Barebones gaming PC: best barebone computers for gaming 2022
We take alook at the best barebones gaming PC out there.
After spending 43 hours of extensive research and comparison, we finally concluded that the best barebones prebuilt gaming PC this 2022 is the Intel NUC8 NUC8i7HVK. It is packed with an 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor that’s unlocked, has a lot of connectivity ports, and a graphics card that’s VR capable– perfect for dead serious gamers who want power in a portable box.
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The 5 Best Barebones Gaming PC
In-depth Review
Intel NUC8 NUC8i7HVK
Intel NUC8 NUC8i7HVK
An all-rounder barebones gaming PC like the Intel NUC8 NUC8i7HVK could be considered ideal for most gamers needs in the mini-PC realm. This smaller form factor PC packs a powerful punch and has one of the more interesting designs on the list with a glowing skull on top of the case.
Looking at the connectivity department, you have the following:
- 3x USB 3.1 (Gen2)
- Type-C ports (two at the rear and one on the front), two of which support Thunderbolt 3
- 2x mini-DisplayPort 1.2 output
- Can support up to 6x displays with excellent expansion
This NUC (Next Unit of Computing) model is also loaded with a Core i7-8809G processor on top of having a decent Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics card. That’s more than enough to handle AAA titles and even VR!
Its compact size and design make it ideal in the living room and small spaces. Out of the box, it comes with the power adapter and VESA plate. This means you can hook this to the back of the monitor or television to give the appearance of a smart TV/ no wire setup.
The performance from this HTPC is very surprising but with its high price tag makes sure you plan on playing games with this otherwise it could be a bit overkill.
Zotac Magnus EN1060K-U-W2B
Zotac Magnus EN1060K-U-W2B
If you play competitively and don’t want to buy an external dock for a dedicated GPU, then forget about the rest of the list as the Zotac Magnus EN1060K-U-W2B packs the most powerful graphics card among them (GTX 1060) paired with a competent processor (Intel Core i5-7500T).
Like the all-rounder, this is a VR-ready machine, so you can enjoy your favorite VR games anytime, anywhere. It also comes preinstalled with a Windows 10 OS.
That aside, you won’t just have to stick with 1080p gaming with this machine; you’ll start to climb into 1440p territory with this sheer power.
If you prefer a ready-to-use option, you can do so easily by choosing the package that also comes with 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD for storage and 8GB RAM. It’s also surprisingly quiet despite having so much power.
You’ll also find a handful of ports in this machine:
- Mic and Headphone jack
- 2x Ethernet ports
- 2x USB 3.0
- 1x USB 3.1 Type-C
- 1x USB 3.1
- 2x USB 2.0
All in all, this is a very solid choice for those who prefer a plug-and-play high-performance barebones mini PC– it’s small and compact although you have to remember that this is the most expensive item on the list.
Gigabyte GB-BRI5H-8250
Gigabyte GB-BRI5H-8250
The Gigabyte GB-BRI5H-8250 is just like any barebones gaming PC on the list. But it is packed with a relatively different spec under the hood.
Thankfully, the performance is much better than the appearance. Inside you’ll find the Intel Core i5-8250U and an integrated Intel HD graphics card.
It supports 4K resolution natively and can support multiple displays. So if you want to have multiple displays for productivity or you want to stream, it is possible.
Like the rest, this has the regular ports-on-the-side setup. It also has a black design that’s comparable to most barebones gaming PC on the list.
It’s no surprise that this has a lot of ports, and these are as follows:
- Mini DisplayPort Outputs (Supports dual displays)
- 2 x USB 3.1 (1 x USB Type-C)
- 2 x USB 3.0
One thing that really sets this apart from a few of the barebones PC kits on the list is the fact that this is a VESA compatible small machine.
What makes this great is the fact that this can support an M.2 SSD and has 2x SO-DIMM DDR4 RAM slots.
Alienware Alpha ASM100-1580
Alienware Alpha ASM100-1580
The Alienware Alpha ASM100-1580 is actually unique in that it is installed with the Steam OS. Much like a Linux OS, this has a dedicated purpose; in this case, that would be for Steam gamers.
It should be noted that most games are not supported by Steam OS, so you will likely want to install Windows 10 ASAP.
Inside you’ll find an Intel Core i3-4130T processor inside along with a GTX 860M graphics card which is more than enough to run most indie titles and even older AAA games smoothly at 720p 60FPS or 1080p 30FPS, depending on the graphical settings. New AAA-titled games will definitely need more power for a decent experience.
It also comes preinstalled with 4GB of DDRL3 memory at 1600MHz (although you’ll like want 8GB of RAM) and a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive.
Connectivity isn’t as rich as the others above but you still have enough:
- 2x USB 2.0 (at the front)
- 2x USB 3.0 (at the back)
- 1x Ethernet port
- 1x HDMI out 1.4
- 1x HDMI in
- Mic and audio jack
Upgrading the processor to an Intel Core i7 chip is also possible AND recommended so you can play the latest games.
ASUS UN65U-M022M
ASUS UN65U-M022M
The ASUS UN65U-M022M is our budget pick thanks to its relatively powerful Intel Core i5-7200U. You know how earlier we said you should always get a powerful processor, even if the GPU isn’t great? Well, this is a sterling example of that at play.
Keep in mind that this one does not have RAM, HDD or SSD, or an OS. Even factoring this in, however, it will still be cheaper than the 4 above options.
For the price, this has enough connections at your disposal:
- 4x USB 3.0 ports
- 1x 4-in-1 card reader
- 1x HDMI port
- 1x DisplayPort
- 1x Ethernet port
Overall, this barebones gaming PC is enough if you’re starting out. It’s compact and lightweight and just powerful enough to give you an acceptable performance on titles that aren’t too demanding. However, if you plan on doing some serious gaming, you will need to invest in an external graphics card and a device that lets you utilize it, like the Razer Core X and Gigabyte Aorus Gaming Box.
Final Word
Choosing a barebones gaming PC for you to enjoy for hours on end should not be hard. By following this guide, you should be able to make the right choice.
There you have it! If you’re still reading this now, chances are that you already have a good hint at what you want. Consider sharing it down in the comments or tell us if you have a better idea in mind. We’d love to hear from our audiences!