Best Mini PCs for Gaming 2026: Ranked by iGPU Performance

Gaming on a mini PC carries one honest caveat: the ceiling is lower than a desktop with a dedicated GPU. The best integrated graphics available today, AMD's Radeon 890M inside the Beelink SER9 AI, holds 1080p Medium in most games and clears 100 FPS in esports titles without tuning. That's a real achievement in a box smaller than a hardcover book. If you understand that tradeoff and want the smallest possible footprint, best display flexibility, or a machine that doubles as a capable workstation, these picks are the strongest options available right now.

Builds You Might Like

High-End Build - 4K 120FPS

High-End4K120 FPS

4K/120 in 2026 is a two-part answer: a 5080-class GPU for raster and DLSS 4

$3,609.05

See the full build guide →

Mid-Range Build - 1080p 120FPS

Mid-Range1080p120 FPS

A 16GB mid-tier GPU and Zen 5 eight-core sit comfortably above what 1080p/120 needs, so you can crank settings without touching frame pacing

$2,384.61

See the full build guide →

Ultimate Build - 4K 120FPS

Ultimate4K120 FPS

The 5090's 32GB frame buffer and 512-bit bus make 4K/120 a native-resolution experience — no DLSS required in most titles

$6,516.05

See the full build guide →

High-End Build - 1440p 120FPS

High-End1440p120 FPS

The 5070 Ti's 16GB frame buffer turns 1440p high-refresh into a no-compromise experience — path-traced Cyberpunk and Alan Wake run at 120 with DLSS 4

$3,311.10

See the full build guide →

View more builds →

Our top pick: Beelink SER9 AI

The Beelink SER9 AI runs the Radeon 890M, which is the only iGPU in a mini PC today that holds 1080p Medium in demanding AAA titles without dropping below playable thresholds.

Quick picks

Specs at a glance

Which one is right for you?

Gaming benchmarks

All results at 1080p, native resolution. The Radeon 890M in the Beelink SER9 AI is the only pick in the first performance tier; every other mini PC here runs the Radeon 780M with varying TDP ceilings. The gap is real and consistent across games.

How we picked

Every pick here ships with 32GB of dual-channel DDR5 memory. That detail is not cosmetic. An iGPU shares memory bandwidth with the CPU, and single-channel configurations throttle graphics throughput by roughly 20% compared to dual-channel at the same clock speed. Most of the mini PCs in this segment also sell single-channel 16GB variants as lower-priced listings. The specs tables above and the picks below all reference the 32GB dual-channel configuration specifically.

TDP ceiling is the other variable that separates picks in the same iGPU tier. The Radeon 780M shows up in four of the five picks here, but a machine running that chip at 54W sustained (the UM890 Pro and K11) will consistently outperform the same chip at 45W (the AM02 and K8 Plus). Beelink runs the HX 370 at 65W in performance mode. None of that is configurable by the buyer at purchase time, which is why TDP is listed in the Specs table rather than mentioned as a feature.

The Oculink port on the UM890 Pro and K11 is worth understanding before you put weight on it. An external GPU enclosure compatible with Oculink is an additional investment, and the market for Oculink enclosures is smaller and more specialized than standard Thunderbolt eGPU docks. If you have a specific upgrade plan, the K11 is a strong platform for it. If you are buying the K11 for the upgrade path "someday," the UM890 Pro at a lower price is more honest.

We excluded mini PCs with discrete GPUs (like the Minisforum HX99G with its RX 570 mobile) from this list. That is a different product category with different tradeoffs. We also excluded Windows-on-ARM mini PCs and any machine without confirmed Amazon availability at the time of review.

Best Overall: Beelink SER9 AI

Specs

Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, 12 cores, 24 threads, boost to 5.1GHz. Radeon 890M integrated graphics with 16 compute units running at 2900MHz. 32GB LPDDR5X at 8000MHz (soldered, not upgradeable). 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe. Two USB4 ports, WiFi 6, 2.5G Ethernet. Under 0.7 liters. TDP runs at 65W in performance mode.

What it does well

The 890M is genuinely in a different tier from the 780M. In CS2 at 1080p with competitive settings, it runs above 150 FPS. Fortnite at 1080p Medium stays comfortably above 120 FPS. In demanding AAA titles like Elden Ring at 1080p Medium, the 890M holds around 50 FPS average, a playable result the 780M struggles to match on the same settings. That gap comes from four additional compute units and 200MHz on the clock, plus the Zen 5 CPU's improved per-core performance.

Beelink's cooling solution on this machine is well-matched to the 65W TDP. Under sustained gaming loads, the machine stays quiet and does not throttle. Buyers who have used cheaper mini PCs at this chip tier often find the thermal management to be the real differentiator, not the spec sheet.

The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is also a capable CPU for the workstation use cases that often sit alongside mini PC gaming. Video editing at 4K, Python workloads, and light creative work all run well on 12 Zen 5 cores.

What you give up

The LPDDR5X memory is soldered. You cannot expand past 32GB, which is a real constraint if you run memory-intensive workloads like large language models or high-resolution video editing pipelines alongside gaming. The UM890 Pro and K11 both allow memory expansion.

There is no Oculink port. The upgrade path beyond 890M gaming involves either buying a new machine or using a Thunderbolt eGPU dock, which is slower and more expensive than Oculink. If the buyer expects to want a discrete GPU tier in the next two years, the K11 is a better platform.

Strix Halo mini PCs, built around AMD's Ryzen AI Max chips with up to 40 RDNA compute units, are scheduled from multiple vendors later in 2026. That generation will make the 890M tier look slow in retrospect. If Strix Halo mini PC availability falls within your purchasing window, it is worth evaluating before committing to the SER9 AI.

Who it's for

The buyer who needs the smallest possible footprint for 1080p gaming and understands the integrated-only constraint going in. HTPC setups, small apartments, travel machines, and office desks where a full tower is never an option. Also: buyers who want the strongest workstation capability alongside gaming without splitting into two machines.

Best Value: Minisforum UM890 Pro

Specs

Ryzen 9 8945HS, 8 cores, 16 threads, boost to 5.2GHz. Radeon 780M integrated graphics with 12 compute units at 2700MHz. 32GB DDR5 at 5600MHz, dual-channel (upgradeable via SODIMM). 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe, second M.2 slot. Oculink port, quad display outputs (two USB4, HDMI, DisplayPort), dual 2.5G Ethernet. TDP configurable up to 54W.

What it does well

The 780M at 54W is the sweet spot for esports gaming on a budget. CS2, Valorant, and Fortnite all run above 100 FPS at 1080p with settings tuned toward performance. The UM890 Pro hits that target reliably with Minisforum's firmware and cooling well-calibrated for sustained loads.

The memory is user-upgradeable. The standard 32GB dual-channel kit is appropriate for gaming, but buyers who run workstation tasks alongside gaming, or who plan to use this machine as a lightweight AI inference host, can slot in a 64GB or larger kit without replacing the machine. Minisforum sells the UM890 Pro in a 64GB configuration for buyers who prefer to buy it configured.

The Oculink port adds a meaningful option for future upgrades. The OCuLink interface carries PCIe 4.0 bandwidth directly from the APU, making it faster than Thunderbolt eGPU connections at the same GPU. Buyers who commit to an eGPU enclosure later get close to desktop discrete GPU performance from the same mini PC chassis.

Minisforum has a longer track record in mini PCs than most of the other brands here. Firmware updates have been consistent across their previous generations, and the UM890 Pro's build quality reflects that experience.

What you give up

The Radeon 780M is about 25 to 30 percent slower than the 890M in most games. That gap is meaningful in demanding AAA titles where the 890M holds 1080p Medium and the 780M does not. In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p Low, the 890M averages around 50 FPS versus the 780M's 36 FPS. That difference is comfortable versus borderline. For esports-focused buyers, the difference matters less.

The machine lacks the 4-inch secondary display of the AYANEO AM02 and the tighter thermal ceiling of the Beelink. The UM890 Pro is the best-value pick for buyers who prioritize gaming performance per dollar and Oculink access; it is not the right choice for buyers who want the best iGPU gaming or the most distinctive-looking machine on their desk.

Who it's for

Buyers who want 1080p esports gaming plus a capable workstation without paying the premium for the 890M. Also: buyers with a plan to add an Oculink eGPU enclosure who want a proven platform to attach it to.

Best Premium: AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM02

Specs

Ryzen 7 8845HS, 8 cores, 16 threads, boost to 5.1GHz. Radeon 780M with 12 compute units at 2700MHz. 32GB DDR5 at 5600MHz (upgradeable). 1TB SSD. 4-inch multi-touch secondary display managed via AYASpace 2.0 software. USB4, dual RJ45, Wi-Fi 6E, 0.9 liter form factor. TDP ceiling at approximately 45W.

What it does well

The 4-inch built-in screen is the feature nobody else makes. Through AYASpace 2.0, it functions as a system monitor (temps, clock speeds, fan curves), a media transport control, and a secondary display that does not require screen real estate on your monitor. For a living-room machine or a desk setup where the mini PC is visible, it adds something tangible.

The case design is unlike any other mini PC on this list. AYANEO's retro-gaming aesthetic carries a front panel and body that reference older handheld gaming devices without being a direct copy. If the machine will be visible in your setup and you care what it looks like, the AM02 offers differentiation that no spec sheet can replicate.

Gaming performance lands in the same tier as the K8 Plus given similar chip and TDP. CS2 and Fortnite at 1080p are comfortable. AAA at 1080p Low is the realistic target.

What you give up

The 8845HS at 45W runs slightly lower than the 8945HS at 54W in the UM890 Pro and K11, which means a measurable gap in sustained performance for long gaming sessions or CPU-heavy workloads. The premium for the AM02 goes toward the design and the secondary screen, not toward a faster chip or better iGPU.

AYASpace 2.0 has had documented stability issues following certain Windows updates. AYANEO patches these, but the turnaround is not always immediate. Buyers who update Windows frequently should account for the possibility of occasional AYASpace interruptions.

There is no Oculink port. The upgrade path beyond iGPU gaming requires a new machine or a slower Thunderbolt eGPU connection.

The timing caveat is real. Strix Halo mini PCs with Ryzen AI Max chips and up to 40 RDNA compute units are expected from AYANEO and other vendors later in 2026. Buying the AM02 now locks you into the current iGPU generation for the product cycle. If a Strix Halo AYANEO machine launches within your return window, you may want to compare.

Who it's for

Buyers who want a machine that looks distinctive on their desk or shelf, value the 4-inch secondary display for media or system monitoring, and understand the design premium is not buying faster gaming. Also: HTPC buyers where visibility and case quality matter more than raw performance.

Best Budget: GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus

Specs

Ryzen 7 8845HS, 8 cores, 16 threads, boost to 5.1GHz. Radeon 780M with 12 compute units at 2700MHz. 32GB DDR5, dual-channel. 1TB SSD. Dual Intel 2.5G Ethernet. HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, USB4. Transparent top panel. TDP range from 35W to 54W; default toward the lower end.

What it does well

The K8 Plus is the most affordable path to dual-channel DDR5 with a Radeon 780M on this list. That combination is the minimum config for iGPU gaming without a bottleneck from memory bandwidth. At 1080p with esports settings, CS2 and Fortnite are playable north of 100 FPS.

The transparent chassis lid is a small detail that holds up in practice. For buyers who want visibility into thermals without software tools, the window is useful. The dual 2.5G Ethernet is included at this price point, which is worth noting for home server and NAS setups that also need a gaming machine on the same box.

GMKtec's newer K8 Plus variants include Oculink, but the 32GB/1TB configuration listed here does not. That is a distinction worth confirming at purchase time.

What you give up

The K8 Plus runs at a lower sustained TDP than the 8945HS picks. In extended gaming sessions, the chip backs off performance before the UM890 Pro or K11 do on the same chip tier. The gap is not dramatic in esports titles, but in longer AAA sessions the difference accumulates.

If the buyer is within a modest price distance of the K11, the Oculink port on the K11 is a meaningful upgrade for the same chip generation. Buyers who are confident they will never want an eGPU should take the K8 Plus. Buyers who are uncertain should consider stepping up.

GMKtec has a shorter brand history than Minisforum. Firmware support has been consistent on recent models, but the track record is thinner.

Who it's for

Budget-focused buyers who want 1080p esports gaming in the smallest spend possible, and who know they will not need an eGPU or expandable RAM above 32GB.

Editor's Pick: GMKtec NucBox K11

Specs

Ryzen 9 8945HS, 8 cores, 16 threads, boost to 5.2GHz. Radeon 780M with 12 compute units at 2700MHz. 32GB DDR5, dual-channel. 1TB SSD. Oculink port. Dual Intel i226V 2.5G Ethernet. HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, two USB4 ports. Translucent chassis. TDP configurable to 54W.

What it does well

The Oculink port is the K11's defining feature and the reason it earns the Editor's Pick slot. Oculink carries PCIe 4.0 bandwidth, which means an external GPU enclosure attached to the K11 will run closer to desktop GPU performance than a Thunderbolt eGPU dock. The Minisforum DEG1 or OneXGPU enclosures pair with the K11 cleanly. Buyers who already own an Oculink eGPU enclosure from a previous system can attach it directly.

The 8945HS at 54W matches the UM890 Pro's sustained CPU performance. iGPU gaming is identical between the two at the same TDP. The K11's translucent chassis looks better on a desk than standard mini PC enclosures.

Dual Intel i226V 2.5G Ethernet and two USB4 ports at this price make the K11 the most network-capable pick on the list, useful for home lab setups that need both gaming and server workloads from a single box.

What you give up

The K11's iGPU gaming performance is not better than the UM890 Pro. You are paying the K11's premium for Oculink and the chassis design, not for a faster iGPU. If the buyer will never use an eGPU enclosure, the UM890 Pro delivers the same gaming performance at a lower cost.

OCuLink eGPU enclosures are an additional investment on top of the K11's cost, and the GPU that goes inside the enclosure adds further. The total of K11 plus enclosure plus discrete GPU is meaningful, though still cheaper than a full desktop build in many configurations.

Who it's for

Buyers who have a concrete plan to add an eGPU enclosure and want a mini PC that supports it cleanly. Also: home lab setups that need dual 2.5G Ethernet and the option to attach discrete GPU performance without a full tower on the desk. Not the right pick for buyers who only want the best iGPU gaming and will never use Oculink.

Bottom line

For the best iGPU gaming a mini PC can deliver right now, the Beelink SER9 AI is the pick. The Radeon 890M is in a different tier from everything else on this list, and Beelink's thermal solution keeps it there under sustained load.

If the 890M price is outside your budget, the Minisforum UM890 Pro is the strongest value in the 780M tier. The chip runs at a useful 54W ceiling, the RAM is upgradeable, and the Oculink port gives you an eGPU path if you decide you need it later.

The AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM02 earns its place if the 4-inch secondary screen and case design matter to you. The gaming performance is solidly in the 780M tier; the premium is for everything else.

For the lowest spend, the GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus gets you into dual-channel DDR5 plus Radeon 780M gaming without paying for features you may not use. The GMKtec NucBox K11 is the step up for buyers with a real Oculink plan.

One honest forward note: Strix Halo mini PCs from Beelink, Minisforum, and AYANEO are expected later in 2026. Ryzen AI Max chips with 40 RDNA compute units will represent a meaningful jump beyond what the 890M delivers. If that launch is within your planning window, it is worth checking before committing to any of the current-generation machines here.

FAQ