MSI’s Project Zero X: A Radical Step in Cable-Free Design, But Is It Too Much?
At CES 2025, MSI unveiled the latest version of its Project Zero desktop design, pushing the “War on Cables” aesthetic to new extremes. The concept behind Project Zero X is familiar: hiding all power and data cables behind the case for a cleaner, more polished look. This allows builders to showcase the sleek, white-and-aluminum components within a curved glass or polycarbonate enclosure. But while the concept is visually striking, the design may have taken things a bit too far.
The standout feature of the Project Zero X motherboard is its I/O board that’s rotated 90 degrees, now pointing directly downward from a recessed hollow at the bottom of the case. The same unusual positioning applies to the graphics card, which is custom-mounted via a PCI extender cable. This forces power, video, and data cables to be routed out of the bottom of the case—a design choice that feels more extreme than practical.
In some ways, this design harkens back to the Power Mac G4 Cube from 2000, which was infamous for requiring users to connect all cables to the bottom of the system. It’s clear MSI is looking for a futuristic, minimalist aesthetic, but this configuration raises questions about practicality.
One concern is that if you opt for a blower-style GPU, the hot air expelled from the graphics card could potentially end up being trapped at the bottom chamber, leading to potential overheating issues. On top of that, the case itself is massive, dedicating an enormous amount of space to house cables, the hidden power supply, and other components, which might seem excessive for those seeking a more compact build.
At this stage, Project Zero X is still very much an experimental showpiece, and MSI has not yet released details on the specific components that will be used in this design. It’s likely we’ll see some tweaks to this idea before it’s ready for retail release, possibly at an upcoming event like Computex 2025. For now, if you’re intrigued by the cable-free concept but not quite ready to dive into this extreme version, MSI’s current Project Zero parts and cases might be a more practical alternative.
