Understanding the Value of Mini PCs in Gaming

Computer gamers today have a wide range of equipment options available to them, and for those with limited space needs who are looking for high performance, the mini PC should be your top choice. Whether you want to carry your PC in your backpack to a friend’s house for a LAN party or save desk space in your gaming den at home, mini PCs are your best bet. 

At Simply NUC, we’re proud to offer an entire line of home gaming systems, including mini PCs and laptops. Why are mini PCs such a great choice for gamers, and how do they compare to other computer systems?

Value of Mini PCs for Gaming

Mini PCs are ideal for a variety of gaming setups, offering many of the same qualities as other gaming machines, but with improved features and aesthetics. They’re extremely versatile, with multiple connector ports and have the ability to integrate innumerable gaming titles. 

Their portability is also a huge factor, especially compared to other traditional desktop tower options. They can be easily moved around and used in different settings, ideal for communal gamers and those who don’t have a single location they play in. Mini PCs allow you to play and stream the latest and hottest video games while experiencing surprisingly powerful performance in a small package. You can also upgrade your memory, processor, storage, and graphics card as you look to improve your gaming experience.

Mini PC vs. Other Options

When compared to various consoles such as a Playstation or Xbox, mini PCs hold some major advantages. Gaming consoles are much less powerful in most cases, and don’t offer versatile uses such as a media center or workstation. 

Additionally, gaming consoles don’t offer the same easy portability as a mini PC. Sure, you could pack up your large Xbox and its related components to hop on the bus and head to a friend’s LAN party – but why would you? Mini PCs are small systems that can easily be taken anywhere.

What to Look For

Here are some important factors to look for when choosing a mini PC for your gaming needs:

• Performance: You’ll need your mini PC to play your favorite AAA game with the frame rates you need on your preferred settings.  And you may also want to look for the mini PC that can provide you with a premium VR experience.
• Graphics: For serious gamers, you need a dedicated graphics card that can meet your needs and transform your gaming experience.
• Size: Form factor is a vital area to keep in mind – based on performance and portability preferences, picking a laptop or a mini PC less than 5-liters in size is important.
• Upgradeability and Bling: As we noted above, one of the key draws of mini PCs for gaming is their ability to be upgraded and fully customized based on your preferences. Look for mini PCs with features like extra PCIe and M.2 slots, and extra room in the case that will assist with future upgrades.  And as we all know, gamers like to live on the edge – look for a mini PC that has cool logo options with customizable RGB lighting.

For more on the value of mini PCs for gaming, or to learn about any of our other units speak to the staff at Simply NUC today.