Review: MSI R9 270X Gaming 2G ITX

Conclusion

Small-form-factor is something of a dilemma for many component manufacturers who are understandably set in their ways. In the graphics card market, every company has tried-and-trusted coolers that can be repurposed for each new generation at minimal cost.

Wait for the next graphics architecture to come along, and you can almost guarantee it'll be attached to the usual Twin Frozr, WindForce and DirectCU coolers, to name but a few. Designing compact cards geared for mini-ITX motherboards and mini PCs requires additional time and investment, and until there's a clear uptake in small-form-factor PCs, manufacturers are likely to be reluctant to launch relevant products.

The good news for anyone who is wanting to put together a small, potent PC is that there are now a growing number of available options. MSI is positioning itself as the leader of the pack in this regard, and with the R9 270X Gaming 2G ITX, it has a compact graphics solution that ticks practically every applicable box. Priced at £149, primed for 1080p gaming and sized for small-form-factor builds, it's an excellent choice and an ideal companion for a mini-ITX motherboard.

Got plans for a home-made Steam Machine? This may be the graphics card you've been waiting for.

The Good

Ideal for high-quality 1080p gaming
Compact form factor
Cooler works very well
Can drive multiple displays
Doesn't get too loud
Eligible for two free games

The Bad

None of note

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MSI R9 270X Gaming 2G ITX

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The MSI R9 270X Gaming 2G ITX graphics card is available to purchase from Scan Computers*.

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