4 reasons I’d rather buy a Mini-ITX PC over a mini PC

Mini PCs have become popular in recent years due to their compact size, but they wouldn’t be my top pick if I’m going to them playing games. Sure, they’re great as console replacements, but that tiny size is not without its drawbacks. If you don’t mind sacrificing a bit more space on your desk, a small form factor Mini-ITX PC would be a much better option for your money.

Small form factor Mini-ITX PCs are not nearly as big as full-sized towers, but they can still offer comparable performance and flexibility, which mini PCs simply cannot match. In my opinion, mini PCs compromise a lot for the sake of size, but Mini-ITX PCs strike the perfect balance between performance and size.

4

Desktop-class performance

Although some high-end mini PCs offer exceptional performance for their size, they still pack laptop hardware at the end of the day. Considering they’re even smaller than modern gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, there’s no way you can fit desktop-class components in there. That’s exactly where small form factor PCs in a Mini-ITX configuration have the upper hand.

The bigger size allows room for desktop-class graphics cards and processors, meaning you can expect the performance of a full-sized desktop PC in a much smaller form factor. Laptop hardware simply cannot match desktop hardware in terms of performance because of power constraints. Just so you get an idea of the performance difference, the RTX 4070 mobile GPU in the Asus ROG NUC mini PC is roughly 40-45% slower than the desktop 4070.

3

Fully upgradable components

You’re not limited to RAM and SSD upgrades

Most Windows mini PCs can be upgraded using standard PC components.

Since mini PCs pack laptop components, you can’t upgrade it like you would a desktop PC. If anything, you’re limited to RAM and storage upgrades. Even then, many mini PCs have soldered RAM, rendering them non-upgradable down the line. However, since a Mini-ITX PC has standard desktop parts, you can swap out individual components like the CPU and GPU for newer, more powerful hardware.

The upgradability of a Mini-ITX PC makes it a safer investment in the long run since you don’t have to pay full price for a new PC when your hardware is relatively outdated or one of the parts fails. So, if you like having the flexibility of a standard desktop PC but don’t want it to take up too much space on your desk, a Mini-ITX PC is superior by a long shot.

2

Better cooling

You don’t have to worry much about thermal throttling

As much as I love mini PCs for their compact size, they fall short in thermal management. The internal components have limited space to dissipate heat, and just like most laptops, you’re more likely to run into thermal throttling issues sooner rather than later. The cooling solution is similar to that of laptops with some air vents for pushing out hot air. They usually pack small fans and thin heatsinks, which isn’t enough even if the hardware doesn’t draw power like desktop PCs.

Mini-ITX PCs, on the other hand, allow room for beefier cooling solutions. Since many Mini-ITX PCs can accommodate triple-fan graphics cards, keeping your GPU’s thermals in check shouldn’t be a problem as long as the case has adequate airflow. Some pre-built Mini-ITX PCs, like the Asus ROG G22CH, can be configured with an AIO liquid cooler for the CPU. With a much better cooling setup, your CPU and GPU can sustain their peak performance for longer.

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1

Longevity and repairability

You can just replace the faulty component

If any crucial component in a mini PC fails, like the CPU, GPU, or motherboard, you’ll have to replace the entire unit. Since most components are soldered onto the motherboard, it’s nearly impossible to repair them. If you have a faulty mini PC that’s under warranty, the manufacturer will usually offer a replacement unit. Once the warranty period expires, expect to pay full price for a new mini PC if anything goes wrong with the hardware.

However, if you run into hardware issues on a Mini-ITX SFF PC, you simply need to find and replace the faulty component. If the CPU is dead, you can just buy a newer CPU that’s compatible with your motherboard, which should only cost a fraction of your initial investment. Thanks to this flexibility, you can expect a Mini-ITX PC to last you a lot longer than mini PCs; it’s definitely the safer choice in the long term.

Mini PCs sacrifice a lot for their size

Although mini PCs seem like the perfect compact package for desktop use, they compromise a lot to maintain their size. At the end of the day, you’re getting laptop hardware in a tiny chassis, and as a result, you will run into the same limitations as you would with a laptop. They’re not user-upgradable down the line and don’t deliver desktop-class performance.

A Mini-ITX PC is perfect for those who want desktop performance in a smaller chassis and the flexibility of swapping out components at will in case anything goes wrong. Sure, they typically cost more than some high-end mini PCs, but they’re well worth the initial investment. And if you don’t want to pay a premium for a pre-built SFF PC, you can always build one from scratch with some of the best Mini-ITX motherboards and cases.

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