ASUS has introduced a more affordable version of its ROG NUC 16 compact gaming Mini PC in the United States, giving buyers another option in its premium mini desktop lineup. The new configuration is now available on Amazon for preorder at $2,499, with shipping expected to begin on August 1. Compared to the flagship model priced at $3,799, the latest version lowers the entry price by $1,300 while still offering modern gaming hardware and a compact design.
The new ROG NUC 16 is powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus, an Arrow Lake-HX processor that features 20 cores and 20 threads. The chip combines eight Performance cores and 12 Efficient cores, reaches boost clock speeds of up to 5.3GHz, and includes 30MB of L3 cache. Intel rates the processor with a 55W base power and up to 160W maximum turbo power, allowing it to handle gaming, content creation, and multitasking workloads.
For graphics, ASUS pairs the processor with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, based on the company’s latest Blackwell architecture. The GPU includes 3,328 CUDA cores, 8GB of GDDR7 memory, and support for DLSS 4, enabling improved gaming performance and AI-enhanced frame generation in supported titles. ASUS has not disclosed the total graphics power (TGP) of the GPU, so performance may vary compared to other RTX 5060 Laptop implementations.
Memory and storage are also designed with future upgrades in mind. The system ships with 32GB of DDR5-6400 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. Users can expand memory up to 128GB using the dual SO-DIMM slots. Storage options include one PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and one PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot, both accessible through a tool-free design that simplifies upgrades.
Cooling is handled by a three-fan thermal solution combined with a vapor chamber covering both the CPU and GPU. ASUS says the system maintains operating noise below 38 dBA during extended workloads. The compact 3-liter chassis can be placed either vertically or horizontally, with an internal sensor automatically adjusting cooling behavior depending on the system’s orientation.
Despite its small size, the ROG NUC 16 offers a wide selection of connectivity options. The rear and front I/O include Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE Ethernet, six USB Type-A ports, and one 20Gbps USB Type-C port. Wireless connectivity is provided by Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Key Highlights
- ASUS opens US preorders for the new ROG NUC 16 configuration.
- Priced at $2,499, which is $1,300 cheaper than the flagship model.
- Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus with 20 cores and 20 threads.
- Features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU with 8GB GDDR7 memory.
- Includes 32GB DDR5-6400 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.
- Supports memory expansion up to 128GB.
- Offers both PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 M.2 storage slots.
- Uses a three-fan vapor chamber cooling system inside a 3-liter chassis.
- Includes Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and 2.5GbE networking.
- US shipments are scheduled to begin on August 1.
At the moment, ASUS has only announced this Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus and RTX 5060 Laptop GPU configuration for the United States. There is no information yet regarding pricing or availability in other regions.
