The best mini PC parts prioritize compact size, thermal efficiency, and performance-per-watt. Key components include Intel 12th/13th Gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs for processing, NVIDIA RTX 4060/AMD RX 7600M XT GPUs in MXM formats for graphics, DDR5-5600 SODIMM RAM, PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs, and SFX-L power supplies. Proprietary cooling solutions like vapor chambers are critical for maintaining thermal headroom in constrained spaces. Pro Tip: Always verify motherboard form factor (Mini-ITX/UCFF) compatibility before selecting other parts.
Mini PC with 64GB RAM: Unleashing Power in a Compact Design
Table of Contents
Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
Which CPUs dominate 2025 mini PC builds?
Intel Core i5-13620H and AMD Ryzen 7 7840U lead in thermal-constrained systems. The i5-13620H offers 10 cores (6P+4E) with 45W TDP, while AMD’s Zen 4-based 7840U delivers 8 cores/16 threads at 28W. Both support DDR5 and PCIe 5.0.
For performance-density balance, Intel’s hybrid architecture excels in multitasking workloads like video editing, whereas AMD’s unified cores dominate sustained compute tasks. Practical example: The MinisForum HX100G uses Ryzen 9 7945HX, achieving 75,234 Cinebench R23 points in 2.5L chassis. Pro Tip: Undervolt CPUs by 80-100mV using ThrottleStop or Ryzen Master to reduce heat output without sacrificing performance.
What GPU solutions work in sub-5L cases?
MXM modules and laptop-derived GPUs like NVIDIA RTX 4060 (100W) or AMD RX 7600S dominate. These 8GB GDDR6 cards fit 200mm dual-slot designs while delivering 1080p Ultra gaming at 60+ FPS.
Beyond raw power, thermal design becomes paramount. The ASRock DeskMeet uses custom vapor chambers to cool 150W TDP components in 8-liter cases. Warning: Avoid full-height PCIe cards unless your chassis explicitly supports them—most mini PCs only accommodate low-profile (<111mm) GPUs.
| GPU | TDP | Max Case Size |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 LP | 115W | 5L |
| RX 7600M XT | 90W | 3.5L |
How to optimize RAM for mini PCs?
DDR5-5600 SODIMM modules with CL40 latency provide the best balance for space-constrained builds. Dual-channel 32GB (2x16GB) kits prevent bandwidth bottlenecks, especially with integrated GPUs.
For example, Crucial’s 64GB DDR5-5600 kit operates at 1.1V, reducing power draw by 18% versus DDR4. Pro Tip: Enable XMP profiles in BIOS to unlock full speed—many mini PC motherboards default to JEDEC 4800MHz without manual tuning.
Which storage drives maximize mini PC performance?
PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs like WD Black SN850X (7300MB/s read) are essential. 2280-length drives dominate, though some ultra-compact systems require 2230 or 2242 formats.
For secondary storage, 2.5″ SATA SSDs remain viable in systems with drive bays. Real-world example: The Apple Mac mini M4 uses soldered 512GB-8TB storage, but third-party mini PCs often provide dual M.2 slots for RAID 0 configurations. Warning: Avoid QLC NAND in primary drives—their slower write speeds hinder sustained workloads.
What cooling systems prevent thermal throttling?
Hybrid vapor chamber + blower designs maintain CPUs/GPUs below 85°C in sub-5L cases. Noctua’s NH-L9i chromax.black cooler handles 65W TDP processors with 37mm height constraints.
Advanced systems like the Zotac ZBOX Magnus use liquid metal TIM and 3D vapor chambers to dissipate 150W+ heat loads. Pro Tip: Apply PTM7950 phase-change thermal pads instead of traditional paste for 15% better thermal transfer in vertical-mounted mini PCs.
| Cooler | Max TDP | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Noctua NH-L9i | 65W | 37mm |
| Scythe Big Shuriken 3 | 95W | 69mm |
Battery Expert Insight
FAQs
Only with specific chassis supporting LGA1700/AM5 sockets and adequate cooling—most mini PCs utilize mobile/BGA processors for thermal compliance.
Do mini PCs support dual GPUs?
Extremely rare due to space constraints. Only specialized systems like the MinisForum HX200G with Thunderbolt 4 allow external GPU enclosures.