are gaming Mini PC's any good?

[Chris Solomon]

so, that time of year has rolled around agian, where i am assemblinmg a list of stuff i want from that big fatman from up north, and i co-incidently also need a new system, but am told that 'santa' is on a budget this year. so the $3k MSI gaming laptop i wanted is off the table. the budget is much, much less than i would like. but behold! during the black friday and holiday sales on amazon i saw sales on Mini form factor PC's for less than $1000. this is appearently more acceptable to "Santa" this year. before i even begin looking at them, i am wondering if any of them are even any good for playing games that are out now and games that will come out in the next 3 - 4 years. from what I could see, on all the ones i looked at, I would need to get an Graphics card and proper device to hookup via the Thunderbolt 4 port. Intel graphics wont cut it for gaming, this I know. and none of the Mini PC's that i saw come with nVidia Graphics. the intel i7/i9 ones i am looking at, all seem to be based off of Intel Mini Nuc setups.

[Electric Cupcake]

Mini-ITX motherboards and cube cases work fine.

Any smaller than that should be left to HTPC media center and retro/emu gaming.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-ITX#/media/File:VIA_Mainboards_Form_Factor_Comparison.jpg

I have no experience with eGPU enclosures, but I've heard they're a headache to work with and often dependent on specialized proprietary drivers and firmware.

[Haruspex]

Yes, I think they're very good.

BUT, you have to temper your expectations.

The good ones for gaming are typically Ryzen APU/SOC systems with Vega or RDNA integrated graphics.

Kind of like a Steam Deck, you can play older AAA games very very well, and new AAA games pretty well with the right settings.

They're an inexpensive, space saving, power sipping way to get into PC gaming, just without the portability of something like a Steam Deck or ROG Ally.

[Dutchgamer1982]

pc is pc.

mini pc does have negatives.
-the smaller form factor means you don't have free chooice in parts, this can mean you may need to pick the more expensiove options

-with todays behemoths of gpu's it can also lock you out of certain models... alltogether.. lkike no 4090 or force you to watercooled models.. (which the extra added costs).

-the head also can get out such a small form less well, so you will sacrifice in the form of noice, or decreased performance or a combination of both

that said all these things can be relatively managed.. so you basicly get a 900 euro list of pc parts with performance of one of 800 euro.. for 1000

which to me is not worth it.. but if you have little space. or need to regulairyly take your pc with you like for lanparties. or if you travel between home and a studendorm and not want to use a laptop which would at that price perform a lot worse..

than it certainly has it''s place.

I did build a passieve cooled pc once in a case not larger than a 25cm cube... yet it had a undervolted 1660, (back when that still did ment something) a decent cpu and even a optical drive.

[Chris Solomon]

Electric Cupcake님이 먼저 게시:

Mini-ITX motherboards and cube cases work fine.

Any smaller than that should be left to HTPC media center and retro/emu gaming.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-ITX#/media/File:VIA_Mainboards_Form_Factor_Comparison.jpg

I have no experience with eGPU enclosures, but I've heard they're a headache to work with and often dependent on specialized proprietary drivers and firmware.

that should not be the case since thunderbolt 4 which has a direct pipeline to the system bus.

[Dutchgamer1982]

err when I list mini pc.. I do still mean motherboard + cpu + ram+ m.2 + gpu + psu just all jammed in a really really small case.

the smallest even have custom psu's.. with much smaller form factors, or with the travo part of it worked into the wire.. so it is a block hidden behind your desk not inside your case...

if you go without a gpu.. and pick an apu from amd.. it can indeed be VERY small..
but than performance quite suffers... so I'd advise against that.

[Chris Solomon]

I was thinking about something like this model listed here::

https://www.amazon.com/Windows-Display-Thunderbolt-Desktop-Computer/dp/B0CMTV7Y1J/

[pasa]

As usual, the i9 version makes no sense except to throw away money. The ryzen 7 based 6800H or successor) is probably way better. Or intlel i5; (very)maybe i7. But in any case make sure it's what you look for, no upgrades, no real gpu option, you're stuck with the thermals provided by this nothing box -- probably fine to play 10+ year old titles, for anything modern all bets are off. Find some real life reviews maybe vith video showing what works.

[Dutchgamer1982]

Intel Iris Xe Graphics(request dual channel memory) = bad

I would want a dedicated gpu in it for that price.

what are you planning to do with it? that looks more like an office pc.

[Dutchgamer1982]

I personally would advise you to just build a normal desktop pc (and there are stores who do that for you for 50 euro if you don't dare to do it yourself)

it may not be the ultimate gaming laptop but 1000 euro can get you something like :

MSI Bravo 15 C7VF 15 C7VF-001NL

999 euro right now, including 21% vat..

with a 4070 and an ryzen 7 in it.. the screen is small but hey that mini pc did not even have any you can always connect the laptop to external screen.

with 1000 euro to spend...

CASE : Aerocool Trinity Mini V2
CPU : AMD RYzen 5 7600X
COOLING : Cooler Master Hyper 212
MOBO : ASRock B550M Pro4
RAM : G.Skill Ripjaws V F4-4000C18D-32GVK
GPU : ASRock AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT Challenger D 8GB OC
PSU : 750W, modulair Gold 80+ (pick any available near you.
M.2 : WD Blue SN570 1TB
SCREEN : ASRock PG27FF1A

something like that can be had for 1000 euro.
if you not want a screen.. you might even get a better gpu.

[hackintoshchap]

Forget Intel NUC or similar Intel mini PC models for gaming. The Intel integrated graphics will play games like Half Life 2,but NOT anything modern and certainly not new release or games being released over the next 3-4 years.

Here is a desktop Ryzen 7 processor using integrated graphics shown against a desktop Intel i3 processor with similar graphics performance to the i7/i9 style mini PC you have listed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gZm7Pq3Dw

Here is the BEST integrated mini PC graphics in a mini form factor from AMD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq8klEVd1pw

Product link:
https://store.minisforum.com/products/minisforum-um780-xtx?variant=44217199100149

This isn't as good as a budget gaming pc with an Intel i5 processor and cheapest RX6400 GPU - which is better avoided as only 4GB video RAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RouDBbWkKpg

Depending what games you want to play, a console may be worth considering, certainly getting good performance from a small box has a lot of compromises around the graphics card and that it the bit you probably want to spend more money on. A bigger box with a bigger motherboard and replaceable graphics card will outperform the small form factor offerings.

What is the balance between small box, price and performance that you best value given the budget you are looking at?

[Dutchgamer1982]

hackintoshchap님이 먼저 게시:

Forget Intel NUC or similar Intel mini PC models for gaming. The Intel integrated graphics will play games like Half Life 2,but NOT anything modern and certainly not new release or games being released over the next 3-4 years.

Here is a desktop Ryzen 7 processor using integrated graphics shown against a desktop Intel i3 processor with similar graphics performance to the i7/i9 style mini PC you have listed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gZm7Pq3Dw

Here is the BEST integrated mini PC graphics in a mini form factor from AMD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq8klEVd1pw

Product link:
https://store.minisforum.com/products/minisforum-um780-xtx?variant=44217199100149

This isn't as good as a budget gaming pc with an Intel i5 processor and cheapest RX6400 GPU - which is better avoided as only 4GB video RAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RouDBbWkKpg

Depending what games you want to play, a console may be worth considering, certainly getting good performance from a small box has a lot of compromises around the graphics card and that it the bit you probably want to spend more money on. A bigger box with a bigger motherboard and replaceable graphics card will outperform the small form factor offerings.

What is the balance between small box, price and performance that you best value given the budget you are looking at?

as I just showed at that budget you can build a pc with an 6650XT.. that should suffice.

[hackintoshchap]

I don't disagree that a good PC can be built for $1,000, I made the point that it would be the best performing machine.

I have provided links for the current Intel and AMD integrated graphics in the first video.
The best performing small form factor hardware is in the second video

And the third video shows the best small form factor against a very basic dedicated build where the RX6400 while out performing the best Integrated graphics on PC still can be improved upon for a small increase in cost.

You might want to change the listed AM5 Ryzen 5 7600X for a AM4 Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X

[Dutchgamer1982]

hackintoshchap님이 먼저 게시:

I don't disagree that a good PC can be built for $1,000, I made the point that it would be the best performing machine.

I have provided links for the current Intel and AMD integrated graphics in the first video.
The best performing small form factor hardware is in the second video

And the third video shows the best small form factor against a very basic dedicated build where the RX6400 while out performing the best Integrated graphics on PC still can be improved upon for a small increase in cost.

You might want to change the listed AM5 Ryzen 5 7600X for a AM4 Ryzen 5 5600 or 5600X

thr build wad mostly an 900 build I recenty did with improbements (more ram, beter cpu)

you are correct neef to swap the mobo for am5 too.

ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi
at 200 euro is great.

wifi6, alc1200, 4 menory slots.

all you want.

[Chris Solomon]

hackintoshchap님이 먼저 게시:

Forget Intel NUC or similar Intel mini PC models for gaming. The Intel integrated graphics will play games like Half Life 2,but NOT anything modern and certainly not new release or games being released over the next 3-4 years.

Here is a desktop Ryzen 7 processor using integrated graphics shown against a desktop Intel i3 processor with similar graphics performance to the i7/i9 style mini PC you have listed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gZm7Pq3Dw

Here is the BEST integrated mini PC graphics in a mini form factor from AMD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq8klEVd1pw

Product link:
https://store.minisforum.com/products/minisforum-um780-xtx?variant=44217199100149

This isn't as good as a budget gaming pc with an Intel i5 processor and cheapest RX6400 GPU - which is better avoided as only 4GB video RAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RouDBbWkKpg

Depending what games you want to play, a console may be worth considering, certainly getting good performance from a small box has a lot of compromises around the graphics card and that it the bit you probably want to spend more money on. A bigger box with a bigger motherboard and replaceable graphics card will outperform the small form factor offerings.

What is the balance between small box, price and performance that you best value given the budget you are looking at?

i know and agree that intel graphics suck balls when it comes to anything other than displaying the desktop. my idea was I would simply get an external thunderbolt GPU adapter and get whatever nvidia card I could afford (or that santa gave me. i was looking for at least an i7, otherwise it would be a downgrade to what i am using now. all the deals on the mini PC's have dried up, so if i plan on going this route, i will have to wait until next year's black friday sales. my main problem in terms of cost, is that santa's helper (Mom) does not keep her word and conveniently forgets what she tells me (she told me if i got a cheaper laptop (in 2017) i could use it for a couple of years then get a new one with newer specs. and now she denies even saying that. so i am stuck with an aging system that is no longer fully functional (keyboard has keys that no longer work and unit does not have a replaceable keyboard). I would very much prefer to go back to building my own desktop systems which are infinitely customize-able and configurable (not to mention hell of a lot easier to upgrade). but she thinks it is better to get preconfigured systems (blech! i hate dealing with the crapware they include along with where they use less capable components in order to save money on the build (as in a USB 2.0 card reader on a USB 3.1 Gen 2 system)).

[PopinFRESH]

Chris Solomon님이 먼저 게시:

hackintoshchap님이 먼저 게시:

Forget Intel NUC or similar Intel mini PC models for gaming. The Intel integrated graphics will play games like Half Life 2,but NOT anything modern and certainly not new release or games being released over the next 3-4 years.

Here is a desktop Ryzen 7 processor using integrated graphics shown against a desktop Intel i3 processor with similar graphics performance to the i7/i9 style mini PC you have listed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40gZm7Pq3Dw

Here is the BEST integrated mini PC graphics in a mini form factor from AMD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq8klEVd1pw

Product link:
https://store.minisforum.com/products/minisforum-um780-xtx?variant=44217199100149

This isn't as good as a budget gaming pc with an Intel i5 processor and cheapest RX6400 GPU - which is better avoided as only 4GB video RAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RouDBbWkKpg

Depending what games you want to play, a console may be worth considering, certainly getting good performance from a small box has a lot of compromises around the graphics card and that it the bit you probably want to spend more money on. A bigger box with a bigger motherboard and replaceable graphics card will outperform the small form factor offerings.

What is the balance between small box, price and performance that you best value given the budget you are looking at?

i know and agree that intel graphics suck balls when it comes to anything other than displaying the desktop. my idea was I would simply get an external thunderbolt GPU adapter and get whatever nvidia card I could afford (or that santa gave me. i was looking for at least an i7, otherwise it would be a downgrade to what i am using now. all the deals on the mini PC's have dried up, so if i plan on going this route, i will have to wait until next year's black friday sales. my main problem in terms of cost, is that santa's helper (Mom) does not keep her word and conveniently forgets what she tells me (she told me if i got a cheaper laptop (in 2017) i could use it for a couple of years then get a new one with newer specs. and now she denies even saying that. so i am stuck with an aging system that is no longer fully functional (keyboard has keys that no longer work and unit does not have a replaceable keyboard). I would very much prefer to go back to building my own desktop systems which are infinitely customize-able and configurable (not to mention hell of a lot easier to upgrade). but she thinks it is better to get preconfigured systems (blech! i hate dealing with the crapware they include along with where they use less capable components in order to save money on the build (as in a USB 2.0 card reader on a USB 3.1 Gen 2 system)).

Just get a basic desktop PC with a decent CPU & GPU. For a $1000 budget you can get a PC + 1080p monitor that is going to be substantially better performance than what you've listed for that "mini PC". If you are competent enough to build your own PC then use PC Part Picker to put together a parts list that is within the budget your mom will allow.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/pnBm34

Then get a cheap monitor until you can afford to upgrade your GPU and display.

Also, you should learn to be a bit more grateful for someone else's money. It isn't your money that is being spent. If you want to spend more money on a PC, then go put in the work to mow your neighbors lawns or do chores for them. Welcome to the real world where your mom doesn't just poop out money when she wants more of it...

EDIT: Also you should probably go actually look into those Thunderbolt 4 eGPU enclosures.... You'll spend $350 - $500 on the enclosure + a GPU.