Best-value quiet mini PC for Claude Desktop, Codex, 30+ Chrome tabs and heavy multitasking? 64GB RAM / 2TB SSD
I'm looking to replace my ageing Dell Inspiron 27 7700 AIO with 16GB RAM. I use my computer heavily for work, and I'm trying to find the cheapest setup that will comfortably handle everything without becoming sluggish.
My typical workload:
- Claude Desktop and Codex Desktop, often running alongside each other.
- ChatGPT and other AI tools through Chrome, with around 30–32 tabs open.
- WordPress and Elementor website management.
- Multiple coding agents, Node.js and Python scripts.
- Browser automation, website crawlers and other background processes.
- Several applications and processes running simultaneously for extended periods.
Most AI inference is cloud-based, but the coding tools, scripts and browser automation can involve local processing.
What I'm looking for:
- 64GB RAM minimum, preferably 2×32GB.
- One 2TB NVMe SSD, not two separate 1TB drives.
- A compact mini PC, small-form-factor desktop or AIO.
- Quiet operation, including during sustained workloads.
- Windows 11 Home.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Reliable cooling and enough performance headroom for future use.
I don't need a monitor, keyboard or mouse included. I don't do video editing, 3D rendering or local AI model training. Gaming isn't a priority, so I'm happy with integrated graphics if they're sufficient.
I've considered the MSI Cubi Ryzen 7 8845HS with 64GB/2TB for around A$2,450, along with Minisforum, Lenovo ThinkCentre and higher-powered Ryzen 9 or Intel Core Ultra desktops.
I was also quoted around A$5,250 for a Lenovo Core Ultra 9 AIO, but I'm questioning whether I actually need that much processing power.
My priority is spending as little as possible while buying something that genuinely handles this workload well. Ideally I'd stay below A$3,000, but I'd spend more if the improvement in performance, reliability or noise was worthwhile.
What would you recommend?
Would an eight-core Ryzen mini PC already be sufficient, or is moving to a 12–16-core desktop processor worthwhile when running multiple coding agents, browser automation and scripts?
I'm looking for Australian 64GB/2TB prebuilts that can handle my workload smoothly and quietly. My goal is the lowest possible cost without compromising performance, not spending $5,000 unnecessarily.