Buying Guide
The Best Compact Gaming Desktops
Four compact gaming desktops, from RTX 5070 Ti to RTX 4060, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
A compact gaming desktop can be a Mini-ITX tower with a full graphics card or a mini PC with a smaller GPU. We state which is which for every pick.
We compared the parts each listing names: CPU, graphics card and VRAM, memory, storage and, where stated, the power supply and warranty. We did not test these systems, and we skipped listings that leave a core part vague.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
RTX 5070 Ti Build
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB)An RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1440p gaming.
Check price for Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)RTX 5080 Build
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB)An RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1440p gaming.
Check price for Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB)The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Check price for AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RTX 4060 Build
TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB)An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Check price for TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| An RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM. | 1440p gaming. | Check price for Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM. | 1440p gaming. | Check price for Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
RTX 5070 Ti Build1 of 4
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB)
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti build pairs a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM, 32GB of DDR5-6000 and a 2TB SSD.
Best for
- 1440p gaming.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the AVGPC Mini-X cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The power supply is rated at 850W (80 Plus Gold). On memory it ties with the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 and the TOPGRO T1-Pro at 32GB. On power supply wattage it ties with the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at 850W.
You get an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card here, which sets it apart from the TOPGRO T1-Pro and its an RTX 4060 (laptop-class) graphics card. It shares a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor with the NR2 Pro RTX 5080; the TOPGRO T1-Pro goes with a core i9-13900HX processor. It shares a DDR5-6000 memory type with the NR2 Pro RTX 5080; the TOPGRO T1-Pro goes with a DDR5-5200 memory type.
Check the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. It was priced above the TOPGRO T1-Pro and below the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-6000
- SSD
- 2TB
- Power supply
- 850W
- PSU rating
- 80 Plus Gold
Pros
- A RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- An Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 3D V-Cache
- 32GB of RAM
Cons
- Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
RTX 5080 Build2 of 4
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB)
NR2 Pro RTX 5080 pairs a Ryzen 7 9800X3D with an RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5-6000 and a 2TB SSD.
Best for
- 1440p gaming.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the AVGPC Mini-X was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also comes with a Mini-ITX case with a 280mm AIO. The power supply is rated at 850W (80 Plus Gold). It matches the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the TOPGRO T1-Pro on memory (32GB).
It matches the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti on power supply wattage (850W). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5080 graphics card; compare the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, which has an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. Like the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, it has a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, while the AVGPC Mini-X uses a core i5-11400F processor.
Like the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, it has a DDR5-6000 memory type, while the AVGPC Mini-X uses a DDR4-3200 memory type. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the rest.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5080
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Processor
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-6000
- SSD
- 2TB
- Power supply
- 850W
- PSU rating
- 80 Plus Gold
Pros
- A RTX 5080 graphics card
- 16GB of VRAM for high texture settings
- An Ryzen 7 9800X3D with 3D V-Cache
- 32GB of RAM
Cons
- Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 4
AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB)
Inside the AVGPC Mini-X are a Core i5-11400F and an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, backed by 16GB of DDR4-3200 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
It also comes with a desktop RTX 5060 in a small case. The power supply is rated at 650W (80 Plus Gold). On VRAM it ties with the TOPGRO T1-Pro at 8GB.
On memory it trails the group at 16GB, while the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti offers 32GB. On power supply wattage it trails the group at 650W, while the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti offers 850W. You get an RTX 5060 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and its an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card.
You get a core i5-11400F processor here, which sets it apart from the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 and its a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the TOPGRO T1-Pro the next step up.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 5060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Core i5-11400F
- Memory
- 16GB
- Memory type
- DDR4-3200
- SSD
- 1TB
- Power supply
- 650W
- PSU rating
- 80 Plus Gold
Pros
- A RTX 5060 graphics card
- A 650W power supply
- An 80 Plus Gold power supply
- Desktop RTX 5060 in a small case
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Memory trails the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti (32GB)
The catch
It gives ground on memory, where the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti offers 32GB.
RTX 4060 Build4 of 4
TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB)
TOPGRO T1-Pro pairs a Core i9-13900HX with a laptop-class RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5-5200 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
A laptop-class GPU runs at lower power than the desktop card with the same name. On VRAM it ties with the AVGPC Mini-X at 8GB. On memory it ties with the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at 32GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the AVGPC Mini-X at 1TB. An RTX 4060 (laptop-class) graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the AVGPC Mini-X uses an RTX 5060 graphics card. A core i9-13900HX processor is unique to it among these picks, while the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 uses a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor.
You get a DDR5-5200 memory type here, which sets it apart from the AVGPC Mini-X and its a DDR4-3200 memory type. When we checked, only the AVGPC Mini-X cost less, and the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti cost more.
Key specs
- Graphics card
- RTX 4060 (laptop-class)
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Processor
- Core i9-13900HX
- Memory
- 32GB
- Memory type
- DDR5-5200
- SSD
- 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 4060 (laptop-class) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- Laptop-class RTX 4060 and 2.5Gb LAN
- Core i9-13900HX processor, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- VRAM trails the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti (16GB)
- SSD capacity trails the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti (2TB)
The catch
VRAM is its weakest area, and the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti covers it better at 16GB.
How We Chose These Compact Gaming Desktops
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side four prebuilt PCs on graphics card, VRAM, processor and memory from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and power supply wattage and PSU rating are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti to the TOPGRO T1-Pro, state graphics card, VRAM and processor.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The TOPGRO T1-Pro gives no power supply wattage; the TOPGRO T1-Pro gives no PSU rating.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the AVGPC Mini-X ($1000 to $1500) to the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 (over $1500).
What to Look for in a Compact Gaming Desktop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
VRAM
Across these 4 picks VRAM spans 8GB (the TOPGRO T1-Pro) to 16GB (the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti). The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti is the pick for VRAM.
How much memory you need
Here memory runs from 16GB on the AVGPC Mini-X to 32GB on the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, a 100% spread. If memory is your first filter, the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti sets the ceiling at 32GB.
A mini PC with cables attached beside a monitor and keyboard SSD capacity across these picks
Here SSD capacity runs from 1TB on the TOPGRO T1-Pro to 2TB on the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, a 100% spread. Start with the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti if SSD capacity decides it.
Processor
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 list Ryzen 7 9800X3D; the AVGPC Mini-X lists Core i5-11400F; the TOPGRO T1-Pro lists Core i9-13900HX.
A small form factor PC with its cover off showing the internals Memory type
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 list DDR5-6000; the AVGPC Mini-X lists DDR4-3200; the TOPGRO T1-Pro lists DDR5-5200. Sort out memory type before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
How to Choose a Compact Gaming Desktop
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1440p gaming | NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti | An RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM |
| 1440p gaming | NR2 Pro RTX 5080 | An RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM |
| Keeping the budget tight | AVGPC Mini-X | The lowest price among these picks at the time of writing |
| 1080p gaming | TOPGRO T1-Pro | An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti leads on VRAM at 16GB, ahead of the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at 16GB.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 32GB |
| NR2 Pro RTX 5080 | RTX 5080 | 16GB | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | 32GB |
| AVGPC Mini-X | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Core i5-11400F | 16GB |
| TOPGRO T1-Pro | RTX 4060 (laptop-class) | 8GB | Core i9-13900HX | 32GB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the AVGPC Mini-X, sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at over $1500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $1000 to $1500 | AVGPC Mini-X |
| Over $1500 | TOPGRO T1-Pro, NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, NR2 Pro RTX 5080 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 worth paying more than the AVGPC Mini-X?
The spec sheets show VRAM (16GB against 8GB), memory (32GB against 16GB) and SSD capacity (2TB against 1TB) in its favour. The AVGPC Mini-X sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 in the over $1500 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if VRAM and memory decide your purchase.
What makes the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 the RTX 5080 Build?
The label rests on an RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM. The AVGPC Mini-X, the cheapest pick, sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier against over $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at 1440p gaming.
Do the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 differ on graphics card?
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti uses RTX 5070 Ti; the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 uses RTX 5080; the AVGPC Mini-X uses RTX 5060; the TOPGRO T1-Pro uses RTX 4060 (laptop-class).
What should I check before buying the TOPGRO T1-Pro?
Check the TOPGRO T1-Pro's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. The TOPGRO T1-Pro's PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before planning a GPU upgrade. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our RTX 4060 Build pick, and fourth of 4 on VRAM (8GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 apart?
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti: a Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti. The NR2 Pro RTX 5080: a Mini-ITX case with a 280mm AIO. The AVGPC Mini-X: a desktop RTX 5060 in a small case.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, chosen for an RTX 5070 Ti with 16GB of VRAM. Look at the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 for an RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM, the AVGPC Mini-X for the lowest price among these picks at the time of writing and the TOPGRO T1-Pro for an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM if those matter more to you.
For the most graphics power in a small space, a Mini-ITX tower beats any mini PC here.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Mini-ITX Cases
- Related guideThe Best Prebuilt Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards for 1440p Gaming
- Higher budgetThe Best $2000 Premium Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build
- Similar guideThe Best Compact Gaming Desktop PCs
- ExplainerMini PC vs Building a Small-Form-Factor PC: Upgrade Room, Power and Noise
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mini PC Without Overpaying
- Check compatibility: monitors for work and everyday useDisplayHDR 400, 600, 1000 and True Black: What the HDR Ratings Mean
- Similar guideThe Best Compact Gaming PCs
- Topic hubAll mini and small form factor pcs guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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