MSI launches Portal X web lighting tool for its latest ARGB hardware
MSI has introduced Portal X, a browser based interface for controlling RGB lighting on recent MSI hardware. The tool runs as a web app and currently supports MSI 800 series motherboards, GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards and most addressable RGB memory modules.
Unlike Mystic Light inside MSI Center, Portal X lives in the browser. It works with Chrome and Edge, requires an internet connection and uses a small local launcher that is installed from the Microsoft Store. Once that is in place, Portal X always pulls the latest interface and device support online, so there is no need to download separate lighting updates.
Portal X, Source: MSI
From my understanding, this runs on a local hosted domain, so it’s not connecting to any external account that lets you control the lighting system remotely (who needs that anyway?), basically an alternative way to control lights.
MSI says Portal X will let you adjust basic effects. It can change colors, brightness, speed and run an All Sync mode for compatible motherboards, RTX 50 graphics cards and memory. Mystic Light in MSI Center still covers more hardware, including older products and third party partner devices, and also integrates with other software such as Ambient Link and Voicemod.
Portal X, Source: VideoCardz
There are some limits that are not obvious from the marketing page. Portal X does not support control of fan speeds or AIO display screens, and MSI has no public plans to add these controls. Fans or AIOs connected to ARGB headers simply follow the motherboard lighting. Portal X only works when the PC is online, and it will also prompt to take over from Mystic Light to avoid conflicts between the two tools.
In our quick test, Portal X still feels rough. The installer looks dated and confusing, and it took several attempts before the software actually worked. The web interface has no responsive layout and checks the size of the browser window before letting you change any settings, which is not something you expect from a modern RGB tool.
Mystic Light, Source: VideoCardz
MSI Center with Mystic Light remains slow and not the most intuitive lighting suite, but it at least runs once installed and does not require extra work or window size tricks. Needless to say, I removed Portal X as quickly as possible, seemed like a half-baked attempt that doesn’t give you anything useful.
Source: MSI
