Buying Guide
The Best Small Form Factor PC
Five gaming PCs compared, from the Trycoo 512GB to the NR2 Pro RTX 5080, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A small form factor PC fits a desk or TV stand where a tower will not. Every pick offers a mini, compact or small form factor design.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: graphics card, VRAM and processor come from each maker's published specs; a missing VRAM is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB)
A Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti.
Best for: Buyers who want Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti.
Our take Check price for Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB)
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Mini-ITX case with a 280mm AIO.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
TOPGRO T1-MAX (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4070 laptop GPU 8GB)
A laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC.
Best for: Buyers who want laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC.
Our take Check price for TOPGRO T1-MAX (Core i9-13900HX, RTX 4070 laptop GPU 8GB) (opens in a new tab)
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)
Worth a Look
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)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5070 Ti 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Buyers who want Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Trycoo 512GB was cheaper at our last price check.
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-MAX at 32GB. You get an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Glorlin 6800H and its a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card.
It shares a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor with the NR2 Pro RTX 5080; the TOPGRO T1-MAX goes with a core i9-13900HX processor. It shares a DDR5-6000 memory type with the NR2 Pro RTX 5080; the TOPGRO T1-MAX goes with a DDR5 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.
The 850W power supply is the stated figure; check its connectors before a later GPU upgrade. It was priced above the TOPGRO T1-MAX and below the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 Trycoo 512GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Cooler Master NR2 Pro (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080 16GB) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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 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-MAX on memory (32GB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5080 graphics card; compare the Trycoo 512GB, which has a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. Like the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, it has a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, while the Trycoo 512GB uses a ryzen 5 7640HS processor. Like the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, it has a DDR5-6000 memory type, while the Glorlin 6800H uses an LPDDR5 memory type. It was the highest-priced of the 5 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 dimensions & 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 Trycoo 512GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC.
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
A laptop-class GPU runs at lower power than the desktop card with the same name. On VRAM it trails the group at 8GB, while the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti offers 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the Glorlin 6800H at 1TB.
You get an RTX 4070 (laptop-class) graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Glorlin 6800H and its a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card. You get a core i9-13900HX processor here, which sets it apart from the Glorlin 6800H and its a ryzen 7 6800H processor. A DDR5 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 uses a DDR5-6000 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. It was priced above the Glorlin 6800H and below the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti at the time of writing.
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
- SSD capacity of 1TB, ahead of the Trycoo 512GB
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM can force lower texture settings in newer games at 1440p
- VRAM trails the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti (16GB)
- Costs more than the Trycoo 512GB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 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
- Worth skipping when 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editin is a problem.
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. It matches the Glorlin 6800H on memory (16GB).
Its 512GB SSD capacity is the smallest in this group; the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti leads at 2TB. It is the only pick here with a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card; the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti has an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card instead. It is the only pick here with a ryzen 5 7640HS processor; the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti has a ryzen 7 9800X3D processor instead.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Glorlin 6800H was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed VRAM should compare it with the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, which offers 16GB.
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
- No published VRAM
Worth a Look5 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
- Pass on it if 16GB of RAM is enough for games but tight alongside streaming or editin rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
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 at 16GB. On SSD capacity it ties with the TOPGRO T1-MAX at 1TB.
You get a radeon 680M (integrated) graphics card here, which sets it apart from the Trycoo 512GB and its a radeon 760M (integrated) graphics card. You get a ryzen 7 6800H processor here, which sets it apart from the Trycoo 512GB and its a ryzen 5 7640HS processor. An LPDDR5 memory type is unique to it among these picks, while the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 uses a DDR5-6000 memory type.
It was priced above the Trycoo 512GB and below the TOPGRO T1-MAX at the time of writing. There is no published VRAM figure, whereas the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti offers 16GB.
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
- No published VRAM
- Memory trails the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti (32GB)
How We Chose
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.
- Power and upgrades
- We recorded PSU wattage and rating where listed, which decides later GPU upgrades.
- 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 Small Form Factor 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 Glorlin 6800H to 32GB on the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Small Form Factor PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti | NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti | A Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | NR2 Pro RTX 5080 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Mini-ITX case with a 280mm AIO |
| Buyers who want laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC | TOPGRO T1-MAX | A laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC |
| 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 |
| TOPGRO T1-MAX | RTX 4070 (laptop-class) | 8GB | Core i9-13900HX | 32GB |
| Trycoo 512GB | Radeon 760M (integrated) | Not listed | Ryzen 5 7640HS | 16GB |
| Glorlin 6800H | Radeon 680M (integrated) | Not listed | Ryzen 7 6800H | 16GB |
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 |
| Over $1500 | TOPGRO T1-MAX, NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, NR2 Pro RTX 5080 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these gaming PCs compare on VRAM?
The NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti leads at 16GB, ahead of the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 at 16GB; the TOPGRO T1-MAX sits at the other end with 8GB.
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
At our last price check the Trycoo 512GB was the cheapest pick and the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 the most expensive; the Glorlin 6800H was the next step up from the Trycoo 512GB.
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.
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.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NR2 Pro RTX 5070 Ti, chosen for a Mini-ITX build with an RTX 5070 Ti. Look at the NR2 Pro RTX 5080 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a Mini-ITX case with a 280mm AIO, the TOPGRO T1-MAX for a laptop-class RTX 4070 in a mini PC and the Trycoo 512GB for undercutting the Glorlin 6800H on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Small cases limit upgrades; buy the configuration you need now.