Which Mini-PC Model Is Good for Performance Per Dollar in 2024?

I'm thinking of getting a mini pc (not itx) to upgrade from a laptop for home use.

I don't play many games but I dev them so I need some performance looking at ryzen9 or i9 with 32-64gig ram. Are there any that allow GPU upgrades?

The minisforum description doesn't contain any details about the PSU voltage or wattage. What type of PSU do these use?

Anything else I'm missing? If you have recommendations let me know thanks.

Comments

  • +1

    Are there any that allow GPU upgrades?

    Looked at any eGPU/GPU enclosures?

  • +1

    The PSU is normally just a power brick similar to a laptop charger so you are looking at around 19V 4.7A PSU, not enough to run a graphics card but as the other commenter suggests you can get a GPU enclosure to connect to one. In terms of performance per dollar you can look at some of the AMD Ryzen ones which the integrated GPU would be good enough for light gaming, when you start looking at the GPU enclosures they are around $500 by themselves which is probably around what you'd pay for the mini PC to begin with, maybe look on facebook/gumtree/ebay for someone selling a second hand enclosure + GPU as the resale value will be a lot lower than buying retail.

  • I am going to be honest, you are not going to get your requirements in a Mini PC. You will need to a Mini ATX at a minimum without having to have multiple things together.

  • The INTEL N100/N105 barebones mini pc's are on aliexpress from $150 & 8gb/256gb form around $250 (4core/4threads) and its FASTER then the N95 (about double). Double again look for the i3-N305 2/8E cpus but for around the same $450-600 you can get any number of RYZEN mini pc's and they all have better GPUs for >1080P gaming which would be my bang for buck bet. The N100 is great if you wipe WINDOWS (thats usaly included) and instead install UBUNTU. Some times AMAZON has something or eBay for a used DELL or LENOVO/HP used U/SFF-PC for $100-200

    The Pi500 keyboard is now out, $250 and runs ubuntu sweet, just plug in a mouse/hdmi monitor and usb-c power

    Laptops, AIO All-in-one pc's new and used. If portability is an issue look for a laptop with a backlit keybaord<<<!!! 60-1200 (lenovos website for deals and specs, cheaper than DELLS I find and nice! I have two and one competes with my apple-macbook at half the price and way way way better specs and inclusions!)

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