The Best Mini Gaming PCs Worth Buying in 2025

If you've ever dreamed of turning your living room into a gaming hub without sacrificing style or performance, then a mini gaming PC might just be the answer. Contrary to popular belief, a gaming rig doesn't have to be a monolithic tower taking up half your desk. Today’s mini PCs are designed to fit seamlessly into your space, offering powerful performance in a form factor as small as a cable box.

Best Mini PCs for Gaming

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best mini gaming PCs currently available:

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 Apple

Asus ROG NUC – Small but Mighty

The Asus ROG NUC is a marvel of engineering, packing a mobile-class RTX 4070 into a case the size of a cable box. Its sleek design makes it blend effortlessly into your entertainment setup, while its performance ensures you won’t miss out on cutting-edge gaming experiences.

Product Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 – Intel Core Ultra 9
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 – Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 (Mobile)
• RAM: 16GB – 32GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB – 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
• Ports: 1 x SD Card Reader, 4 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x 3.5mm 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 Power

Pros:

• Compact and portable
• Looks like a regular cable box
• Surprisingly powerful for its size

Cons:

• Limited by mobile-class hardware
• Performance dips at higher resolutions

2. MinisForum Venus Series UM773 – Budget-Friendly Gaming

### MinisForum Venus Series UM773

14A wallet-friendly mini PC with the performance chops to excel in esports games.See it at AmazonProduct Specifications:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
• GPU: AMD Radeon 680M
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Ports: 2 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 Jack

Pros:

• Affordable price point
• Decent GPU performance
• Good for esports and casual gaming

Cons:

• No discrete GPU

3. Zotac ZBox Magnus One – Desktop-Class Performance

### Zotac ZBox Magnus One

12Enjoy desktop-level graphics with this gaming PC rocking a beefy RTX 3070 GPU for 1440p gaming. See it at AmazonProduct Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-10400G
• GPU: GeForce RTX 3060
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Ports: 1 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)

Pros:

• Powerful RTX 3070 GPU
• Compact design
• Sleek appearance

Cons:

• Older CPU
• Could benefit from more RAM

4. Mac mini M2 – Versatile and Capable

### Apple Mac mini M2

8The Mac mini M2 delivers a strong performance in both work and play thanks to the eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores.See it at AmazonSee it at AppleProduct Specifications:

• CPU: Apple M2 chip (8-core)
• GPU: 10-core GPU
• RAM: Up to 24GB unified memory
• Storage: Up to 2TB
• Ports: 2 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 jack

Pros:

• Excellent performance for the price
• Improved over M1
• Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3

Cons:

• Limited to two displays

How to Choose the Right Mini PC for Gaming

Selecting the perfect mini gaming PC depends on your specific needs. Start by considering the types of games you enjoy and the resolution at which you play. Modern mini gaming PCs often feature advanced GPUs like the Nvidia RTX series or AMD Radeon cards, ensuring smooth gameplay even at 1080p.

A robust CPU is equally vital for seamless gaming performance. Look for mini PCs with mid-to-high-end CPUs, ideally featuring around 4 cores, 8 threads, and a clock speed above 4.0GHz. Equally important is having sufficient RAM (at least 16GB) and storage (at least 512GB SSD) to ensure smooth operation and ample space for your games.

Lastly, ensure the mini PC offers enough ports for your peripherals and supports HDMI or DisplayPort outputs for external monitors or TVs. Thunderbolt ports are a bonus for connecting high-speed external storage or other devices.

Mini PC FAQs

Are mini PCs good for gaming?

While mini gaming PCs may not match the raw power of full-sized gaming rigs, they’re more than capable of handling most modern games at 1080p with medium to high settings. For casual gamers or those prioritizing space-saving solutions, they’re a fantastic choice.

What is better: mini PC or full PC?

This depends on your priorities. Full-sized PCs offer unmatched performance, but mini PCs shine in compactness and versatility. If space is a concern, a mini PC is often the superior choice.

What are the downsides of a mini PC?

Mini PCs typically involve trade-offs in price, performance, or upgradability. High-end mini PCs can be costly, while budget models may rely on integrated graphics. Additionally, their compact design limits component upgrades.

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