Collection: Mini PCs

Which mini PC do you actually need?

Most PC builders get stuck on the CPU name when the real differences between mini PC tiers are sustained power, memory layout and cooling. Entry machines, usually built around low-power Intel N-series chips or small Ryzen 3 and 5 parts, run at roughly 15W with four to six cores and often a single memory channel. They're great for browsing, office work, 4K video playback, Home Assistant and light server duties. They fall over when you ask for heavy multitasking or anything graphical, because single-channel memory starves the integrated graphics of bandwidth.

The sweet spot is the Ryzen 7 8000 series and Core Ultra H-class tier. These sit at 28W to 54W, with dual-channel DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, two M.2 slots, 2.5GbE, USB4 and decent iGPUs. Dual-channel doubles memory bandwidth, and that matters more for integrated graphics than a few hundred MHz on the CPU clock. It's the tier I'd point most people at for a daily driver, a home office or a light creative workstation.

The enthusiast end is where things get interesting. Machines built on Ryzen AI Max-style chips use soldered LPDDR5X on a very wide memory bus, which gives the iGPU enough bandwidth to rival a mid-range graphics card and lets you allocate huge chunks of memory to local AI models. Diminishing returns hit hard here, though. You pay a big premium, you can't upgrade the RAM later, and the chassis cooler becomes the ceiling. A chip rated for 100W+ in a tiny case will throttle if the heatsink and fan are undersized.

Upgrading and technical nuances

The first thing to check is whether the memory is socketed or soldered. SO-DIMM models let you start with 16GB and bump to 32GB or 64GB later, while soldered LPDDR5X is fixed for life. Note that laptop-style SO-DIMMs aren't the same as the full-size sticks in our Desktop Memory range, so match the form factor before buying. Crucial and Kingston Fury Impact are the safe names for SO-DIMM kits. Always run two matching sticks to keep dual-channel active.

Storage is the easiest upgrade. Most sweet-spot mini PCs ship with a mid-range NVMe drive, and you can swap it for something like a Samsung 990 Pro, Crucial T500 or WD_BLACK SN850X from our Solid State Drives (SSD) range. Check whether the second M.2 slot runs at PCIe 4.0 x4 or is cut down to PCIe 3.0 or x1, since cheaper models often compromise there. Heat is also a factor. A hot Gen4 drive in a cramped case can throttle, so a drive with a thin heatspreader or good thermal pad is better than a bare top-tier unit.

For graphics expansion, the connection matters. Oculink gives a direct PCIe 4.0 x4 link to an external dock, which is close to native performance. USB4 and Thunderbolt tunnel PCIe over a 40Gbps link with overhead, so you lose noticeably more frame rate. A dock also needs its own PSU, so check our Power Supplies range for an SFX or ATX Power Supply that suits your GPU, and use proper Cables & Connectors for the Oculink run.

If you're after maximum upgradability, a mini PC isn't always the answer. A small Computer Case with an ITX motherboard, a proper CPU and an air cooler from CPU Cooling costs more and takes more space, but you can swap every part down the track.

Practical things to check before buying

Start with the power brick. Many mini PCs use a 19V to 20V barrel adapter that's bigger than you'd expect, and some use USB-C PD at 100W. Check that the supplied brick covers the chip's peak draw, not just its rated TDP. Some budget units run on bricks that barely keep up under full load.

Next, check the cooling design. A single small blower fan with a thin copper heatpipe is fine for a 15W chip but gets loud on a 54W one. Look for reviews that measure noise and sustained clocks over 20 to 30 minutes rather than a short burst. Also leave breathing room. Tucking a mini PC behind a monitor or inside a cabinet with no airflow will drop performance, even on a good design. If your setup needs extra airflow, a small fan from Fans, Heatsinks & Cooling can help.

Look at the ports against your actual desk. Count the video outputs, and confirm HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 if you plan to run 4K at a high refresh rate on a monitor. Check that USB4 ports support video output, since not all do. For networking, 2.5GbE and Wi-Fi 6E or 7 are worth having, and pairing with a TP-Link router or switch from our Networking range lets you actually use the speeds. Finally, check VESA mounting if you want it hidden behind a display.

Brands and local warranty

The reputable names to look for are Minisforum, Beelink, GMKtec, Geekom and ASUS (which now carries on the NUC line), with Intel's older NUC units still floating around in the used market. Minisforum and Geekom tend to lead on higher-end builds, Beelink hits strong value at the entry and middle tiers, and GMKtec often undercuts on price. You'll find a wide selection in our Computers category.

Warranty is where mini PCs trip people up. Grey-import units from overseas marketplaces can be cheaper, but a dead board means shipping it back to China at your own cost, if the seller responds at all. A genuine Australian warranty means a local repair or replacement pathway, and under Australian Consumer Law you have recourse against the local retailer for faulty goods. For something that sits on your desk all day, that peace of mind is worth a small premium.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM should a mini PC have?

16GB dual-channel is the practical minimum for a daily driver today, and 32GB is a better pick if you run many browser tabs, virtual machines or creative apps. If the memory is soldered, buy the capacity you'll need over the machine's life, since you can't add more later.

Can a mini PC handle gaming?

Yes, within limits. Sweet-spot iGPUs handle esports titles and older games at 1080p well. Heavier modern games need lower settings, while the top-tier wide-bus chips get close to a mid-range discrete GPU. For more grunt, an Oculink dock with a desktop graphics card is the proper route.

Is it worth upgrading the SSD?

Often, yes. A bigger and faster NVMe drive is cheap, simple to fit and makes a real difference. Just check the slot's PCIe generation and whether there's room for a heatspreader.

Will a mini PC run quietly?

It depends on the cooler and the chip's power limit. Low-power models are near silent, while 50W+ units can get audible under load. Look for reviews with measured noise rather than relying on marketing claims.

Mini PC or small form factor build?

A mini PC wins on size, power draw and simplicity. A custom ITX build wins on upgradability and raw performance per dollar, but takes more space, planning and parts compatibility checking.