Buying Guide
The Best Compact Mini PC
Five gaming PCs ranked on memory and SSD capacity; the Trycoo 512GB is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A compact mini PC takes almost no desk space. Every pick offers a mini or compact design, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh graphics card, processor and memory as the makers state them; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 512GB)
Undercutting the Glorlin 6800H on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 512GB) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M)
A 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H.
Best for: Buyers who want 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H.
Our take Check price for Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MINISFORUM UM690L Slim (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M)
A slim chassis with USB4.
Best for: Buyers who want slim chassis with USB4.
Our take Check price for MINISFORUM UM690L Slim (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M) (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
MINISFORUM UM880 Plus (Ryzen 7 8845HS, Radeon 780M)
An OCuLink port for an external graphics card.
Best for: Buyers who want OCuLink port for an external graphics card.
Our take Check price for MINISFORUM UM880 Plus (Ryzen 7 8845HS, Radeon 780M) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HS, Radeon 780M)
Two USB4 ports and dual 2.5Gb LAN at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for MINISFORUM UM890 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HS, Radeon 780M) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Trycoo Mini PC (Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M, 512GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Trycoo 512GB build pairs a Ryzen 5 7640HS, Radeon 760M integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5-5600 and a 512GB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
It also comes with USB4 and dual LAN near $420. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it ties with the Glorlin 6800H and the UM690L Slim at 16GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the UM690L Slim at 512GB. A radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card is unique to it among these picks, while the UM690L Slim uses a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. A ryzen 5 7640HS processor is unique to it among these picks, while the UM690L Slim uses a ryzen 9 6900HX processor.
You get a DDR5-5600 memory type here, which sets it apart from the UM890 Pro and its a DDR5 memory type. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Glorlin 6800H was closest. What it gives up: memory of 16GB, behind the UM880 Plus (32GB); by contrast, the UM880 Plus offers 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 760M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 5 7640HS
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: DDR5-5600
- SSD: 512GB
Pros
- A Radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card
- USB4 and dual LAN near $420
- Ryzen 5 7640HS processor, the only one here
- DDR5-5600 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
- Memory of 16GB, behind the UM880 Plus (32GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
Glorlin Mini PC (Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Glorlin 6800H build pairs a Ryzen 7 6800H, Radeon 680M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. It matches the Trycoo 512GB and the UM690L Slim on memory (16GB). It matches the UM880 Plus and the UM890 Pro on SSD capacity (1TB).
Like the UM690L Slim, it has a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card, while the UM880 Plus uses a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 7 6800H processor; compare the UM880 Plus, which has a ryzen 7 8845HS processor. Like the UM690L Slim, it has an LPDDR5 memory type, while the Trycoo 512GB uses a DDR5-5600 memory type.
Check the Glorlin 6800H's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Trycoo 512GB and the pricier UM690L Slim, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 7 6800H
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: LPDDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H
- Eight-core Ryzen 7 6800H
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the Trycoo 512GB
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- Costs more than the Trycoo 512GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
MINISFORUM UM690L Slim (Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The UM690L Slim build pairs a Ryzen 9 6900HX, Radeon 680M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 and a 512GB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want slim chassis with USB4.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing.
Why we like it
It also comes with a slim chassis with USB4. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it ties with the Trycoo 512GB and the Glorlin 6800H at 16GB.
It shares a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card with the Glorlin 6800H; the Trycoo 512GB goes with a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. A ryzen 9 6900HX processor is unique to it among these picks, while the Glorlin 6800H uses a ryzen 7 6800H processor. It shares an LPDDR5 memory type with the Glorlin 6800H; the UM890 Pro goes with a DDR5 memory type.
When we checked, only the Glorlin 6800H and cheaper picks cost less, and the UM880 Plus cost more. Memory is its weakest area, and the UM880 Plus covers it better at 32GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 680M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 9 6900HX
- Memory: 16GB
- Memory type: LPDDR5
- SSD: 512GB
Pros
- A Radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card
- Slim chassis with USB4
- 16GB of LPDDR5 memory
- Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, the only one here
Cons
- 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editing
- A 512GB SSD fills quickly with modern games
- Memory trails the UM880 Plus (32GB)
Worth a Look4 of 5
MINISFORUM UM880 Plus (Ryzen 7 8845HS, Radeon 780M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
UM880 Plus pairs a Ryzen 7 8845HS with Radeon 780M integrated graphics, plus 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Buyers who want OCuLink port for an external graphics card.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Trycoo 512GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also comes with an OCuLink port for an external graphics card. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. It matches the UM890 Pro on memory (32GB).
It matches the Glorlin 6800H and the UM890 Pro on SSD capacity (1TB). Like the UM890 Pro, it has a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card, while the Glorlin 6800H uses a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 7 8845HS processor; compare the UM690L Slim, which has a ryzen 9 6900HX processor.
Like the UM890 Pro, it has a DDR5 memory type, while the Glorlin 6800H uses an LPDDR5 memory type. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper UM690L Slim and the pricier UM890 Pro, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 780M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 7 8845HS
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- OCuLink port for an external graphics card
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the Trycoo 512GB
Cons
- Costs more than the Trycoo 512GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
MINISFORUM UM890 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HS, Radeon 780M) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Inside the UM890 Pro are a Ryzen 9 8945HS and Radeon 780M integrated graphics, backed by 32GB of DDR5 and 1TB of SSD storage.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Trycoo 512GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also comes with two USB4 ports and dual 2.5Gb LAN. There is no separate graphics card, so plan on lighter games and esports titles at modest settings. On memory it ties with the UM880 Plus at 32GB.
On SSD capacity it ties with the Glorlin 6800H and the UM880 Plus at 1TB. It shares a radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card with the UM880 Plus; the Glorlin 6800H goes with a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. A ryzen 9 8945HS processor is unique to it among these picks, while the Glorlin 6800H uses a ryzen 7 6800H processor.
It shares a DDR5 memory type with the UM880 Plus; the Trycoo 512GB goes with a DDR5-5600 memory type. Check the UM890 Pro's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. At our last price check it topped the group, with the UM880 Plus the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: Radeon 780M (integrated)
- Processor: Ryzen 9 8945HS
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A Radeon 780M (integrated) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- Two USB4 ports and dual 2.5Gb LAN
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the Trycoo 512GB
Cons
- Costs more than the Trycoo 512GB at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
- Stated parts
- We included only listings that name the CPU, the GPU with its VRAM, the RAM and the SSD capacity.
- Price and warranty
- We compared prices at the time of writing and the warranty terms each listing states.
- Balance
- We compared how the CPU, memory and storage match the graphics card's class.
What to Look for in a Compact Mini PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much memory you need
Among these picks, memory runs from 16GB on the UM690L Slim to 32GB on the UM880 Plus. Match this to what you will actually do with it, then let price decide between the picks that qualify.
Pair a sensible processor
A current six- or eight-core CPU is enough for most games. X3D chips with extra cache help at high frame rates, while older or unnamed CPUs are a warning sign in a listing.
Look for a named power supply
A listing that states wattage and an 80 Plus rating is easier to trust and to upgrade later. When a listing is silent, ask before buying.
Trust specific listings
Prefer listings that name every part: CPU model, GPU model and VRAM, RAM, SSD and PSU. Vague terms like "Core i7" or "brand may vary" leave room for weaker parts.
Check memory and storage
16GB of RAM runs games; 32GB leaves room for streaming, browsers and editing. A 1TB SSD holds a handful of large games, so plan for a second drive if you keep a big library.
How to Choose a Compact Mini PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Trycoo 512GB | Undercutting the Glorlin 6800H on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H | Glorlin 6800H | A 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H |
| Buyers who want slim chassis with USB4 | UM690L Slim | A slim chassis with USB4 |
| Buyers who want OCuLink port for an external graphics card | UM880 Plus | An OCuLink port for an external graphics card |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | UM890 Pro | Two USB4 ports and dual 2.5Gb LAN at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | Processor | Memory | Memory type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trycoo 512GB | Radeon 760M (integrated) | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 16GB | DDR5-5600 |
| Glorlin 6800H | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 6800H | 16GB | LPDDR5 |
| UM690L Slim | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Ryzen 9 6900HX | 16GB | LPDDR5 |
| UM880 Plus | Radeon 780M (integrated) | Ryzen 7 8845HS | 32GB | DDR5 |
| UM890 Pro | Radeon 780M (integrated) | Ryzen 9 8945HS | 32GB | DDR5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Prebuilt PCs |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Trycoo 512GB, Glorlin 6800H, UM690L Slim |
| About $500 to $1000 | UM880 Plus, UM890 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these gaming PCs compare on SSD capacity?
The Glorlin 6800H, at 1TB. The UM880 Plus follows at 1TB, while the UM690L Slim has 512GB.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
Start with the Trycoo 512GB, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The UM890 Pro is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
Do prebuilt PCs come with extra software?
Some do. Check the product page for trial software, and remove what you do not need after setup.
Is a prebuilt cheaper than building a PC?
Sometimes. Prebuilts include Windows, assembly and a system warranty; building yourself can cost less but you handle part choices and support.
How much VRAM do I need?
8GB works at 1080p with some texture compromises in newer games; 12GB to 16GB is more comfortable at 1440p and 4K.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Trycoo 512GB, chosen for undercutting the Glorlin 6800H on price when we checked. Look at the Glorlin 6800H for a 1TB SSD with a Ryzen 7 6800H, the UM690L Slim for a slim chassis with USB4 and the UM880 Plus for an OCuLink port for an external graphics card if those matter more to you.
Integrated graphics suit light games; check the GPU line before buying for gaming.