This post was originally published on here
PCs have been through a number of evolutions in terms of size. They have transformed from hulking machines to something about the size of a hardback book that still packs enough power to handle demanding workloads. The same has happened with gaming PCs. With their increased power and cooling demand, it’s amazing just how much can fit into such a small package.
Also: The best gaming PCs you can buy
If you don’t have the space in your life for a huge gaming rig, a mini gaming PC can still deliver the power you need. For April, I replaced all of the entries with mini PCs from well-known brands including HP, Dell, and Raspberry Pi.
Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.
Show more (4 items)
Best desktops deals of the week
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
What is the best mini gaming PC right now?
I chose the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 as the best mini gaming PC you can buy for it’s incredible versatility, truly micro form factor, and active modding community. But if you’re looking for something less DIY, brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo all offer great micro PCs.
Keep reading below to find out more about the Raspberry Pi CM5 and my other picks for the best mini gaming PC.
The best mini gaming PCs of 2026
Raspberry Pi
Why we like it: The Raspberry Pi is the ultimate DIY gaming rig, with nearly endless configuration options and an impressively compact design. You can purchase partially pre-built configurations with up to 16GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, letting you get a jumpstart on your custom build. You can also opt for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity modules to round out your rig.
Who it’s for: More advanced DIY PC builders will love the versatility of the Raspberry Pi. It allows you to build custom emulation machines for retro games as well as ultra-portable rigs for casual gaming on-the-go. There are plenty of configuration options as well as a robust hobbyist community to help beginners looking to cut their teeth.
Also: Your Raspberry Pi 5 just got a major functionality upgrade
Who should look elsewhere: The Raspberry Pi can just about do it all when it comes to retro gaming and emulation, but it requires quite a bit of technical know-how to get started. Especially if you’re wanting to build a custom rig. Thankfully, there are plenty of pre-built mini PC configurations from HP, Dell, and more that don’t feel like they require a computer engineering degree use.
Raspberry Pi tech specs CPU: Custom 2.4GHz ARM processor | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 64GB | Graphics: User added
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
HP/ZDNET
Why we like it: The HP EliteDesk 8 Mini manages to pack a ton of power and performance into an ultra-tiny build. Measuring just 7 x7 x 1 inches, you can easily tuck the PC behind your monitor or mount it to your desk, making it perfect for super small spaces. Built with an AMD Ryzen AI 5 Pro CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD, you get a solid rig without the bulk of a full-size tower.
Who it’s for: This ultra-compact AMD build is perfect for anyone who needs a desktop that can pull double duty as a workstation and gaming rig. With four M.2 SSD slots, you’ll have plenty of room to grow as your needs change, while Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support give you blazing fast wireless internet and more stable connections to wireless peripherals.
More: The best HP laptops you can buy
Who should look elsewhere: The HP EliteDesk 8 doesn’t have a configuration option to include a dedicated graphics card from AMD, Intel, or Nvidia. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics engine is powerful enough to handle casual games and older titles. If you want to play triple-A releases, you’ll have to invest in a GPU and external housing.
HP EliteDesk 8 Mini G1a tech specs CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 5 Pro 340 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon 840M
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Lenovo/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s doesn’t skimp out on memory and storage, offering 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. If your needs change down the line, it supports up to 64GB of memory and up to 10TB of SSD drives. A dedicated Intel Arc graphics card means you’ll be able to handle everything from casual pixel art games to the latest triple-A titles.
Who it’s for: If you prefer Intel builds, the ThinkCentre M90s is a solid setup that pushes into the higher end of mid-range. You’ll get tons of storage and performance for everything from office work and streaming to content creation and gaming. With Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, you’ll get faster wireless internet and more stable connections to peripherals like headsets and mice.
Read more: The best Lenovo laptops you can buy
Who should look elsewhere: Even though the Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s is a solid build with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, the Intel Arc graphics card may not work well with all game titles. You can choose to configure your ThinkCentre M90s with an RTX 3050, but it will raise the price quite a bit.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s tech specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 225 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Graphics: Intel Arc
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Asus/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Asus ROG GR70 is a micro PC tailor-made for gaming, with an RTX 5070 laptop edition graphics card for high-end gaming. It’s built with 16GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD but can support up to 96GB of memory and up to four SSD drives.
Who it’s for: Serious gamers and content creators who need a lot of power in a very small package can take full advantage of the high-end components included. With support for high-capacity RAM and SSDs, you’ll have room to grow as your needs change.
More: The best mini PCs you can buy
Who should look elsewhere: The high-end components and inclusion of a discrete graphics card means that the GR70 has a premium price to match. If you’re looking for something more modestly priced, there are mid-range options from HP, Dell, and Lenovo, but they all require a separate GPU housing for more demanding game titles.
Asus ROG GR70 tech specs CPU: AMD Ryzen 9955HX | RAM: Up to 96GB | Storage: 2TB SSD included, supports up to 4 SSD drives | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop edition
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
Why we like it: The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is one of our favorite alternatives to the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. Built with an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an Intel Arc graphics card, you’ll have plenty of power for playing your favorite games on-the-go.
Who it’s for: If you’re looking for a Steam Deck competitor that’s worth the elevated retail price, the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is a great option. With an 8-inch display capable of 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, you’ll get a clean image while playing fast-paced action or sports titles. And the 1TB SSD gives you plenty of storage space for large downloads, save files, and apps.
Also: MSI Claw 8 AI Plus
Who should look elsewhere: The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is another victim of rising prices due to RAM and SSD shortages, seeing retail prices above $1,000. With such a high price tag, a stationary micro desktop offers more performance for about the same cost. It also gives you many more customization options for storage, operating systems, and your display.
MSI Claw 8 AI Plus tech specs CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Graphics: Intel Arc
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
I chose the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 as the best mini gaming PC you can buy. It’s an incredibly versatile piece of tech, with nearly infinite customization options for running ROMs and Linux-compatible games. Its extreme form factor means you can fit it into just about any housing you can dream up, and its very affordable price means that even beginner DIY PC builders can take a chance on one.
|
Best mini gaming PC |
Price |
CPU |
RAM/Storage |
|
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 |
$68 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
HP EliteDesk 8 Mini G1a |
$1,609 |
AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 |
32GB, 1TB SSD |
|
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s |
$1,529 |
Intel Core Ultra 5 225 |
32GB, 1TB SSD |
|
Asus ROG GR70 |
$3,349 |
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX |
Up to 96GB, 2TB |
|
MSI Claw 8 AI Plus |
$1,162 |
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
32GB, 1TB SSD |
*MSRP at the time of writing.
A micro gaming PC build limits your options when it comes to graphics cards, memory, and cooling systems. Carefully consider the recommended components for your favorite games to make sure your new mini PC is able to handle them. If you’re looking for something you can make completely your own, you can’t go wrong with the Raspberry Pi CM5.
|
Buy this mini gaming PC… |
If you need… |
|
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 |
A customizable and versatile mini gaming PC that’s also affordable. |
|
HP EliteDesk 8 Mini G1a |
An AMD-based mini gaming PC. |
|
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90s |
An Intel-based mini gaming PC. |
|
Asus ROG GR70 |
A powerful mini gaming PC with a discrete graphics card. |
|
MSI Claw 8 AI Plus |
A handheld gaming PC for playing your favorite titles on the go. |
In many ways, choosing a mini PC is like a regular PC. There are all the usual performance, price, and support for all your peripherals to keep in mind. If you are after a mini PC, then size does come into play. The good news is these machines come in a range of sizes, from systems that can fit in the palm of your hand to systems so small you could hold several.
- Do you need a mini gaming PC? This is the top question when choosing a mini gaming PC. Do you actually need one, or would a full-size gaming PC be more apt for you?
- Performance: Pretty standard PC consideration here. This is normally a case of more speed, more spend.
- Budget: Small doesn’t always mean cheap, but you can save money by choosing a mini PC that suits your needs.
- Upgradability: How much upgradability do you want your mini gaming PC to have?
There are a lot of mini PCs on the market from a variety of different vendors, and I’ve tested and used mini gaming PCs from all the vendors listed here, I’ve based my selections on my experience using these brands as well as current model user reviews.
Product specs and price also come into play, but being able to draw on dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of other people’s views allows me to get a broad sense of how well-received a selected mini gaming PC is. I’ve paid particular attention to reports of performance, stability, how quiet or noisy the PC is, and weeded out many that seemed to have a poor lifespan.
What we’re left with is the best of the best, in a broad selection of categories that are applicable to mini gaming PCs.
Latest news on mini gaming PCs in 2026
January 2026: Right now RAM prices are going through the roof. This is hiking the prices of everything that has memory chips, like mini PCs. We are already seeing this have an effect on prices, and this is likely to continue throughout 2026.
October 2025: Already hearing things from some of the big names in mini gaming PCs about some cool new product coming out in 2026. Stay tuned for mini PCs that can be upgraded, and some serious performance enhancements.
A mini PC is a compact yet fully functional computer that offers many, if not all of, the capabilities of a desktop PC, but is packaged into a smaller size. Mini PCs are designed to save space and can be used for a variety of tasks, from basic computing to more demanding applications such as programming or even gaming.
A mini gaming PC takes this one step further and is a system that’s built with gaming in mind.
People often choose to invest in a mini gaming PC for these reasons:
- Space-saving: The top benefit of going for a mini gaming PC is that it takes up significantly less space than traditional desktop PCs.
- Portable: Mini gaming PCs are lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for users who need computing power on the go.
- Energy efficiency: Most mini gaming PCs consume significantly less power than a similarly-specced desktop system, which can lead to cost savings on electricity.
- Quiet: While a mini gaming PC isn’t going to be fanless, these systems are far quieter than a standard desktop system.
It depends on the model. Most mini gaming PCs allow for easy upgrades to components like RAM and storage. There’s also a system with an OCuLink port that allows the use of an external graphics card.
Like laptops, mini PCs are better aimed at those situations where you buy the PC with the spec that you need rather than relying on an upgrade down the line. If you want the maximum upgradability possible, a regular desktop gaming PC might be better for you.
Latest updates
April 2026: I replaced all of the entries with mini PCs from well-known brands including HP, Dell, and Raspberry Pi.
More mini gaming PCs to consider
Dell/ZDNET
The Dell Pro Max Micro offers dozens of configurations for CPUs, graphics cards, memory, storage, and even operating systems for a truly custom build. While the discrete GPU options are optimized for workstations and animation, they still pack plenty of punch for high-end gaming.
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Sonnet/ZDNET
While not a complete mini PC build, the Sonnet eGPU enclosure is an essential accessory for adding a dedicated graphics card to your micro build. With enough space to fit full-size cards, you can quickly connect your favorite AMD, Intel, or Nvidia graphics card when you need a power boost for high-end gaming when the integrated graphics aren’t enough.
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
For more, check out our favorite laptops, all-in-one computers, and gaming PCs of 2026.
Smartphones
Smartwatches
Other Tech Resources
ZDNET Recommends
