Top Mini Gaming PCs to Buy in 2025

Gone are the days when a gaming PC had to be a bulky tower that dominated your desk space. Today, the best mini PCs for gaming offer incredible performance while being as compact as a cable box, making them ideal for space-conscious gamers.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Mini PCs for Gaming:

Our Top Pick### Asus ROG NUC

22See it at Amazon### MinisForum Venus Series UM773

14See it at Amazon### Zotac ZBox Magnus One

12See it at Amazon### Apple Mac mini M2

8See it at AmazonSee it at AppleThere are inevitably some trade-offs when opting for a mini gaming PC over a full tower. The smaller size limits the space for high-end graphics cards and CPU coolers, meaning you won't often find mini PCs equipped with the likes of an RTX 5090 and an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K without breaking the bank. Instead, you might encounter devices like the recently announced GMKTec Evo-X, which uses a powerful APU rather than discrete graphics.

Different manufacturers tackle these space constraints uniquely. For example, Asus has acquired the NUC (next unit of computing) brand from Intel to create compact desktop PCs that utilize mobile hardware. Meanwhile, companies like Zotac manage to fit powerful desktop-class hardware into tiny chassis, which can be more challenging to service or upgrade and often come at a higher cost, but offer significant space savings.

Additional contributions by Kegan Mooney

Asus ROG NUC – Photos

View 7 Images1. Asus ROG NUC

Best Mini PC for Gaming

Our Top Pick### Asus ROG NUC

22The Asus ROG NUC is as compact as a mini gaming PC can be, yet it's equipped with a mobile-class RTX 4070 for surprising gaming prowess. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPUIntel Core Ultra 7 – Intel Core Ultra 9GPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060 – Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (Mobile)RAM16GB – 32GB DDR5Storage512GB – 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSDPorts1 x SD Card Reader, 4 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x 3.mm Headphone, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 2 x USB-A 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x DisplayPort 1.4A, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x PowerPROSThe size of a cable boxEasy to open and upgradeCONSMobile-class hardware can hold it backWhen I first opened the Asus ROG NUC, I was struck by its small and lightweight design. Despite using mobile-class hardware, it's perfect for connecting to a TV without adding bulk. Its resemblance to a cable box makes it an excellent choice for blending into a living room setup. It's already a great media center PC, and with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, it delivers solid gaming performance up to a certain point.

The main challenge with the Asus ROG NUC is the limitation of mobile-class hardware, particularly when connected to a 4K TV. While it can handle any PC game, including demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong, at 1080p, you might need to adjust settings at 4K to maintain a smooth frame rate.

Despite these limitations, the Asus ROG NUC is more powerful than a PS5, and its Nvidia graphics support DLSS, helping to bridge the performance gap at 4K. Just remember, you won't be able to max out games with full ray tracing, but given its tiny size, fitting a full desktop-class graphics card is simply not feasible.

The Asus ROG NUC stands out as one of the best mini gaming PCs available, though you'll need to weigh whether a gaming laptop might be a better fit for your needs.

2. MinisForum Venus Series UM773

Best Budget Mini PC for Gaming

### MinisForum Venus Series UM773

14This wallet-friendly mini PC delivers impressive performance for esports gaming. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPUAMD Ryzen 7 7735HSGPUAMD Radeon 680MRAM32GB DDR5Storage512GB SSDPorts2 x HDMI, 1 x USB4 Type–C,1 x USB 3.2 Type-C, 4 x USB 3.2 Type-A,1 x RJ45,1 x DMIC port, 1 x 3.5mm Combo JackPROSAffordableGood GPU performanceCONSNo discrete GPUFor those seeking a budget-friendly mini PC that doesn't compromise on performance, the MinisForum Venus Series UM773 is a compelling option. Priced at just $450, it boasts an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS and integrated AMD Radeon 680M graphics, which can compete with some entry-level dedicated graphics cards, especially in esports titles.

The UM773 comes equipped with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD, providing a solid foundation for gaming, though future upgrades may be necessary as your needs grow.

3. Zotac ZBox Magnus One

Best Mini PC with Desktop Graphics

### Zotac ZBox Magnus One

12Experience desktop-level graphics with this compact gaming PC powered by an RTX 3070 for smooth 1440p gaming. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCPUIntel Core i5-10400GPUGeForce RTX 3060 RAM16GB DDR4Storage512GB SSDPorts1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, Gigabit LAN, Ethernet; 4 x USB 3.1, 4 x USB 3.0 (1 Type-C)PROSDedicated and powerful GPUSmall despite the specsCONSMore RAM for the price would be niceThe Zotac ZBox Magnus One might not look impressive at first glance, but it houses a powerful RTX 3070 GPU within its compact frame. This GPU excels at 1440p gaming, and despite the older CPU, it won't bottleneck the graphics card, ensuring top-notch gaming performance. While 16GB of RAM is somewhat modest, it's sufficient for gaming and everyday tasks.

The Zotac Magnus One comes with a higher price tag, but if you prioritize a compact form factor without sacrificing gaming performance, it's a worthwhile investment. Its sleek design and robust specs make it an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts who value both form and function.

4. Mac mini M2

Best Mini PC for Mac

### Apple Mac mini M2

8The Mac mini M2 offers robust performance for both work and play, thanks to its eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. See it at AmazonSee it at AppleProduct SpecificationsCPUApple M2 chip (8-core)GPU10-core GPURAMUp to 24GB unified memoryStorageUp to 2TBPorts2 x Thunderbolt 4 with support for DisplayPort, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 , 1 x USB 4, 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s), 1 x Thunderbolt 2, 1 x HDMI, 1 x DVI, 2 x USB-A, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5 mm headphone jackPROSVery capable for the pricePerformance increase over the M1CONSLimited to two displaysWhile the Mac mini M2 might not be the first choice for gaming, it offers surprisingly good performance for a range of games at decent frame rates. At its price point, it's a compelling option for those wanting a capable gaming mini PC. The M2 chip, with its eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores, provides a significant performance boost over the M1, making it suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks.

With its array of ports, the Mac mini M2 supports up to two 4K displays at 120Hz and has Thunderbolt support for potential future upgrades with an external GPU. It also features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a smooth online gaming experience. While a Windows PC might offer better pure gaming performance, the Mac mini M2 is a solid choice for Mac users interested in casual gaming. Check out our roundup on the best monitors for Mac Mini to find the perfect display to pair with it.

How to Pick the Best Mini PC for Gaming

Choosing the best mini PC for gaming depends on the games you want to play and your preferred resolution. Mini PCs, being smaller than traditional desktop PCs and some laptops, have inherent component limitations.

For smooth gameplay of the latest titles, focus on a mini PC with a robust GPU. Opt for models with modern graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX series or AMD Radeon rather than integrated graphics. If you're on a budget and don't mind playing older or less demanding games, a less powerful GPU might suffice.

A strong CPU is essential for gaming and system responsiveness. Look for mini PCs with mid-to-high-end CPUs, ideally with about 4 cores, 8 threads, and a high clock speed of around 4.0GHz or more, to ensure smooth multitasking. Adequate RAM (at least 16GB) and storage (at least 512GB SSD) are also crucial for running and storing games efficiently.

Ensure the mini PC has sufficient ports for your peripherals, along with HDMI or DisplayPort outputs for connecting to external monitors or TVs. Thunderbolt ports can be a valuable addition for high-speed external storage or other devices.

Mini PC FAQ

Are mini PCs good for gaming?

The answer depends on your gaming expectations. While mini PCs may struggle with 4K gaming, they can still deliver a solid experience at 1080p, especially with indie games. Today's mini gaming PCs with integrated graphics can provide a satisfying gaming experience for those who don't demand the highest settings.

What is better: mini PC or PC?

It depends on your priorities. A full-sized gaming PC with a top-tier processor and graphics card will outperform any mini PC. However, for those with limited space, a mini PC's compactness can outweigh the performance difference, particularly when paired with a lower-resolution monitor.

What are the downsides to a mini PC?

When choosing a mini PC, you'll need to make compromises in at least one of three areas: price, performance, or upgradability. High-end mini PCs with desktop components are costly, while affordable options often rely on integrated graphics, suitable mainly for 1080p gaming at medium to high settings. If upgradability is crucial, options are limited in small form factors, and these tend to be pricier.