ASUS Expands NUC Portfolio With Groundbreaking AMD-Powered Gaming Mini PC
In a strategic move that breaks new ground for the NUC platform, ASUS has launched its first-ever AMD-based ROG NUC Mini PC, marking a significant departure from the Intel heritage that has defined the Next Unit of Computing lineage. This development comes just weeks after ASUS officially took over ownership and responsibility for Intel’s NUC business, demonstrating the company’s commitment to diversifying its miniature computing offerings beyond traditional Intel architectures.
The ROG NUC 9 represents a bold step forward in mini PC gaming, combining AMD’s cutting-edge mobile processor technology with NVIDIA’s latest graphics architecture. This strategic partnership between ASUS and AMD signals a new era for compact gaming systems, offering enthusiasts unprecedented performance in a remarkably small form factor. The timing of this release is particularly noteworthy given the critical transitions happening across technology markets, where innovation and adaptability are becoming increasingly crucial for success.
Powerhouse Performance in Compact Form
At the heart of the ROG NUC 9 lies AMD’s flagship Ryzen 9 9955HX3D mobile processor, featuring a 16-core/32-thread Zen 5-based configuration with an impressive 128 MB of L3 cache. This substantial cache memory represents a significant advancement for gaming performance, reducing latency and improving frame rate consistency in demanding titles. The processor’s architecture demonstrates how advanced computational models are driving performance improvements across computing segments.
Complementing the powerful CPU is NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, currently the only graphics option available for this system. While Intel-based NUC variants offer multiple GPU choices including RTX 5060 and RTX 5080 models, the RTX 5070 provides an excellent balance of performance and thermal management for the compact chassis. This focused approach to component selection reflects the careful engineering required to maintain optimal performance within thermal constraints.
Memory and Storage Configuration
The ROG NUC 9 ships with 32 GB of DDR5 SO-DIMM memory operating at 5600 MT/s, which falls slightly behind the 6400 MT/s memory offered in comparable Intel systems. However, this configuration provides ample bandwidth for most gaming and productivity workloads while maintaining stability. Users have the flexibility to upgrade the memory up to 96 GB, offering substantial headroom for memory-intensive applications and future-proofing the system.
Storage capabilities include dual M.2 slots with one supporting PCIe Gen 4 and another featuring the faster PCIe Gen 5 interface. The system ships with 1 TB of storage by default, but the dual-slot configuration allows users to expand storage capacity significantly. This storage architecture ensures that users can take full advantage of high-speed NVMe SSDs for rapid game loading and system responsiveness.
Connectivity and Cooling Solutions
Connectivity options on the ROG NUC 9 are comprehensive, featuring WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connections, along with a 2.5G Ethernet port for high-speed wired networking. The front panel includes both USB Type-A and Type-C ports for convenient peripheral access, while the rear panel features modern USB4 ports alongside HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. These connectivity options position the system perfectly for evolving entertainment and streaming requirements in modern computing environments.
Thermal management employs a sophisticated dual-fan configuration with side ventilation, ensuring adequate cooling for the high-performance components within the compact 282.4mm x 187.7mm x 56.5mm chassis. This cooling solution demonstrates ASUS’s expertise in managing thermal performance in space-constrained designs, a critical consideration for maintaining consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.
Market Position and Availability
The ASUS ROG NUC 9 has launched in China with an initial price of 14,999 Yuan (approximately $2,100) on JD.com, with a regular price set at 15,999 Yuan ($2,244). This pricing positions the system as a premium offering in the mini PC market, competing with high-end gaming laptops and compact desktop systems. The launch strategy appears focused on establishing the system’s premium credentials before broader global availability.
This product introduction comes at a time when major technology companies are expanding their computing ecosystems with innovative hardware and software integrations. The ROG NUC 9’s combination of AMD processing power and NVIDIA graphics represents a compelling proposition for gamers and content creators seeking desktop-level performance in a portable form factor. As entertainment and computing experiences continue to converge, systems like the ROG NUC 9 are well-positioned to serve multiple use cases from gaming to media consumption and productivity.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The introduction of an AMD-based ROG NUC represents more than just another product launch—it signals a fundamental shift in the mini PC landscape. By embracing AMD technology alongside its newly acquired Intel NUC responsibilities, ASUS demonstrates strategic flexibility in responding to market demands and technological opportunities. This approach reflects the broader industry trend where technology platforms must evolve to prevent market stagnation and maintain relevance.
Looking forward, the success of the ROG NUC 9 could pave the way for additional AMD-based NUC variants, potentially including systems with different processor and graphics combinations to address various price points and performance requirements. As the boundaries between traditional desktop, laptop, and mini PC categories continue to blur, innovative products like the ROG NUC 9 are redefining what’s possible in compact computing form factors while delivering the performance that modern users demand.
Based on reporting by {‘uri’: ‘wccftech.com’, ‘dataType’: ‘news’, ‘title’: ‘Wccftech’, ‘description’: ‘We bring you the latest from hardware, mobile technology and gaming industries in news, reviews, guides and more.’, ‘location’: {‘type’: ‘country’, ‘geoNamesId’: ‘6252001’, ‘label’: {‘eng’: ‘United States’}, ‘population’: 310232863, ‘lat’: 39.76, ‘long’: -98.5, ‘area’: 9629091, ‘continent’: ‘Noth America’}, ‘locationValidated’: False, ‘ranking’: {‘importanceRank’: 211894, ‘alexaGlobalRank’: 5765, ‘alexaCountryRank’: 3681}}. This article aggregates information from publicly available sources. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.
