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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →ASUS announced its first ROG NUC on July 6, 2024: a compact gaming desktop offered as the ROG NUC 970 and ROG NUC 760. Launch-era reports put the 970’s high-spec configuration at €2,499 from one European retailer, while U.S. coverage reported prices of $1,629 and $2,199 for different configurations. Those are historical, market-specific reports—not a current price quote or a universal MSRP.
What ASUS announced
The first ROG NUC family put gaming-class components in a 2.5-liter desktop chassis. ASUS announced two configurations on July 6, 2024:
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| Model | Processor | Graphics |
|---|---|---|
| ROG NUC 970 | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 |
| ROG NUC 760 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 |
These are the original 2024 models; later products listed under the ROG NUC name are separate generations. ASUS’s July 6, 2024 launch announcement describes the chassis as designed for quick system access to simplify upgrades and cleaning.
How much did the ASUS ROG NUC cost?
There was no single launch price across markets and configurations. In 2024, Notebookcheck reported that a European retailer listed a ROG NUC 970 with Core Ultra 9 185H, RTX 4070, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage for €2,499. Tom’s Hardware reported U.S. configuration prices of $1,629 and $2,199. The reports concern different configurations and markets, so the figures should not be treated as directly comparable or as ASUS’s global official MSRP.
#1 Best Overall
- Hardcore Gaming Power: Powered by Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and up to 200+ Platform TOPS, the ROG NUC blends AI-driven performance with future-ready efficiency, delivering up to 18% generation-over-generation improvement for a seamless gaming experience.
- AI-Powered Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-Series mobile GPU with DLSS technology takes gaming and realism to the next level, leveraging the power of RTX GPUs to deliver breathtaking visuals.
- QuietFlow Cooling: ROG NUC’s three fans and dual Vapor Chamber ensure effective cooling and quiet operation, letting you truly hear the game.
- Effortless Upgrades in 3L size: Thumb screw enable quick, 3L size and too-free access for memory and storage upgrades.
- Premium ROG Aesthetics with RGB: Personalize with Aura Sync, featuring a sleek design and convenient top-mounted power button.
Those figures are launch-period reporting, not current offers. Current stock and pricing for the original ROG NUC 970 and 760 are not verified across markets. ASUS’s U.S. ROG NUC category page now surfaces later ROG NUC listings as well, so a listing under that family name may not be the first-generation machine.
How small is it, and what can you upgrade?
ASUS specified a 2.5-liter chassis measuring 180 × 270 × 50 mm with the vertical stand included, and a weight of 2.6 kg. For a gaming desktop, that is a compact footprint; the stand lets it sit vertically, while the chassis can also be accessed for maintenance.
Rank #2
- Hardcore Gaming Power: Powered by Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and up to 200+ Platform TOPS, the ROG NUC blends AI-driven performance with future-ready efficiency, delivering up to 18% generation-over-generation improvement for a seamless gaming experience.
- AI-Powered Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-Series mobile GPU with DLSS technology takes gaming and realism to the next level, leveraging the power of RTX GPUs to deliver breathtaking visuals.
- QuietFlow Cooling: ROG NUC’s three fans and dual Vapor Chamber ensure effective cooling and quiet operation, letting you truly hear the game.
- Effortless Upgrades in 3L size: Thumb screw enable quick, 3L size and too-free access for memory and storage upgrades.
- Premium ROG Aesthetics with RGB: Personalize with Aura Sync, featuring a sleek design and convenient top-mounted power button.
- Memory: Up to 64 GB of DDR5 5600 MHz SODIMM memory.
- Storage: Three M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots.
Those are the platform’s stated capacity and slot count, not a guarantee that every retail configuration ships with the same amount of RAM or storage. Check the specific unit’s installed components before buying additional memory or drives.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat ports and wireless connections does it offer?
ASUS listed the following connectivity for the first ROG NUC: an SD Card 8.0 UHS-I slot, HDMI 2.1 FRL, two DisplayPort 1.4a outputs, Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1, USB 10 Gbps and USB 2.0 ports, and 2.5 Gbps Ethernet. Wireless specifications include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The launch announcement does not specify port counts for the USB categories in the information cited here.
Rank #3
- NVIDIA RTX-Accelerated AI Graphics: NVIDIA DLSS enhances smooth gameplay and realism, utilizing the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 mobile GPU for stunning visuals. Immerse yourself in your favorite titles while streamlining content creation.
- Hardcore Gaming Power: Engineered for hardcore gamers, the ROG NUC features the advanced Intel ARL-HX Refresh U9 290HX Plus chipsets that deliver exceptional responsiveness and efficiency for intense gaming sessions.
- Flex to Fit in 3L Size: ROG NUC offers flexible vertical & horizontal placement with a clean, sturdy stand that fits any workspace. Thumb screws enable tool-free access for memory and storage upgrades.
- Lag-Free Streaming: Intel Killer Wi-Fi 7 & Bluetooth 5.4 ensure fast, uninterrupted online performance for competitive gaming, backed by a wide range of I/O ports to support all your essential gear.
- QuietFlow Cooling: ROG NUC’s three fans and dual Vapor Chamber ensure effective cooling and quiet operation (<4.5 BA), letting you truly hear the game.
What the launch specifications do—and do not—tell you
The original ROG NUC’s appeal is clear from the announced hardware and dimensions: it combines discrete RTX graphics and upgradeable memory and storage in a small desktop enclosure. The reported prices also place it firmly in premium territory, especially the European retailer’s €2,499 listing for a 970 configuration.
Specifications and launch prices alone do not establish how the system performs in particular games, how loud it gets, or how it handles heat under sustained load. The available launch information does not provide independent benchmark, noise, or thermal measurements, so it cannot support a performance-per-dollar verdict.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Unmatched AI Performance】The Intel NUC 15 PRO, for ASUS NUC15 PRO mini pc, NUC15CRHU5 redefines compact computing with its powerful Core Ultra 5 225H processor(14C/14T,Up to 4.9GHz), featuring dedicated AI acceleration through an integrated NPU. This intelligent architecture delivers exceptional AI performance for seamless experiences, local large language model (LLM) operation, and accelerated creative workflows. Whether you're running AI-enhanced applications, content creation tools, or local AI inference tasks, the NUC15 PRO mini pc handles demanding workloads efficiently while maintaining responsive system performance
- 【Pro-Grade Cooling Design】The Intel NUC 15 PRO, for ASUS NUC15 PRO, NUC15CRHU5 mini desktop computer maintains optimal performance under load with an advanced thermal solution featuring a copper heatsink, heat pipes, and a tuned ventilation system. The intelligent cooling design ensures efficient heat dissipation while maintaining quiet operation. Whether handling compute-intensive business applications, extended multimedia tasks, or sustained AI workloads, this thermal management system prevents thermal throttling and ensures consistent performance delivery
- 【Flexible Memory and Storage Configuration】The Intel NUC 15 PRO, fo ASUS NUC15 PRO, NUC15CRHU5 nuc mini pc supports up to 32GB DDR5-5600MHz RAM in dual-channel configuration(Max to 64GB) and 1TB dual PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD slots (M.2 2280,Max to 2TB, also extend M.2 2242 to 2TB), providing exceptional system responsiveness and storage flexibility. This combination delivers outstanding speed and adaptability for demanding multitasking, rapid data processing, and efficient workflow management - perfect for business environments, creative projects, and productivity tasks
- 【Advanced I/O and Expandability】The Intel NUC 15 PRO, for ASUS NUC15 PRO nuc mini pc features Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports (40Gbps with PD charging and display support) for connecting high-speed storage, external graphics, or high-resolution displays. Front Connectivity: Equipped with 2*USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A ports, 1*USB 3.2 Gen2x1 Type C; Back Connectivity: 1*HDMI 2.1 output, 1*2.5GbE Ethernet, 2*Thunderbolt 4, 1*USB 2.0 Type-A, with cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. This mini PC serves as a complete connectivity hub for office environments, home setups, and commercial applications
- 【Compact But Powerful】Measuring just compact dimensions: 117mm x 112mm x 54mm and robust metal construction. The Intel NUC 15 PRO, for ASUS NUC15 PRO nuc mini pc delivers desktop-level performance in a space-saving form factor that blends seamlessly into any environment - home office, corporate setting, or commercial space. The premium build quality ensures durability and enhances thermal performance, while VESA mount compatibility enables clean, organized setups for various deployment scenarios
Rank #4
- Hardcore Gaming Power: Powered by Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2) and up to 200+ Platform TOPS, the ROG NUC blends AI-driven performance with future-ready efficiency, delivering up to 18% generation-over-generation improvement for a seamless gaming experience.
- AI-Powered Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50-Series mobile GPU with DLSS technology takes gaming and realism to the next level, leveraging the power of RTX GPUs to deliver breathtaking visuals.
- QuietFlow Cooling: ROG NUC’s three fans and dual Vapor Chamber ensure effective cooling and quiet operation, letting you truly hear the game.
- Effortless Upgrades in 3L size: Thumb screw enable quick, 3L size and too-free access for memory and storage upgrades.
- Premium ROG Aesthetics with RGB: Personalize with Aura Sync, featuring a sleek design and convenient top-mounted power button.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
