The best mini gaming PCs can offer similar levels of performance as a desktop computer, without occupying the entire real estate. If you don’t have enough space, a mini PC is a good alternative to a gaming PC, because despite the compact size, these small computers can still be upgraded with the best processors and graphics processors.
TL;DR – These are the best mini PCs for gaming:
While mini computers are perhaps less popular than full-sized tower PCs for gamers, there are still some decent ones to choose from. But instead of sifting through the rubble trying to find the best mini gaming PC, we can help you decide. Whether you’re on a budget or just want something that supports the latest AAA titles, we’ve got something for you.
Best Mini PCs for Gaming:
1. Intel NUC 12 Enthusiast
The best mini PC for gaming
Professionals:
- Specialized graphics
- Plenty of ports
Cons:
- Similar price to a decent gaming laptop
Intel NUC 12 Enthusiast, also known as Serpent Canyon, is great despite its small size. With a 12th Gen Intel processor and Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, you’re off to a good start. Additionally, with a 16GB GDDR6 Intel Arc A770M GPU, this mini gaming PC provides stable performance in 1080p games and can even reach 1440p in some games.
To keep things cool, there’s an innovative cooling design featuring a dual-fan air intake and five heat pipes that draw heat away from the GPU. When it comes to storage and memory, the NUC 12 Enthusiast does not disappoint. With 64GB of dual-channel DDR4-3200MHz RAM (expandable to 64GB) and a lightning-fast 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, you’ll have plenty of room for your games, apps and media – and more than enough memory to keep them running smoothly.
2. MINISFORUM Venus Series UM773
The best budget mini PC for gaming
Professionals:
- Affordable
- Good GPU performance
Cons:
If you’re on the hunt for a wallet-friendly mini PC that doesn’t skimp on performance, then the MINISFORUM Venus Series UM773 is worth considering. Despite its budget price, the UM773 features an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS with dedicated AMD graphics. And yes, there’s no dedicated GPU, but the integrated AMD Radeon 680M GPU can rival some lower-end dedicated graphics cards, especially in eSports titles.
Stepping up to the next generation, the UM773 features 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a generous 512GB SSD. You may have to consider an upgrade later, but for now it will definitely serve you well for the price.
The best part? All this gaming goodness comes with a price tag of just $450. So if you’re looking to build a gaming setup on a budget without compromising on performance, the MINISFORUM Venus Series UM773 is definitely worth considering.
3. Zotac ZBox Magnus One
The ultimate mini PC with dedicated graphics
Professionals:
- Dedicated and powerful GPU
- Small despite the specs
Cons:
- More RAM for the price would be nice
The Zotac Magnus One doesn’t look like much, but the small chassis hides a beefy RTX 3070 GPU. This graphics card is powerful, delivering solid 1440p gaming performance that will let you dive into most modern titles with ease. Although the CPU is quite old, it is still a solid performer that will not interfere with the GPU, ensuring that you get the best gaming experience possible. While 16GB of RAM may seem a bit modest compared to some other mini PCs on the market, it’s more than enough for gaming and general use.
In terms of pricing, the Zotac Magnus One is on the more expensive side. You could probably get a more powerful full-size gaming PC for the same amount of money. However, if you’re looking for a compact, space-saving solution without sacrificing gaming performance, the Magnus One is worth every penny. Its sleek design, impressive specs, and solid gaming performance make it one of the best mini PCs for gaming enthusiasts who value form factor and functionality.
4. Mac mini M2
The best mini PC for Mac
Professionals:
- Very capable for the price
- Performance increase over M1
Cons:
You might not think of gaming when you think of the Mac mini M2, but it delivers surprisingly good performance, allowing you to play a wide range of games at decent frame rates. And considering its price, it’s hard not to consider the Mac mini M2 a capable mini gaming PC. With a noticeable increase in performance compared to the M1 chip, the M2 chip comes with eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores, supporting high performance whether you’re playing games or doing work.
Thanks to the multitude of ports, the Mac mini M2 supports up to two 4K displays at 120Hz, and since the M2 natively supports Thunderbolt, you can even back it up with an external GPU later. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, so if you plan to play online, you won’t be disappointed. Yes, for pure gaming performance a Windows PC is a better option, but if you want a Mac and want to dabble in gaming here and there, it’s an affordable option.
5. Acemagician Mini PC
The best ultra-cheap mini PC for gaming
Professionals:
Cons:
We get it, mini PCs are expensive, but if you’re looking to save a few bucks, the Acemagician Mini PCs might be for you. It doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card and probably won’t run super well with AAA games, but if you just want something that will play the odd indie game and you’re okay with turning down the settings, you could do a lot worse, especially considering the price of this thing. Plus, this mini PC is equipped with 16 GB of RAM, so it can play even the most demanding game of all: Google Chrome.
It’s incredibly compact, but still features the latest connectivity technology like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. It’s an ideal investment if you enjoy playing casual games like Hearthstone, but are still capable of more demanding games like Rust and GTA5.
How to choose the best mini PC for gaming
Just like with any gaming PC, finding the best mini PC for gaming depends on what games you want to play and at what resolution. Mini PCs are much smaller compared to desktop computers and even some laptops, and size limitations naturally limit the components included.
If you want to play the latest titles smoothly, you’ll want to aim for a mini PC with a solid graphics card. Look for models that are equipped with advanced graphics such as the NVIDIA RTX series or AMD Radeon cards, rather than integrated graphics. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t mind playing games that have just been released, you can get away with something less powerful.
A good processor is critical to gaming performance and overall system responsiveness. Aim for mini PCs with mid to high-end processors, ideally around 4 cores, 8 threads and a high clock speed – around 4.0 GHz or higher – just so your PC doesn’t crash when you try yes multitasking. Likewise, you’ll need a decent amount of RAM (at least 16GB) and storage (at least 512GB SSD) to run and store your games smoothly.
Once you’ve determined the specs, make sure the mini PC has enough ports for your peripherals, as well as HDMI or DisplayPort outputs for connecting to external monitors or TVs. The Thunderbolt ports are also a nice bonus if you plan to connect high-speed external storage or other devices.
FAQ
Are mini PCs good for gaming?
Mini PCs are capable enough to offer gamers decent performance in a small and compact package. However, due to their size, mini PCs will never be able to achieve the same levels of performance as a full-sized desktop PC.
Which is better, a mini PC or a PC?
Full-size PCs tend to be more powerful, allow more room for upgrades, and are often preferred for the future. Mini PCs, however, take up much less space, can still offer a lot of power, and are upgradeable.
What are the disadvantages of a mini computer?
Since mini PCs are smaller, upgrading can sometimes be a problem. Depending on the CPU and GPU you want to use, you may not be able to fit them into a mini PC. They are designed to be compact, meaning there is less space overall.
