This Asus mini PC surprised me at every turn

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG NUC 2025 90AS00I1-M00090

$3199

The new ROG NUC 2025 mini PC from Asus has the identical format as a chunky desktop graphics card set upright and flanked by an equally massive motherboard. That’s precisely what it’s–nothing extra, packed into probably the most compact chassis attainable.

The primary thought of the NUC is a barebones pc, a small mini PC with a processor and graphics card inbuilt, which you’ll be able to then plug your individual storage and reminiscence into. Since Asus took over because the maker of NUC computer systems, it has been extra artistic with the mini PC idea than Intel ever was.

Asus is releasing barebones kits in additional type components and in addition extra pre-built computer systems full with reminiscence, storage and working system than Intel ever did. Not least that which is launched beneath the ROG model and is primarily geared toward avid gamers.

The ROG NUC 2025 is obtainable with totally different processors and graphics playing cards, however within the U.S. it’s offered in a high-end configuration that includes the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX laptop computer CPU and a desktop-class Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU.

ROG NUC 2025: An entire PC

32GB of quick DDR5 reminiscence and a 2TB SSD spherical all of it off. It comes with Windows 11 Home, all drivers for optimum gaming efficiency and Asus’s Armoury Crate management software program that may management cooling, optimize community connectivity, and coloration the chassis’ RGB lighting.

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Yes, it has that. A lightweight strip throughout the entrance and a giant ROG brand on the aspect that may be made to glow or pulsate in any coloration, or all colours. It’s typical ROG design everywhere in the field, with odd, beveled angles within the plastic and futuristic printing on the edges.

There are loads of display screen outputs, quick Ethernet and USB ports on the again, together with a Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C. And extra ports on the entrance. The solely factor in connectivity I really feel is lacking could be an SD card reader.

You get Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 7 inbuilt, however I’m not completely satisfied by the Wi-Fi efficiency. The sign to my Wi-Fi 6 router appears weak, and it doesn’t handle to rise up to the obtain speeds I’m used to.

It’s quick sufficient for searching and streaming, and I get quick response occasions for gaming, particularly after I rig up a Wi-Fi 7 router and check towards it. But there’s something lacking. Probably antennas don’t get sufficient area within the compact chassis. Possibility to screw on exterior ones would have been a plus.

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ROG NUC 2025: Serious gaming energy

“Game First” is written beneath a big fan gap within the middle of the broadside, and it’s apparent what Asus thinks the pc ought to be used for. It’s excellent as a gaming machine, and I can squeeze out a steady 60 fps in most fashionable video games. I run modded Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 which is a tough to beat expertise on the precise display screen.

With my 1440p monitor on the desktop, it goes fully easily. I additionally attempt to arrange the pc as a console and connect with the TV. That additionally works properly. At least if I take it simple with some results and as a substitute use Nvidia’s AI-based DLSS upscaling that gives each picture high quality and elevated efficiency.

It works nice with HDMI 2.1 and all you want is a wi-fi mouse and keyboard, or a sport controller. Quality and efficiency beat a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X by a mile, though the cooling can generally get noisy. It’s simply not attainable when it prices like 5 PS5s.

ROG NUC 2025: More than simply gaming

But simply because it’s received a gaming angle doesn’t imply it’s only a gaming machine. The Core Ultra 9 processor makes it an excellent workstation for heavy-duty work, from database administration and growth to 3D modeling and video modifying. It doesn’t have as a lot native NPU for duties like working native language fashions and machine studying, however there you’ve the mighty RTX graphics card offering AI efficiency to spare.

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It’s actually solely when the graphics card is beneath excessive load that the pc will get scorching and the followers whistle further loudly, and even then it’s bearable. In concept, it ought to be attainable to run passively, and proper at startup, the pc is definitely fully silent, nevertheless it doesn’t take many seconds earlier than some course of triggers cooling at low pace with a light-weight hiss from the followers.

It doesn’t assist to place the pc in eco mode, which is meant to scale back each efficiency and followers. But at the least it stays semi-quiet on a regular basis. It might be good as an energy-saving primary mode once you simply wish to surf and run Office, however don’t overlook to modify to efficiency mode when it’s time to enter the world of video games.

ROG NUC 2025: An upgrade-friendly design

A NUC ought to be maintenance- and upgrade-friendly, and this pc is–to some extent. Access is gained by loosening a thumbscrew on the again, after which the aspect panels come off. It takes quite a lot of tugging the primary time–I virtually felt like I used to be going to interrupt one thing–however in the long run it comes off.

Once inside, I’m not rewarded a lot for the trouble. There are two low profile dimming slots for the RAM reminiscence, nevertheless it takes up all of the slots, so if you wish to improve you’ll have to purchase model new ones. There can be a free PCIe M.2 slot for an additional SSD.

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Why you may also entry the other aspect of the pc is much less clear. There’s nothing there. Only followers for the graphics card. But okay, it’s good to have the ability to entry it if it will get dusty once more and must be blown clear.

At round $3,600, the ROG NUC 2025 isn’t low cost, however you’re getting a robust machine for each gaming and demanding workloads. A equally sized desktop PC with an RTX 5080 runs wherever from about $2,700 to $4,000, so Asus isn’t out of line on pricing. It gained’t break any pace data, nevertheless it delivers a ton of efficiency in a really compact bundle. Thanks to its upright design, it suits simply on nearly any desk.