Should you be concerned with… mini PCs?

I hope you will forgive the mission bend given here Should you be worried? It’s usually meant to test out the newest and weirdest gaming hardware. Instead, I want to talk about mini PCs — not just small-form-factor desktops, but actually small, box-o-chocolate-sized computers — that have actually been around for decades.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking that mini PCs are finally on the cusp of making their time as serious gaming machines. Between the rising cost of desktop components and ever-exploding electricity bills, it makes sense that a small, inexpensive system would have new appeal and the success of handheld devices like these. Steam floor And Asus ROG Ally Show that for many PC gamers, the convenience still trumps up-and-down performance. In fact, they were Hint Valve is resurrecting them. Steam engine Mini PC concept, first attempt after years. should Hey you Interested?

To find out, I’ve devoted quite a bit of my desk space to two modern mini PCs. First, there is Zotac ZBOX Magnus EN374070CIt is basically broken-down RTX 4070 The system uses laptop-level components, and should give us a good idea of ​​what life is like on a high-end mini PC. It is the second. Acer Revo boxAn equally dinkier (and much cheaper) piece of chain that relies on Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics.

Both of these are perfectly tolerable to live with, overall usability. Both run the familiar Windows OS operating system, both have got plenty of control outputs (including two DisplayPorts, in the case of the ZBOX) and the only way you’ll feel short on USB ports is if your setup includes them. Besides the standard mouse and keyboard, many wired or dongle accessories. The lack of rear audio jacks may be a concern for speaker users, though nothing that disables headphones.

They are quiet too – at load, the ZBOX can’t completely shut off the fan noise, but both are quieter than a typical desktop on desktop browsing. And there’s nothing better to keep your desk (or floor) clear, because they’re both small and light enough to mount under a desk or on the back of a monitor. On the wall, though, if you want to get all hammered about it.

Also: they are beautiful. Look at them! Full computers the same size as the box in which Domino’s sent their cookies Planted A handheld PC might be less noisy, but that approach forces a mini PC of this type to compromise on poor connectivity (and stability).

Of course, there they are. He will make a deal elsewhere. Mini PCs are not as modular or upgradeable as mini ITX based desktops. With both the ZBOX and Revo Box you can open up the chassis and swap in more RAM or bigger. SSD – Of course, ZBOX is available as a bare-bones system, which requires you to find and install these components yourself before the first boot. But the CPU, GPU, motherboard and case are all an additional package deal.

Because their tight internals require the use of smaller, more efficient laptop-style components, there will always be some degree of performance disadvantage. This ZBOX RTX 4070 is inevitably slower than the aircraft carrier-sized RTX 4070 that a tower-style desktop can handle.

Still, a dedicated GPU is a dedicated GPU, and the ZBOX has had little trouble running some of the biggest framerate-breakers in recent years. 1440p included

Unfortunately, mini PCs with integrated graphics will be a luckier dip. I didn’t put the Revo Box on the graph, and that’s because of the six games, it can only run two without crashing. Or, in Cyberpunk 2077The issue is, replacing the images with too many faulty lights. As for successful winners, F1 22 Dropping from High to Ultra Low is required to massage the original 24fps to a playable 42fps. Apex Legends It only managed a mediocre 39fps. I remember when Intel launched this version of the Iris Xe as part of the 13th gen CPUs and heard a lot of talk about its improved gaming performance – that’s the same kind of thing for big, high-fidelity 3D games. Upgrade to replace your chocolate teapot with one made of ice.

Then again, maybe those aren’t the games you want to play, and the Revo Box has legs for unwanted indies and older classics. No, I haven’t been able to get 100fps from any ray-traced flash shooters, but Portal 2? Vampire survivors? Deus Ex? Neva? All ran well. Well, even. And on a machine that is whisper-quiet and costs less than a Zotac zone.

Should you worry about small PCs? I’m not saying you should go halfway to SEX to turn your desktop into a mini PC for money, especially if you’re framerate minded. I personally know I’ll be going back to my big rig after this, not least because of my desire for that sweet, sweet, offline port.

Even so, I don’t doubt for a second that there are PC owners who would be well served by a mini PC. Mostly because – as these two Zotac and Acer models show – it’s already a pretty decent piece of computing, ready to handle almost anything. There is also a very endearing beauty to them: nothing is wasted, even the air in the container. If PC gaming is a vast church, there’s more than enough room for these little guys.