This $1,400 Mini PC Packs a Desktop Graphics Card
▼ Summary
– The Minisforum AtomMan G1 Pro is a $1,440 mini-PC positioned as a more powerful alternative to Valve’s Steam Machine, featuring a desktop-grade Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU and a stronger CPU.
– Minisforum is notable for shipping mini-PCs with powerful discrete GPUs, and the G1 Pro improves on previous models with an integrated power supply and enhanced components.
– A key feature is a compact desktop graphics card that fits into the chassis, providing the full 145W power of other desktop RTX 5060 cards, though it is not advertised as upgradable.
– In “Beast Mode,” the device can run the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX CPU at 100W and the GPU at 145W, with ample storage, RAM, and display outputs supporting up to four monitors simultaneously.
– Valve’s Steam Machine is expected to be more affordable and focuses on cooling, noise, and wireless connectivity, with AMD GPUs offering more mature Linux drivers for systems like SteamOS.
Imagine a compact gaming powerhouse that fits on your desk without dominating the space, yet delivers the graphical muscle of a full-sized desktop. The Minisforum AtomMan G1 Pro achieves exactly that, packing a desktop-class Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU into a sleek 3.8-liter chassis. Priced at $1,440 for a model with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, this mini PC positions itself as a modern alternative to what Valve’s Steam Machine might have become, blending serious performance with a remarkably small footprint.
While Minisforum previously released the AtomMan G7 PT, which closely mirrored Valve’s own hardware approach, the new G1 Pro pushes boundaries further. It incorporates an integrated power supply and more robust internal components. The standout feature is a fully functional, miniature desktop graphics card mounted inside the top section of the case. Though Minisforum hasn’t confirmed whether the GPU can be upgraded later, they emphasize that it delivers the full 145 watts typically seen in standard desktop versions of the RTX 5060.
Activating “Beast Mode” allows the system to drive the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX processor at 100 watts while the graphics card maintains its 145-watt output. Storage and memory options are equally impressive, with two M.2 2280 slots for NVMe SSDs and two SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM. For multi-display setups, the G1 Pro provides five video outputs, two DisplayPort 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, and two HDMI 2.1, enabling users to connect up to four monitors simultaneously.
Currently available for order with shipments beginning in mid-January, the configured model includes 32GB of memory and a 1TB solid-state drive. A barebones version is also planned, priced at $1,040, which lets buyers install their own RAM and storage, though it is not yet open for purchase. With memory costs rising across the industry, the pre-configured model’s price appears increasingly reasonable for what it offers.
Valve has not yet disclosed pricing for its own Steam Machine hardware, but it is expected to be more budget-friendly. Even so, Valve has invested significantly in thermal management, acoustic performance, and wireless features. For those considering alternative operating systems like Bazzite or SteamOS, it’s worth noting that Linux driver support is generally more polished for AMD graphics. GamersNexus recently published benchmark results for the desktop RTX 5060 under Linux, which may help inform your decision if open-source gaming is a priority.
(Source: The Verge)
