MSI launches its most powerful gaming desktop to date but is mum on price

MSI has gone and gutted its Infinity X gaming desktop and replaced the previous generation internals with some of the fastest components money can buy. Namely, the newest version of the Infinity X pairs the best gaming processor, a Core i9-9900K, with the best graphics card for gaming, a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti.

We couldn't find the upgraded desktop in stock at the usual destinations, or at any online retailer, and MSI didn't mention a price. There's little chance this thing goes for less than two grand, though—the CPU and GPU alone are worth north of $1,700.

If you go shopping for one, be aware that there are two main models, the Infinity X 9th and Infinity X 9th Plus. They appear identical at a glance, and for the most part they are, except the Plus model sports a motherboard based on Intel's Z390 chipset and the non-Plus version uses a Z370 board. That's not immediately obvious on the product pages—you have to click on the "Configurations" link to see the expanded spec sheets.

Beyond those core components, the Infinity X 9th supports up to 64GB of DDR4-2666 memory and can accommodate up to two M.2 solid state drives, two 3.5-inch drives, and a single 2.5-inch drive. For the power supply, the system comes with either a 850W 80 Plus Platinum PSU, or a 550W 80 Plus Bronze model.

Front panel ports include two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (Type-A and Type-C) and a USB 2.0 port. Around pack, there are four USB 2.0 ports, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C and USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports (one each), a GbE LAN port, a PS/2 combo port, various audio jacks, and HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2, and DVI-D video outputs.

For cooling, MSI plops all these high-end parts into what it claims are three separate chambers. This consists of the traditional top and bottom chambers for the motherboard/CPU and power supply, respectively. However, MSI also mounts the graphics card vertically and considers that a third chamber. It's an interesting design, though we haven't spent any hands-on time with the Infinity X 9th, so we can't say how effective it is.

MSI did not say when the Infinity X 9th and Infinity X 9th Plus will be available.

Paul Lilly

Paul has been playing PC games and raking his knuckles on computer hardware since the Commodore 64. He does not have any tattoos, but thinks it would be cool to get one that reads LOAD"*",8,1. In his off time, he rides motorcycles and wrestles alligators (only one of those is true).

Latest in Gaming PCs
Skytech Shadow gaming PC on a blue background
Screw waiting for GPU restocks, with an AMD RX 9070 gaming PC going for as cheap as this I'd hop on the pre-built bandwagon
Cobratype RTX 5070 Ti gaming PC on a blue background
This RTX 5070 Ti gaming PC is about as cheap as we've seen so far, and it's got me all nostalgic for PC prices long past
Framework Desktop with AMD Strix Halo mainboard
iFixit has pulled apart Framework's mini PC and it looks to be the AMD Strix Halo-powered desktop device I've been wanting for at least a week and more
Framework Desktop with AMD Strix Halo mainboard
Framework's first desktop PC is giving us the AMD Strix Halo machine we've been craving, and the opportunity to build our own
Yeyian Tanto gaming PC on a blue background
The RTX 50-series might make 'high-end pricing' seem like an understatement but at least there are still reasonably priced entry-level builds out there like this one
An ABS Cyclone Aqua desktop gaming PC against a teal background with a white border
Instead of shelling out for an RTX 5070, grab yourself an entire RTX 4070 gaming PC for $1,200 instead
Latest in News
spectre divide
Spectre Divide and its studio are shutting down after just six months: 'The industry is in a tough spot right now'
Naoe looking at the wrist blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft backflips, says Assassin's Creed Shadows will support Steam Deck at launch, but I doubt I'll actually want to play it there
Henry from KCD2 wearing nice outfits
'Diversify your fashion endgame' with this Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 mod that gives Henry fly new gambesons, pourpoints, and caftans
Masked Counter-Terrorist in helmet in forefront with sunglasses and beret-wearing CT in background touching headset
There's hope yet for Classic Offensive after its Steam rejection: The team behind the Counter-Strike 1.6 revival mod is in touch with Valve about its 'concerns'
Recently appointed Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
Here comes Intel's new CEO: a semiconductor veteran that won the same prestigious award as Jensen Huang and Lisa Su
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 15: Protestors attend the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike Picket on August 15, 2024 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Lila Seeley/Getty Images)
8 months into their strike, videogame voice actors say the industry's latest proposal is 'filled with alarming loopholes that will leave our members vulnerable to AI abuse'