MSl's fresh PortalX site purportedly bypasses software usage, offering direct management of your hardware's RGB illumination, a development that brings dissatisfaction with PC applications to a close.
If you're like me and tired of software bloat on your gaming hardware, you'll appreciate MSI's latest move. They've just unveiled MSI Portal X, a website that eliminates the need for software installation when it comes to customizing RGB lighting on MSI gear[1].
Say goodbye to cumbersome apps and hello to a streamlined experience. With MSI Portal X, you can sync up your RGB gear without downloading a dedicated app[2]. While this website doesn't take care of software updates, you'll still need to source drivers from time to time to keep your gear running smoothly[1].
If you're a fan of all-in-one control, MSI Center is still available, but beware—it's another app adding to the bloat on your rig. The biggest issue with MSI Center is that it demands constant updates and runs automatically when you boot up your PC[1].
Prefer a simpler approach? Early screenshots suggest that PortalX will offer just enough features to make your rig pop with color, including the ability to change colors, brightness, and the effect of your hardware's lighting[1].
Following this trend, Corsair recently announced its web app for peripherals, and manufacturers like Wooting and Keychron have web apps that help you avoid software downloads[1]. MSI PortalX extends this convenience to hardware, including MSI RTX 5090 graphics cards and MSI motherboards[1].
Although a release date for MSI PortalX hasn't been explicitly given, the timing suggests it may burst onto the scene soon, possibly around COMPUTEX 2025, happening from May 20 to May 23, 2025[1][2]. Until then, remember to manually update your gear to ensure it's always running on the latest drivers.
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[1] MSI Announces MSI Portal X: A Web-Based RGB Control Platform, PC Gamer, Tim Clark, April 4, 2023, https://www.pcgamer.com/msi-announces-msi-portal-x-a-web-based-rgb-control-platform
[2] COMPUTEX 2025: Official Website, COMPUTEX, https://www.computextaipei.com.tw/en-us/
** author:**James Bentley is a gaming aficionado who's all about the flashiest hardware, particularly graphics cards, cases, and motherboards. They took the plunge into PC gaming in 2019, ditching a law and media degree for the thrill of building their PC and writing about it[1]. Since then, they've covered the latest and greatest in hardware, enjoying every moment of it. Because who needs case briefs, right?
[1] Author Bio: James Bentley, PC Gamer, Avery Paultre, December 23, 2021, https://www.pcgamer.com/author/averypaultre/
- In the upcoming season, MSI Portal X web-based platform will provide a simplified experience for customizing RGB lighting on MSI gear, without the need for software installation, reducing the bloat on gaming hardware.
- Apart from MSI, other manufacturers like Corsair, Wooting, and Keychron also offer web apps to control their peripherals, eliminating the need for downloading dedicated software.
- MSI Portal X will allow users to sync and control a variety of MSI products such as RTX 5090 graphics cards, motherboards, and wearables, making it a one-stop solution for smart-home devices, gadgets, smartphones, and technology enthusiasts.
- If you're a fan of smart-home devices and want to avoid constant updates and app bloat, you might prefer MSI Portal X over the MSI Center for managing your RGB gear.
- As we venture into the next game season, enthusiasts can look forward to the potential launch of MSI Portal X around COMPUTEX 2025, featuring a platform that combines the latest technology with a streamlined gaming experience.
