Best mini gaming PC: top compact PCs in 2024

Built-in graphics? We hear your query, and our resounding response is a decisive yes. The Minisforum UM773, priced at $539.99 (£495.20), boasts an AMD Ryzen 680M processor that falls between the integrated graphics of Valve’s Steam Deck and those found in the Asus ROG Ally, both popular devices.

The 680M truly shines when paired with its exceptionally fast DDR5 memory, seamlessly integrating with AMD’s CPUs and iGPUs while boasting a generous 32GB allocation. While it may not match the success of its younger counterpart, the 780M, this iteration still offers a slight environmental edge due to its reduced power consumption, making it a viable option for those operating on limited energy budgets.

Esports titles will run smoothly at 1080p, with effective emulation posing no significant drawbacks whatsoever. When considering older titles or alternative gaming experiences, this device proves surprisingly efficient, offering a delightful experience that can be savored even without relying on the latest AAA games. When paired with a top-notch gaming monitor, its capabilities truly shine.

Although the Minisforum Venus UM773 may not offer the same level of portability as the Deck or Ally, it more than compensates with an abundance of ports, making this a remarkably practical tiny computer.

The motherboard’s upgrade capabilities are surprisingly robust, featuring two SODIMM slots, a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot, and space beneath for a 2.5-inch hard drive. If you desire to future-proof your setup, consider joining an eGPU via the USB4 port for an added GPU boost, as the CPU’s aging process is expected to be more gradual compared to the integrated GPU.

Origin, a well-respected custom PC builder, has upgraded its CHRONOS lineup by utilizing the sleek 2000D case from parent company Corsair. This vertical design is reminiscent of the compact Xbox Series X console, whose cube-like shape makes it stand out.

Although priced at $2,806, this system is not necessarily the most budget-friendly option; nonetheless, Origin PC’s reputation within the industry speaks for itself, ensuring that customers can expect a high-quality product that will not cause any issues.

With an AMD Ryzen 7 7800 X3D processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti graphics card, you can confidently play the latest AAA titles for an extended period, especially as more games support the advanced DLSS 3 rendering capabilities introduced with the RTX 4000 series.

As a proud member of the Corsair family, customers can frequently enjoy attractive discounts on a wide range of peripherals when looking to upgrade their setup with a new monitor, keyboard, mouse, or streaming equipment. Discover our top-rated gaming headsets for an unparalleled audio experience that will immerse you in the game.

While it may seem large at first glance, this device is actually comparable in size to a typical ATX case, despite its miniature PC potential. Considering Origin’s impressive credentials, customer-centric approach, and flexibility, we confidently recommend it as our top overall pick.

For the first time since its introduction, Intel’s NUC series has undergone an update, incorporating their latest Arc GPUs into a fully integrated all-Intel system.

Packaged in a remarkably compact yet visually striking case, the NUC 12 Serpent Canyon stands out for its impressive performance-to-size ratio, leaving even the PS5 and Xbox Series X in its wake? The mockup has a distinct resemblance to what the Xbox 720 might look like, which piques our interest as well.

The Serpent Canyon is equipped with a potent Intel Arc A770M GPU and 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, ensuring that even the most demanding AAA titles won’t be hampered by limited resources? The Arc graphics processing unit boasts impressive ray-tracing capabilities, outshining AMD’s performance in this area at its price point.

The processor’s i7-12700H is paired with a highly capable A770M, ensuring seamless performance under demanding CPU workloads.

The CPU and GPU may not be upgradeable, but storage enthusiasts will appreciate the abundance of drive options, featuring two M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots and one M.2 PCIe slot. The RAM can be user-replaceable.

How do the Intel Arc graphics cards’ performance stack up after their initial release? While previous versions of DirectX (9, 10, and 11) experienced significant enhancements, the latest iterations boast substantial performance boosts. Notably, Nvidia and AMD offer more robust support for older games, ensuring a smoother experience for those with legacy titles. Although Intel’s Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) technology is not yet widely adopted, its integration into computer hardware is gradually increasing as manufacturers continue to build support for this innovative upscaling solution.

Given the recent surge in AAA titles requiring significant VRAM, our decision to integrate the Serpent Canyon was heavily influenced by the NUC’s impressive 16GB of VRAM and its ability to efficiently utilize DirectX 12 capabilities, allowing it to exceed expectations in this regard? While that’s priced at an excessive value, we anticipate its worth given the unique design and enhanced performance.

Since its debut in 2017, the Corsair One has evolved into a PC design icon, and we’ve been enthusiastic fans throughout. Here’s the improved text: “For those who’ve coveted a premium mini gaming PC but shied away from the hassle of building one themselves, the Corsair One i500 is an impressive solution that exceeds expectations.” And take note of that stunning RGB lighting. The tasteful wood casing. That’s a fantastic feature – the system’s ability to regulate its temperature through water cooling truly sets it apart from other comparable products.

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The Corsair One i500 boasts a remarkably compact footprint of just 187x300mm, and its aesthetic design features intricately crafted wood panels harmoniously paired with vibrant strips of RGB lighting, all encased in an exceptional build quality that exudes professionalism.

The custom-built gaming PC boasts a powerful Intel Core i9-14900K processor and offers a choice between two high-performance graphics options: either an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super or an RTX 4090 GPU.

Despite its compact design, the device’s gaming performance remains uncompromised. We put the RTX 4080 Tremendous model through its paces, rendering Cyberpunk 2077 at a crisp 2,560 x 1,440 resolution with the Extremely ray tracing preset, achieving a smooth 106fps courtesy of Nvidia’s DLSS 3 frame-generation tech. The AMD F1 23 processor delivered a remarkable average frame rate of 94fps when running at 4K resolution and utilizing Extremely Excessive graphics settings, as demonstrated by our rigorous testing protocols.

While the 120mm all-in-one (AIO) cooler on the CPU is generally effective, one notable limitation is that it may not possess sufficient energy to permit the Core i9-14900K to reach its maximum increase speeds, potentially resulting in a noisy fan operation when running demanding video games at full load. Here is the rewritten text in a different style:

This pint-sized powerhouse takes top honours for its striking visual appeal, making it an irresistible choice even at any price point.

Learn our Corsair One i500 evaluate.

The Beelink SER6’s integrated AMD graphics capabilities are a notable feature in this device. The SER6 features an AMD 660M processor, which while slightly less powerful than the Steam Deck’s iGPU, benefits from two additional CPU cores and increased power availability, ensuring a more responsive gaming and overall computing experience. To ensure the Ryzen 5 6600U runs smoothly, consider pairing it with up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM; this configuration will effortlessly handle less demanding games like Minecraft and League of Legends.

Even though you have excellent options for expanding your memory capabilities, including two SODIMM slots for additional storage and RAM, as well as a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot for user-replaceable upgrades. While the Minisforum bears some resemblance to the SER6, there is indeed space available for a 2.5-inch drive on its rear side, allowing users to indulge in an excessive storage capacity by housing their legally acquired ROM collections, effectively transforming the device into a miniature emulation powerhouse. If the standard 512GB storage included doesn’t meet your needs, we recommend exploring our curated list of top-rated SSDs for gaming.

While a twin fan design may have its benefits, an unfortunate weakness lies here. Due to their collective size, the person’s followers are capable of producing a more amplified sound than an individual fan would, which can result in a slightly louder noise when temperatures rise. While the device’s price tag of $429 (£539) is slightly lower than that of a mini PC equipped with a 680M processor, it may require an additional investment to gain access to the extra CPU and CU cores, which could be a deciding factor for some buyers.

The Blackview MP200 stands out as an exemplary choice for those seeking a budget-friendly mini PC solution. Its aggressive pricing strategy presents a low-cost option for us, but this approach also comes with limitations on its efficiency.

The MP200’s Intel Extreme HD Graphics significantly impede gameplay, requiring players to adjust settings to their lowest levels for a relatively smooth experience. While it’s feasible to play top-tier PC games, you may still face challenges when tackling triple-A releases.

With ample port options for adding up to three shows featuring USB 3.2 connectivity, users have the flexibility to enhance their setup as needed. Additionally, the device’s storage and RAM can be easily expanded with second-generation modules, allowing for future upgrades that further improve performance. If budget-friendliness is a top priority, we recommend considering the Blackview MP200 for a Windows 11 PC; however, if gaming is your primary concern, the absence of a dedicated graphics card and inadequate cooling may hinder performance.

Learn our Blackview MP200 evaluate.

While the Asus ROG Zephyr’s versatility is undeniable, boasting both a display and built-in controller, its true nature lies in being an exceptionally portable gaming PC by design. In a previous review, we were thoroughly impressed by the £699/$699 Ally.

The Steam Deck has been usurped as the top portable mini gaming PC thanks to its enhanced GPU and CPU capabilities, enabling gamers to enjoy smooth 1080P visuals on-the-go.

When connected at home, you can opt for maximum power consumption, which can fully charge your battery and transform your laptop into a highly capable device capable of handling almost any task. By leveraging the XMG connector, users can seamlessly integrate Asus’ external GPUs without compromising performance due to the constraints of USB 4, as it provides direct access to the PCIe lanes, ensuring uninterrupted functionality.

To fully immerse yourself in your desktop experience, you’ll need a high-performance gaming keyboard and mouse combination, but beware that navigating an Excel spreadsheet using joysticks may prove challenging.

Any potential hiccups in efficiency will be effortlessly mitigated by the variable refresh rate (VRR) display, ensuring that unless you encounter extremely low frame rates of 1% or 0.1%, you can expect a seamless and consistent gaming experience with no noticeable dips in power consumption.

Asus’ Armory Crate overlay, paired with Windows 11, leaves much to be desired in terms of performance compared to Valve’s SteamOS – but, this may improve over time. Meanwhile, you’ll also enjoy the added convenience of knowing that popular titles like Fortnite and Roblox will function seamlessly out of the box.

Discover the powerful performance of the ASUS ROG Ally laptop, designed for gamers and content creators.