 -88% | 74.9 37% | 63.1 16% | 6.23 -89% | 51.3 -6% | 52.4 ? -4% |
| 3840x2160 Maya (maya-06) (fps) | 44.9 | 42.1 -6% | 59.1 32% | 47.5 6% | 44.3 -1% | 38.9 -13% | 146 ? 225% |
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 44526 points | |
| 3DMark Vantage P Result | 43579 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 13093 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 182060 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 37874 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 7580 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score | 4072 points | |
| 3DMark Time Spy Score | 3116 points | |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Score | 474 points | |
Help | ||
| GTA V | |
| 1024x768 Lowest Settings possible | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| 1920x1080 High/On (Advanced Graphics Off) AA:2xMSAA + FX AF:8x | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | |
| 1920x1080 Low Preset (FSR off) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| 1920x1080 High Preset (FSR off) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | |
| 1280x720 Low Preset AA:SM | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| 1920x1080 High Preset AA:T | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| F1 24 | |
| 1920x1080 Low Preset AA:T AF:16x | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| 1920x1080 Medium Preset AA:T AF:16x | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
FPS Chart - 30 Min. Cyberpunk 2077 1920 x 1080 Ultra Preset (FSR off)
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA V (2015) | 147.7 | 136.1 | 55.5 | 22.2 |
| The Witcher 3 (2015) | 148 | 92.7 | 47.3 | 30 |
| Dota 2 Reborn (2015) | 131.4 | 99.5 | 81.2 | 72.9 |
| Final Fantasy XV Benchmark (2018) | 74.4 | 37.6 | 27.6 | |
| X-Plane 11.11 (2018) | 57.8 | 42.9 | 35.6 | |
| Strange Brigade (2018) | 161.5 | 63.2 | 54 | 45.6 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 (2023) | 37.1 | 28.4 | 23.4 | 23 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 (2023) | 38.7 | 30.7 | 24.9 | 21.2 |
| F1 24 (2024) | 70.1 | 60.6 |
Emissions
System noise
The Acemagic Retro X3 operates at a pleasantly low noise level when idle, but the system becomes clearly audible under load. In our measurements, the mini-PC reached 43.6 dB(A) under average load and up to 50.2 dB(A) under maximum load. There is no option to customize the fan curve, either in the BIOS or in Windows.
Noise level
| Idle |
| 25 / 25 / 25 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 43.6 / 50.2 dB(A) |
![]() | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min: | ||
| Acemagic Retro X3 Ryzen 7 255, Radeon 780M | GMK NucBox K17 Core Ultra 5 226V, Arc 130V | Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, Radeon 890M | Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 Ryzen 7 255, Radeon 780M | Geekom IT13 Max Ultra 9 185H, Arc 8-Core | Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS R9 8945HS, Radeon 780M | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 20% | 4% | 2% | -5% | -1% | |
| off / environment * (dB) | 24.6 | 25.1 -2% | 24.9 -1% | 24.9 -1% | 24.6 -0% | 25 -2% |
| Idle Minimum * (dB) | 25 | 25.3 -1% | 29.8 -19% | 31.1 -24% | 25.3 -1% | 27.2 -9% |
| Idle Average * (dB) | 25 | 25.4 -2% | 29.8 -19% | 31.2 -25% | 25.6 -2% | 27.2 -9% |
| Idle Maximum * (dB) | 25 | 26.1 -4% | 29.9 -20% | 31.2 -25% | 25.6 -2% | 27.3 -9% |
| Load Average * (dB) | 43.6 | 27.4 37% | 39.3 10% | 36.7 16% | 53.3 -22% | 45.5 -4% |
| Witcher 3 ultra * (dB) | 49.8 | 28 44% | 35.4 29% | 37.9 24% | 47.1 5% | 44.9 10% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * (dB) | 49.9 | 29.1 42% | 35.3 29% | 37.8 24% | 53.4 -7% | 45.5 9% |
| Load Maximum * (dB) | 50.2 | 28.6 43% | 39.5 21% | 38.4 24% | 53.5 -7% | 45.4 10% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
Even under sustained load, the Acemagic Retro X3 shows no critical thermal issues. Surface temperatures remain below 40 C at all times, which is not a cause for concern. The cooling system reliably dissipates the waste heat from the Ryzen 7 255, with a thermal limit of 85 C. When this limit is reached, the system slightly reduces performance. Under sustained load, the SoC can maintain a stable power consumption of 54 watts.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 34.8 °C / 95 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 20.6 to 69.5 °C for the class Mini PC.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 38.9 °C / 102 F, compared to the average of 36.1 °C / 97 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 30.8 °C / 87 F, compared to the device average of 32.1 °C / 90 F.
(+) 3: The average temperature for the upper side is 31.7 °C / 89 F, compared to the average of 32.1 °C / 90 F for the class Mini PC.
Energy Management
While the Acemagic Retro X3 isn’t exactly a marvel of efficiency - since the Ryzen 7 255 can consume a comparatively high amount of power under load - its energy consumption remains significantly lower than that of a traditional desktop PC thanks to its compact design and mobile SoC architecture.
| Off / Standby | |
| Idle | |
| Load |
|
Key:
min: | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 Ryzen 7 255, Radeon 780M | GMK NucBox K17 Core Ultra 5 226V, Arc 130V | Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, Radeon 890M | Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 Ryzen 7 255, Radeon 780M | Geekom IT13 Max Ultra 9 185H, Arc 8-Core | Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS R9 8945HS, Radeon 780M | Average AMD Radeon 780M | Average of class Mini PC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 29% | 26% | 6% | -39% | -6% | -4% | -36% | |
| Idle Minimum * (Watt) | 5.7 | 4.7 18% | 3.2 44% | 4.4 23% | 11.8 -107% | 6.5 -14% | 6.01 ? -5% | 8.61 ? -51% |
| Idle Average * (Watt) | 6.9 | 6.1 12% | 4.6 33% | 5.9 14% | 12.2 -77% | 8.9 -29% | 8.13 ? -18% | 10.7 ? -55% |
| Idle Maximum * (Watt) | 8.2 | 9.6 -17% | 6.9 16% | 6.9 16% | 16.1 -96% | 10.7 -30% | 10.3 ? -26% | 13.3 ? -62% |
| Load Average * (Watt) | 62.5 | 32.7 48% | 57.3 8% | 70.4 -13% | 52.9 15% | 60.3 4% | 57.7 ? 8% | 63.3 ? -1% |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra external monitor * (Watt) | 81.9 | 39.5 52% | 59.5 27% | 85.8 -5% | 54.4 34% | 68.4 16% | ||
| Load Maximum * (Watt) | 99 | 41.3 58% | 73.8 25% | 97.4 2% | 100.1 -1% | 82 17% | 77.3 ? 22% | 109 ? -10% |
* ... smaller is better
Power efficiency
| Performance rating - Percent | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Power Consumption | |
| Cinebench R23 Multi Power Efficiency - external Monitor | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Cinebench R23 Single Power Efficiency - external Monitor | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Cinebench R15 Multi Efficiency (external Monitor) | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Cyberpunk 2077 ultra Efficiency | |
| GMK NucBox K17 | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 | |
| Geekom IT13 Max | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS | |
| Acemagic Retro X3 | |
Energy consumption with an external monitor
Energy consumption with an external monitor
Notebookcheck Rating
Acemagic Retro X3
- 08/10/2026 v8
Sebastian Bade
Possible alternatives in comparison
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acemagic Retro X3 AMD Ryzen 7 255 ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, SSD | Amazon: List Price: 899€ | 528 g | 128.2 x 128.2 x 44 mm | |
| GMK NucBox K17 Intel Core Ultra 5 226V ⎘ Intel Arc Graphics 130V ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 569€ | 461 g | 185 x 187 x 44.5 mm | |
| Peladn HO5, AI 9 HX 370 AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 ⎘ AMD Radeon 890M ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 899€ | 575 g | 129 x 129 x 54 mm | |
| Minisforum AI X1, Ryzen 7 255 AMD Ryzen 7 255 ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 579€ | 658 g | 126 x 128 x 52 mm | |
| Geekom IT13 Max Intel Core Ultra 9 185H ⎘ Intel Arc 8-Core iGPU ⎘ 24 GB Memory, 500 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 799€ | 833 g | 132 x 136 x 50.1 mm | |
| Alliwava GH8, R9 8945HS AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 32 GB Memory | Amazon: List Price: 769€ | 516 g | 127 x 130 x 50 mm |
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
This is how Notebookcheck is testing
Every year, Notebookcheck independently reviews hundreds of laptops and smartphones using standardized procedures to ensure that all results are comparable. We have continuously developed our test methods for around 20 years and set industry standards in the process. In our test labs, high-quality measuring equipment is utilized by experienced technicians and editors. These tests involve a multi-stage validation process. Our complex rating system is based on hundreds of well-founded measurements and benchmarks, which maintains objectivity. Further information on our test methods can be found here.










































































