Intel’s NUCs Revived as an Over-the-Top Asus Mini Gaming PC
▼ Summary
– Asus introduced the ROG NUC 16, a powerful mini PC with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 290HX CPU and up to an Nvidia RTX 5080 laptop GPU.
– The ROG NUC 16 starts at roughly $4,420 in China, with the white “Moonlight” version costing about $4,490; U.S. pricing is unannounced.
– Performance benchmarks show only a 3% uplift over the previous generation with the same GPU, though real-game performance may vary.
– The mini PC features an updated stand for vertical or horizontal placement, with better performance claimed when hovering off the desk.
– Asus also announced the 2026 ROG Strix Scar 18 laptop, upgraded with the same CPU and a 4K 240Hz mini LED display, available in Q2 or Q3.
Asus is reviving the Intel NUC legacy with what might be its most extravagant mini PC yet: the ROG NUC 16. This compact gaming machine packs serious power, but its price tag is equally massive, promising to leave a dent in any enthusiast’s wallet.
Intel originally designed its NUC (Next Unit of Computing) lineup as small-form-factor PCs that offered desktop-level customization in a premium shell. However, models like the Intel NUC 9 Extreme (“Ghost Canyon”) struggled due to limited upgrade paths and steep pricing. Intel handed the NUC torch to Asus in 2023, and since then, the ROG NUC series has found a loyal audience among gamers who need high performance in tight spaces.
The ROG NUC 16 is the most console-like and powerful iteration Asus has released. It retains the same chassis as the previous NUC 15 but now features Intel’s refreshed Arrow Lake CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX. Inside, it can house up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 laptop GPU,not the desktop version, which alone consumes 360W,and supports up to 128GB of RAM. Asus hasn’t shared U. S. pricing details yet. In China, the mini PC starts at 29,999 yuan, roughly $4,420. A new “Moonlight” white variant costs even more, around $4,490. The black version is expected this month, while the white model won’t arrive until June. Neither has a precise launch date. For context, the current ROG NUC 15 starts at $3,400 with a lower-end Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX, an RTX 5060, and 16GB of RAM. A higher-end configuration with the RTX 5080 and just 16GB of RAM costs close to $5,300.
With the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX, the ROG NUC 16 promises better performance than its predecessor using the same RTX 5080. Yet Asus’s own benchmarks, like 3DMark’s Time Spy, show only a 3% improvement over the last generation. Real-world gains will vary depending on the game.
The ongoing RAM shortage continues to inflate prices across consumer electronics, hitting gaming devices especially hard due to their higher memory and storage demands. On paper, the ROG NUC 16 looks compelling, but Asus has left some details unclear. Its store page doesn’t even list the available GPU configurations for different models.
The ROG NUC 16 includes a redesigned stand that lets you prop it up vertically or horizontally. In the horizontal position, the stand acts as a cradle, lifting the PC slightly off the desk. Asus claims performance improves with the PC hovering rather than standing upright.
Asus is also updating its ROG Strix Scar 18 gaming laptop for 2026. Like the ROG NUC 16, it features the Intel Core Ultra 290HX CPU and now includes a 4K, 240Hz mini LED display. I appreciated last year’s model for its toolless access panel, which simplified RAM and SSD swaps. An Asus spokesperson told Gizmodo that the ROG Strix Scar 18 won’t launch until Q2 or Q3 this year, with pricing to be announced closer to release. Given the current hardware market, don’t expect it to cost less than its 2025 predecessor.
(Source: Gizmodo.com)