A barebone PC kit gives you a compact starting point without locking you into someone else’s memory and storage choices. Some kits include a processor; others leave the CPU to you, so the right pick depends on how much you want to build.
These 10 options span tiny NUC-style systems and roomier desktops. Use the comparison to narrow your choices, then check the full parts list before you order.
Best 10 Barebone PC Kit Picks for 2026
Best for AM4 Builds
- 8-liter AM4 desktop kit
- Four DDR4 slots; up to 128GB
- PCIe x16 slot and included 500W PSU
Best For: Compact builds using a compatible Ryzen CPU
Best for Ready-to-Configure Offices
- Core i5-1340P included
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI
- Add RAM, SSD, and OS
Best For: Small office PCs with a preinstalled processor
Best for Ultra-Compact Intel Builds
- Supports 12th–14th Gen Intel Core
- Gen5 and Gen4 M.2 slots
- Up to 64GB DDR4 SO-DIMM
Best For: Small Intel desktops with flexible NVMe storage
Best for Compact GPU Builds
- 8-liter LGA1700 desktop kit
- Supports GPUs up to 20cm
- Four DDR4 slots and 500W PSU
Best For: Compact Intel builds with a short discrete GPU
Best for Everyday Work
- Intel N150 for lightweight tasks
- Triple-display support
- 2.5G LAN and Wi-Fi 6E
Best For: Compact office and retail workstations
Best for Performance Builds
- Eight-core Ryzen 7 8745H
- Dual DDR5 and M.2 slots
- USB4 and 2.5G networking
Best For: Compact, configurable multitasking PCs
Best for Custom Intel Builds
- 1.92-liter chassis
- Core Ultra Series 2 CPU support
- Gen5 M.2 and quad displays
Best For: Custom compact Intel desktops
Compact Office Pick
Intel NUC 13 Pro Core i5 Barebone
- Core i5-1340P for everyday productivity
- Four-display support via HDMI and Thunderbolt 4
- Add your own DDR4 RAM, SSD, and OS
Best For: Compact, configurable office workstations
Quiet Upgrade Pick
- Core Ultra 5 225H with Arc 130T graphics
- Toolless 0.7L chassis
- Wi-Fi 7 and support for four 4K displays
Best For: Small, easily upgraded multi-monitor workstations
Power User Pick
- Core Ultra 7 255H with Arc 140T graphics
- Four 4K displays via HDMI and Thunderbolt 4
- Toolless access and MIL-STD-810H certification
Best For: Configurable business and power-user desktops
Best for AM4 Builds – ASRock DeskMeet X300
This barebone pc kit gives you an 8-liter starting point for a compact AMD desktop, with an AM4 platform, four DDR4 slots, a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and a preinstalled 500W 80+ Bronze power supply.
Best For: Builders who want to reuse a compatible Ryzen CPU or put together a compact AM4 PC with room for an expansion card.
Pros:
- Supports compatible AM4 Ryzen processors up to 65W and up to 128GB of DDR4-3200 memory.
- Includes a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, an M.2 storage slot, and two SATA3 connections.
- Preinstalled 500W 80+ Bronze PSU simplifies the parts list.
Cons:
- CPU, RAM, and storage must be purchased separately.
- CPU cooler height is limited to 54mm.
Choose it for AM4 flexibility in a small enclosure, but check processor compatibility, cooler clearance, and your planned expansion card before buying.
Best for Ready-to-Configure Offices – Intel NUC 13 Pro i5
This barebone pc kit already includes a Core i5-1340P processor, making it a practical choice if you want a small office PC without selecting and installing a desktop CPU. Its roughly 4-by-4-inch footprint fits tight workspaces.
Best For: Home-office and business users who want a compact Intel system and prefer to choose their own memory, SSD, and operating system.
Pros:
- Included 12-core Core i5-1340P reduces the number of parts you need to source.
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two HDMI ports, and 2.5Gb Ethernet support versatile desk setups.
- Built-in Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 provide wireless connectivity.
Cons:
- RAM, SSD, and operating system are not included.
- Memory is limited to two DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM slots and 64GB maximum.
It is the most straightforward choice here for a CPU-equipped mini PC, provided you budget for the missing components and confirm your display and storage needs.
Best for Ultra-Compact Intel Builds – ASRock DeskMini B760
This barebone pc kit pairs an ultra-compact chassis and motherboard with an LGA1700 socket for compatible 12th-, 13th-, or 14th-generation Intel Core CPUs. It suits builders who value a small footprint and fast storage options over a desktop graphics-card slot.
Best For: Space-constrained home-office or personal PCs built around a compatible 65W Intel Core processor.
Pros:
- Two DDR4-3200 SO-DIMM slots support up to 64GB.
- PCIe Gen5 x4 and Gen4 x4 M.2 slots offer two NVMe storage options.
- DisplayPort, HDMI, VGA, and USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C provide varied connections.
Cons:
- Requires a separate CPU, memory, storage, and operating system.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth require an optional module in the M.2 Key-E slot.
Its appeal is the combination of a tiny enclosure and flexible storage; check CPU power and your wireless requirements while planning the rest of the build.
Best for Compact GPU Builds – ASRock DeskMeet B760
This barebone pc kit makes room for a discrete graphics card in an 8-liter Intel build. It combines an LGA1700 platform, a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, four DDR4 DIMM slots, and a preinstalled 500W 80+ Bronze power supply.
Best For: Builders planning a compact Intel desktop with a compatible short, dual-slot graphics card.
Pros:
- Supports compatible 12th-, 13th-, and 14th-generation Intel Core CPUs.
- PCIe 4.0 x16 slot accommodates a dual-slot graphics card up to 20cm long.
- Four DDR4-3200 DIMM slots support up to 128GB; two Gen4 M.2 slots add NVMe storage options.
Cons:
- CPU, RAM, storage, and any desired graphics card are sold separately.
- The 54mm CPU cooler limit and 20cm graphics-card limit narrow component choices.
Pick this over an ultra-compact mini PC when a discrete GPU matters, and verify the fit and power needs of every component before ordering.
Best for Everyday Work – ASUS NUC 14 Essential
This barebone pc kit pairs an Intel N150 processor with a compact chassis for office productivity, retail deployments, and other lightweight tasks. Its VESA mount helps keep a desk clear.
Best For: Small offices or shared workspaces that need a compact, energy-efficient PC.
Pros:
- Supports three displays and includes HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
- Offers 2.5G LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Easy-access design simplifies upgrades and maintenance.
Cons:
- One DDR5 slot limits memory expansion to 16GB.
- Single-storage design offers less room to grow than multi-drive kits.
Choose this NUC for a tidy, practical workstation rather than a build that needs extensive memory or storage expansion.
Best for Performance Builds – MINISFORUM UM870 Slim
This barebone pc kit is a stronger starting point for multitasking, with an AMD Ryzen 7 8745H and room for dual DDR5 SO-DIMMs and two M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSDs. Its small footprint still leaves space for a broad selection of ports.
Best For: Buyers building a compact PC for demanding work and flexible storage.
Pros:
- Ryzen 7 8745H provides eight cores and a boost speed of up to 4.9GHz.
- Two memory slots and two M.2 slots give the build room to expand.
- USB4, HDMI, and DisplayPort support versatile display connections.
- Includes 2.5G wired networking, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Cons:
- Ships without RAM, SSD, or operating system.
- Active cooling introduces a fan, unlike a passive design.
The UM870 Slim suits buyers willing to complete the build themselves in exchange for more processing power and upgrade options.
Best for Custom Intel Builds – ASRock DeskMini B860
This 1.92-liter barebone pc kit lets you choose a compatible Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor up to 65W. With DDR5, PCIe Gen5 storage, and four-display support, it offers substantial configuration flexibility in a small chassis.
Best For: Builders who want to select their own Intel CPU and create a compact multi-display desktop.
Pros:
- Supports up to 128GB of DDR5 memory across two SO-DIMM slots.
- Provides PCIe Gen5 and Gen4 M.2 slots plus two SATA3 ports.
- Can drive four displays through HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 4.
- Includes Thunderbolt 4 and a front USB-C port rated for 20Gbps.
Cons:
- Requires a separately purchased compatible CPU, memory, storage, and operating system.
- CPU support is limited to compatible processors with a TDP of up to 65W.
The DeskMini B860 rewards careful component selection; it is a flexible compact build, not a ready-to-use mini PC.
Compact Office Pick – Intel NUC 13 Pro Core i5 Barebone
This barebone pc kit is a practical choice for a small office or home workstation. Its 13th Gen Core i5-1340P handles everyday productivity, while the compact NUC chassis can sit on a desk or mount behind a monitor.
Best For: Buyers building a compact productivity PC with their own memory, storage, and operating system.
Pros:
- 12-core Core i5-1340P processor for multitasking and office work.
- Dual HDMI 2.1 and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports support up to four displays.
- Expandable DDR4 memory and M.2 SSD storage.
Cons:
- No RAM, SSD, or operating system is included.
- Integrated Iris Xe graphics are better suited to productivity than demanding gaming.
Choose this NUC if you want a space-saving system you can configure yourself. Check the exact chassis dimensions before planning a tight installation, as the supplied specifications list different heights.
Quiet Upgrade Pick – ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ Core Ultra 5
This barebone pc kit pairs a Core Ultra 5 225H with Intel Arc 130T graphics in a sleek 0.7L chassis. It suits buyers who want a small, easily upgraded desktop with modern wireless connections and room for a multi-monitor setup.
Best For: A compact, quiet workstation that is easy to open for upgrades.
Pros:
- Toolless chassis simplifies access for upgrades.
- Dual HDMI 2.1 and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports support up to four 4K displays.
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and cooling designed to reduce noise.
Cons:
- As a barebone kit, it requires you to plan the remaining build components.
- Integrated graphics may not meet the needs of buyers seeking a dedicated GPU.
The Pro+ stands out for its combination of tidy design, straightforward upgrades, and display connectivity. Confirm the included memory, storage, and OS with the seller before ordering; the supplied details do not clearly establish what comes installed.
Power User Pick – ASUS NUC 15 Pro Core Ultra 7
This barebone pc kit centers on a Core Ultra 7 255H and integrated Arc 140T graphics. Its compact chassis, toolless access, and four-display support make it worth considering for a capable, configurable business desktop.
Best For: Power users and businesses building compact, multi-display workstations.
Pros:
- Core Ultra 7 255H processor with integrated Arc 140T graphics.
- HDMI 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity supports up to four 4K displays.
- Toolless chassis, Wi-Fi 7, and a three-year manufacturer warranty.
- MIL-STD-810H certification and testing for 24/7 reliability.
Cons:
- Barebone buyers need to verify which build components are included.
- Its integrated graphics are not a substitute for a dedicated graphics card when one is required.
Pick this model when processor capability and durability features matter more than the smallest possible chassis. Before checkout, confirm the memory, storage, and OS configuration, which the supplied details do not clearly specify.
How We Picked These Barebone PC Kits
We focused on practical differences a buyer can check before ordering: whether the processor is included, supported CPU families, memory type, storage options, expansion space, and the kit’s size. We also considered how each format suits everyday office work, a small-footprint desktop, or a build that needs a discrete graphics card. Specifications can vary by exact SKU and seller listing, so confirm the configuration and included parts before checkout.
Quick Comparison: Which Format Fits?
Smallest footprint: NUC-style kits such as the Intel NUC 13 Pro and ASUS NUC models suit desks where space matters more than internal expansion. The ASUS NUC 14 Essential is a simpler option, with one memory slot and a single-storage design.
More choice over components: ASRock DeskMini kits let you select a compatible desktop CPU while keeping the system small. DeskMeet X300 and B760 are larger choices for builders who want room for a graphics card, subject to the case’s fit and power limits.
Processor included: The MINISFORUM UM870 Slim lists a Ryzen 7 8745H; the Intel NUC 13 Pro listings include a Core i5-1340P. They still require you to check what RAM, storage, and operating system are supplied.
Key Buying Factors for a Barebone PC Kit
What Is Actually Included?
“Barebone” does not mean the same thing across listings. A kit may include a soldered processor, or it may require you to buy and install a supported desktop CPU. RAM, SSD, and operating system are commonly separate purchases. Budget for those parts, plus any needed cooler, Wi-Fi hardware, or peripherals, rather than comparing kit prices alone.
Compatibility and Upgrade Room
Check the exact CPU support list and BIOS requirements before buying a socketed kit. Match the specified DDR4 or DDR5 memory type and form factor; desktop DIMMs and laptop-style SO-DIMMs are not interchangeable. Count usable M.2 slots and any drive bays, then verify supported SSD sizes and interfaces.
If you plan to add a graphics card, check its physical dimensions, power requirements, the supplied power supply, and available connectors. For a mini PC that will drive several monitors or connect fast external devices, verify the ports and display capabilities of the exact model—not just the product-family name.
Who Should Buy Which Barebone PC Kit?
Choose an Intel or ASUS NUC-style kit for a tidy home-office or business desk if you prefer an included CPU and do not need much internal expansion. Consider the UM870 Slim if you want its listed Ryzen processor in a compact build. Pick a DeskMini if choosing a compatible desktop CPU is part of the appeal. Step up to a DeskMeet if a discrete GPU or more build space is the priority. Finally, compare the two NUC 13 Pro listings carefully: their names overlap, so use the exact model number and seller’s included-parts list to avoid buying the wrong configuration.