MSI Codex R2 desktop PC review: Air-cooled, mainstream gaming

The Codex R2 is MSI’s newest mainstream-oriented gaming desktop, and it packs a pleasant punch at its worth level. It has all of the flashiness you’d anticipate from a gaming rig, like an expressive case design with a glass aspect panel, loads of RGB followers, and detachable magnetic mud grills.Once you get previous the design, the {hardware} lurking inside features a 14th-generation Core i7-14700F processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD. You’ll even discover an Intel-based Wi-Fi 7 adapter onboard in case you do not wish to make the most of the two.5 GbE port on the motherboard.Competition is fierce on this section, so it should take greater than beauty to make an enduring impression on avid gamers.MSI Codex R2 SpecificationsSwipe to scroll horizontallyCPUIntel Core i7-14700F (8 Performance and 12 Efficient cores, 5.4 GHz Turbo)MotherboardMSI Pro B760-VC WiFi IIMemory16GB DDR5-5600 (2x 8GB)GraphicsMSI Ventus 2X Black GeForce RTX 4060 Ti (8GB GDDR6, 2,490 MHz enhance clock)Storage1TB PCI Express 4.0 SSD (MSI Spatium M371)Networking2.5 Gbps Ethernet, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4Front Ports1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 3.5 mm headphone/microphoneRear Ports1x PS/2, 4x USB 2.0, 1x 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, S/PDIF-Out, 6x audio jacks, Wi-Fi/BluetoothPower ProvideHigh Power HP1-J650GD-F12S 650-wattCoolingRGB Air CoolingOperating SystemWindows 11 HomeDimensions (WxDxH)19.1 x 8.1 x 16.1 inches (485.14 x 205.74 x 408.94 mm)Price as Configured$1,299.99Design of the MSI Codex R2The attractively styled black mid-tower case is dominated by an open mesh face, by which you’ll be able to see three 120 mm RGB consumption followers (a fourth 120 mm RGB exhaust fan is within the again). The proper aspect is black to match the remainder of the chassis, whereas the left panel is glass, supplying you with a window to see all the inside parts. Both aspect panels are detachable utilizing thumb screws.Given that that is an MSI gaming PC, it’s no shock to see the corporate going heavy on its branded parts for the Codex R2. There’s a Pro B760-VC WiFi II motherboard and a Ventus 2X Black RTX 4060 Ti graphics card (supported in place with a GPU bracket). Even the SSD is from MSI; on this case, a Spatium M371 1TB drive.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)The Core i7-14700F is topped by a 90 mm RGB air cooler, which syncs with the 4 case followers based mostly on manufacturing facility presets or your personal customized colour patterns (accessible utilizing the button labeled “LED” on the highest of the case. The prime of the chassis has a big, detachable/magnetic mud filter. You’ll additionally discover that 4 massive plastic ft sit on the backside of the chassis, elevating it about an inch off the bottom to permit for satisfactory airflow. There are vents on the backside of the case to get air to the facility provide however no detachable mud filter.The Codex R2 measures 19.1 x 8.1 x 16.1 inches (LxWxH). For comparability, the iBuyPower Y60 measures 18 x 11.2 x 18.2 inches, whereas the CyberPower Gamer Xtreme is available in at 16.54 x 8.66 x 19.09 inches.Ports and Upgradeability on the MSI Codex R2The prime panel of the Codex R2 presents easy accessibility to energy and reset buttons and MSI’s LED button. This permits you to shortly cycle by factory-preset RGB patterns or press. Alternatively, you’ll be able to maintain the button for 3 seconds to enter software program mode. This permits you to faucet into as much as 60 completely different lighting results utilizing the MSI Mystic Light app. Among these buttons, you may additionally discover USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (Type-C) ports, together with microphone/headphone jacks.(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)On the again I/O panel (connected to the MSI Pro B760-VC WiFi II motherboard), there are six USB Type-A ports (4 USB 2.0, two USB 3.2 Gen 2), one USB-C port (USB 3.2 Gen 2), two antenna ports for the onboard Intel Wi-Fi 7 adapter, a PS/2 keyboard/mouse port, 2.5 GbE, S/PDIF-Out and audio connections (7.1-channel).Four DDR5 DIMM slots assist as much as 256GB of whole reminiscence. Our system can populated with two 8GB DIMMs for dual-channel operation, which is way appreciated. MSI makes use of Kingston Fury Beast Black K556C40 DDR5-5600 DIMMs in our evaluation unit. There are two PCIe 4.0 slots (together with an x16 slot for the MSI Ventus 2X Black RTX 4060 Ti) and three PCIe 3.0 slots. In addition, the motherboard options two M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 slots, one in every of which was occupied by an MSI Spatium M371 1TB SSD. One of the M.2 slots (in-use on our unit) is situated instantly under the CPU socket, whereas the second is towards the decrease right-hand nook of the motherboard, beneath the B760 chipset.Image 1 of 6(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)Removing the right-side panel supplies entry to the facility provide and two drive bays for 3.5-inch HDDs or 2.5-inch SSDs. I used to be anticipating to see one in every of MSI’s energy provides contained in the case, however I used to be as an alternative greeted with a High Power HP1-J650GD-F12S 650-watt unit.The system presents easy accessibility to the reminiscence and SSD slots for easy upgrades. The cables are properly managed, offering unfettered airflow from the entrance to the again of the case.Since customary parts are used for the motherboard and energy provide, you should not have any hassle upgrading the system down the street to accommodate a beefier motherboard or among the finest graphics playing cards for gaming, just like the GeForce RTX 4090.Gaming Performance on the MSI Codex R2The apparent competitors for the Codex R2 is the iBuyPower Y60 and CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme. Our Codex R2 got here configured with a Core i7-14700F and 16GB of DDR5-5600 reminiscence. The iBuyPower Y60, then again, opts for an AMD Ryzen 7700X processor together with 32GB of DDR5 reminiscence. The CyberPowerPC is powered by a Core i7-14600KF processor and 16GB of DDR5 reminiscence. The enjoying area is degree on the graphics entrance, as all of the machines include a GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. And as you may see within the gaming benchmarks, there’s little or no daylight between the three machines.I first began off enjoying a little bit of GTA V’s story mode. The sport is over a decade previous, but it surely nonetheless entices me to revisit it with occasional playthroughs and the content material through GTA Online mode. Running at 2560 x 1600 decision (Very High settings), I maintained a constant 70 frames per second within the sport in nearly any scenario with the Codex R2.Image 1 of 5(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)The Codex R2 scored the best in Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Highest setting), at 130 frames per second at 1080p. However, that distinction is fairly hole, contemplating that the Gamer Xtreme and Y60 have been only one fps behind. All three machines hit the identical 38 fps most at 4K decision.Switching to a more recent entry in our gaming benchmark suite, Cyberpunk 2077 (Ray Tracing Ultra setting), noticed the three machines once more operating neck and neck. The Codex R2 hit 46.7 fps at 1080p, however the Gamer Xtreme and Y60 weren’t far behind at 45.98 and 45.51 fps, respectively.Borderlands 3 (Badass setting) was a case of deja vu, with all three programs hovering across the 115 fps mark at 1080p. Stepping the decision as much as 4K, I noticed these figures dwindle to round 36 fps.The Codex R2 held a miniscule lead at 115 fps in comparison with 113 fps at 1080p in Far Cry 6 (Ultra setting). At 4K, the Radix reached 48 fps in comparison with 47 fps for the Gamer Xtreme and Y60.Finally, Red Dead Redemption 2 (Medium setting) noticed the Codex R2 rating a minor victory over the Gamer Xtreme at 1080p (84.58 fps versus 82.49 fps). At 4K decision, the three machines averaged between 24 and 25 fps.We use the Metro Exodus benchmark for stress testing programs. The RTX preset is chosen, and we then execute 15 consecutive runs to collect clock speeds and temperatures from the CPU and GPU. During the stress take a look at, the Core i7-14700F averaged 4.3 GHz for the efficiency cores and three.6 GHz for the environment friendly cores. The CPU bundle measured 77.2 levels Celsius (170.9 levels Fahrenheit). On the opposite hand, the GeForce RTX 4060 Ti recorded a mean clock velocity of two.58 GHz and a temperature of 71.5 C (160.7 F).When the Codex R2 was used for primary desktop productiveness — i.e., net shopping, doc enhancing, and so forth. — it remained whisper quiet. However, when gaming, the 90 mm CPU fan and twin followers on the GPU kicked into overdrive with an annoying droning sound that stuffed a room (and was audible down the hallway in my dwelling). My solely solace from the followers whereas gaming was to placed on a pair of noise-canceling headphones.Productivity Performance on the MSI Codex R2The Codex R2’s specs are comparable with equally priced competitors (aside from the iBuyPower Y60’s allotment of RAM and storage): Codex R2 (Core i7-14700F, 16GB, 1TB), Gamer Xtreme (Core i7-14600KF, 16GB, 1TB), and Y60 (Ryzen 7700X, 32GB, 2TB).While this trio was evenly matched within the gaming benchmarks, the productiveness assessments have been a special story. The Codex R2 landed in second place within the Geekbench artificial CPU benchmark for single-core efficiency however opened a large lead within the multi-core rating (17,818 in comparison with 15,261 for the next-closest Y60).Image 1 of three(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit score: Tom’s Hardware)Our Handbrake take a look at entails transcoding a 4K video file to 1080p, and the Codex R2 accomplished the duty in 3:35, simply two seconds behind the second-place Y69. The Gamer Xtreme took the lead, ending in simply 3:15.Our file switch take a look at shuttles 25GB of combined recordsdata on the identical drive. The Codex R2 was the slowest of the group at simply 977.94 MBps. The Gamer Xtreme took prime honors at 1,665.15 MBps.Keyboard and Mouse with the MSI Codex R2The Codex R2 comes with an MSI-branded wired keyboard and mouse, as anticipated. More particularly, the corporate consists of the Vigor GK20 gaming keyboard (with membrane switches) and the Clutch GM08 gaming mouse, each of which have refined RGB lighting. These aren’t among the many finest gaming keyboards or finest gaming mice accessible available on the market, however they get the job executed (the combo has an MSRP of $39.99).I took a fast journey to keyhero.com and managed to hit 100 phrases per minute with 93 p.c accuracy utilizing the keyboard. The mouse felt a bit too gentle in my palms, and I a lot desire wi-fi connectivity. But let’s be trustworthy: for most individuals out there for a prebuilt gaming desktop, the standard of the mouse or keyboard included within the field isn’t going to make or break the acquisition choice. Many do not embrace one in any respect.MSI Codex R2 ConfigurationsThe Codex R2 is on the market in all kinds of configurations: I depend twelve presently listed on MSI’s web site. Some configurations can be found instantly from MSI, whereas others may be purchased from retail companions like Newegg, Amazon, antonline, and Best Buy. Our evaluation unit is the Codex R2 B14NUD7-093US, which features a Core i7-14700F processor (with RGB air cooling), MSI Pro B760-VC WiFi II motherboard, MSI Ventus 2X Black RTX 4060 Ti, MSI Spatium M371 1TB SSD, and 16GB of Kingston Fury Beast Black K556C40 DDR5-5600 reminiscence. It is priced at $1,299.The least expensive SKU is the $978 B14NUC5-216US, which swaps out the Core i7 processor for a Core i5-14400F and the RTX 4060 Ti for an RTX 4060. Interestingly, the identical $1,299 worth of our evaluation unit will get you a higher-spec configuration from Newegg. The B14NUD7-096US makes use of the identical processor as our take a look at unit however provides 32GB of DDR5 (2 x 16GB) and a 2TB SSD.That would seemingly make the Newegg SKU the higher deal right here.Software and Warranty on the MSI Codex R2MSI is surprisingly gentle on the added bloat concerning the software program loadout for the Codex R2. The most high-profile software that comes preinstalled is MSI Center, an all-encompassing utility that handles {hardware} monitoring (with an AI engine to make efficiency changes routinely), system restore/restore/backup, management over RGB lighting with built-in Mystic Light performance, and extra.The different put in software program consists of the same old suspects that we see with inventory Windows 11 installations, akin to shortcuts for Spotify and Office 365.The MSI Codex R2 comes with a one-year manufacturing facility guarantee. Whether you buy instantly from MSI or a retail accomplice, that guarantee interval is identical. Some OEMs present an extended guarantee in case you purchase instantly in comparison with from a giant field retailer, however MSI doesn’t accomplish that with the Codex R2. However, as of this writing, you do get a free 24-inch gaming monitor thrown in if that’s of curiosity.Bottom LineIn the hotly contested mainstream gaming desktop market, the MSI Codex R2 is well-equipped. Its gaming efficiency put it in a three-way tie with the CyberPowerPC and that iBuyPower programs—just a few frames per second separated the three machines throughout all benchmarks. While the Codex R2 took prime honors in Geekbench, it got here in final place throughout our file switch take a look at and was additionally behind the pack in Handbrake.While the productiveness efficiency was barely disappointing, we have been inspired by MSI’s inclusion of dual-channel reminiscence, which is not at all times a assure. You get customary Wi-Fi 7, which places you on the forefront of the nascent next-generation wi-fi customary (you additionally get Bluetooth 5.4). The included RGB keyboard and mouse are additionally respectable in case you don’t wish to fear about buying a superior set for gaming. And for a restricted time, not less than in case you purchase our evaluation configuration instantly from MSI, you get a free 24-inch monitor.The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme presents comparable efficiency and consists of liquid cooling that banishes my important grievance concerning the Codex R2: fan noise. The Gamer Xtreme additionally has a quicker SSD, a easy swing-out glass door, and an extended three-year guarantee for $100 much less. It’s onerous for the Codex R2 to compete towards that whole bundle, but it surely nonetheless is a stable cut price in case you can seize one on sale from a giant field retailer.MORE: Best Gaming PCsMORE: Best PC BuildsMORE: Best Gaming Laptops

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