ASUS has added a lower-priced configuration to the ROG NUC 16, the gaming mini PC that packs laptop-class graphics into a 3-liter chassis. The new model pairs an Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus with a GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU and is open for preorder in the US at 2,499 USD (about 400,000 yen). Shipping is scheduled to begin on August 1, 2026.
※1 USD = about 161 JPY (as of July 31, 2026)
An Entry Point 1,300 USD Below the Top Configuration
The ROG NUC 16 originally arrived with a Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and an RTX 5080 Laptop GPU at 3,799 USD (about 610,000 yen). A special edition with an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU followed, starting at 5,999 USD (about 970,000 yen), pushing the lineup steadily upward in price.
This configuration moves in the opposite direction. It sits 1,300 USD (about 210,000 yen) below the higher-end model, lowering the series' entry point by a full tier. The specification consists of a Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus, an RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, 32GB of DDR5-6400 memory and PCIe Gen 4 storage.
Dropping from the RTX 5080 to the RTX 5060 naturally caps frame rates lower. That said, the Blackwell-generation RTX 50 series can lean on Dynamic Multi Frame Generation in DLSS 4.5 to fill in rendered frames. Anyone who wants headroom at 4K maximum settings is still better served by the RTX 5080 build, but for playing at 1080p or 1440p this configuration should handle most current titles comfortably.
The lower price does not change the fundamentals of the ROG NUC 16. The 3-liter chassis works either vertically or horizontally using the bundled stand, and a built-in G-sensor detects the orientation and switches thermal settings automatically. Two colors are available: Obsidian Black and Moonlight White.
Cooling relies on three 102 x 102 x 17 mm fans combined with a vapor chamber that makes contact with both the CPU and the GPU. ASUS says this design raises CPU thermal capacity by 12 percent and keeps noise below 38 dB(A) even under sustained load. A dedicated SSD heatsink is also included, cutting heat output by 18.5 percent compared with having none and bringing operating temperatures down to 59 degrees Celsius.
The chassis has also passed MIL-STD-810H testing, including drop and bump tests. Adapter wattage varies by SKU, and this RTX 5060 configuration comes with a 280-watt (20V/14A) adapter. The 380-watt adapter bundled with higher-end builds such as the RTX 5080 model delivers 15 percent more wattage while weighing 18 percent less than the adapter used with the previous ROG NUC (2025).
Memory and SSD Upgrades Need No Tools
Serviceability is the usual concern with small form factor PCs. The ROG NUC 16 has two memory slots and supports up to 128GB of DDR5-6400 CSODIMM. Since this configuration ships with 32GB, there is room to add more later depending on the workload.
There are also two M.2 slots, one PCIe Gen 5 and one PCIe Gen 4. Both the memory and the SSDs are accessible without tools, which makes it viable to buy a lower configuration now and add capacity yourself over time.
Generous Connectivity for a Small Machine
The port selection covers one 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, two front and four rear 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A ports, Thunderbolt 4, two DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20) outputs, two HDMI 2.1 FRL outputs, 2.5 Gigabit wired LAN and a 3.5 mm headset jack.
Display output across HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4 supports up to five 4K monitors, or two 8K/60Hz displays over DisplayPort 2.1. Wireless covers Wi-Fi 7, with 320 MHz channel width available, plus Bluetooth 5.4. On the software side, Armoury Crate handles fan control and hardware monitoring, Glide X3 shares screens across devices, and Power Sync links monitor power to the system over HDMI CEC.
Summary
The new ROG NUC 16 configuration combines a Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus with an RTX 5060 Laptop GPU at 2,499 USD. The chassis, cooling system, expandability and I/O all carry over from the higher-end models, with only the CPU and GPU tiers stepped down to create the 1,300 USD gap. So far the preorder has only been spotted in the US, and it is unclear whether the same configuration will reach other markets. For anyone who wants serious gaming performance out of a 3-liter box, it is a realistic way into the series.
