Upgrading your Trident 3

lionvandenbrand

New member
CORPORAL
Joined
Jun 3, 2020
Messages
14
Hi all,

Since there are so many posts about this topic I thought it would be nice to have somewhat of an overview.

Let me start by saying that upgrading your Trident 3 (whatever Gen) is possible. BUT, there is a catch: it depends on what kind of motherboard and power supply you are using.
Trident 3 now comes in 7 versions:

VersionsChipsetPCB versionsBIOS version(s)PowerProduct page
7th Gen H1101.0/2.1520/A20230Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3
7th Gen ArcticH1102.1A20230Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-Arctic
8th GenH3101.0/2.1840230/330Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-8th
8th Gen ArcticH310?840230/330Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-Arctic-8th
9th GenH310?950230/330Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-9th
9th Gen ArcticH310?950230/330Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-Arctic-9th
10th GenH410?800230/330Whttps://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/MPG-Trident-3-10th
Note: This data comes from the datasheets on the specification page within the product page. You can find them in the attachments.

Here is an overview of posts with tested upgrades:
Trident GenWhat's tested?Working?Link
7th GenI7 7700+GTX1060 3G+230w power supply. Two friends with same model but difference in PCB version (1.0 and 2.1). Version 1.0 tries upgrade 1070 GTX (NOT WORKING with 230W and 330W), version 2.1 tries 1080 GTX (WORKING with 330W)NO/YEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/316727
7th Gen1TB M.2 SSD, GTX1070 Aero 8GB OC graphics cardYEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/333227
7th Geni7-7700 upgraded with Nvidia RTX 2060-6GB and Samsung 970 Evo NVMe PCIe M.2 250GB with 230W using Throttlestop, later 330W without Throttlestop and with Afterburner. NOTE: PCB version 2.1 and BIOS A20YEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/313929
8th GenUpgraded with ASUS PHOENIX 1660 SUPER (also noted that 1660 Ti works)YEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/327434
7th Geni5-7400 MSI GTX 1070 Aero using Afterburner and Intel Extreme Tuning Utility. NOTE: did not fit very good
YEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
7th Geni7-7700 Gigabyte GTX1080 Mini ITX using AfterburnerYEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
7th Geni7-7700 Arctic version GTX 1070 upgraded to Gigabyte RTX 2070 ITX versionYEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
8th GenGIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 TiYEShttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
7th Gen I7-7700+GTX1060 3G 230w power supply, upgraded to GTX1070 ITX (also tested with 330W)NOhttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
9th Geni7-9700f, 16gb of ram and nvme ssd and gtx 1660 ti with a 230w PSU upgraded to 2060 mini ITXNOhttps://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/334433
The next question is: which Motherboards and GPU cards work with 230W without additional programs? Which work with 230W using Throttlestop and/or Afterburner? And which work only with 330W?

I have to work now so I'm posting this now, will update this later on.
Feel free to suggest an improvements!

Lion
 

Attachments

  • Trident 3 7th Gen Arctic specs.png
    Trident 3 7th Gen Arctic specs.png
    258 KB · Views: 2,522
  • Trident 3 7th Gen specs.png
    Trident 3 7th Gen specs.png
    277.5 KB · Views: 1,969
  • Trident 3 8th Gen Arctic specs.png
    Trident 3 8th Gen Arctic specs.png
    276.7 KB · Views: 1,926
  • Trident 3 8th Gen specs.png
    Trident 3 8th Gen specs.png
    261.2 KB · Views: 1,910
  • Trident 3 9th Gen Arctic specs.png
    Trident 3 9th Gen Arctic specs.png
    237.6 KB · Views: 1,931
  • Trident 3 9th Gen specs.png
    Trident 3 9th Gen specs.png
    269.2 KB · Views: 2,485
  • Trident 3 10th Gen specs.png
    Trident 3 10th Gen specs.png
    233.2 KB · Views: 2,101
Hi MattyRidley.
I've been very busy (just moved and still in boxes for the most part).
The short answer is yes but I haven't had time to update the post with my findings.
If you've got a PCB (Printed Circuit Board or motherboard) version 1.0 you can't upgrade your power supply (the motherboard will not allow more than 230W). So you're stuck with a GPU that has the same TDP (Thermal Design Power) without using Throttlestop or Afterburner.
See an example of the TDP values of popular GPU's in this image:
[attachthumb=1]

Example: my Trident 3 8th Gen i5-8400 has a PCB version 1.0, I cannot upgrade my power supply (230W) so if I want to upgrade my videocard (1060 mini ITX 6G), my best option would be the 1660 Ti mini ITX since it has the same TDP. Again, this is without using programs like Throttlestop and/or Afterburner.

A user on this forum (https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/313929) succesfully installed a 2060 mini ITX 6G with a 230W power supply using Throttlestop.
Throttlestop is a program that allows you to cut down the power to either the CPU and/or GPU as to prevent them taking in too much power. If you don't, your system will crash. Since I'm new to this, I'm not an expert in this program and would recommend to watch tutorials on Youtube as to how you can get this to work on your system.
The user also notes that after succesfully installing the 2060 mini ITX, he was able to switch to a 330W power supply without any programs. NOTE: this user has a PCB version 2.1.

So, if you've got a PCB version 2.1 or higher you're able to make use of a 330W power supply and GPU's with a higher TDP, like the 2060, 2070 or 1070 Ti (as seen in the chart) without having to use any programs (I think :).

You can find out which version of PCB you have using CPU-Z: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
Under the tab 'Mainboard' you will find your PCB version behind 'Model' which should also be 'MS-B9201'. Here's what mine looks like:
[attachthumb=2]

A small disclaimer in place here: I'm totally new into this computer stuff but read the forumtopics I've noted and decide for yourself if you think there's a chance you can get your Trident 3 an upgrade or not. There are probably a few forum members that know a lot more about this then me. Should you want any help, please ask them for extra help!

Best,
Lion
 

Attachments

  • TDP list.JPG
    TDP list.JPG
    22.3 KB · Views: 1,344
  • CPU-Z.JPG
    CPU-Z.JPG
    48.6 KB · Views: 1,586
LvdB date=1592240332 said:
Hi MattyRidley. I've been very busy (just moved and still in boxes for the most part). The short answer is yes but I haven't had time to update the post with my findings. If you've got a PCB (Printed Circuit Board or motherboard) version 1.0 you can't upgrade your power supply (the motherboard will not allow more than 230W). So you're stuck with a GPU that has the same TDP (Thermal Design Power) without using Throttlestop or Afterburner. See an example of the TDP values of popular GPU's in this image: [attachthumb=1] Example: my Trident 3 8th Gen i5-8400 has a PCB version 1.0, I cannot upgrade my power supply (230W) so if I want to upgrade my videocard (1060 mini ITX 6G), my best option would be the 1660 Ti mini ITX since it has the same TDP. Again, this is without using programs like Throttlestop and/or Afterburner. A user on this forum (https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/313929) succesfully installed a 2060 mini ITX 6G with a 230W power supply using Throttlestop. Throttlestop is a program that allows you to cut down the power to either the CPU and/or GPU as to prevent them taking in too much power. If you don't, your system will crash. Since I'm new to this, I'm not an expert in this program and would recommend to watch tutorials on Youtube as to how you can get this to work on your system. The user also notes that after succesfully installing the 2060 mini ITX, he was able to switch to a 330W power supply without any programs. NOTE: this user has a PCB version 2.1. So, if you've got a PCB version 2.1 or higher you're able to make use of a 330W power supply and GPU's with a higher TDP, like the 2060, 2070 or 1070 Ti (as seen in the chart) without having to use any programs (I think :). You can find out which version of PCB you have using CPU-Z: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html Under the tab 'Mainboard' you will find your PCB version behind 'Model' which should also be 'MS-B9201'. Here's what mine looks like: [attachthumb=2] A small disclaimer in place here: I'm totally new into this computer stuff but read the forumtopics I've noted and decide for yourself if you think there's a chance you can get your Trident 3 an upgrade or not. There are probably a few forum members that know a lot more about this then me. Should you want any help, please ask them for extra help! Best, Lion
hello I'd like to know, I have pcb 2.0 not 2.1 and I didn't see it in the list, is it wanted ?
 
Last edited:
if you want to update your bios to get the lastest bios update after having seen the upgrade possibilities and that you have an A10 here is how to update the bios
(I'm doing this because it wasn't a lot to document.) you can also do it for the 510 bios



but on the other hand knowing that it is risky to do this and that you can brick your pc, if this should happen your computer would be out of order, be aware of this and it is your responsability


if you don't know what is your bios, do windows + R and search msinfo32
see what bios you have if you have A10 like me in the past download A20 and if you have the 510 bios download the 520. https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3 this is the guide https://storage-asset.msi.com/file/pdf/AIO_How_to_update_BIOS_in_Win8.1_10.pdf
 
Last edited:
Just to have more info for the graph you made
i have Trident 3 8th Gen PCB 1.0
Internals are
Code:
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8400 CPU 2.80GHz

Disk 0 (data drive)
Samsung ssd Evo 860 Evo 1tb

Disk 1 (operating system)
Samsung ssd Evo 970 Evo Plus 250

Ram 
16 GB total

Graphics
PNY-XLR* Geforce GTX 1660 Super OC 6gb (need 6 pin to 8 pin adapter)

Power supply 230 watt-[b]NO[/b] configurations done(afterbuner/throttlestop)
 
if people want to know their pcb, it is necessary to open the msi trident 3 and to look on the left of the wifi module there will be the pcb, I take my example there will be marked:
ms-b9061 ver: 2.1
the config of my msi trident 3 is :
i7 7700 gtx 1060 3go, 16go ram,128go ssd 2to HDD (1to internal and 1to external).

since I plan to upgrade my gpu I'll see if I can upgrade to 32go (even if I probably won't use them I'd like to keep my pc for a long time) I would like to know if it was possible to set ram frequencies higher than 2400mhz, I've seen people with whom it works but maybe ram is restricted and didn't see it.I know the recommend is 2400mhz but i want to know if it's possible to get better.
Thanks
 
Hi Lion,

Thanks for the very useful summary.
I came to discover that my trident 8th arctic has a 230 W PSU + Motherboard B9201 , ver : 1.0. - i supposedly should be able to upgrade it until 1070 gtx 8 GDDR. But not further.
Question : have you tested the 330W PSU and seen it not work , or this is just a suspicion ?

I am tempted to buy a 330W and test to see.
 
hi moli, unfortunately the meres map version 1. 0 are all limited to 230w, even if you take a psu of 330w you won't be able to take full advantage of it, if you want to upgrade your config you'll have to find a gpu with a tdp of 120w, beyond that you'll have to throttlestop your processor (it's a software with which you can reduce the electric consumption of the cpu), gpu with 120w tdp there are the 1660,1660 ti , the 1660 super and a little above but should pass, after if you throttlestop your cpu you could put a rtx 2060 aero itx or mini itx , if you want to try to see if you can use 330w don't hesitate then and you will tell us.
 
hello I'd like to know, I have pcb 2.0 not 2.1 and I didn't see it in the list, is it wanted ?
Hi vigilantine,

I also have pcb ver 2.0 (in cpu-z and also printed in the MOBO), i have searched and have not found if it can handle 330w instead of 230w.

Did you manage to figure out if it is possible?

Thanks for your help,
 
just wanted to throw this in there
I have an 8th msi trident 3
I upgraded the gpu (and cpu from an i3 8100 to an i7 8700) to an asus phoenix rtx 2060
I did have to buy an adapter to the power cables, since it was originally a gtx 1060 3gb in there
 
I am new to Trident 3, having a friend giving me a 9th generation with gtx 1650 card with 330W PSU already. Dunno why the card does not need any cable to connect power.

Now I got a MSI rtx2060 card with me. Plugging into the trident, it asked me to connect the PCIe cable.

Is it I need to buy something like this below? But where on my Trident 3 have to connect the 6-pin end? Hope if there is anyone could help.

Thanks!
 
just wanted to throw this in there
I have an 8th msi trident 3
I upgraded the gpu (and cpu from an i3 8100 to an i7 8700) to an asus phoenix rtx 2060
I did have to buy an adapter to the power cables, since it was originally a gtx 1060 3gb in there

Hi mahawksee,
I recently got Trident 8th gen with i7 8700 and gtx 1060 3gb with 16gb ram and I am looking to upgrade my gpu as well.
I would really appreciate it if you can provide some info about the upgrade that you did and it would be really help me.
i am looking to upgrade it to either 1660 or the 2060.

Thank you.
 
Guys, it doesn't matter what power brick you have (waitttt) until you figure out what motherboard you have....

7th gen have two variants 230w and 330w... the 330w comes with gtx 1070 if thats the case just feel free to slam in rtx 2060 mini itx as i did
if you got the 230w brick dont bother getting a 330w one because the motherboard is limiting the power and its risky to surpass that you need to do some shunt mods...

My board was broken (my fault) so i purchased through a friend working at msi the 8th gen motherboard and installed it on my trident 3 case with the 2060 and i5 8500 cpu (delided but still reaches 85 degrees in PUBG)

The 8th gen boards all come with 330w power limiter so you can upgrade your power supply if you installed a bigger gpu.

Note that if you install a 2060 you need to set the gpu max power to 93% because the 2060 has 160w TDP..... you do your homework based on the gpu you got.. the max you can go is 155w TDP (maybe more but 155 is super safe and been running for two years daily)

Now my question is do you think an i7 9700 will work on my motherboard i forgot what bios version i have.. Im lazy now to work with hardware.. i dont want to disassemble anyone tried installing a 9th gen cpu on an 8th gen trident board???

Thanks in advance and feel free to ask me or reply to this question if you needed any help.. I have been fixing tridents since 2017 :(

rami.ad@hotmail.com
 
Hi Everyone. I would like to upgrade the graphics card in my 7th gen 230w trident 3. Has anyone had success installing a gtx1660 ti or super? I believe their TPD is 120w.
Many Thanks in advance
 
Hi,

I have a question about which graphic card model are compatible with a computer desktop
Trident 3 H110 GAMING intel core i5-7400 CPU @ 3.00 Ghz 300 MHz .
I have a GTX NVIDIA 1050 TI installed on a slot but I want to upgrade by another graphic
card model more powerfull .
If someone is able to send me a reply or a suggestion .
Thanks
 
I managed to upgrade to an RTX2060. It depends which motherboard you have. If its a ver.2.1 with A20 bios then you can upgrade your psu to a 330watt one and do what I did.
 
Thanks for our reply .
The BIOS version is SMBIOS 3.0 .
I don't view the motherboard card into the specification system .
MSI support told me isn't possible because the is a VGA card with a 6-pins connector
and the graphic card has 8-pin .
It's real or not because I have view other model same as a Trident serie 3 with another
graphic card .
 
Back
Top