Asus packed an RTX 5080 into a 3-litre chassis. It is priced at $4,400, and the improvement in performance is 2.3%.

Asus packed an RTX 5080 into a 3-litre chassis. It is priced at $4,400, and the improvement in performance is 2.3%.

      Asus has introduced the ROG NUC 16 in China, priced at $4,400, featuring an RTX 5080 and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus in a compact 3-litre chassis. The device, weighing 3.12 kilograms, is available in black starting at CNY 29,999 (around $4,400), while the Moonlight White variant retails for CNY 31,999 (approximately $4,700). Although global pricing hasn't been officially confirmed, a US launch price near $4,000 is anticipated, likely following a broader unveiling at Computex in June.

      The specifications of this compact model are impressive. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus offers 24 cores (8 Performance and 16 Efficient) along with 40MB of L2 cache. The RTX 5080 laptop GPU, based on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture, supports DLSS 4.5 with Multi Frame Generation, providing up to 1,334 AI TOPS across CPU, GPU, and NPU tasks. The system can accommodate up to 128GB of DDR5-6400 memory through two CSODIMM slots, with storage options including one M.2 PCIe 5.0 and two PCIe 4.0 slots, allowing for a total capacity of up to 9TB. There are also lower configurations available featuring RTX 5070 Ti, 5070, and 5060 GPUs, all utilizing the same processor.

      Connectivity features are extensive, including Thunderbolt 4, two HDMI 2.1 ports, two DisplayPort 2.1 ports, four USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4, and 2.5GbE LAN. When paired with the newly launched ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses, the NUC 16 has the potential to serve as the heart of a portable high-refresh-rate gaming setup fit for a backpack, although the combined price of both products would exceed $5,200.

      The cooling system has been improved with a three-fan arrangement and dual vapor chamber, providing 12% more thermal coverage than the previous generation. Asus claims the system operates below 38 dBA under full load, which is impressively quiet given its power consumption from a 380W external power supply. The chassis dimensions of 282.4 x 189.5 x 56.5mm make it smaller than a PlayStation 5 and include a tool-free design for memory and storage upgrades, as well as a new removable stand replacing the previous screw-on mount.

      However, the price in relation to performance improvements raises questions. The 2025 ROG NUC 15, which combined the Core Ultra 9 275HX with the same RTX 5080 GPU, launched in the US at $3,200. Asus's benchmarks indicate that the 2026 model offers about a 2.3% increase in 3DMark performance compared to its predecessor, translating to a $1,200 price hike for a generational improvement that falls within the margin of error for many real-world gaming applications.

      Part of the price increase can be attributed to the RAM price crisis affecting the consumer electronics market in 2026, with DDR5 memory costs rising sharply. Devices requiring high-capacity, high-speed memory, such as gaming machines, are particularly hard hit. Yet, the significant jump from $3,200 to an expected $4,000-plus at US retail appears challenging to justify based solely on component costs.

      The competitive environment has changed as well. Minisforum’s G1 Pro delivers a desktop-class RTX 5060 in a console-like form factor at a lower price. Meanwhile, Thunderobot’s MIX Gaming 2, introduced at CES 2026, incorporates an RTX 5090 laptop GPU within a similarly compact chassis. The overall consumer electronics market faces price pressures from various angles, meaning the ROG NUC 16 competes not only with other mini PCs but also with full gaming desktops that provide greater power for less cost and gaming laptops that offer portability that the NUC cannot match without an additional display.

      Asus has branded the ROG NUC as an AI-capable workstation in addition to being a gaming device, emphasizing local inference tasks, generative AI applications, and enhanced content creation. This approach mirrors the industry's broader trend of marketing gaming hardware as hybrid AI systems, but the practical utility of executing local AI tasks on a $4,400 mini PC remains limited in comparison to cloud-based alternatives or dedicated AI hardware.

      China continues to serve as a launch market for high-end consumer electronics that manufacturers evaluate before committing to global pricing, and the ROG NUC 16's initial release in this market aligns with that strategy. The black edition is slated for shipping by the end of May, with the white version following in June. Availability in the US and

Other articles

GM, Ford, and Stellantis have reduced their workforce by 20,000 white-collar positions. The trend is set to intensify with the rise of AI. GM, Ford, and Stellantis have reduced their workforce by 20,000 white-collar positions. The trend is set to intensify with the rise of AI. Since 2022, Detroit's Big Three have reduced their total salaried workforce by 19%. GM recently laid off an additional 500 IT employees while simultaneously recruiting for 250 positions in AI. Asus ROG and Xreal have created the first augmented reality gaming glasses with a 240Hz refresh rate. Priced at $849, they will be available for shipping in June. Asus ROG and Xreal have created the first augmented reality gaming glasses with a 240Hz refresh rate. Priced at $849, they will be available for shipping in June. The ROG Xreal R1 features dual Sony micro-OLED screens, a virtual display measuring 171 inches, and Bose audio, all within a weight of 91 grams. Pre-orders are available now at Best Buy. ArXiv implements a one-year prohibition for researchers who submit papers containing unverified AI-generated material. ArXiv implements a one-year prohibition for researchers who submit papers containing unverified AI-generated material. The preprint platform will impose penalties on authors whose manuscripts include fictional references or remnants of LLM directives. A study published in The Lancet revealed that instances of fabricated citations in biomedical research increased twelve times since 2023. Asus packed an RTX 5080 into a 3-litre case. Priced at $4,400, it offers a performance increase of 2.3%. Asus packed an RTX 5080 into a 3-litre case. Priced at $4,400, it offers a performance increase of 2.3%. The ROG NUC 16 combines Intel's Core Ultra 9 290HX with an RTX 5080 laptop GPU, all housed in a chassis smaller than a PS5. The anticipated global price is around $4,000. Samsung and its union are set to meet on Monday in a final effort to avert an 18-day strike at the chip factory. Samsung and its union are set to meet on Monday in a final effort to avert an 18-day strike at the chip factory. South Korea's Prime Minister cautioned about "unimaginable" economic consequences. The union is demanding 15% of the operating profit, while Samsung has proposed 10%. The deadline is set for May 21. Destinus is seeking to raise €200 million prior to its initial public offering (IPO). The manufacturer of cruise missiles aims for a valuation of €5 billion. Destinus is seeking to raise €200 million prior to its initial public offering (IPO). The manufacturer of cruise missiles aims for a valuation of €5 billion. The Dutch defense startup produces drones and cruise missiles for Ukraine and its European allies. It has already formed a joint venture with Rheinmetall.

Asus packed an RTX 5080 into a 3-litre chassis. It is priced at $4,400, and the improvement in performance is 2.3%.

The ROG NUC 16 combines Intel's Core Ultra 9 290HX with an RTX 5080 laptop GPU in a case that is smaller than a PS5. The anticipated global price is around $4,000.