There are many types of different mini PCs available on the market today. An increasingly popular variety is the Ryzen mini PC. But what is a Ryzen Mini PC, and which is the best Ryzen mini PC? Find out the answers and more in this article.
The very Best Ryzen Mini PC to Buy
If you’ve found this article, it’s no secret you’re probably on the hunt for a new PC. And like many people, you rightfully only want the best of the best to serve as your daily driver.
We at DroiX have been selling mini PCs of all kinds for many years now, so we’ve put together this handy list to really help you decide on what is the best value-for-money PC you can buy. In particular, we’ll showcase a few of the best Ryzen mini PCs’ on the market today – all of which will be of interest to you.
Looking for a Mini PC that doesn’t use Ryzen? Check out our wider range of best mini PCs in the article below:
What is a Ryzen Mini PC for?
A core part of the Ryzen mini PCs’ identity is it being a mini PC.
A mini PC is, as the name implies, a PC that is «mini». Being far smaller in size than even your typical micro-ATX system.
A Ryzen mini PC is a mini PC that makes use of an Ryzen series processor. These are modern processors manufactured by AMD, who historically are known for their mid-range processors that specialize in multi-core performance. But in recent years have began to really butt heads with Intel in the market.
You can use a Ryzen mini PC for a variety of tasks. Including, but not limited to:
- A dedicated streaming mini PC for streaming IPTV and movies.
- A home media server to store and manage your collection of shows/files
- A workstation for working from home
And many more. Pretty much just about anything you can do with a full desktop computer, you can do with a Ryzen mini PC.
How to Choose the Best Ryzen Mini PC
There’s a number of criteria you will have to consider before purchasing your first Ryzen mini PC. And it would be foolish for us at Droix to omit these crucial details.
Windows or Linux Ryzen Mini PC’s
First of all, pretty much every Windows PC you find nowadays will run Windows out of the box. At the time of writing (December 2021), this will most likely be Windows 10. But with Windows 11 recently released, you will slowly see more and more computers adopt it in place of 10.
However, you might wish to forego Windows entirely. Perhaps you just aren’t fond of Microsoft. Or perhaps the software you need isn’t present on the system. In that case, you may consider opting for a Linux Ryzen mini PC.
The fact of the matter is, most mini PCs aren’t explicitly designed to work with any kind of Linux distribution. This does not meant that they won’t work outright. It just means that there’s no guarantee it will work without any issues on your chosen distribution.
If uncertain, reach out to the seller (be it us at [email protected], or anywhere else) to ask if they’ve tried the unit you’re interested in with a Linux distribution before.
Ryzen Mini PC’s
The brain of a Ryzen mini PC is of course, it’s AMD Ryzen processor.
The Ryzen architecture originally release in 2017 to critical acclaim. It was a welcome shake up to the previously stagnant CPU market dominated by Intel prior.
Ryzen mini PCs boast high performance in all areas. But are particularly effective in multi-core applications. So if you’re running complex encoding operations, or are simply multitasking, you will really feel the performance of the Ryzen architecture behind you.
There are currently four rough brackets of performance to keep your eye out on when looking for a Ryzen mini PC:
- Ryzen 3 – The budget bracket.
- Ryzen 5 – The average user bracket.
- Ryzen 7 – The power user bracket.
- Ryzen 9 – The enthusiast user bracket
This conveniently mirrors Intel’s naming schemes for processors, so you can more easily compare the two.
Ryzen Mini PC RAM
Ryzen Mini PC’s will generally support at least two sticks of SO-DIMM DDR4 RAM. This is different from normal DIMM RAM in that it is much smaller and generates a little more heat due to all the memory chips being closer together.
Ryzen mini PCs play very nicely with high-speeds of RAM, with most models supporting 3200MHz sticks. If the RAM is embedded (LPDDR4), this maximum frequency goes even higher to an impressive 4266MHz.
RAM is a very important part of any Ryzen mini PC because it feeds back into the performance of every application, and so keep it in mind when picking your new unit.
Ryzen Mini PC SSD Storage
Storage is an important point of consideration for any PC. Not just mini PCs, and especially not just Ryzen mini PCs. Regardless, we’ll go over the storage factor briefly.
Just about every Ryzen mini PC you will find on the market today will contain an SSD as its main memory. This will be of the M.2 form factor, and likely to be 22*80mm in size. Although some hyper-small models may feature a 22*42mm SSD instead.
For the lower-end models, the SSD will likely be M.2 SATA, but higher end models are more likely to feature slightly faster M.2 NVMe SSDs instead. The performance probably won’t be noticeable in everyday applications. But will come to light during high loads (i.e., when you’re moving large files around).
Most mini PCs will also feature a small space to insert a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD. Some larger models may in fact feature spaces for two 2.5-inch drives concurrently.
Ryzen Mini PC Video Card
Most mini PCs you’ll find on the market will not feature a discrete graphics card. Barring exceptions such as the DroiX Stheno series.
The graphics card is responsible for rendering and displaying output to any connected monitors. If a device has no discrete graphics card, it must fall back on the intergrated graphics component, which is a small subset of the processor dedicated to rendering graphics.
Naturally, the performance of integrated graphics will be worse than most contemporary discrete graphics cards. But with advancements in recent technology, the performance of integrated graphics has come amazingly far. With many high end models being capable of even handling AAA games.
AMD in particular have exceptional performance for their intergrated graphics thanks to their «APU» architecture, which is just a fancy way of describing GPU and CPU technologies being designed in tandem on one chip, rather than the integrated graphics just being a component you «fit» into the CPU.
Ryzen Mini PC USB Inputs and Connections
Connectivity is an important factor when considering your Ryzen Mini PC.
Most mini PCs will feature a suite of USB inputs for which you can connect a variety of peripherals to. There are USB Type-A inputs, which you will probably be already familiar with (they’re thing everyone thinks of when you think «USB») which come in Gen 2, Gen 3.0, and Gen 3.1 verities.
There’s USB-C, which is most often seen at the end of charging cables for modern mobile phones. It facilitates high speed, flexible connection types, with some USB-C ports even being capable of video output.
The intricacies (read: mess) of the USB naming schemes and generations is too much to get into here. So we’ll just leave it at the following:
USB 2.0 is something you should only really see or accept on budget models.
USB 3.0 and USB Type-C are the golden standards of connectivity. They are the most flexible and provide good transfer speeds.
Video Output
Video outputs for your Ryzen mini PC are also worth consideration. Because how else are you going to use your PC if it is not with a monitor?
You’ll find the best Ryzen mini PCs will always support at least two display outputs. At least one of these will be HDMI.
The other will either be a second HDMI port, or a DisplayPort interface of some kind. DisplayPort being an alternative to HDMI (you’ll recognize it as the port will be horizontally asymmetrical).
Some models can even support more via additional HDMI/DisplayPort interfaces. Or even USB-C interfaces. Like the Beelink GT-R which can support up to four displays simultaneously.
Network Connectivity
How you will connect your Ryzen mini PC is also an important point of consideration.
If you prefer wired connections, ensure that your mini PC has an Ethernet (RJ45) port. Just about every model will have at least one, with a rare few having two – allowing for slightly more complex networking setups.
Ensure you confirm the speed of the Ethernet port too. Excluding the most budget of budget models, most should be rated at a healthy 1000Mbp/s – which will be enough to accommodate use cases for almost any user (even power users/enthusiasts).
As for those who prefer wireless connections, be sure to check if your Ryzen mini PC supports Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5. The former is newer and supports faster (maximum) speeds. The latter is older and only supports slightly slower maximum speeds.
The Best Ryzen Mini PC’s
Winner: Best AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC : MinisForum Neptune HX99G
The MinisForum Neptune HX99G is a compact and powerful Ryzen mini PC that redefines computing with its remarkable features and specifications. Equipped with the mighty AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, this mini PC delivers unparalleled performance for gaming, content creation, and productivity tasks.
The AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU with 8GB of dedicated GDDR6 memory ensures stunning visuals and smooth gameplay. The HX99G Mini PC with AMD Ryzen processor supports up to 64GB of DDR5 dual-channel memory for lightning-fast data access and seamless multitasking. Storage options include an M.2 2280 PCIe4.0 SSD slot and an M.2 2280 SSD slot, providing flexibility and expandability for your storage needs.
The MinisForum Neptune HX99G offers seamless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and an array of ports, including HDMI and USB4, allowing for high-quality audio and video output. The compact and stylish design of this mini PC makes it easy to fit into any environment, while its powerful AMD Ryzen processor and impressive GPU make it ideal for gamers, content creators, and productivity enthusiasts.
You can read our detailed MinisForum Neptune HX99G review here.
What we like!
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
- AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU
- Can run up to 64GB RAM
- Quad monitor 4K 60Hz
What we don’t like…
- Higher price than entry level desktop PC, but it does have far higher performance.
Runner Up: Best AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC : MinisForum UM690
The MinisForum UM690 is a high-performance Ryzen mini PC that offers excellent processing power and graphics performance for demanding home or office workloads. It is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor, though with the integrated AMD Radeon 680M GPU instead of a dedicated GPU card. It still delivers exceptional high performance.
With options for up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and up to 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD, the UM690 provides ample memory and storage capabilities. It also offers space for a 2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD for additional storage needs.
The Mini PC for content creation supports dual displays up to 4K 60Hz with its two HDMI ports or a single 8K 60Hz display with the USB 4 Type-C port. It also features USB 3.2 generation 2 ports for peripheral connectivity and the option to connect an external GPU (eGPU) for enhanced graphics performance.
Connectivity is handled through the high-performance 2.5 Gigabit ethernet for wired transfer and WiFi and Bluetooth via the M2 2230 port for wireless connectivity. The MinisForum UM690 is the ideal choice for users who require high performance in a compact form factor, making it suitable for environments with limited space, such as office desktops.
What we like!
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
- Integrated AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU
- Can run up to 64GB RAM
- Up to 8K 60Hz video output
What we don’t like…
- Only integrated GPU on this model but you can connect eGPU.
Winner: Best AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC : MinisForum HX80G
The MinisForum HX80G is a compact and powerful gaming mini PC designed for gamers and power users who value performance and portability. It features a Ryzen 7 5800H processor and AMD Radeon RX 6600M graphics card, providing blazing-fast performance and stunning visuals for demanding games and applications.
With support for up to 64GB of DDR4 memory and up to 2TB of m.2 2280 PCIe SSD storage, the HX80G offers ample space for games, applications, and multimedia. It boasts 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, ensuring seamless connections to networks and peripherals. The mini PC also features multiple HDMI and Display Port outputs for up to quad monitor display capability, along with a range of USB ports for easy peripheral connectivity.
Despite its small size, measuring just 8.07 x 7.99 x 2.73 inches (20.5 x 20.3 x 6.9cm) and weighing only 1.21 kg, the HX80G remains highly portable, making it suitable for gamers on the move or those with limited living spaces. Its compact design allows for easy setup in various environments.
Choosing a gaming mini PC like the HX80G offers advantages such as portability, space-saving, and energy efficiency compared to traditional desktop PCs. The MinisForum HX80G is a powerful and portable gaming machine that delivers exceptional performance and visuals, making it an ideal choice for gamers seeking both power and portability.
What we like!
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- Powerful AMD Radeon RX 6600M GPU
- Can run up to 64GB RAM
- Quad monitor, up to 4K 60Hz video output
What we don’t like…
- Not as fast as the HX99G
Runner Up: Best AMD Ryzen 7 Mini PC : Beelink SER5 5800H
The Beelink SER5 5800H Mini PC for productivity offers powerful performance with its AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and AMD Radeon graphics, making it a great choice for gaming. It supports up to 64GB DDR4 RAM and up to 2TB of fast NVMe SSD storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and ample space for games. Additionally, there is room for a 2.5″ HDD or SSD for additional storage needs.
The SER5 5800H provides convenient connectivity with three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports for high-speed peripheral devices, a USB 2.0 port for mouse and keyboard, and two HDMI ports along with a USB Type-C port for triple monitor display capability. It offers fast and reliable connectivity options with gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2.
Despite its powerful performance, the Beelink SER5 5800H Ryzen mini PC has a compact and portable design, measuring just 4.96 x 4.4 x 1.65 inches. It can easily fit in a small bag or backpack, making it suitable for travel or limited desk space. Whether for gaming or other tasks, the SER5 5800H provides a powerful and portable solution.
What we like!
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
- Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
- Can run up to 64GB RAM
- Triple monitor, up to 4K 60Hz video output
What we don’t like…
- Only integrated graphics
Winner: Ryzen Mini PC with desktop CPU
The MinisForum Elitemini B550 mini PC for gaming is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 5700G processor and Radeon Graphics, delivering high-performance video and 3D rendering capabilities. It supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and offers storage options of up to 2TB M.2 SSD, with additional slots for extra storage including a 2.5″ HDD or SSD.
With two HDMI ports and DisplayPort, the B550 Ryzen mini PC allows for connection to up to three monitors with 4K resolution at 60Hz each. Additionally, it offers the option to attach an external graphics card (eGPU) for even faster performance, such as the GeForce 4090.
The Elitemini B550 mini PC provides reliable and high-speed connectivity with WiFi 6, Bluetooth, and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port. It also offers various USB ports for peripheral connectivity. Measuring only 7.4 x 6.5 x 2.6 inches and weighing 1129 grams, it is compact and portable.
Whether for office use or gaming, the MinisForum Elitemini B550 Ryzen mini PC delivers outstanding performance. It excels in gameplay with the ability to connect an eGPU, allowing for smooth gameplay of the latest AAA Windows games.
You can read our full MinisForum B550 review here.
What we like!
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
- Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics + options eGPU
- Can run up to 64GB RAM
- WiFi 6, BT, Ethernet port
What we don’t like…
- Have to add your own GPU if not using the integrated one.
The Best Ryzen Mini-PC’s 2022
Paying attention to the mentioned criteria, you are ready to buy your mini-PC. And now that you know the main things to watch out for, it’s time to check out the best Ryzen Mini-PCs on the market!
AMD Ryzen 9 Mini PC 2022
MinisForum EliteMini HX90
The MinisForum HX90 is a high-performance mini PC that combines a futuristic, practical design and high performance into a sleek, miniature form factor. To learn more about it, we encourage you to check out our MinisForum HX90 Review!
What we like!
- Fast AMD Ryzen 9 CPU
- Great for both work and entertainment
- Plenty of USB ports
- Two HDMI and DisplayPort’s for 4 monitor support
- Vertical Stand, save more desk space
- Space inside for two 2.5″ drives
What we don’t like…
- Expensive
- Quite large for a mini PC
Beelink GTR4 & GTR5
The Beelink GTR4 and GTR5 are both AMD Ryzen 9 with 4900H and 5900HX processors respectively. This model is much smaller than the similar HX90 model as it only supports one internal 2.5″ drive. If you want a true mini PC with high performance then go for the GTR5.
Read our GTR4 review here and order your Beelink GTR4 here.
You can read our GTR5 review here, and learn more and buy the Beelink GTR5 here.
What we like!
- Fast AMD Ryzen 9 CPU
- Plenty of USB ports
- Supports up to three monitors via HDMI, DisplayPort and USB Type-C
- Space inside for a 2.5″ drives
What we don’t like…
- Only supports one 2.5″ drive compared to two on the HX90
Ryzen 7 Mini PC 2022
Beelink SER4
The Beelink SER4 is a high performing mini PC that features a compact design in stylish red and black colours. The AMD Ryzen 7 processor is more than capable of keeping up with the most demanding of your daily tasks in the home or work environment.
What we like!
- Great performing AMD Ryzen 7 CPU
- Great for use in home or work environment
- Four USB 3.0 ports
- Two HDMI for dual monitor support
What we don’t like…
- No internal 2.5″ drive support
Budget Ryzen Mini PC 2022
Beelink SER3
The Beelink SER3 is a great performing mini PC for a budget price. As mentioned in our SER3 review we highly recommend buying the 16GB RAM model over the 8GB as there is a noticeable increase in performance.
What we like!
- High performance for a budget device
- Small desktop footprint
- Space for 2.5″ HDD and SSD
What we don’t like…
MinisForum Deskmini UM350
The MinisForum Deskmini UM350 is an impressive upgrade over the older UM250 model. It has a nice performing Ryzen 5 3500H CPU, supporting up to 32GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD with space for a 2.5″ HDD/SSD. Read our full UM350 review here.
What we like!
- Great performing AMD Ryzen 7 CPU
- Great for use in home or work environment
- Four USB 3.0 ports
- Supports up to three monitors via HDMI, DisplayPort and USB Type-C
What we don’t like…
- Only WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2
Ryzen Mini PC with desktop CPU 2022
MinisForum EliteMini X400
The MinisForum X400 is one of the latest in the line of Ryzen Mini PC’s from MinisForum, the makers of popular mini computers such as the DMAF5 and the H31. The X400 is similar to the latter in that it features a desktop APU, rather than a lower-power laptop CPU.
The MINISFORUM X400 is a multi-purpose mini computer designed for use in a variety of solutions, such as a home office, media centre/HTPC, printer management PC, digital signage, or mass-deployment enterprise IT solutions.
Learn more about the MinisForum X400 in our review. Or check out the video below!
What we like!
- High performance
- Small desktop footprint
- Upgradeable RAM and Storage
- Space for HDD and SSD
What we don’t like…
- Size is on the «larger side» for a mini PC
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