Top-Picked Mini PCs in 2025: My Favorites Among Compact Computers
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The Top Mini PCs for Gaming in 2025: Unleash Power and Style
In recent years, gaming mini PCs have made tremendous strides, elevating their performance to a point where they can easily handle slightly demanding gaming tasks. These compact machines rely on Advanced Processing Units (APUs) to balance versatile computing power with energy-efficient gaming capabilities.
Here's our carefully curated list of the best mini PCs for 2025, featuring models that pair strong gaming performance with stylish designs. Please note that the following guides are based on the information available at the time of writing, and updates to new models will continue to emerge.
The Crème De La Crème: Unyielding Power and Style
- The Stellar All-rounder
Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT
This portable powerhouse is the cream of the crop for high-end, mini gaming PCs. Boasting an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU, Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU, and superb cooling mechanics, the AtomMan G7 PT delivers on both power and gaming performance. More to the point, its eight-core, 16-thread Zen 4 chip provides peak gaming experiences without sacrificing everyday computing abilities.
- The thermal Hand Grenade
Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro
The Venus UM790 Pro presents an attractive, budget-friendly option for those looking to game, work, or entertain. When paired with carefully sourced RAM and storage, this compact machine offers incredible potential with its fantastic APU and top-notch cooling system.
- The Tiny Titan
Geekom AX8 Pro
Nothing quite compares to the Geekom AX8 Pro in terms of pure gaming performance and diminutive size. While you'll need a substantial budget to enjoy this sleek gaming behemoth, the AMD processor it houses delivers impressive iGPU-based gaming performance without the loud noise typical of power-hungry machines.
- The Chic Retro
Ayaneo Retro Mini AM02
Gamers seeking a stylish mini PC with rugged gaming capabilities should look no further than the Ayaneo Retro Mini AM02, which boasts a pair of NES-inspired design aesthetics and top-tier gaming performance offered by its AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS APU.
- The Next-Gen iGPU Titan
Beelink SER9
The Beelink SER9 stands out for its unique combination of the latest Strix Point APU, boasting the most powerful iGPU to date in mini PC form. With its sleek aluminum body, the SER9 offers impressive gaming performance that rivals many larger PCs.
Honorable Mentions
- ASRock DeskMini X600: A simply designed, power-packed mini PC that struggles with cooling.
- Zotac Zbox Magnus EN374070C: A charming mini-PC with strong 1440p gaming performance, but noise issues detract from the overall experience.
- Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti: A stunning performer and looker, but marred by throttling, mediocre IO, and a noisy design.
- Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti | Core Ultra 9 185H | Intel Arc GPU: A well-designed mini PC with impressive cutting-edge specs, but average 1080p gaming performance in demanding titles.
- Intel NUC 13 Extreme | Core i9 13900K | Nvidia 3080 Ti: A powerful, compact gaming powerhouse that can push even the most demanding titles, but struggles with heat management.
How We Test Mini PCs
Our comprehensive test suite evaluates each mini PC's gaming performance and overall capabilities. To put our mini PCs through their paces, we run them through the following tests:
- 3DMark Time Spy: An overall performance benchmark.
- Forza Motorsport: Esports-friendly gaming benchmarks.
- Total War: Warhammer 3: Balanced CPU and GPU gaming benchmarks.
- Homeworld 3: CPU-focused gaming benchmarks.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Testing performance for its graphically demanding requirements.
We monitor temperature, power draw, and acoustic considerations throughout the testing process to ensure a comprehensive overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a Mini PC worth buying?
- Absolutely! If space, aesthetics, or portability is essential, a mini PC is an ideal choice, offering decent gaming performance for most AAA titles.
- What are the drawbacks of a Mini PC?
- Size limitations can restrict the available space for cooling components and components, potentially resulting in less efficient heat management and higher temperatures. Moreover, some smaller mini PCs sacrifice upgradeability.
- Do Mini PCs overheat easily?
- It depends on the build quality and heat management solutions employed by the manufacturer. While some mini PCs may encounter overheating issues under heavy loads, modern designs and cooling solutions help to alleviate these concerns.
- Are Mini PCs bad for gaming?
- Not at all! Compact gaming mini PCs are well-equipped to handle a variety of gaming tasks and offer a more space-efficient, energy-conserving gaming solution. Complete with increasingly powerful APUs and discrete GPUs, modern mini PCs can outperform some traditional desktop towers.
- To satisfy the voracious appetite of dedicated gamers, the minuscule Minisforum AtomMan G7 PT sports an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU and Radeon RX 7600M XT GPU, ensuring bets on high-end gaming are rewarded with stunning visuals and lightning-fast responses.
- Armed with a Zen 4 chip, the AtomMan G7 PT boldly delivers peak gaming sessions without compromising day-to-day computing tasks, striking a perfect balance between power and efficiency.
- For budget-savvy enthusiasts, the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro discreetly offers a combination of an unparalleled APU and superior cooling mechanisms, allowing fans to immerse themselves in various gaming, working, and entertainment experiences without breaking the bank.
- Compact in size but colossal in performance, the Geekom AX8 Pro stands tall among its diminutive brethren, providing gamers with a potent, quiet gaming experience propelled by an AMD processor that belies its diminutive proportions.
- Combining retro aesthetics with modern gaming capabilities, the Ayaneo Retro Mini AM02 offers gamers a stylish and powerful option for an all-in-one gaming solution that won't disappoint (or demand too much space).
- With cutting-edge iGPU technology, the Beelink SER9 confidently strides into the gaming fray, boasting impressive gaming performance and advanced connectivity options, such as DisplayPort, that enable seamless streaming and gaming experiences.
- Don't let the petite dimensions fool you, as some enticing mini PCs such as the ASRock DeskMini X600, Zotac Zbox Magnus EN374070C, Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti, Minisforum AtomMan X7 Ti | Core Ultra 9 185H | Intel Arc GPU, and Intel NUC 13 Extreme | Core i9 13900K | Nvidia 3080 Ti may come burdened with compromises related to cooling, noise, or expandability, warranting careful consideration before leaping into the world of mini gaming PCs.
