Rewritten Article:
Top Picks for Mini PCs in 2025: My Favorite Compact Computers
Are you in search of the perfect gaming companion but have limited space? Look no further than mini PCs! These tiny powerhouses have become a force to be reckoned with in recent years. The mini PC market has exploded with options, providing an array of devices that range from budget-friendly to cutting-edge gaming perfection.
In this guide, we'll help you navigate the landscape by highlighting some of the top mini PCs on the market and explaining why they are the best choices for gamers who want a powerful and pocket-friendly gaming rig.
Top 6 Mini PCs for Gamers
- Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT: This mini powerhouse takes the crown for the best overall mini PC. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU and a Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU, the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT delivers an exceptional combination of gaming prowess and phenomenal all-around performance.
- Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro: Known as the best budget mini PC, the Venus UM790 Pro offers a fantastic balance of price and performance. This barebones unit comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and integrated Radeon 780M GPU, providing gamers with smooth frame rates at 1080p.
- Asus ROG NUC: This mini gaming powerhouse is perfect for those seeking a compact PC with serious muscle. The laptop GPU upgrade and RTX 4070 Mobile GPU make it a fantastic choice for gamers who want to experience high-end gaming in a small package.
- Geekom AX8 Pro: If pure gaming performance is your top priority, the Geekom AX8 Pro is the one to covet. However, be prepared to pay a significant price for this sleek gaming beast.
- Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti: This mini PC features the latest intel CPU and Arc GPU, providing impressive gaming capabilities. The AtomMan X7 Ti is a powerful little machine that delivers a solid balance of performance and size.
- Beelink SER9: With the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, the Beelink SER9 boasts the best iGPU in a mini PC. It's an elegant and quiet machine that offers outstanding gaming performance with the Radeon 890M.
The Best Overall Mini PC for Gaming
The Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT has earned its title as the best overall mini PC for gaming. Its AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU and Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU make it more than capable of delivering excellent gaming performance and impressive productivity power.
The Best Budget Mini PC for Gaming
When it comes to budget-friendly gaming, the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro is the way to go. Pick the barebones unit, source your own RAM and storage, and take advantage of its fantastic APU and competitive pricing.
The Best Mini PCs Tested
For those seeking to explore other options, here are a few mini PCs that have been tested:
- ASRock DeskMini X600: Despite its potential for using Ryzen 8000 series chips, this mini PC's cooling system is less than stellar.
- Zotac Zbox Magnus EN374070C: A simple, easy-to-use mini PC that delivers strong 1440p performance, but has mediocre RAM speeds and tends to run a bit noisy.
- Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti: This model performs well and looks great but is prone to throttling and has limited RAM speeds.
How the Mini PCs Were Tested
Our team puts mini PCs through a comprehensive test suite to assess their performance in gaming, productivity, and cooling capacity. Games are run through 3DMark Time Spy to evaluate overall performance, and Forza Motorsport, Total War: Warhammer 3, Homeworld 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 are tested at 1080p medium settings to provide insights into how they handle gaming. Additionally, CPU performance is assessed through Blender and Cinebench, and temperature and power draw measurements are taken when subjecting the units to stress tests.
Five Frequently Asked Questions About Mini PCs for Gaming
- Is a mini PC worth buying for gaming? Absolutely! Mini PCs have come a long way in recent years, and a growing number of models are now capable of offering excellent gaming performance.
- What's the disadvantage of using a mini PC for gaming? The primary disadvantage is that overheating can be a concern with mini PCs, primarily due to their smaller size.
- Do mini PCs for gaming overheat easily? Quality cooling systems can help manage heat, but overheating is still a possibility, especially with more demanding games or intense uses.
- Are mini PCs bad for gaming? Not at all! There are many top-tier mini PCs on the market that perform brilliantly for gaming, offering an ideal solution for gamers with limited space.
- What's the best way to prevent mini PCs from overheating when gaming? Keeping your mini PC in a well-ventilated location is one of the best preventative measures. Some units come with built-in cooling systems, and others may require aftermarket cooling solutions.
- Incorporating science in its design, some mini PCs, like the Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT, include advanced cooling systems to manage heat and ensure smooth gaming performance.
- With the emergence of health-and-wellness conscious gamers, mental health is increasingly becoming a concern in the gaming community. The compact yet powerful mini PCs may not provide the same physical exercise as traditional games, but they can reduce stress by offering a quiet and space-saving gaming solution.
- For fans of collectible card games, mini PCs can allow them to play their favorite titles on the go, without compromising on graphics or performance.
- If you're considering betting on eSports but limited space is an issue, a mini PC could be an ideal investment, offering the required power for smooth streaming and gameplay.
- As the season of big games approaches, upgrading to a mini PC like the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro could give you a competitive edge, allowing you to enjoy the latest titles without breaking the bank.
