Need a gaming PC for LAN parties? Or, just a system that has a small footprint? In this guide, you’ll find three different mini gaming PC builds and prebuilt systems that are powerful enough to work as mid-range (and beyond) gaming computers.
In the past, PC building enthusiasts have typically opted for larger computer cases so that they could have as much room as possible for building a high-end gaming computer. Nowadays, though, more and more gamers are choosing smaller form-factor cases and mini-ITX motherboards so that they can build mini gaming PCs that have reduced footprints.
Also Read: Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX vs ATX: What’s the Difference?
The rise in small form factor PCs has coincided with the increasing popularity of mini-ITX cases and the continual advancement of computer hardware (namely, GPUs and CPUs). In fact, it’s never been easier than it is now to build a powerful mini gaming computer.
So, if you are one of the growing number of users who are looking to go smaller with their computer, in this guide we’ve listed three different options you have for getting a small form-factor mini gaming PC. We’ve listed an affordable mini-ITX gaming PC build, a mid-range mini PC build, and a high-end mini-ITX gaming PC build. And, if you’re not up for building your own computer, we’ve also linked to similarly-priced pre-built mini gaming PC as well. You can also check out our guide on the Best Prebuilt Mini-ITX Gaming PCs.
NOTE: If you want an even more mobile system, you might want to consider getting a gaming laptop instead. If so, check out our guide on the Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000 for some reasonably-priced laptop options.
Table of Contents
1. Quick-Look: Three Solid Mini-ITX PC Builds
2. Affordable $500 Mini PC Build
3. Mid-Range $700 Mini Gaming PC
Quick-Look: Three Powerful Mini Gaming PC Builds & Prebuilts
If you just want a quick overview of the three mini-ITX gaming PC builds and pre-built systems we’ve recommended in this guide, the table below will provide you with some basic details as well as provide you links to both the full part list of components you’ll need in order to build the system (on Amazon) as well as the pre-built alternative to the build we’ve listed.
|
|
NAME | SPECS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BUDGET
|
 |
|
||
|
MID-RANGE
|
 |
|
||
|
HIGH-END
|
 |
|
*While we do try and update our builds on a regular basis, the reality is that component prices change on a daily basis and components go out-of-stock all the time. If you see that the price is significantly different than the one we have listed, or there is a component that is no longer available on Amazon, you can either search for a similar replacement or ask us for advice on an alternative by posting in the comment section below this article.
An Affordable $500 Mini Gaming PC
This $500 gaming PC build comes in a compact mini-ITX cube-style case, the Thermaltake Core V1. The Core V1 is one of the most affordable mini-ITX form-factor cases currently on the market. However, with the flood of “mini” graphics cards that have hit the market, the Core V1 is actually capable of holding a high-end system inside of it.
For this build, though, we focused on keeping the cost down and so we opted for an affordable Intel Core i3-10100F & RX 6500 XT combination.
The quad-core Intel Core i3-10100F and RX 6500 XT graphics card are good enough to allow you to play pretty much any game on a budget-friendly 1080P monitor. And, for non-demanding games (like Rocket League, Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite, Valorant, League of Legends, etc.), this build is powerful enough to run them on higher settings.
We chose the Intel Core processor over an AMD APU mostly due to the current availability and/or pricing.
The Ryzen 5 5600G is a solid option to consider, though—especially if you’re mainly playing some of the non-demanding titles listed above or you want a smoother upgrade path to a high-end system. Here is an example of an AMD 5600G mini-ITX build.
This build also comes with 8GB of DDR4 memory, a 500W power supply, and a 240GB SSD. You could replace the SSD with a 1TB hard drive for the same price if you need more storage, but since this is a small form-factor build, we figured the smaller and faster SSD might help save a little space.
Also Read: Is 8GB RAM Enough for Gaming?
In any case, for just $500 this mini gaming PC is capable of serving as a solid option for non-demanding esports games and it will run anything you throw at it on a 1080P monitor on at least low-to-medium settings.
$500 Mini PC Build Part List
 |
 |
 |
|
| CPU | Intel Core i3-10100F | |
| MOBO | MSI H510I | |
| GPU | PowerColor RX 6500 XT | |
| RAM | Patriot Viper 8GB | |
| SSD | PNY 240GB | |
| CASE | Thermaltake Core V1 | |
| PSU | EVGA 500W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $470-$530
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here to check current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
Mid-Range $700 Small Form-Factor Gaming PC
For just a couple hundred more than the build listed above, you can land this mid-range 1080P-killing small form-factor PC. This system sports an upgraded Intel Core i5-12400F processor and an RX 6600 graphics card.
The jump in graphics card that this build offers will allow you to max out any game on a 1080P monitor. This $700 gaming PC also comes in a sharp-looking NZXT H210 case.
You could also opt for a Ryzen 5 5600 processor and a B550 mini-ITX motherboard. However, the price difference between a Ryzen 5 5600/B550 mini-ITX combo is noticeably higher than a 12400F/H610 mini-ITX combo at the moment.
For storage, this build comes with a 480GB SSD. And, it comes with a 600W 80 PLUS Gold-rated power supply.
Overall, this is a really solid mini gaming PC build for the price.
$700 Mini PC Build Part List
 |
|
 |
|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12400F | |
| MOBO | ASUS H610I | |
| GPU | PowerColor RX 6600 | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Kingston A400 480GB | |
| CASE | NZXT H210 | |
| PSU | Thermaltake 650W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $670-$730
*Component prices fluctuate daily. Click here to check current pricing.
**Price includes the components that make up the tower only. Windows 10 is included in the list, but will cost extra—and you will definitely need an operating system one way or another.
Powerful $1,000 Mini-ITX Gaming PC Build
If you’ve got a larger budget and you’re looking for a high-end mini-ITX gaming PC, then the system below might be the option for you. It has an Intel Core i5-12400F processor and an RX 6600 XT graphics card.
The RX 6600 XT graphics card means that this build can max out any game on a 1080P monitor easily, can run most games on higher settings on a 1440P monitor, and will serve well for entry-level 4K gaming, too.
Also Read: 1080p vs. 1440p vs. 4K: Which Resolution Is Best for Gaming?
If you’re a competitive gamer, pairing this system with an affordable FreeSync monitor with a higher refresh rate will help you get a really smooth in-game experience, too.
This $1,000 gaming PC also comes with 16GB of RAM, a 480GB SSD, and a 650W semi-modular power supply to help make cable management in this build a bit easier.
For the case, we chose NZXT’s H210 mini-ITX chassis. It’s a really nice-looking small form-factor case that has a tempered glass side panel, a PSU shroud, and plenty of room to hold this system.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a really powerful mini-ITX gaming PC, this build will meet your needs now and for a long time into the future.
NOTE: As an alternative mobile gaming computer option, check out our guide on the Best RTX 3060 Laptops for powerful gaming laptop options at a similar price range.
$1,000 Mini PC Build Part List
|
|
 |
|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12400F | |
| MOBO | ASUS H610I | |
| GPU | MSI RX 6600 XT | |
| RAM | TEAMGROUP 16GB | |
| SSD | Kingston A400 480GB | |
| CASE | NZXT H210 | |
| PSU | EVGA 650W | |
| ODD | Install O.S. from USB | |
| OS | Windows |
Grand Total: $970-$1,030
*Prices on PC components change on a daily basis. Click here for the most up-to-date pricing.
**The ‘Grand Total’ price includes the parts that make up the computer only. We’ve included Windows 10 in the list, but it does cost extra and you will need an operating system in order to boot your system up.
Have A Different Budget? Check Out These Guides for More Builds
If these three builds aren’t what you’re looking for, or if you just want to explore other options (including non-mini-ITX systems), then you can check out our other build guides for more options. The following two guides will give you wider a range of PC builds at various price-points:
