Over the past distich of years , we ’ve interpret a surge of mini gaming PCs , most of which come from steel that , especially in the U.S. , most enthusiasts have n’t heard of . It ’s a Herculean task to scroll through Amazon and find the dear mini gaming PCs with so few reviews and little in the way of brand recognition , but we ’ve done the hard work for you .
No , we did n’t just scroll Amazon . We bring in loading of stake PC each year to thoroughly try and review , and that includes all of the selection here we ’ve assail up for the honest mini play PCs . Regardless of if you want a cabinet - like experience on the couch , or you ’re just trying to save some precious desk space , we ’ve pushed each of these mini gambling PCs to their limits to show they ’re the best of the best .
need to descale up ? We have a roundup of thebest gambling desktopsthat have gone through the same tight examination process , as well as a list of thebest gaming laptops .
The best mini gaming PC
Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti
I ’m shocked the Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti is as good as it is . Like most mini gaming PCs , the AtomMan G7 Ti is using mobile components , but it ’s using some of the most powerful Mobile River components money can bribe , including the 24 - core Intel Core i9 - 14900HX and Nvidia RTX 4070 with a full 140 watts dedicated to the GPU .
The functioning is off the charts . In my testing , the AtomMan G7 Ti managed to outclass full - on background hardware , and it shot past some of the other options on this very tilt , including the Asus ROG NUC 970 . There ’s some operation wizardry going on here , allowing you to well max - out games likeCyberpunk 2077without breaking a sweat .
functioning is one thing , but the intellect I really sleep together the AtomMan G7 Ti is that it does n’t yield to all of the issue that normally plague mini play personal computer . It barely whisper , even under full load , and I never come across any caloric choking on the monstrous 24 - core CPU , even when doing intense work like video encoding in Premiere Pro .
Given the operation , cost , and size of the AtomMan G7 Ti , I was tempted it to give it aperfect score in my reappraisal . However , the PC only follow with two USB - A ports , and modified interface survival in worldwide , so you ’ll need a USB hub if you want to plug all of your peripheral in .
The best value mini gaming PC
Ayaneo Retro Mini AM01
Designed to seem like a bantam version of an other Mac , the Ayaneo Retro Mini personal computer AM01 is as adorable as it is nostalgic , but this mini microcomputer goes far beyond looks . As our contributor Kunal Khullarwrote in his review , " the Ayaneo Retro Mini PC AM01 is more than just cute , it ’s downright clever . "
Clever is really the good word to use , too . The AM01 does n’t aim too high as far as performance locomote , relying on integrated graphic and an old AMD Mobile River CPU . That permit it to clock in for as little as $ 200 based on your configuration , which is an harebrained price look at what this PC is up to of .
No , you are n’t going to be playingCyberpunk 2077 — Kunal tried and go bad — but the integrated graphics are capable of playing games likeCounter - Strike 2andApex Legendswithout topic . Kunal even make out to get 60 frame per 2d ( Federal Protective Service ) out ofGrand Theft Auto Von the personal computer with the downhearted graphic stage setting , which is very impressive .
Older game and lightheaded indie championship are a breeze on the AM01 , but the mini PC really clamber with emulation . It ’s a ball of fire imitator , which is made all the more well-heeled to pull off with the include AyaSpace app .
The best mini gaming PC with water cooling
Tecno Megamini G1
You only require to face at the Tecno Megamini G1 once to see that it ’s a unequalled microcomputer . litter with RGB lighting and spoil with water - cool down tubes , the Megamini G1 is unlike anything else on the market . And , much to my surprise , it managed to volunteer performance to match its insane look when I wentto essay the microcomputer .
The custom liquid state cooling loop quite literally takes center phase here . Not only is it couch in RGB ignition in the center of the 5.6 - liter bod , it also leads to some special performance . Mini PCs are always battling heat , and due to the battle the Megamini G1 put up , it ’s able-bodied to offer desktop - level operation with wandering - grade components .
That ’s what I rule in my testing . In game , the Megamini G1 was able to basically match the functioning of a full - size Lenovo Legion Tower 5i with identical components , which is mighty impressive . Not only does the Megamini G1 fork out the performance its specs would indicate , it vastly exceeds that mark .
You really require to fall in love with the smell to pick up the Megamini G1 , though . It ’s an impressive mini play microcomputer , no doubt , but it ’s also expensive due to its exotic cooling solution . Thankfully , it ’s an expensive mini PC with legs , allowing you to further the public presentation through the included Oculink porthole .
The most upgradable mini gaming PC
Asus ROG NUC 970
There are n’t a gross ton of mini gaming PCs from mainstream marque , but Asus is trying to deport that mantle forwards . It overtook the NUC blade from Intel over the past two years , and the most sinewy edition of the NUC Asus has released yet is the ROG NUC 970 .
It ’s more expensive than the other options on this list , butin my testing , the ROG NUC 970 clear its asking price . It offers acerbic performance in both productivity and gaming covering . It can even leverage DLSS 3 thanks to the Nvidia RTX 4070 , unlocking high functioning in demanding games likeCyberpunk 2077andBlack Myth : Wukong .
Moreover , it ’s an upgradable option . You wo n’t be swapping out the CPU or GPU , but Asus still gives you access to the memory and storage , allowing you to break up the performance of the PC down the line . Upgrades are loose to do , too . There ’s a exclusive screw holding the microcomputer together , and I was able to trade out the SSD in the matter of a few minute .
The principal downside here is the price . I have a go at it what the ROG NUC 970 is open of , but it claim a backseat to microcomputer like the AtomMan G7 Ti due to its price .
The best mini gaming PC for external GPUs
Asus ROG Ally X
OK , the Asus ROG Ally X isn’ttechnicallya mini gambling PC , but keep an eye on me here . This is easily thebest handheld gaming PCon the market due to its performance , var. factor , and battery life sentence . But for this roundup , the ROG Ally X really bring in its stripes with dual USB 4 ports .
you could take one of the USB ports and solicit the ROG Ally X up to a TV or monitoring gadget , and you ’ll have a fairly solid gaming experience . The real major power lies in utilizing the 2nd USB 4 port , though . With it , you could colligate just about any international GPU to the ROG Ally X and transform a portable powerhouse into a full - fledged gaming PC .
It bring a bit more work — and sure enough more money due to the fact that you take to invest in an external GPU — but the ROG Ally X provides an fantabulous gambling experience with this setup . you may really take this setup as far as you need , hooking up something as powerful as a desktop RTX 4090 . Few other mini PCs boast that level of compatibility .
I ’ve been using theROG Ally X on nearly a casual foundation , and it ’s tremendous across both a handheld and desktop experience . It may be expensive , but it ’s deserving the money .
What to consider
Mini gaming PC are unequaled items in that you postulate to balance raw force with proper thermal direction . Here are a few things to keep in judgement when shopping .
How much should you spend on a mini gaming PC?
Mini gaming PCs are unremarkably more expensive than full - sized desktops , and ordinarily with lower performance . However , how much you spend on one really depends on how much power you require . Lighter indie titles play just fine on the $ 200 Ayaneo Retro Mini AM01 , but you ’ll need something like the AtomMan G7 Ti if you want to playBlack Myth : Wukongmaxed out .
Is a mini PC enough for gaming?
Mini personal computer leverage laptop computer constituent in most case , so they are n’t as powerful or upgradable as a full desktop . However , you’re able to still get great gaming performance by focusing on a mini personal computer with a discrete graphics card . If your preferred mini PC only uses integrated graphics , I urge invest inan external GPUto encourage your play public presentation — just twofold just support for the eGPU with your microcomputer .
Can you build a mini PC for gaming?
you’re able to for certain build up a little word form factor PC for play — that’swhat I did with an RTX 4090 , in fact . However , if you ’re looking for the small potential personal computer , you should buy a prebuilt mini gaming PC . These rig can leverage unique cooling solutions and laptop computer components , leading to a much smaller size .
How we tested
I ’ve try out literally hundreds of PCs and component over the years , but mini personal computer necessitate a unique approach . As with any PC , I approach take a looking at performance in a variety of games and applications , port selection , software package , pricing , and figure , but mini PC throw in the pull of heat and noise .
Although passion and stochasticity are important for any PC , they can make or break a mini microcomputer . Evaluating a mini PC from this perspective takes both an objective expression at datum through performance benchmark , but also a immanent look at the overall design of the PC to see if the thermal and disturbance trade - offs are worth the performance on crack .
Why trust us
Most mini play microcomputer are reviewed by our lead reporter Jacob Roach , who also handles testing of full - sized desktop and personal computer gambling factor like graphics cards . Jacob has close to a decade of experience test PC hardware and committal to writing reviews , and he ’s ascertain just about everything mini gaming PCs have to offer .
Jacob has the spreadsheets and benchmark configurations to provide loads of accusative datum . But his experience reviewing the latest and great microcomputer gaming tech supply a perspective that data alone ca n’t bid . This balance between objective data and subjective product experience allows us to deliver a curated list of production that we whole - heartedly stand behind , not just what ’s most democratic at any reach moment .
