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In terms of the smallest PC form factors, the NUC is tough to surpass, but its compact size typically means the internal hardware isn’t the most powerful. The 2025 iteration of the Asus ROG NUC, however, features some of the outstanding new components available today. The only drawback may be that the cost could be so steep that opting for a desktop PC or laptop may be a better choice.
The term NUC may seem unfamiliar to some, rooted in an innovation initiative by Intel around 12 years back. The Next Unit of Computing aimed to deliver powerful yet compact computers to homes and workplaces globally, but despite relative success in the professional and educational sectors, it never truly resonated with everyday consumers. In 2013, Intel discontinued its NUCs and passed the responsibility to Asus, which has since been enhancing the NUC for gaming.
Essentially, it is merely the components of a gaming laptop squeezed into a small enclosure, the ROG NUC avoids the traditional bland aesthetics in favor of a much flashier appearance. Nonetheless, two factors have hindered its path to becoming a definitive success: firstly, the selected hardware, and secondly, the notably high cost.
Regarding the first concern, the 2025 version of the ROG NUC appears to tackle these issues effectively. In terms of CPU, one can opt for a Core Ultra 9 or 7 Series 2 ARL-HX, which are essentially laptop variants of Intel’s Arrow Lake processors. Although the desktop variants are not particularly impressive for gaming, their efficient power usage is likely advantageous in this configuration.
Currently, there is only one GPU choice, the new GeForce RTX 5080 Mobile. The Blackwell architecture focuses on AI technology for gaming, yet beyond that, one will still have access to 7,680 CUDA cores and 16 GB of GDDR7 VRAM.
It remains uncertain at this point what power limit Asus will implement with the chip, but I suspect that neither the CPU nor GPU will operate at their maximum potential, as that would entail a combined TDP of 310 W, which is too demanding for a NUC to manage.
Asus asserts that the NUC’s cooling system supports 135 W, which may seem rather low, but Arrow Lake doesn’t consume much power while handling games. Nevertheless, this leaves limited capacity for the GPU.
On the RAM side, things are looking promising, as the 2025 ROG NUC offers between 16 and 96 GB of DDR5-6400. While I would have preferred 32 GB to be the base specification, I am pleased to observe that Asus has paired the mobile Arrow Lake with the fastest base RAM it can support, and this should significantly help to offset its comparatively underwhelming gaming capabilities.
In terms of storage, you have a choice of a 1 or 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and just a single screw stands between you and the chassis should you wish to enhance it with something more substantial.
CES 2025
Catch up with CES 2025: We are on the ground in sunny Las Vegas reporting all the newest announcements from some of the most prominent names in technology, including Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Asus, Razer, MSI, and many more.
In terms of connectivity, the 2025 ROG NUC is reasonably well-equipped—a WiFi 7 module and a 2.5G Ethernet port for rapid downloads, alongside four display ports (2x DisplayPort 2.1 and 2x HDMI 2.1). On the rear, there is one Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port and four 10 Gbps USB Type-A ports, with an additional three (1x 20 Gbps Type-C, 2x 10 Gbps Type-A) located at the front.
The primary motivation for considering the ROG NUC is undoubtedly its compact size. With a mere volume of 3 liters, it occupies such a small footprint that it can be placed anywhere on your desk without being intrusive. However, the design indicates it is intended for vertical placement only, which is beneficial for keeping your workspace organized, but less than ideal if you prefer to tuck it under a monitor.
The success of the 2025 Asus ROG NUC compared to its predecessors will largely hinge on its pricing. Previous iterations were significantly expensive, though Asus has reduced their price tags to some extent recently. Nevertheless, you are still looking at over £1,600 just for an RTX 4060 variant.
For that amount of money, constructing your own SFF gaming setup or acquiring a decent gaming laptop would be wiser. Neither option will be as compact as the ROG NUC, but you will certainly receive much greater value for your expenditure.
Let’s hope that the new year and new NUC come with a more reasonable price point.
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