Asus releases premium mini PC with RTX 5080 and Phantom Blade Zero chassis - Notebookcheck

The special edition mini PC combines an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor with either a GeForce RTX 5070 or RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, depending on the configuration. Both models come with 32GB of DDR5-6400 memory, with storage options ranging from 1TB to 2TB SSDs.

The system features a distinctive black-and-red design with a semi-transparent front panel depicting Phantom Blade Zero's protagonist, Soul. It maintains the compact 3-liter chassis of the regular ROG NUC 16, measuring 282.5 × 189.5 × 56.5 mm, and can be positioned vertically or horizontally.

Performance and Cooling

Asus has equipped the mini PC with its QuietFlow cooling system, which uses three fans and a unified vapor chamber to maintain noise levels below 38 dBA even during intensive gaming sessions. A built-in G-sensor automatically adjusts cooling settings based on the PC's orientation.

The system supports up to 128GB of memory and includes two M.2 slots for storage, both upgradeable without tools. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, 2.5Gb Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB ports. The RTX 5080 configuration comes with a 380W power adapter, while the RTX 5070 version uses a 280W adapter.

Pricing and Availability

Prices for the special edition range from $3,740 to $4,720 in China, depending on the configuration and retailer. Asus has not yet disclosed pricing or release dates for other markets. Phantom Blade Zero, the game inspiring this collaboration, is scheduled to launch on PC and PlayStation 5 on October 29.