Buying Guide
The Best Mini PCs Under $500 for a Compact Desk
We compared four mini PCs on processor class, memory, storage and networking, and flag where listings differ by configuration.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
9 min read4 products evaluated
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A mini PC can replace a tower on a small desk, but under $500 the processor matters more than the brand or the "gaming" label on the listing. AMD's U-series chips are built for efficiency; HS-series chips run at higher power for heavier work, typically with more fan noise under load.
Configurations also vary between listings for the same model, so the RAM, storage and price you see here may differ from the listing you open. Check the exact variant before buying.
The four mini PCs below were between about $400 and $460 at the time of writing. Our comparison is based on published specifications, not hands-on testing or benchmarks.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best for Everyday Work
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM 1TB PCIe3.0 SSD
An efficient Ryzen 7 7730U with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Best for: A compact home-office PC for everyday apps, browsing and video calls.
Our take Check price for BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM 1TB PCIe3.0 SSD (opens in a new tab)
Best for Dual Networking
GMKtec Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7640HS (Beats 6800H/6800U) 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Dual NIC
An HS-series Ryzen 7640HS with DDR5 memory and two network ports.
Best for: A mini PC that also handles home networking or server duties.
Our take Check price for GMKtec Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7640HS (Beats 6800H/6800U) 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Dual NIC (opens in a new tab)
Alternate BOSGAME Listing
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD
The same Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB and 1TB configuration, with a larger review base.
Best for: Readers who prefer a listing with more buyer feedback for the BOSGAME P4 Ultra.
Our take Check price for BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD (opens in a new tab)
Best for Heavier Work
AOOSTAR MACO AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Mini PC (8C/16T, up to 5.2GHz)
An 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 9 8945HS reaching 5.2GHz, the strongest chip here on paper.
Best for: Heavier multitasking, photo work or light video editing on a small desk.
Our take Check price for AOOSTAR MACO AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Mini PC (8C/16T, up to 5.2GHz) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for Everyday Work1 of 4
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Gaming, Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM 1TB PCIe3.0 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BOSGAME P4 Ultra is the sensible pick for everyday office work: its Ryzen 7 7730U is an efficient U-series chip, and this configuration pairs it with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- A compact home-office PC for everyday apps, browsing and video calls.
Skip if
- You run heavy multithreaded work like video exports; the AOOSTAR's Ryzen 9 8945HS offers more on paper.
Why we like it
That is generous storage for the price and enough memory for browsers, office apps and video calls running together. U-series chips are designed for lower power draw, which suits a machine left on most of the day.
The gaming branding says little about what it is good at, and configurations vary by listing, so confirm the RAM and storage on the page you buy from.
Key dimensions & specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Pros
- Efficient U-series processor
- 1TB of storage
- 16GB of memory
Cons
- Configuration varies by listing
- Less processing headroom than the HS-series picks
- Ports and cooling aren't detailed in the listing summary
Best for Dual Networking2 of 4
GMKtec Gaming Mini PC Ryzen 7640HS (Beats 6800H/6800U) 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Dual NIC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The GMKtec's distinguishing feature is networking: it has two network ports, useful if you want the machine to double as a small home server or firewall, and it uses a higher-power HS-series Ryzen 7640HS with 16GB of DDR5.
Best for
- A mini PC that also handles home networking or server duties.
Skip if
- You don't need two network ports; the AOOSTAR or BOSGAME is the better value.
Why we like it
HS-series chips can sustain heavier workloads than U-series chips, at the cost of more power draw and fan noise. Storage is 512GB, half the BOSGAME's.
It is the most expensive mini PC here at the time of writing, and the AOOSTAR offers a higher-tier HS chip for less, so the dual network ports are the main reason to choose it.
Key dimensions & specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7640HS (HS-series)
- Memory: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- Networking: dual NIC
Pros
- Two network ports
- DDR5 memory
- HS-series processor for heavier work
Cons
- Most expensive here at the time of writing
- Half the storage of the BOSGAME
- AOOSTAR offers a higher-tier chip for less
Alternate BOSGAME Listing3 of 4
BOSGAME P4 Ultra Mini PC Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB DDR4 1TB PCIe SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This is another listing for the BOSGAME P4 Ultra with the same Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB of DDR4 and a 1TB SSD.
Best for
- Readers who prefer a listing with more buyer feedback for the BOSGAME P4 Ultra.
Skip if
- The other BOSGAME listing is cheaper when you shop; they are the same machine on paper.
Why we like it
Its main difference is a larger base of buyer reviews, which gives you more feedback to read, though its average rating is lower than the other BOSGAME listing's.
In practice, buy whichever BOSGAME listing is cheaper and matches the configuration you want at the time you shop.
Key dimensions & specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
- Memory: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Pros
- Same efficient configuration as the top pick
- Larger base of buyer feedback
- 1TB of storage
Cons
- Effectively duplicates the top pick
- Lower average rating than the other listing
- Configuration varies by listing
Best for Heavier Work4 of 4
AOOSTAR MACO AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Mini PC (8C/16T, up to 5.2GHz) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The AOOSTAR MACO has the most capable processor in this guide on paper: a Ryzen 9 8945HS with 8 cores, 16 threads and a boost clock of up to 5.2GHz, at the lowest price here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Heavier multitasking, photo work or light video editing on a small desk.
Skip if
- You want a quiet, efficient machine for office apps; the BOSGAME P4 Ultra is the better fit.
Why we like it
That makes it the better fit for heavier multitasking, such as photo and video work or many applications at once. As an HS-series chip, it draws more power and is likely to be louder under load than the U-series BOSGAME.
It is a newer listing with less buyer feedback, and the listing summary doesn't state RAM or storage, so confirm the configuration before buying.
Key dimensions & specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS (8 cores / 16 threads)
- Boost clock: up to 5.2GHz
- Memory and storage: check the listing
Pros
- Most capable processor here on paper
- Lowest price here at the time of writing
- 8 cores and 16 threads
Cons
- RAM and storage aren't stated in the listing summary
- Newer listing with less buyer feedback
- Higher power draw than U-series chips
How We Chose These Mini PCs Under $500
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Processor class
- We compared the listed processors by series, core count and boost clock.
- Memory and storage
- We compared listed RAM and SSD capacity and flagged listings that don't state them.
- Networking and extras
- We noted features such as dual network ports.
- Price position
- We compared prices at the time of writing; they change frequently.
What to Look for in a Mini PC Under $500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Look at the processor class, not the label
AMD U-series chips, like the Ryzen 7 7730U, prioritize efficiency; HS-series chips, like the 7640HS and 8945HS, run at higher power for sustained work. For office apps and browsing, U-series is usually sufficient; for heavier multitasking, HS-series has more headroom.
Confirm the exact configuration
The same model can be sold with different RAM and storage. Check the listing you buy from, and aim for at least 16GB of RAM for comfortable multitasking.
Check ports for your desk setup
Count the display outputs you need for your monitors, and the USB ports for your peripherals. The listing summaries here don't detail every port, so check the full specifications.
Consider noise
Higher-power chips generally need more cooling. If the PC sits on your desk in a quiet room, an efficient U-series machine is likely to be less noticeable.
How to Choose a Mini PC Under $500
By workload
| Workload | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Office apps, browsing, video calls | BOSGAME P4 Ultra | Efficient Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB, 1TB |
| Photo work and heavier multitasking | AOOSTAR MACO | Ryzen 9 8945HS, 8 cores / 16 threads |
| Home networking or server use | GMKtec 7640HS | Dual network ports |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mini PC prices change often?
Yes. Prices and configurations change frequently, so check the current listing before buying.
Are all mini PCs under $500 similar in performance?
No. The processor series and generation matter more than the price. Here, the Ryzen 9 8945HS has the most processing capacity on paper and the Ryzen 7 7730U is the most efficient.
Can a mini PC under $500 handle gaming?
None of the listings here confirm a dedicated or external graphics option. They rely on integrated graphics, so check the specifications if gaming matters to you.
Should I trust the RAM and storage figures in a guide?
Use them as a starting point. Configurations vary by listing, so confirm them on the page you buy from.
Bottom Line
For a home office, the BOSGAME P4 Ultra is the sensible choice: an efficient processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage cover everyday work without much power draw.
If you need more processing power, the AOOSTAR MACO's Ryzen 9 8945HS is the strongest chip here on paper and, at the time of writing, the least expensive; confirm its memory and storage first. The GMKtec makes sense mainly for its dual network ports.