Most experienced PC gamers have everything they need in their main rig, but plenty of players would be better off with a compact desktop computer. Whether they simply need more space on their desk or want a portable version of their favorite gaming platform, PC gamers can find excellent pre-built PCs ready to fit in anywhere.
The Best Gaming Desks in 2024
Anyone looking for a new gaming desk this year will want to make sure to check out this list!
Despite most decent gaming rigs consisting of a plethora of chunky tech, manufacturers have recently been offering smaller components alongside their flagship products to cater to those who favor compact designs. Going smaller does require some major adjustments and hardware modifications, like designing custom cases and compact components, but that’s exactly what makes the pre-built market so enticing.
Compact PCs may never be as flexible or upgradeable as standard PCs but, that being said, the models below offer unparalleled functionality, balanced specifications, and ease of access right out of the box. The Best War Games has identified what makes each option stand out, so you can find the right one for your space, or your travels, without having to sift through hundreds of compact desktops.
The Best War Games's Picks for The Best Compact Pre-Built Gaming PCs
ASUS 2023 ROG G22CH DB776
- Memory
- 16GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1TB SSD
- Brand
- Asus
- CPU
- Intel Core i7 13700F
- Graphics
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070
- Operating System
- Windows 11
ASUS 2023 ROG G22CH DB776 is an excellent compact PC build powered by one of the latest high-end Core i7 chips and RTX 4070 GPU. The computer measures equivalent to a gaming console without compromising on the hardware and brings Windows 11 pre-installed. The gaming build is easily portable and features RGB LEDs on the front panel.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Case
- Asus mini tower
- Equivalent to modern consoles in size
- Excellent specs to max out games at 1440p resolution
- RGB lighting on the front panel
- Costs close to $2000
- No built-in WiFi
While the majority of compact PC builds compromise on the specifications, Asus G22CH stands out without being too big on the desk. The gaming rig is available in several variations, but this particular model is excellent for hitting that sweet spot performance. Ideal for 1440p gaming, the G22CH can max out any game with 60+ fps in most titles and much higher in esports games. Thanks to the combination of the RTX 4070 and the i7 13700F, users don't have to worry about the horsepower they need to push the frame rates higher.
The Best RTX 4070 SUPER GPUs To Get In 2024
The Nvidia RTX 4070 SUPER is an excellent GPU that takes over the RTX 4070's slot as Nvidia's mid-range option with many SKUs available for gamers.
The gaming PC comes with Windows 11 pre-installed, 1TB of fast NVMe storage, and 16GB DDR5 memory clocked at 4800MHz. While not the best in the industry, it is adequate for most gamers out there. The hardware is hosted inside a mini-tower that comes with a ventilated side panel for easier heat dissipation, which is crucial for high-end hardware, especially when the case is compact. The only thing absent from this PC is a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, which users can add separately if wireless internet connectivity is important.
Thermaltake Reactor 380 Liquid-Cooled PC
- Processor Type
- Ryzen 7 5800X
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 3600MHz
- Storage
- 1TB NVMe
- VR Compatible?
- Yes
- Brand
- Thermaltake
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080
Thermaltake Reactor 380 Liquid-Cooled PC brings one of the top-performing Zen 3-based CPUs that powers the RTX 3080 for superb 1440p gaming performance. The excellent mini-ITX Thermaltake chassis provides users with ample ventilation and helps the CPU cool down rapidly with the AIO cooler. It has sufficient memory, built-in WiFi, and Windows 10 pre-installed so that gamers can start their gaming journey right away.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- 8 Cores/16 Threads CPU with overclocking capabiilty
- High-end Ampere-based RTX 3080 GPU for 1440p gaming
- Ample space and ventilation inside the chassis
- Liquid cooled
- Expensive
- CPU and GPU from previous generations
Thermaltake provides users with an excellent choice that doesn't lack in either aesthetics or functionality. The Reactor 380 boasts a superb Tower 100 case that provides sufficient ventilation from all sides and tempered glass panels on multiple sides for a breathtaking view. The gaming PC is not the most compact one but will surely take up less space on the desk due to being vertical in design. Inside this pre-built PC, users will find one of the best AM4 processors, namely the Ryzen 5800X, which features 8 cores and 16 threads for awesome gaming performance and productivity.
As it is also overclockable, the Reactor 380 comes with a 120mm AIO cooling solution to take care of the thermals. For pushing the framerates beyond 60 fps even at 1440p, users will find the RTX 3080 installed inside, which can max out most AAA titles pretty easily. Moreover, this will even take care of Ray Tracing enthusiasts who don't want to compromise on eye candy. Surely, it's expensive but comes pre-assembled properly and has built-in Wi-Fi and Windows 10 Home pre-installed.
MINISFORUM Venus Series UM773 Lite Mini PC
- Memory
- 32GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1TB SSD
- Brand
- Minisforum
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
- Graphics
- AMD Radeon 680M
MINISFORUM Venus Series UM773 is a lightweight and compact pre-built system that provides one of the latest mobile Ryzen 7 7735HS chip for covering both productivity and gaming tasks. The system sits on a sturdy stand and brings adequate ventilation through the front panel. Users will get a good capacity RAM, storage, integrated graphics, and the essential ports for gaming and work.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ports
- 2x HDMI, 1x USB4
- Operating System
- Windows
- Networking
- 2.5G LAN
- Lightweight and smaller than a console
- Highly power efficient
- Plenty of system RAM for productivity
- Not suitable for intensive gaming
- Processor not upgradeable
Pre-built gaming PCs under $500 are generally lackluster when it comes to GPUs. It's true that most budget gaming builds can't have a discrete GPU, but it doesn't mean that they cannot play games. With the latest APUs, it is now possible to have a decent gaming experience at 1080p resolution and the UM773 Lite Mini PC is an example of the same. This is a highly compact system based around a Ryzen mobile chip based on the Zen 3 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7735HS is a power-efficient CPU that brings the Radeon 680M GPU onboard, which is capable of playing games on low to medium settings.
The Most Popular CPUs For Gaming
Here are some of The Best War Games's favorite handpicked best-selling CPUs for gaming & productivity.
Even though the processor is not upgradeable, it can easily carry out intensive operations through its 8-core/16-thread configuration. The clock speeds are also impressive and can reach up to 4.7GHz. For storage, users will get 1TB of NVMe SSD and a 2.5" slot for adding a SATA drive. RAM is also plentiful to make sure there is no bottlenecking from the memory side, which further establishes it as the best compact multi-purpose PC.
MINISFORUM Mini PC Neptune HX99G
- Memory
- 32GB DDR5
- Storage
- 1TB SSD
- Brand
- Minisforum
- CPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
- Graphics
- AMD Radeon RX 6650M
MINISFORUM Mini PC Neptune HX99G boasts a beautifully designed chassis that is compact and rests on a sturdy stand. The system brings ports right in the front panel for easy connectivity and has a Wi-Fi 6 adapter for wireless internet. The system is powered by a high-end mobile chip, Ryzen 9 6900HX, and Radeon RX 6650M GPU for exceptional gaming performance on a budget.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Operating System
- Windows 11
- Networking
- Wifi 6E
- High-end Ryzen mobile CPU with 8 cores/16 threads for productivity
- RX 6650M is an excellent 1080p gaming GPU
- Built-in WiFi 6E adapter
- Not upgrdeable
- Can be kept in one only position
Users who are looking to spend no more than 800 dollars can have this amazing pre-built system made by Minisforum. While Minisforum mostly makes compact PCs with entry-level specifications, this one brings a rather capable CPU for intensive operations. At its core, lies the Ryzen 9 6900HX mobile chip, which is a killer processor for CPU-intensive tasks and also brings Radeon 680M as an iGPU. However, the HX99G is equipped with a dedicated RX 6650M GPU, which is equivalent to the RTX 3060 laptop GPU but comes with 8GB VRAM to run modern titles easily.
The hardware is enclosed inside a compact chassis that has a stable and sturdy stand and has a few ports on the front panel for easier connectivity. Among them are USB Type A and Type C ports, where users can connect their standard peripherals or even USB-C mice, and on the back users will find three more USB Type-A ports and two blazing fast USB-4 ports that support up to 40Gbps of transfer speed. The system comes with a pre-installed Windows 11 OS and a fast WiFi 6E adapter for wireless internet connectivity.
TRIGKEY AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC
- Processor Type
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4
- Storage
- 500GB
- VR Compatible?
- Yes
- Brand
- Trigkey
- GPU
- Vega 8 iGPU with 8 Cores
Trigkey AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC is an ultimate compact pre-built computer for productivity/gaming that requires minimal space on the desk and is decently power efficient. With just 57W of max power consumption, it gets the job done through its power-efficient CPU that comes with an integrated graphics unit for gaming or GPU-intensive tasks, while its 8 cores/16 threads configuration has enough horsepower to perform CPU-oriented chores.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Ultra compact and power-efficient
- Ryzen 5800H with 8 cores/16 threads for decent productivity
- Vega based iGPU with 8 cores
- WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- No room for upgrades
- Not ideal for intensive titles
This compact pre-built gaming PC is like a lunch box and can be taken anywhere with ease. The Trigkey AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC comes with a Ryzen 5800H mobile CPU that offers 8 cores and 16 threads clocked at 3.2GHz base clock, which is significantly higher than Ryzen 5700U. As it can run on a higher TDP of 45W with a max power consumption of up to 57W, the Vega-based iGPU will perform much better.
It offers a built-in WiFi 6 adapter and Bluetooth for connecting to the internet or even to Bluetooth devices without any hassle. From the first impression, it might look like it doesn't offer a lot of connectivity ports, but in reality, it provides adequate ports for display and peripherals. Users will get 1x HDMI and 1x DP port for display output and for peripheral connectivity, there are 3x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB Type C, and 1x 3.5mm audio jack ports.
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC
- Processor Type
- Intel Core i7 11700KF
- Memory
- 32GB DDR4
- Storage
- 2TB SSD
- VR Compatible?
- Yes
- Brand
- STGAubron
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC brings a stylish and modern look with multiple pre-installed RGB fans and an HD display on the front panel. With a large side-tempered glass panel, users can admire their gaming rig anytime. It brings a powerful 8 cores/16 threads processor for finishing tasks quickly and an RTX 3060 GPU that can max out games at 1080p resolution.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060
- Highly upgradeable
- Multiple RGB fans and HD display at the front
- 8 core/16 thread i7 CPU with the RTX 3060 for intensive gaming
- Not the most compact pre-built system
With a beautiful micro-ATX case, the STGAubron gaming desktop PC provides pre-included RGB fans, a large tempered glass side panel, and an HD display at the front for displaying real-time hardware metrics. The PC brings great upgradeability to the desk with the standard desktop components which can be swapped anytime when required. However, even with the current specifications, it is one of the best compact pre-built gaming PCs on this list. With the Core i7 11700KF processor, productivity and multitasking will become less intensive, and with the RTX 3060 12GB GPU, maxing out games at 1080p resolution will be possible.
Moreover, users will also get a keyboard, mouse, and RGB mousepad combo which lets them get into the game right away. The PC is also equipped with WiFi, Bluetooth, and pre-installed Windows 11 Home, which makes it a fantastic gaming build for less than $1000.
TOPGRO Mini Gaming PC
- Processor Type
- Intel Core i9 13900H
- Memory
- 32GB DDR4
- Storage
- 1TB PCIe NVMe
- VR Compatible?
- Yes
- Brand
- TOPGRO
- GPU
- Nvidia Geforce RTX 3050
TOPGRO Mini Gaming PC stands out through its futuristic design that boasts a stable base and a vertical tower with RGB lighting at the front. The computer is narrower than most compact pre-built systems but still packs a punch. With the combination of one of the latest Raptor Lake i9 CPUs and the RTX 3050, this PC can fly high in productivity without having to compromise in gaming.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- 14 cores/20 threads Core i9 CPU with unmached productivity
- Geforce RTX 3050 for decent 1080p gaming performance
- Modern outlook with sturdy base and RGB lighting
- WiFi 6, 32GB RAM, and super fast PCI-E 4.0 SSD
- CPU or GPU can't be upgraded
- Costlier for its gaming potential
Featuring an excellent case design that allows continuous heat dissipation despite the narrow width of the case, the Topgro gaming PC will be perfect for gamers who own smaller desks. Its futuristic aesthetics, which include RGB lighting on the front and a beautifully crafted sturdy base, add more charm to the users' desks. But this isn't what it is all about! It features one of the latest mobile Intel CPUs, namely, the Core i9 13900H processor that provides a hybrid architecture for distributing the loads to appropriate cores.
The 32GB of system RAM is also more than sufficient for any gaming or productivity application and its 1TB of super-fast PCI-E SSD will make sure users don't have to wait for too long for their applications to open. The only limitation is that it is equipped with the RTX 3050 GPU, which can't max out games at 1080p resolution. Despite costing a good $1500, this is something that can bother enthusiast gamers, particularly when its GPU can't be upgraded. However, it's perfectly fine for gamers who are more into eSports games like Valorant, CS2, and Dota. Besides that, this PC brings everything from top-notch hardware to various connectivity features to get started right away.
Things to Consider When Buying a Compact Pre-Built Gaming PC
Choosing a compact PC isn’t just about finding the smallest PC with workable specs. Yes, with unlimited resources, perhaps that may be the best way forward, but for most gamers the choice is much more nuanced than that. Consider these key factors when trying to find the best pre-built compact PC for you:
- Size: This is the primary feature users are looking for when getting a compact pre-built system. Depending on the space availability on the desk, users should decide the size of their gaming rigs.
- Upgrades: A pre-built system that allows easier swapping of standard-sized components like CPU coolers or GPUs will have a major advantage over those that can only fit low-profile hardware. The chassis should be easy to work with and shouldn't force the users to remove everything from the case. Also, fewer screws and tool-less access should be given priority.
- Ventilation: Many compact pre-built gaming PCs don't offer sufficient ventilation, which can lead to thermal throttle. Even if the case doesn't come with several pre-installed fans, it should at least have ventilated panels for easy heat dissipation.
- Hardware: Compact hardware doesn't enjoy the same level of availability as standard-sized ones. Therefore, the current market is filled with older generations of CPUs, graphics cards, and motherboards. It's best to choose the one that provides modern hardware for higher performance and better optimizations for games.
- Portability: How the PC is built will greatly affect how well it travels. Some models are shaped to fit within laptop bags, while others come with convenient handles for carrying around events. The durability of the case should be stronger than average if you plan on taking your compact PC with you anywhere. Likewise, the weight and shape of the PC should be easy to pack or carry. Having strong wireless connectivity and easily managed power cords can make a small PC even more portable, too.
The Best Gaming Desks in 2024
Anyone looking for a new gaming desk this year will want to make sure to check out this list!
FAQ
Q: What is the best brand for compact pre-built gaming PC?
Lenovo, iBuypower, Skytech, Kamrui, and Acemagician are some of the best brands that produce excellent compact pre-built gaming PCs.
Q: Are mini PCs ok for gaming?
Yes, they are perfectly fine for gaming if the specifications include either a high-end APU or a discrete GPU that has enough horsepower to power the games.