Asus ROG NUC 970
MSRP $2,199.00
“The ROG NUC 970 is a monster gaming PC in a miniature package deal.”
Execs
- It is remarkably small
- Simple upgradability
- Strong port choice and connectivity
- Unbelievable stand
Cons
- On the costly aspect
- Efficiency is sweet, however nearer to a laptop computer
Asus is carrying the NUC model ahead. After Intel ditched NUC final yr — which generally ranked among the many finest desktop PCs — Asus picked up the mantle, and we now have the primary fruits of that labor with the ROG NUC 970. Because the ROG badge implies, it is a gaming PC, match with a discrete GPU and coming in at a a lot increased worth in comparison with the mainstream NUCs we’ve seen Asus launch because it picked up the model.
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Sporting a tiny 2.5-liter case, that is undoubtedly one of many smallest gaming desktops cash should buy. Its kind issue is a bit misleading, nevertheless. The ROG NUC 970 is a superb performer contemplating the {hardware} inside — and that’s laptop computer {hardware}. This will appear like a full-fledged desktop squeezed right down to an impossibly small measurement, however the efficiency of this gadget brings that assumption again right down to earth.
Asus ROG NUC 970 specs and pricing
Asus gives two configurations of the NUC 970 that change the CPU, GPU, reminiscence, and storage. The final two factors aren’t as related, as Asus gives three NVMe drives so you may broaden your storage, in addition to two SODIMM slots so you may substitute the reminiscence. Asus occupies each reminiscence slots out of the field for a dual-channel configuration, so that you’ll want to interchange each if you wish to improve.
The extra fascinating variations are between the CPU and GPU. The cheaper of the 2 configurations is available in at $1,629 and consists of an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H CPU together with an RTX 4060. One other configuration at $2,199 gives an RTX 4070 and a Core Extremely 9 185H. For storage and reminiscence, the cheaper configuration comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, whereas the dearer configuration comes with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
My assessment unit got here with an RTX 4070, and looking out on-line, that’s the one configuration I may discover listed. It was out of inventory, however it appears most retailers plan to inventory the RTX 4070 configuration over the RTX 4060 one.
| Asus ROG NUC 970 | |
| CPU | Intel Core Extremely 9 185H |
| GPU | Nvidia RTX 4070 cell |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Reminiscence | 32GBGB DDR5 SODIMM |
| Networking | 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| USB port | 2x USB 2.0, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A, 1x Thunderbolt 4 |
| Record worth | $2,200 |
| The place to purchase |
The costs aren’t dangerous when you evaluate the ROG NUC 970 to full desktops. The Starforge Programs Navigator, for instance, comes with an RTX 4070 and a Ryzen 5 7600X, and it prices $1,900. And the Alienware Aurora R16 with an RTX 4070 and Core i9-13900F is available in at $2,050. By that commonplace, the ROG NUC 970 doesn’t appear too costly given its petite 2.5-liter kind issue.
The principle problem with pricing is that Asus is utilizing laptop computer elements. That is mainly a laptop computer minus the display and keyboard, and with further ports added. It might perform like a desktop, however for pricing, the higher comparability factors are laptops.
That commonplace paints a distinct image of the ROG NUC 970. Even by Asus’ requirements, you may choose up the ROG Zephyrus G16 laptop computer with an RTX 4070 and Core Extremely 9 185H for $2,000 — $200 lower than the ROG NUC 970. The Zephyrus G16 comes with much less RAM, however it additionally packs in an OLED show and the entire bits you’d anticipate from a laptop computer. Earlier than Intel handed the NUC model to Asus, choices just like the NUC 11 Excessive may are available near $2,000, however in addition they supplied you the choice so as to add a discrete desktop GPU.
Nonetheless, the premium right here is available in how distinctive the ROG NUC 970 is. There are just a few alternate options just like the Zotac Zbox, however they arrive round $2,000 and are powerful to search out within the U.S. Then there are workstation-class PCs just like the HP Z2 Mini G9, however they’re simply as costly and solely include skilled GPUs. The NUC 970 is pricey, little doubt, however it accomplishes one thing that only a few different mini PCs do.
Design and construct high quality
The ROG NUC 970 is certainly a Republic of Players product. A purple ROG emblem illuminates the left aspect, shining by way of smoky clear plastic that calls again to earlier NUC designs. There are aggressive traces for the vents, an angular energy button, and a stark ROG badge on the entrance. There isn’t a lot design house on a black field that’s solely 2.5 liters in quantity, however Asus provides thrives wherever it may well.
It’s an especially compact gadget, densely filled with {hardware} that wastes no house. It’s a bit stunning towards the absolutely plastic shell. The construct high quality is ok, however I’d watch out with the NUC 970. It doesn’t really feel prefer it may deal with a fall.
That shouldn’t be a lot of a priority. The shell has 4 giant rubber ft constructed into the proper aspect for a horizontal orientation, and Asus features a thick steel stand within the field for a vertical orientation. The stand weighs about as a lot because the NUC itself, and it features a thick rubber lining to nestle the gadget securely. The vertical orientation positively provides some measurement. Fortunately, the NUC 970 appears higher in its horizontal orientation anyway.
Opening up the ROG NUC 970 is straightforward sufficient. There’s a latch on the again that unlocks the aspect panel, permitting you to slip it off. From there, it is advisable undo a screw on the again and slide a steel plate inside that holds the aspect lighting design — like earlier NUCs, you may substitute the ROG emblem right here. That exposes the RAM, storage, and wi-fi card.
Though opening the ROG NUC 970 is straightforward in principle, it was shockingly onerous to in observe. Specifically, sliding off the steel defend that covers the motherboard is hard. I felt like I used to be going to interrupt the gadget, and I really dislodged the plastic again panel making an attempt to get the defend to slip off correctly. If I had been just a bit extra impatient, I’ve little doubt that I’d’ve damaged the plastic shell that Asus makes use of on the again of the gadget.
It was simple to get the defend off after opening the NUC 970 just a few occasions, however you in all probability received’t poke inside a lot. When you get the shell off, you get three NVMe slots and two SODIMM slots as marketed. Asus consists of quick-release latches for the NVMe slots, so upgrades wouldn’t take various minutes. I swapped the included SSD in about 30 seconds.
Efficiency
As talked about, the ROG NUC 970 makes use of laptop computer elements, so it’s necessary to maintain efficiency expectations in verify. You’re not going to get the extent of efficiency out of a desktop Core i9 CPU or RTX 4070 graphics card. I’ve some desktop comparability factors right here for context, however the true one-to-one battle is with laptop computer elements.
As Cinebench R24 reveals, Asus is getting probably the most out of those laptop computer elements. It manages to outpace the Zephyrus G16, which packs an similar CPU. It additionally outpaces the multi-core rating of the M2 Professional Mac mini, however falls brief on single core efficiency by a bit. It really managed to match the Alienware Aurora R16 with a desktop Core i7-13700F, although that’s an older processor.
Geekbench 6 paints a barely completely different image. The ROG NUC 970 falls wanting the Lenovo Yogo Professional 9i, which has the identical processor, however the extra telling comparability is the Alienware Aurora R16. The Core Extremely 9 185H will get beat in each single and multi-core efficiency. Though the ROG NUC will get probably the most out of its elements, it’s nonetheless utilizing laptop computer elements on the finish of the day — they aren’t capable of upend what you get on a bigger desktop.
Breaking out into precise functions, the ROG NUC 970 holds up. It manages to outpace the Zephyrus G16, and it mainly matches the HP Omen 40L desktop with a Ryzen 7 7700 and desktop RTX 4060 Ti in Premiere Professional.
This can be a gaming gadget, and a giant benefit it has over a skinny gaming laptop computer is full energy supply to the RTX 4070 graphics card. That simply doesn’t at all times present a efficiency benefit. As you may see in 3DMark, the Asus ROG NUC 970 outpaces the Zephyrus G16 by a bit, however it will get completely crushed by the Alienware Aurora R16. This is likely one of the clearest examples that the ROG NUC 970 performs nearer to a laptop computer than it does a desktop.
In actual video games, that’s not a foul factor with the cell RTX 4070 on the helm. As you may see from the video games I examined, you’re generally getting above 60 frames per second (fps) in demanding video games at 1440p. You may even have the ability to push to 4K with Nvidia’s DLSS 3 turned on in video games like Returnal. My comparability to a desktop RTX 4070 as soon as once more reinforces that you simply’re getting a cell expertise right here, regardless of what the specs say.
Contemplating what I do know concerning the elements contained in the ROG NUC 970, it carried out about as anticipated. My most important concern is consumers could be led to consider that they’re getting desktop-class elements given the NUC 970’s kind issue. It’s a strong performer, however ensure that to maintain your expectations in verify given the gadget’s petite kind.
Ports and connectivity
The ROG NUC 970 could also be utilizing laptop computer elements, however its desktop kind issue permits Asus to pack in much more ports. Up entrance, you’ve gotten entry to 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, together with a full-sized SD card slot and a headphone jack. Within the rear, there’s an HDMI 2.1 port, two DisplayPort 1.4a connections, a single Thunderbolt 4 port, twin USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and twin USB 2.0 ports, together with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet. An additional USB-C connection would assist right here, in addition to an improve on the 2 USB 2.0 ports to a quicker commonplace, however it’s onerous to complain.
Importantly, you even have a barrel energy jack behind the NUC 970. Given how small this gadget is, Asus opted for an exterior energy provide. The 330W adapter is giant and heavy. I respect shifting the majority and weight exterior of the gadget, however ensure that to remember the fact that you’ll have to make room for the facility brick.
Wirelessly, you’ve gotten entry to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, each by way of an inserted Intel wi-fi card. I had some points with wi-fi connectivity on my assessment unit, which I used to be capable of repair by reinstalling the motive force. I don’t suspect most individuals can have points, and Asus fortunately features a one-click installer for all of the drivers the NUC 970 wants on its web site. When you plan on choosing up the gadget, I’d load up a USB drive with the drivers, simply to be protected.
Must you purchase the Asus ROG NUC 970?
The ROG NUC 970 does its personal factor, and it occupies an area in mini PCs the place there aren’t a ton of high-performance choices. It’s a distinct segment product by nature, however when you’re purchasing inside that area of interest, it’s an incredible possibility. You’re not getting the most effective efficiency contemplating the $2,200 asking worth, however given the scale, simple upgradability, and expansive connectivity, efficiency is a spot the place a compromise is sensible.
For these on the fence concerning the ROG NUC 970, I’d search out different choices. A laptop computer with the identical elements just like the Zephyrus G16 not solely will get you comparable efficiency, but in addition a transportable gadget that you may take with you on the go — normally for much less cash, too. Equally, a small kind issue desktop is perhaps bigger, however you’ll have the ability to pack in much more energy.
