u/AwkwardEggplant9153

Hey，guys I recently moved to Texas and my old desktop was destroyed in transit. I have a strict budget of under $500 (insurance payout + savings) to buy a replacement.

My current room is very small, so I want to get a Mini PC to save space for now, and upgrade to a high-end desktop later. Luckily, all my peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse) survived, so I only need the Mini PC itself.

I’ll mostly use it for web browsing, streaming, and daily tasks. I also play Civilization VI and Darkest Dungeon. What are some reliable brands or models under $500 that won't overheat or turn out to be a dud? Thanks!