Compact mini PCs like the Minisforum G1 Pro and ASUS ROG GR70 are redefining the small-form factor high-performance market, offering serious gaming and creative capabilities with new thermal and upgrade features, while market trends shift towards specialised AI and professional use.
Mini PCs with RTX graphics have moved from niche curiosity to a serious option for buyers who want desktop-class gaming and creative performance in a smaller chassis. Among the current crop, the Minisforum G1 Pro stands out for its balance of power, expandability and thermal design, while ASUS’s ROG GR70 is positioned as a higher-end choice for users willing to pay for premium hardware and stronger cooling. Budget-minded buyers still have options, but the category remains defined by clear trade-offs between graphics performance, heat control and long-term upgrade potential.
Tom’s Guide says the Minisforum G1 Pro pairs a desktop-grade GeForce RTX 5060 with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX, giving it enough headroom for demanding workloads in a compact form factor. The review also notes that the system leaves room for additional memory and storage, which strengthens its case for users who want a machine that can grow over time. The downside is predictable for this category: under load, fan noise becomes noticeable, and the port selection is not especially generous.
Minisforum’s own launch material, reported by Gizmochina, describes the G1 Pro as a 3.8-litre vertical tower with a built-in 350W power supply and a third-generation Glacier cooling system designed to manage up to 300W of heat. That combination helps explain why the machine is being marketed as a compact alternative to larger gaming desktops. PC Gamer’s review of the AtomMan G1 Pro, a closely related model in the same family, also points to solid 1440p gaming performance and generally sensible upgradeability, reinforcing the view that this design is built around practical performance rather than novelty.
ASUS, meanwhile, has pushed the ROG GR70 towards the premium end of the market. In its announcement, the company said the mini PC uses an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and can be configured with either an RTX 5070 or RTX 5060 Laptop GPU. ASUS also highlights triple-fan cooling, Wi-Fi 7 support and memory capacity of up to 96GB, which makes the GR70 more attractive to enthusiasts who want a compact system with fewer compromises. Gizmochina reported that the system is designed to support up to five 4K displays, further underlining its ambitions as a high-end desktop replacement.
The broader market is also shifting towards specialised compact systems rather than a single mini PC formula. At IFA 2026, Minisforum introduced AI-focused machines built around AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495, including one model aimed at local model inference and another pitched at creative professionals. That suggests the category is widening beyond gaming, even as RTX-based mini PCs remain the clearest fit for buyers who want strong graphics in a small footprint. For most users, the decisive question is no longer whether these machines are powerful enough, but whether the thermal limits, noise and upgrade paths suit the way they plan to use them.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
