Asus upgrades the ROG NUC mini PC for 2025
Asus Republic of Gamers has unveiled the ROG NUC (2025). This machine, touted as the world’s first sub-three-liter gaming PC, is a compact powerhouse driven by Intel’s Core Ultra 9 (Series 2) CPUs and features Nvidia’s latest GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, complemented by up to 96GB of memory. Designed with both gamers and creators in mind, this compact system aims to redefine expectations for small form factor PCs, promising up to four times faster rendering performance than previous iterations.
At the heart of the new ROG NUC (2025) lies an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. Featuring a 24-core hybrid architecture and an integrated NPU, it can boost speeds up to 5.4GHz and supports up to 96GB of DDR5-6400 memory. For graphics, the ROG NUC (2025) is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, with options also available for the RTX 5070 Ti, 5070, or 5060 Laptop GPUs.
Upgradability in this system is made simple, with tool-less access to both memory and storage components. Asus has also incorporated its signature ROG cooling technology to ensure optimal performance while maintaining minimal noise levels. Even under heavy loads, the ROG NUC (2025) is engineered to remain quiet, courtesy of its triple-fan system and dual-vapor chamber architecture. Connectivity is also a strong suit, featuring Intel Wi-Fi 7 for wireless speeds up to 46Gbps and speedy Bluetooth 5.4 support.
Physically, the ROG NUC (2025) measures a compact 282 x 187.7 x 56.5mm, resulting in a total volume just under 3 litres, and includes an integrated vertical stand for flexible placement. Its thoughtful modular architecture supports seamless updates, and a comprehensive array of I/O connections includes Thunderbolt 4 USB-C with fast charging capability and 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen2 Gbps ports in the rear and two USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports and a single USB-C port at the front. To top it off, customisable Asus Aura Sync ARGB lighting lets users personalise the system to match any gaming setup. The Asus ROG NUC (2025) with the Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5080 Laptop GPU is now available for pre-order in the US for $2849, with initial shipments expected to begin on July 2nd.
KitGuru says: You can pack some pretty powerful hardware into a very small chassis nowadays. Do you think SFF systems and mini-PCs will become more common for gaming?
