Ranking: Best gaming mini-PCs reviewed by Notebookcheck

A powerful gaming PC, the Asus ROG NUC 14 features an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, delivering smooth frame rates in a compact 2.5-liter case with an advanced cooling solution. The processor performs exceptionally well, though it falls slightly behind the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX in testing. A comprehensive selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, enhances the product's versatility.

The Asus ROG NUC stands out as an ultra-compact gaming PC with impressive performance and low emissions compared to similar systems.

The top configuration costs around 2,250 euros on Amazon Germany, while a less powerful variant (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, RTX 4060 Laptop, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) is currently listed at 1,849 euros on Alternate.

Minisforum's AtomMan G7 PT is one of the most powerful gaming mini-PCs available, featuring an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX and AMD's Radeon 7600M XT. The components have enough oomph to make the system the fastest all-AMD mini-PC we've ever tested. While its gaming performance is solid, it falls short of securing the top spot due to the lack of USB 4 (Thunderbolt). It excels in everyday tasks, offering exceptional multi-core capabilities while being relatively quiet under load.

With its unique design and impressive CPU power, Minisforum's AtomMan G7 PT is also a great choice for content creators (video and photo editing).

The system is available for 1,359 euros direct from the Minisforum store, with a barebone version priced at 1,139 euros. It can also be ordered via Amazon Germany for 1,299 euros.

Acemagic's M2A Starship stands out with its highly unique design while delivering solid gaming performance. Internally, it shares hardware with the Acemagic Tank 03, featuring an Intel Core i9-12900H, 32 GB RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. For graphics, it relies on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU with 16 GB VRAM, though its power limit is restricted to 115 watts despite an efficient cooling solution. The case does not get hot while also offering a wide range of ports, and its striking visual design makes it an appealing choice for those seeking a distinctive mini-PC.

The M2A Starship is a compact and visually striking gaming PC with strong overall performance.

The top model (Core i9-12900H, RTX 3080 Laptop, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) is available directly from the manufacturer for 1,039 euros. Other configurations are out of stock as of this writing.

Minisforum's AtomMan G7 Ti is a powerful and compact mini-PC equipped with the Core i9-14900HX and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, making it well-suited for gaming, office work, and multimedia tasks. Its book-like design optimizes space while ensuring efficient cooling, though the cooling solution is also its biggest drawback. 

Under load, the AtomMan G7 Ti can be quite loud, but switching to a lower-power profile significantly reduces noise levels with minimal impact on gaming performance.

The AtomMan G7 Ti is an excellent choice for users who need high performance in a compact form factor, though noise levels under load can prvoe overly loud for some. The product is available directly from the manufacturer for 1,639 euros or from Amazon DE for 1,635 euros.

The Z2 Mini G1a is a particularly compact workstation that delivers high computing power in the smallest of cases. Hidden inside is a fresh AMD processor of the Strix Halo series with 16 CPU cores, which performs impressively in both classic applications and AI-enabled tasks. It is supported by a powerful integrated graphics solution that can compete with high-end dedicated laptop GPUs in many use cases. The computer's casing has a high-quality finish and is easy to open up; it also offers a good variety of connections including modern USB-C and Thunderbolt interfaces, DisplayPort outputs as well as Ethernet. For wireless networking needs, there is Wi-Fi 7. The system is well prepared for use in professional environments, for example for CAD, video editing or multi-monitor setups.

The SKU tested featured 64 GB of soldered-in RAM and a 2 TB SSD that delivered solid read and write rates. The non-upgradable RAM may be a disadvantage for some users. The HP machine gets very loud under full load, which is its biggest drawback; thankfully, with the quieter profile activated, little performance is lost. Despite the powerful hardware, its power consumption remains comparatively moderate.

This system's high computing power, good connectivity and compact design are offset by its relatively high price and limited upgrade options.

The Zbox Magnus EN374070 is a powerful mini PC in a compact 2.65 liter format that is particularly suitable for gaming, creative applications and demanding multitasking tasks. Inside, an Intel Core i7-13700HX with 16 cores works in combination with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU to provide plenty of power for modern games and graphics-intensive programs. On the connectivity front, the mini-PC has little to be ashamed of: Dual 2.5-gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, DisplayPort and multiple USB ports allow for flexible use in the home office, studio or living room. Up to three monitors can be driven simultaneously. Its cooling solution is solid, but the machine is clearly audible when under high load in return.

The Z2 Mini G9 is a compact workstation featuring a replaceable Intel Core i7-14700K CPU and an Nvidia RTX A2000 GPU, setting it apart from your average mini-PCs that virtually guaranteed to use laptop components. The socketed processor is a rarity in this category, offering greater flexibility. RAM and SSD upgrades are also easy to perform, and HP provides multiple configurations to suit different needs.

HP's Z2 Mini G9 delivers excellent workstation-class performance but comes with high emissions and limited connectivity.

The SKU tested is available for 1,974 euros at Notebooksbilliger.de, while the top model with an Intel Core i9-14900K and Nvidia's RTX A4000 costs 3,197 euros.

Lenovo's ThinkStation P3 Tiny proves that a workstation doesn’t need to be large. Even more compact than the HP Z2 Mini G9, it still features a socketed Intel Core i9-14900 CPU. Due to space constraints, only an Nvidia T1000 GPU is included, but it remains a professional-grade graphics solution. With 64 GB RAM and a fast 1 TB SSD, this is an attractive enough offer overall, although connectivity options could be better.

The ThinkStation P3 Tiny delivers excellent workstation performance, with high emissions and limited connectivity as drawbacks.

The SKU tested was an education model available for 2,149 euros from Campuspoint.de and for 1,980 euros from Playox.