Are mini-PCs good for gaming?
Mini-PCs are for the ones who love a lot of power in a compact case. Think of it as an Xbox or Playstation, but even more powerful and, in most cases, smaller. A mini gaming PC allows much room for portability and lets you set up practically anywhere. You would likely put it in your living room if I were a betting man.
What makes mini-PCs good for gaming?
Because mini gaming PCs are smaller than a standard tower, they can’t house a pack-a-punch set of components. However, there are many components out there that are designed with compactness in mind. But what makes it suitable for gaming? Well, if you enjoy couch gaming more than anything, this would be more than ideal. Especially if you have a high-end OLED TV and want to experience a title at its max fidelity, this is the way you want to go.
Of course, it will only be as good as the parts you put into it. A 3080 will be the best bet for these cases as you can usually make them fit, it will be tight, but it can be done. Be sure to double-check case clearances and graphic card sizes before you buy the parts to build it yourself. I wouldn’t recommend trying to stuff a 4090, or 3090 for that matter, into one of these cases. It will be a bad time unless it’s a graphics card model specially made for small form factor builds.
What parts would you recommend for the best experience when building a mini PC?
Ah, the question everyone always asks – what parts should I get? I can recommend components all day. However, it will come down to how much you are willing to spend and what you are trying to use your PC for. Of course, this is a guide about mini gaming PCs so I would assume gaming. There are many mini-ITX options in terms of boards out and about – here are a couple:
In terms of other components, everything will revolve around your chosen motherboard platform. PSU-wise, however, it will require an SFX PSU. We have an entire blog about PSUs and the difference between ATX and SFX models. You should check it out. In the meantime, here are some recommendations for some SFX PSUs that would suit well for a perfect mini cube pc:
Should you go the route of a mini-PC for gaming?
In short, yes. From someone who has a tower gaming PC and loves it. They offer the same power as a gaming PC, but can be more difficult to build in due to thermal throttling and component size limitations. You can set this up in your entertainment center in your living room, which blends in well – much better than a Thermaltake Tower 900. It is a trend that is very much in right now and that I generally approve of!
Thinking about getting a mini-PC? Well, you are in luck! The world of customizability is our specialty here at AVADirect, and we are equipped to help you customize your future mini-PC build! You can check out our configurator and piece it together yourself, or you can reach out to our incredible sales team, who can help you out every step of the way!