Asus ROG NUC 2025 evaluation: Mini PC in measurement, large in efficiency

Finest Costs Right this moment: Asus ROG NUC 2025 90AS00I1-M00090

The brand 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 giant motherboard. That’s precisely what it’s–nothing extra, packed into probably the most compact chassis attainable.

The fundamental concept of the NUC is a barebones pc, a small mini PC with a processor and graphics card inbuilt, which you’ll then plug your personal 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 kind 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 aimed toward avid gamers.

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

ROG NUC 2025: A whole PC

32GB of quick DDR5 reminiscence and a 2TB SSD spherical all of it off. It comes with Home windows 11 House, 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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Sure, it has that. A light-weight strip throughout the entrance and an enormous ROG brand on the facet 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 many 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 one 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 shopping and streaming, and I get quick response occasions for gaming, particularly once I rig up a Wi-Fi 7 router and check in opposition to it. However there’s something lacking. Most likely antennas don’t get sufficient house within the compact chassis. Chance to screw on exterior ones would have been a plus.

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ROG NUC 2025: Critical gaming energy

“Recreation First” is written beneath a big fan gap within the middle of the broadside, and it’s apparent what Asus thinks the pc needs to be used for. It’s superb as a gaming machine, and I can squeeze out a steady 60 fps in most fashionable video games. I run modded Cyberpunk 2077 and Purple Useless Redemption 2 which is a tough to beat expertise on the suitable 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 effectively. At the least if I take it straightforward with some results and as a substitute use Nvidia’s AI-based DLSS upscaling that gives each picture high quality and elevated efficiency.

It really works nice with HDMI 2.1 and all you want is a wi-fi mouse and keyboard, or a sport controller. High quality and efficiency beat a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Collection 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: Extra than simply gaming

However simply because it’s received a gaming angle doesn’t imply it’s only a gaming machine. The Core Extremely 9 processor makes it an incredible workstation for heavy-duty work, from database administration and growth to 3D modeling and video enhancing. It doesn’t have as a lot native NPU for duties like operating native language fashions and machine studying, however there you may have 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 sizzling and the followers whistle further loudly, and even then it’s bearable. In idea, it needs 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 lightweight hiss from the followers.

It doesn’t assist to place the pc in eco mode, which is meant to cut back each efficiency and followers. However at the very least it stays semi-quiet on a regular basis. It may be good as an energy-saving primary mode if you simply wish to surf and run Workplace, however don’t neglect 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 needs to be maintenance- and upgrade-friendly, and this pc is–to some extent. Entry is gained by loosening a thumbscrew on the again, after which the facet panels come off. It takes a whole lot of tugging the primary time–I nearly felt like I used to be going to interrupt one thing–however ultimately it comes off.

As soon as inside, I’m not rewarded a lot for the hassle. 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 may be additionally a free PCIe M.2 slot for an additional SSD.

Mattias Inghe

Why you can too entry the alternative facet of the pc is much less clear. There’s nothing there. Solely followers for the graphics card. However 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 strong machine for each gaming and demanding workloads. A equally sized desktop PC with an RTX 5080 runs anyplace from about $2,700 to $4,000, so Asus isn’t out of line on pricing. It received’t break any pace data, nevertheless it delivers a ton of efficiency in a really compact package deal. Because of its upright design, it matches simply on nearly any desk.