A mini PC is a fantastic way to save desk space without sacrificing performance for daily tasks and workflow. Gaming is a whole different beast altogether, but modern CPUs used inside these compact systems have come a long way in providing a decent experience in conservative settings. But most mini PCs are prebuilt, so can you build your own system to rival NUCs and other devices? It's possible, so long as you keep expectations in check and don't mind spending a small fortune.

What is a mini PC?

A super-small system

A mini PC is essentially an Intel or AMD SBC contained within a pre-assembled shell. You'll have the choice of numerous SKUs with various specifications, but most will share similar dimensions, ports, cooling, and storage compatibility. They're not for everybody. If you spend most of your time using your PC for intensive gaming or heavier workloads such as video editing, a full-size PC system will be the better choice. But mini PCs can be incredibly useful for businesses and working from home.

These compact systems will have a motherboard and CPU preinstalled with the option of RAM and storage, depending on whether you wish to buy a bare-bones unit or one fully assembled. RAM is usually SODIMM modules, and storage can support M.2 NVMe or 2.5-inch drives. Processors are low-power SKUs designed for NAS, small servers, and laptops, though you can find some rocking desktop-class hardware. Wi-Fi (and Bluetooth) is common, and you'll have the choice of DisplayPort and HDMI for video output.

Unlike larger desktop PCs, what you see is what you get in terms of I/O with a mini PC.

Can you build a mini PC?

You can ... within reason

Technically, yes, you can build a mini PC. There are some bare-bones kits available from various brands. Still, even these already have the motherboard, CPU, and some other parts already assembled, and that's because they're slightly more beefy single-board computers (SBCs). Because these systems are so compact, you don't have much room for expansion, which is why there are limitations in place for storage, RAM, and other internal components.

We've reviewed countless mini PCs right here at XDA, and almost all of them are available with everything preinstalled and ready to go, making mini PCs a great choice for those who don't necessarily wish to spend hours tinkering with a bare-bones system with the risk of getting something wrong. Another great part about prebuilt mini PCs is the pricing. You can easily find systems listed for less than $300 with everything preassembled and ready for a quick Windows (or Linux) setup.

If you want maximum control over every aspect of your mini PC build, I'd recommend opting for a small form factor (SFF) PC.

How about an SFF PC?

Small yet mighty

A small form factor PC is compact, yet still powerful enough to handle most daily tasks, be it browsing websites, streaming video, and playing some games. It's a sub-category of PC building and has a vibrant community sharing tips, media of completed systems, and recommendations. It all starts with an SFF chassis, which is notably smaller than a mid-tower PC case. You'll find these cases have substantially smaller dimensions and less internal space for installing components.

A compact PC chassis will support either a Mini ITX or MicroATX motherboard, both of which will support the same AMD or Intel CPUs used with larger motherboards. Because of the smaller printed circuit board (PCB) dimensions, you'll find the Mini-ITX or MicroATX boards offering fewer PCI and RAM slots, weaker internal and external I/O, and a less capable power delivery design for overclocking. You could install an AMD Ryzen 9 or Intel Core i9/Ultra 9 CPU, but pushing them hard will prove challenging.

Depending on which SFF case you choose to use for your compact PC build, you may be able to use an AIO liquid CPU cooler and the latest graphics cards. You must check the dimensions of every part you wish to install to ensure they will be compatible with the chassis. Although an SFF build won't be as compact as a mini PC, it will still be considerably smaller than a mid-tower PC and require less desk space. It will also be much more powerful, depending on the CPU and GPU used.