Upgrading your Trident 3

[lionvandenbrand]

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:

Versions	Chipset	PCB versions	BIOS version(s)	Power	Product page
7th Gen	H110	1.0/2.1	520/A20	230W	https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3
7th Gen Arctic	H110	2.1	A20	230W	https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-Arctic
8th Gen	H310	1.0/2.1	840	230/330W	https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-8th
8th Gen Arctic	H310	?	840	230/330W	https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-Arctic-8th
9th Gen	H310	?	950	230/330W	https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-9th
9th Gen Arctic	H310	?	950	230/330W	https://www.msi.com/Desktop/support/Trident-3-Arctic-9th
10th Gen	H410	?	800	230/330W	https://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 Gen	What's tested?	Working?	Link
7th Gen	I7 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/YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/316727
7th Gen	1TB M.2 SSD, GTX1070 Aero 8GB OC graphics card	YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/333227
7th Gen	i7-7700 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 A20	YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/313929
8th Gen	Upgraded with ASUS PHOENIX 1660 SUPER (also noted that 1660 Ti works)	YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/327434
7th Gen	i5-7400 MSI GTX 1070 Aero using Afterburner and Intel Extreme Tuning Utility. NOTE: did not fit very good	YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
7th Gen	i7-7700 Gigabyte GTX1080 Mini ITX using Afterburner	YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
7th Gen	i7-7700 Arctic version GTX 1070 upgraded to Gigabyte RTX 2070 ITX version	YES	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
8th Gen	GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Ti	YES	https://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)	NO	https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/298545
9th Gen	i7-9700f, 16gb of ram and nvme ssd and gtx 1660 ti with a 230w PSU upgraded to 2060 mini ITX	NO	https://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

 

[andrealascol154602d9]

Hi everyone, I'm considering upgrading my trident 9th generation(i5-9400f / GTX 1650) with a 4060 to avoid upgrading my 230w stock power adapter.
As MSI does not produce a single fan 4060 Aero, does anyone have experience with any specific brand for which the card fits in the case? I'm afraid to buy a card that won't fit in the trident case (I saw that happening sometimes, like in this video:

). Thanks

To follow up on this.

I upgraded my trident 9th generation with an RTX 4060 keeping the 230w stock power adapter and it was almost efforless.
The video card is a Palit 4060 single fan: https://www.palit.com/palit/vgapro.php?id=4918&lang=en
The installation was straightforward, the only small issue I had was that I needed to buy an extension for the cable as the one I had(which came with the PC) was too short, something like this one is working well: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08KT5HBTF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I didn't have to upgrade the Bios (I never did since I bought the PC in 2020) and the drivers was automatically installed by Nvidia software after opening the GeForce Experience app.

 

[panik.201157002e2]

Here's the wire. Try switching from UEFI to Legasi and changing pcie 4.0 to 3.0.

Hi @zelrom159502e8
Have you been able to update trident 3 8th motherboard v1.1 from gtx 1070 to rtx 4060 ti?
I tried to update Trident 3 8th motherboard v1.1 from 1060 to 4060, but the new video card is not showing up in Device Manager too.

 

[b.benovi152d02d6]

Hi @zelrom159502e8
Have you been able to update trident 3 8th motherboard v1.1 from gtx 1070 to rtx 4060 ti?
I tried to update Trident 3 8th motherboard v1.1 from 1060 to 4060, but the new video card is not showing up in Device Manager too.

Any solution here ?
Am having the exact same problem. Fan of the GPU is spinning... but not showing in Device Manager.
My Bios Ver. is EB920IMS.840 (MS-9201)

 

[marios_289812c202b1]

To follow up on this.

I upgraded my trident 9th generation with an RTX 4060 keeping the 230w stock power adapter and it was almost efforless.
The video card is a Palit 4060 single fan: https://www.palit.com/palit/vgapro.php?id=4918&lang=en
The installation was straightforward, the only small issue I had was that I needed to buy an extension for the cable as the one I had(which came with the PC) was too short, something like this one is working well: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08KT5HBTF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I didn't have to upgrade the Bios (I never did since I bought the PC in 2020) and the drivers was automatically installed by Nvidia software after opening the GeForce Experience app.

thanks for sharing your upgrade details man!! i really apreciate it!! do you have any problems with 230 watt using the palit stormx 4060 itx?
i am trying to make the same upgrade
rig: 230 watt i7 10700 ,1660 super

 

[marios_289812c202b1]

i confirm: my trident 3 arctic 10th gen i7 10700 ,upgraded sucessfully to 4060 palit stormX with the default psu (230 watts)
happy gaming everyone!!

 

[marios_289812c202b1]

Ok. For me it also works now. Solution was to get a original 330W PSU (I asked MSI support where to get one). Do NOT (I repeat: DO NOT ! ) buy cheap PSU from strange china online shops. These things are garbage.

so,where did you get one? can you post some links or some leads...i want to order an ''original'' 330 watt pus compatible with my trident 10th gen

 

[marios_289812c202b1]

 

[marios_289812c202b1]

i can confirm that this 330 oem psu works well with trident 10th generation (i7 10700 1660 super)
i bought it of american ebay from a seller name sunny. https://www.ebay.com/itm/115585116092
summary:i upgraded my psu from 230 watt to this specific 330 watt delta psu.
and i upgraded my 1660 super to 4060 palit 8gb
everything was plug and play!

 

[rendoszka153002dc]

Hi ,
So I have just made this account to help out others regarding upgradind MSI Trident pc-s.
I have a Trident 3 Arctic 8th Gen (i7-8700 CPU)
I have tried now both Palit StormX 4060 and Zotac 4060 Solo , NONE of them work for me.
Check my CPU-Z picture, I have the Delta electronics 330W PSU , but my motherboard is Ver 1.0. (I think that's the problem)
My bios version is the latest for this PC.

On both GPU-s the fan turns on, the PC turns on, I can log in to windows , but there is no signal on the monitor all the way.
I have tried all output connections (Hdmi and DP) , and tried old and new type of Hdmi cable.
I get no signal on the monitor whatsoever.

If anyone has an idea what else to try? But I think its the MB version that won't let me upgrade to the newest rig.
Next week I will try the MSI 3060 Aero , let's see how that goes.
I am currently running the MSI 1070 Aero.

 

[andrew.robi14db02c7]

Hi ,
So I have just made this account to help out others regarding upgradind MSI Trident pc-s.
I have a Trident 3 Arctic 8th Gen (i7-8700 CPU)
I have tried now both Palit StormX 4060 and Zotac 4060 Solo , NONE of them work for me.
Check my CPU-Z picture, I have the Delta electronics 330W PSU , but my motherboard is Ver 1.0. (I think that's the problem)
My bios version is the latest for this PC.

On both GPU-s the fan turns on, the PC turns on, I can log in to windows , but there is no signal on the monitor all the way.
I have tried all output connections (Hdmi and DP) , and tried old and new type of Hdmi cable.
I get no signal on the monitor whatsoever.

If anyone has an idea what else to try? But I think its the MB version that won't let me upgrade to the newest rig.
Next week I will try the MSI 3060 Aero , let's see how that goes.
I am currently running the MSI 1070 Aero.

Hey, I have the Trident 3 Arctic 8th Gen. Exactly your config.

Like you, I tried the Zotac with the exact same results. I'm really interested to know if this card might work: https://www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/GeForce-RTX-4060-AERO-ITX-8G-OC
Unfortunately, my local suppliers don't appear to stock them at the moment.

Do let me know if you have any luck with the 3060 Aero though, as my local supplier has them and I'd be keen to try if it works for you.

Good luck with your upgrade!

 

[rendoszka153002dc]

Hey, I have the Trident 3 Arctic 8th Gen. Exactly your config.

Like you, I tried the Zotac with the exact same results. I'm really interested to know if this card might work: https://www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/GeForce-RTX-4060-AERO-ITX-8G-OC
Unfortunately, my local suppliers don't appear to stock them at the moment.

Do let me know if you have any luck with the 3060 Aero though, as my local supplier has them and I'd be keen to try if it works for you.

Good luck with your upgrade!

Hi,

Just to confirm , the MSI 3060 Aero OC 12GB 192bit - is running OK.
I think this is the bottleneck for the Trident 8th Gen.
The 40 series are very unlikely to work.
Here are some pics of cpu z and task manager , plus I have the 3dmark demo results for 1070 vs 3060.

I hope this helps people now.

 

[lipo_714d002ce]

Hi all,

in last months i followed this thread and i found all informations here very interesting to plan the upgrade on my Trident 3 Arctic 8th generation. I completed the upgrade of GPU this week, passing from the standard GTX 1060 Aero ITX 6GB to an RTX 3060 12GB and decided to share my experience too, hoping this can be usefull for someone else.

My Trident is an old 8th gen with Motherboard MS-B9201 (version 1.1, as printed on the board), first of all i updated BIOS to the last version available on MSI site (version 840): https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Trident-3-Arctic-8th/support#bios
I did it hoping that would be enough to install an RTX 4060, but i was wrong: as others guys reported here, sadly the 4060 is not working on 8th gen Trident motherboard! For the power, i already had a 330W adapter (Delta AC/DC Adapter model ADP-330AB D), so i didn't change it.
Together with the GPU a big improvement was increasing the SSD to 2TB, that finally let me install games there!

So, at last this is my upgrade:

RAM from 16GB to 32GB --> Integral 32GB kit (2x16GB) DDR4 RAM 2400MHz SODIMM PC4-19200

16GB DDR4 2400MHz ECC Laptop RAM | Integral Memory

Upgrade your Laptop/ Notebook Memory with Integrals 16GB DDR4 2400MHz Laptop RAM Module Kit, PC4-19200 Unbuffered ECC SODIMM 1.2V 1GX8 CL17

www.integralmemory.com

SSD from 128GB to 2TB --> fanxiang S880 2TB PCIe4.0 NVMe M.2

FanXiang

FanXiang specializes in a range of high quality storage solutions including Solid State Drives (SSD), Portable SSDs, M.2 SSDs, mSATA HDDs, USB3.0, OTG Flash Drives for Android Phones, Fingerprint Encrypted USBs, PSSDs.

www.fanxiangssd.com

GPU from GTX 1060 6GB to RTX 3060 12GB --> Palit GeForce RTX 3060 12GB StormX OC

::Palit Products - GeForce RTX™ 3060 StormX OC ::

The GeForce RTX™ 3060 lets you take on the latest games using the power of Ampere—NVIDIA’s 2nd generation RTX architecture. Get incredible performance with enhanced Ray Tracing Cores and Tensor Cores, new streaming multiprocessors, and high-speed G6 memory. Palit GeForce RTX™ 3060 StormX: The...

www.palit.com

To power the GPU you will also need a 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCIe Adapter, i used this one: J&D PCI Express 6 Pin to 8 Pin Adapter Power Cable - 30cm

As i opened the case (most times! lool) i changed also CMOS Battery that was depleted: i used a standard CR2032 button battery, for this operation there's an interesting post on the forum (seems there's not a standard on cables connecting to the battery so i had to switch positive and negative poles of cables on battery side).

And as a last note, i had to reinstall Windows on the new SSD, so i upgraded to Win 11 ... no problem with that, i just followed the guide on microsoft site here:

Download Windows 11

Hope someone will find this experience usefull, as i did with all your posts! Let me know if you have other curiosity on my upgrade and ... happy gaming to all!

 

[lipo_714d002ce]

Hi @zelrom159502e8
Have you been able to update trident 3 8th motherboard v1.1 from gtx 1070 to rtx 4060 ti?
I tried to update Trident 3 8th motherboard v1.1 from 1060 to 4060, but the new video card is not showing up in Device Manager too.

Hi @panik.201157002e2 ... i have the same trident 8th configuration and the same problem, sadly i confirm that the RTX 4060 is not working on that motherboard. I posted today my upgrade experience.

 

[andrew.robi14db02c7]

Can confirm that the MSI Aero 3060 12GB ITX works with the Trident 2 8th V1 Motherboard. https://www.msi.com/Graphics-Card/GeForce-RTX-3060-AERO-ITX-12G-OC
I upgraded from a MSI 1070 Aero ITX. This increased fps by a consistent 25% or more. I've also upgraded the ssd drives and moved up to 32 gb DDR4 ram.

No success with the Zotac 4060. Fan spun up but no display output. https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-gaming-geforce-rtx-4060-8gb-solo

In retrospect, probably not a sensible upgrade given the affordable price of an entry level gaming pc with a more powerful 4060. Still, nice boost for an aging pc to get me through to the next pc.

 

[alexanderduf156902df]

Hello everyone I have a trident 3 and I did some upgrades. I'm leaving this info in case it can help you.

MSI MS-B9201 V2.0 motherboard, I updated the BIOS to version 950 (most recent)
Updated CPU i5 9400f to i9 9900 ES (Engineering Sample)
Updated GTX 1660TI to RTX4060
Updated 16gb RAM to 32gb

All changes were Plug and Play, there were no problems
I'll leave some images

 

[vinvinv158c02df]

Hello, I have a trident 3 11th that I upgraded with a rtx 3060 and a 330W PSU.
I tried to upgrade the CPU from a i5 11400f to a i9 11900 but it didn't work, the pc boot ,there is light and fan working but I don't have any signal on my monitor. When I replaced the i5 in it ,it works again.

I already updated the bios to the last one on MSI website and I know that it had custom motherboard and the only one that I could upgrade should be the i7 11700 but someone on this thread shared his results with a trident 3 9th working on a i9 so if it's work with 9th why not with 11th ?

Thanks for anyone trying to help me and sorry for my bad English.

 

[fauc]

Don't post the same question again.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-trident-3-11th-upgrade-to-i9.403693/

 

[shuny11r2154402d7]

Hello everyone I have a trident 3 and I did some upgrades. I'm leaving this info in case it can help you.

MSI MS-B9201 V2.0 motherboard, I updated the BIOS to version 950 (most recent)
Updated CPU i5 9400f to i9 9900 ES (Engineering Sample)
Updated GTX 1660TI to RTX4060
Updated 16gb RAM to 32gb

All changes were Plug and Play, there were no problems
I'll leave some images

Is this Legit? Because I have the same MOBO only diff is mines a V1.0 and I don't have the "latest BIOS". I'm just asking because I want to also upgrade mines from a GTX 1070 to a RTX 4060 or 4060 ti.

Would give my Trident 3 some much needed life.

 

[fauc]

It is recommend list for Trident-3-Arctic-8th on MSI website but RTX 40xx is not on this list.

https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Trident-3-Arctic-8th/support#recommend

 

[alexanderduf156902df]

Is this Legit? Because I have the same MOBO only diff is mines a V1.0 and I don't have the "latest BIOS". I'm just asking because I want to also upgrade mines from a GTX 1070 to a RTX 4060 or 4060 ti.

Would give my Trident 3 some much needed life.

Hi, yes this is true, I'm answering from my MSI Trident
but according to what I read, you have the motherboard version 1.0. On this motherboard, I read that they had problems using the RTX 4060. I haven't tried it, but in previous comments they did and it didn't work for them, but for those who have the V2.0 motherboard, it should work for them just like it did for me

Regards