Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Mini Desktops
Four gaming mini desktops with a dedicated GPU, from RTX 5060 to RTX 4070, each with its CPU, graphics, memory and storage named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Most mini PCs rely on integrated graphics. These four carry a dedicated NVIDIA GPU; two are laptop-class chips, one is a full-power 145W RTX 5060 and one is a desktop RTX 5060 in a small case.
Every pick names its CPU model, graphics, memory and SSD capacity in the listing; we left out renewed units and listings that hide a part behind "brand may vary". We researched the listings and did not test the machines.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Listed PSU
AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB)
A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold.
Best for: A bigger graphics card later.
Our take Check price for AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 4060 Pick
TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB)
An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 5060 Pick
MINISFORUM G1 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HX, RTX 5060 8GB)
An RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for MINISFORUM G1 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HX, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
RTX 4070 Pick
TOPGRO T1-MAX (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4070 laptop GPU 8GB)
An RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM.
Best for: 1080p gaming.
Our take Check price for TOPGRO T1-MAX (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4070 laptop GPU 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold. | A bigger graphics card later. | Check price for AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) (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) (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for MINISFORUM G1 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HX, RTX 5060 8GB) (opens in a new tab) |
| An RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM. | 1080p gaming. | Check price for TOPGRO T1-MAX (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4070 laptop GPU 8GB) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Listed PSU1 of 4
AVGPC Mini-X (Core i5-11400F, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- A bigger graphics card later.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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 memory it trails the group at 16GB, while the TOPGRO T1-Pro offers 32GB.
You get an RTX 5060 graphics card here, which sets it apart from the TOPGRO T1-Pro and its an RTX 4060 (laptop-class) graphics card. You get a core i5-11400F processor here, which sets it apart from the TOPGRO T1-MAX and its a core i9-13900HX processor. A DDR4-3200 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the TOPGRO T1-MAX uses a DDR5 memory type.
Check the AVGPC Mini-X's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the TOPGRO T1-Pro the next step up.
Key dimensions & 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 TOPGRO T1-Pro (32GB)
RTX 4060 Pick2 of 4
TOPGRO T1-Pro (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4060 laptop GPU 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
A laptop-class GPU runs at lower power than the desktop card with the same name. On memory it ties with the Minisforum G1 Pro and the TOPGRO T1-MAX at 32GB. 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.
It shares a core i9-13900HX processor with the TOPGRO T1-MAX; the Minisforum G1 Pro goes with a ryzen 9 8945HX processor. You get a DDR5-5200 memory type here, which sets it apart from the Minisforum G1 Pro and its a DDR5 memory type. 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. When we checked, only the AVGPC Mini-X cost less, and the Minisforum G1 Pro cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
- DDR5-5200 memory type, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
RTX 5060 Pick3 of 4
MINISFORUM G1 Pro (Ryzen 9 8945HX, RTX 5060 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Minisforum G1 Pro pairs a Ryzen 9 8945HX with a full-power 145W RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5 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 1440 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its PSU wattage isn't published, so ask the seller before a GPU upgrade. It matches the TOPGRO T1-Pro and the TOPGRO T1-MAX on memory (32GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 (145W) graphics card; compare the AVGPC Mini-X, which has an RTX 5060 graphics card.
No other pick in this guide offers a ryzen 9 8945HX processor; compare the TOPGRO T1-Pro, which has a core i9-13900HX processor. Like the TOPGRO T1-MAX, it has a DDR5 memory type, while the AVGPC Mini-X uses a DDR4-3200 memory type. You also get 5GbE and Wi-Fi 7.
Check the Minisforum G1 Pro's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want. At 8GB of VRAM, 1080p is the comfortable target for new games. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper TOPGRO T1-Pro and the pricier TOPGRO T1-MAX, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 5060 (145W)
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Ryzen 9 8945HX
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 5060 (145W) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- Full-power 145W RTX 5060 in a mini PC
- 5GbE and Wi-Fi 7
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
RTX 4070 Pick4 of 4
TOPGRO T1-MAX (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4070 laptop GPU 8GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
TOPGRO T1-MAX pairs a Core i9-13900HX with a laptop-class RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM, plus 32GB of DDR5 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- 1080p gaming.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p.
Why we like it
A laptop-class GPU runs at lower power than the desktop card with the same name. On memory it ties with the TOPGRO T1-Pro and the Minisforum G1 Pro at 32GB. You get an RTX 4070 (laptop-class) graphics card here, which sets it apart from the AVGPC Mini-X and its an RTX 5060 graphics card.
It shares a core i9-13900HX processor with the TOPGRO T1-Pro; the Minisforum G1 Pro goes with a ryzen 9 8945HX processor. It shares a DDR5 memory type with the Minisforum G1 Pro; the TOPGRO T1-Pro goes with a DDR5-5200 memory type. Check the TOPGRO T1-MAX's ports against your monitor: most graphics cards use DisplayPort and HDMI, so match the cable to the refresh rate you want.
Only the Minisforum G1 Pro came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. It gives ground on VRAM, where the AVGPC Mini-X offers 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Graphics card: RTX 4070 (laptop-class)
- VRAM: 8GB
- Processor: Core i9-13900HX
- Memory: 32GB
- Memory type: DDR5
- SSD: 1TB
Pros
- A RTX 4070 (laptop-class) graphics card
- 32GB of RAM
- Laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC
- An RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- Costs more than the AVGPC Mini-X at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Mini Desktops
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Stated parts
- We included only listings that name the CPU, the GPU with its VRAM, the RAM and the SSD capacity.
- Balance
- We compared how the CPU, memory and storage match the graphics card's class.
- Price and warranty
- We compared prices at the time of writing and the warranty terms each listing states.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
What to Look for in a Gaming Mini Desktop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Start with the graphics card
The GPU decides gaming performance more than any other part. Match it to your monitor: an RTX 5060 class card suits 1080p, an RTX 5070 suits 1440p, and 4K high-refresh play needs an RTX 5080 or above.
Check the VRAM figure too; 8GB cards can need lower texture settings in newer games.
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.
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.
Read the warranty terms
Prebuilt warranties vary from one year of parts and labor to three years. Check who handles repairs and whether shipping is covered.
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.
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 Gaming Mini Desktop
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A bigger graphics card later | AVGPC Mini-X | A 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold |
| 1080p gaming | TOPGRO T1-Pro | An RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | Minisforum G1 Pro | An RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM |
| 1080p gaming | TOPGRO T1-MAX | An RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Prebuilt PC | Graphics card | VRAM | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVGPC Mini-X | RTX 5060 | 8GB | Core i5-11400F | 16GB |
| TOPGRO T1-Pro | RTX 4060 (laptop-class) | 8GB | Core i9-13900HX | 32GB |
| Minisforum G1 Pro | RTX 5060 (145W) | 8GB | Ryzen 9 8945HX | 32GB |
| TOPGRO T1-MAX | RTX 4070 (laptop-class) | 8GB | Core i9-13900HX | 32GB |
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 $1000 to $1500 | AVGPC Mini-X |
| Over $1500 | TOPGRO T1-Pro, Minisforum G1 Pro, TOPGRO T1-MAX |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade a prebuilt later?
Usually. Check the power supply wattage and connectors, the case's GPU clearance and free RAM slots before buying a part.
What does "brand may vary" mean in a listing?
The builder may ship an equivalent part from a different maker. The model and capacity should match; ask the seller if it matters to you.
Is 16GB of RAM enough for gaming?
For most games, yes. 32GB helps when you stream, keep many browser tabs open or edit video alongside gaming.
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 AVGPC Mini-X, chosen for a 650W power supply rated 80 Plus Gold. Look at the TOPGRO T1-Pro for an RTX 4060 with 8GB of VRAM, the Minisforum G1 Pro for an RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM and the TOPGRO T1-MAX for an RTX 4070 with 8GB of VRAM if those matter more to you.
A laptop-class RTX 4070 is not a desktop RTX 4070; compare the VRAM and power figures, not the name.