We take a look at the latest mini PC from ASUS and how it compares to alternative gaming hardware Updated: Dec 4, 2024 5:57 pm WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more Table of Contents Table of Contents SPONSORED PIECE There are a number of different platforms you can enjoy PC gaming on besides your classic desktop computer, and each brings something different to the table. Whilst laptops/notebooks are some of the most popular alternatives, one often overlooked option is the mini PC, which can be equally, if not more portable than some of the more heavy-duty gaming laptops out there, as well as enjoying better cooling, upgradability/customization, and a greater array of ports. ASUS has recently released one of these compact PCs to the market, so let’s take a look and see what it has to offer when compared to your classic gaming desktop or notebook devices. What is a ROG NUC? NUC (which stands for Next Unit of Computing) was a line of small form factor computers released by Intel over a number of years, until they transferred the production and support over to ASUS in 2023. Now the Taiwanese tech giant has released a new entry in the revitalized NUC line, with the ROG branding that marks out ASUS’ premium gaming range: the ROG NUC 14. ASUS ROG NUC 14 specifications & features Specifications CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H / Ultra 9 Processor 185H Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB VRAM, 135W) / 4070 (8GB VRAM, 140W) Memory: 16GB/32GB DDR5 RAM (5600MHz) Storage: 512GB/1TB M.2 PCIE (Gen 4) Front I/O ports: 1x card reader (SD) (UHS-I), 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 1x 3.5mm Headset Jack Back I/O ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C (DP 2.1), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 2.0, 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL, 2x DP 1.4a, 1x RJ45 LAN (2.5GBps), 1x DC-in, 1x Kensington Lock Dimensions: 27cm x 18cm x 6cm / 10.62″ x 7.09″ x 2.36″ Weight: 5.7lbs/2.585kg Show more The ASUS ROG NUC 14, alternatively known as the ASUS ROG NUC 970, is a highly compact and remarkably lightweight gaming PC. It comes with Nvidia 40-series graphics cards and the latest Intel Core Ultra CPU options: the most high-end model coming with an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 185H paired with an Nvidia RTX 4070 (8GB VRAM) GPU, the more affordable variant having a Ultra 7 155H paired with an RTX 4060 (8GB VRAM). The big advantage of the 40-series cards is that they come with the latest DLSS 3.5 AI-based graphics acceleration, now with ‘Frame Generation’; when enabled in games (there are over 600 that now support this tech), this can give up to a 300% increase in FPS performance, which is absolutely insane. The Nvidia cards also give the best Ray-Tracing performance on the market. The Intel Core Ultra series of processors have the latest AI processing tech the company offers, plus are some of the most energy efficient on the market. Standard memory and storage options are 16GB/32GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB/1TB of SSD storage, though both can be expanded upon very easily after purchase: the screwless casing can be slid off without need for a screwdriver, to reveal two upgradable SO-DIMM RAM slots, plus three M.2 2280 slots for storage, which is very nice indeed. For such a compact device you also get an excellent selection of ports on the I/O, including a 3.5mm headset jack, a USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 port that also supports DisplayPort 2.1 output, six USB-A ports (two on the back, four on the front), an HDMI 2.1 and two dedicated DisplayPort 1.4a sockets, a 2.5GBps ethernet port, and even a Kensington Lock for added security. With all these display outputs you can actually support up to four different 4K screens at once – pretty impressive. Creatives also get the benefit of an SD UHS-I card reader. The NUC 14 can easily fit beneath a monitor in its horizontal position, or can be stood up vertically using the included stand, where its narrow profile allows it to be squeezed in between the other items on your desk. source: ASUS ROG DIY PC vs gaming laptop vs ROG NUC: how do they compare? Self-build, DIY PCs might hold the advantage in gaming when it comes to performance per money spent, and in that you can hand-select every component that goes in; still, one of their obvious disadvantages is that you have to do all this yourself, sourcing each component and making sure they’re compatible then putting them together without breaking anything. Crucially, desktop PCs also take up a substantial amount of desk space and they are not portable in the slightest, even the smaller case builds. As far as portable options go, we’re big gaming laptop enthusiasts here at WePC, as a matter of fact, ASUS machines frequently feature in our best gaming laptop guides, with the different generations of the 14-inch ROG Zephyrus G14 being one of our highest rated each year. Still, gaming laptops/notebooks (as the thinner options tend to be called) aren’t without their drawbacks either; often the RAM and/or storage can’t be upgraded, at least on thinner models, and even when it can be it’s often difficult to access, certainly when compared to the ROG NUC. The array of ports, at least on this particular ASUS ROG NUC 14, is also far superior to what you’d get on a laptop, including the 2.5Gbs ethernet port which you’d only tend to find on the larger laptops out there. Fan noise when a gaming laptop is under load also tends to get very loud, particularly when you set the onboard software to the maximum performance mode. It’s also rare to get as many display output sockets or USB ports on a gaming laptop as you’ll find on the NUC, even on the very large models. The ROG NUC can’t quite compete with a laptop in terms of the user flexibility offered by the inbuilt screen, keyboard, and trackpad, allowing you to use it on trains, in café’s etc. That being said, the inclusion of the screen does make a laptop less easily portable than the ROG NUC, and the larger, more powerful options can weigh substantially more. In terms of raw FPS performance, the ROG NUC performs about as well as the more powerful gaming laptops out there, though both are underpowered relative to larger desktop rigs, as the GPUs in particular have a lower wattage (TGP). Still, thanks to the advantages of the Nvidia 40-series GPUs as mentioned, the ROG NUC definitely has the power to play the latest AAA games and, if you opt for the RTX 4070 variant you can run these on the higher settings no problem. In summary, the ROG NOC has the following advantages: A greater number of USB ports plus display sockets than you’d find in a laptop. Far superior upgradability of the RAM and SSD if you want to add to these in future. Better cooling than a laptop. Quieter fan noise (typically) than on a laptop of equal power. Other products to pair with your ROG NUC If you are thinking of buying an ASUS ROG NUC you will of course need a monitor, mouse, and keyboard to go with it, as well as some headphones if you don’t already have some. ASUS make products in all these categories if you’re looking to put together a setup with a matching aesthetic, and their gaming monitors are particularly great. Check out the ASUS store for their full range of offerings.
ROG NUC vs DIY PC vs gaming laptop: which is the right option for you?
