Since MSI are already big players in the motherboard and graphics card departments it makes perfect sense for them to move into supplying gamers with fully fledged gaming systems. The Nightblade has already captured attention with a number of barebones options but the new X2 is likely to appeal to those gamers out there who want out of the box functionality and performance without having to spend time choosing, sourcing and building a new system.

An aspect which arrives as a significant benefit with X2 is its size and weight. The condensed chassis is small and portable yet it still houses a selection of high-performance hardware which is able to deliver excellent performance. It is this size and weight which makes X2 easy to transport to different locations and events and also means that even if it does remain in the same place, its takes up very little room and is inconspicuous.

Inside, MSI has equipped X2 with the latest Intel Core i7-6700K quad-core processor, along with 16GB DDR4, NVIDIA’s GTX 970 and some solid state storage courtesy of Samsung via the SM951. These components ensure outstanding performance if the intention is to game at a resolution of 1080p/1440p. As we’ve demonstrated in our video review below and in the benchmark results on the previous pages, X2 is able to handle the latest triple-A gaming titles – delivering high framerates.


Users aren’t fixed to the current specifications either – there is space for installing extra storage drives plus the power connectors/ports on the motherboard to aid this. If the graphics card needs an upgrade later on down-the-line, there is space for cards which are up to 290mm in length.

The only areas to mark X2 down are the lack-lustre appearance – we feel MSI could design something more attractive than the current design which looks very plain, square and mundane. We also discovered the GTX 970 are using inside X2 gets rather hot under full-load – this is probably due to the lack of case airflow, perhaps in future editions MSI could look at introducing a low-noise push/pull fan configuration inside the chassis.

At a cost of £1199 GBP (@ Very.co.uk), the X2 is good value for money. Building a system using the same components will cost a similar price but for those without the desire or expertise in sourcing and building a system – X2 is a great choice. Plus, we also get an appealing 2 year-warranty.

MSI’s Nightblade X2 is a mini-powerhouse; this compact gaming unit features a strong lineup of the latest hardware that will provide great results and thanks to its dimensions and weight, gamers can easily transport this configuration wherever they’re travelling.





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