MSI msi Codex R Gaming Desktop: Intel Core i5-13400F, Review

This PC is all about the RAM and storage, landing in the 97th and 83rd percentiles. The core gaming specs are mid-range, with a 59th percentile GPU. At $1450, it's a solid buy if you want 32GB and 2TB out of the box without building it yourself.

The MSI Codex R is a solid mid-range gaming desktop that makes one very smart bet: loading up on RAM and storage while keeping the core components sensible. With 32GB of DDR5 and a 2TB NVMe SSD, it lands in the 97th and 83rd percentiles for those specs in our database. That's a lot of breathing room for the price.

It's built around an Intel Core i5-13400F CPU and an NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. Those parts are fine, but they're not chart-toppers. The CPU sits right around the 49th percentile, and the GPU is in the 59th. This isn't a machine built to win benchmarks. It's built to be a reliable, well-rounded workhorse for gaming and productivity without breaking the bank.

Performance is exactly what you'd expect from the specs. The RTX 4060 is a competent 1080p gaming card, and the i5-13400F is a capable 10-core processor. In our scoring, this combo gets a 71.5/100 for gaming. You'll max out esports titles and run modern AAA games at high settings with solid frame rates. For home office and workstation tasks, it scores 70.7 and 68.1 respectively, thanks largely to that generous 32GB of RAM. It's a system that avoids bottlenecks by giving you overhead where it counts.

The CPU is the median performer here. It's not slow, but it's not going to set any records. Where this PC shines is in multitasking and load times. That 2TB Gen3 NVMe SSD is fast, and having 32GB of RAM means you can have a game, a browser with fifty tabs, and Discord all running without a hiccup. The 650W 80+ Gold PSU is a nice touch, providing clean power and some headroom for future upgrades.

At $1450, the value proposition is interesting. You're paying a premium for the extra RAM and storage upfront. If you were to build this yourself, you'd probably spend a bit less and put more money into the GPU or CPU. But for someone who doesn't want to build, getting 32GB and 2TB out of the gate is convenient. Compared to similar pre-builts from HP Omen or Dell Alienware, you often get less RAM and storage for the same price, so the MSI offers better specs in those key areas.

Stacked against its peers, the Codex R carves out a niche. The HP Omen 45L or Dell Alienware Aurora R15 at this price will likely have a slightly better CPU or GPU, but they'll almost certainly skimp on RAM and storage, offering 16GB and 1TB. The MSI bets on capacity over peak performance. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a closer competitor, but the MSI's included Windows 11 Pro and higher-wattage PSU give it an edge. If you need a small PC, look elsewhere immediately. This thing is big and heavy.

Skip this if you're chasing the highest frame rates or play at 1440p or 4K. The RTX 4060's 59th percentile ranking means there are many faster GPUs out there. Also, avoid it if space is tight. Its 21.4/100 compactness score means it's a large, 26-pound tower. And if you're comfortable building a PC, you could allocate that $1450 budget to get a better GPU and CPU by sourcing parts yourself.

We recommend the MSI Codex R if you want a no-fuss, well-equipped desktop for 1080p gaming and heavy multitasking. The decision hinges on whether you value the generous RAM and storage more than having a top-tier GPU. For most people doing a mix of gaming, work, and having a million Chrome tabs open, the 32GB of RAM is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade that you'll feel every day. Just know you're getting a median CPU and a good-not-great GPU for your money.