An unidentified mini PC called the Piston V has appeared in testing with AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, Radeon integrated graphics, 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. Its unusual upright chassis includes a circular touchscreen that handles boot selection and system monitoring, while Windows 11 and Bazzite provide separate gaming and productivity environments.
Key takeaways
- Unreleased Piston V identity, pricing and availability remain unknown.
- Ryzen AI 9 365 runs with a sustained 54W power limit and Radeon 880M graphics.
- The system includes 32GB DDR5-5600 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD.
- Windows 11 and Bazzite are installed with a touchscreen boot selector.
- 1080p gaming is possible with suitable settings and upscaling technologies.
The Piston V was shown by ETA Prime after arriving without manufacturer documentation. Searches reportedly found no clear OEM, retail listing or public product information, making it unclear whether the machine is a prototype, an unreleased commercial model or a one-off design.
A distinctive design for living-room gaming
The compact PC stands vertically, resembling a digital clock or smart thermostat. Its front-mounted circular display is the main design feature and is integrated into the startup experience: users can select Windows or Bazzite directly from the touchscreen rather than navigating a traditional boot menu.
When Bazzite is running, the panel can show CPU, GPU and memory usage, along with game artwork. Reports indicate that the display’s software is not fully configurable on the tested unit, and touch input did not work inside Bazzite. Its refresh rate is also reportedly limited to 60Hz.
Ryzen AI 9 365 drives the system
The Piston V uses AMD’s 10-core, 20-thread Ryzen AI 9 365, combining Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores with boost speeds of up to 5.0GHz. The APU includes Radeon 880M integrated graphics and an XDNA 2 NPU. Some coverage and the demonstration incorrectly identify the GPU as Radeon 890M, but the reported hardware configuration points to the Radeon 880M.
The tested configuration includes 32GB of dual-channel DDR5-5600 memory, a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD, a sustained 54W power target and a 90W power adapter. Toolless rear covers provide access to the memory and storage, giving the system more upgrade flexibility than many compact desktops.
Performance targets 1080p gaming
Testing suggests the Piston V is aimed at light to moderate AAA gaming rather than high-end desktop performance. Spider-Man 2 reportedly averaged more than 75 frames per second at 1080p with high settings and FSR frame generation. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart reached about 45 FPS without frame generation and the 70-FPS range with it.
Cyberpunk 2077 delivered frame rates in the high 40s at 1080p using a Steam Deck-style graphics profile. Enabling FSR frame generation increased performance to approximately 80 FPS. As with other integrated-graphics systems, results depend heavily on image-quality presets, upscaling and frame-generation support.
Ports and unanswered questions
Reported connectivity includes HDMI, USB-C, two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio jack and dual Gigabit Ethernet. The combination could suit a desk, home-theater PC or compact gaming setup, but the lack of a known manufacturer creates concerns about drivers, firmware, warranty coverage and long-term software support.
No price or release date has been announced. Until the OEM confirms the Piston V, it remains an intriguing demonstration of how SteamOS-inspired software and distinctive industrial design could reshape the compact gaming-PC market.