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Mini PCs · Head to head

Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) vs Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)

Full Mini PCs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from Amazon and official Asus site.
2026 verdict
For most buyers the RTX 5060 build is the sensible ROG NUC 16, and the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) is the better value over the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB).
Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)
Winner
Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)
$2499.00

Last recorded price

Buy on Amazon USA
The two share the chassis, cooling, five video outputs, seven USB ports, Wi-Fi 7 and the same 32 GB of DDR5-6400, so the only real change is the GPU: 8 GB of GDDR7 on the 5060 against 16 GB on the 5080, and a 280W adapter against 380W. The 5080 build also steps up to the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus. On a 1080p or 1440p desk the 5060 holds up, and the larger card earns its price mainly for ray tracing at higher settings or GPU rendering. Pick the 5060 for value, and the 5080 build only when the frame buffer is the limit.
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FeatureAsus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)Winner
Price$2499.00$3699.00Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)
Rating4.43.6Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)
GPU ModelNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU (8GB GDDR7)NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU (16GB GDDR7)Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)
CPU ModelIntel Core Ultra 7 270HX PlusIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX PlusDifferent strengths
Warranty3 years3 yearsTie
Memory ConfigurationDual-channelDual-channelTie
Memory TypeDDR5DDR5Tie
Memory Speed6400 MT/s6400 MT/sTie
Memory Capacity32 GB32 GBTie
NPU ModelNPU Intel AI BoostNPU Intel AI BoostTie
Storage Capacity1 TB1 TBTie

What the differences mean

Graphics memory

The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) has 8 GB of GDDR7 and the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) has 16 GB. That buffer decides how high texture and resolution settings can go before the card runs out.

Power envelope

The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) runs from a 280W external adapter, while the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) needs a 380W brick. Both leave the desk with a power brick rather than an internal supply.

Processor

The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) pairs its GPU with a 20-core Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) runs the 24-core Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, adding eight efficient cores.

Shared memory and storage

Both ship 32 GB of DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM memory upgradable to 128 GB and a 1 TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 drive in a tool-free slot. Nothing separates the pair on memory or storage.

Ports and cooling

Both offer triple-fan cooling over a dual vapor chamber, two HDMI 2.1 FRL, two DisplayPort 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, seven USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and a 2.5G Ethernet port.

Which one to buy if

Upgrading from the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)?

Stepping up from the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) to the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) is all about the graphics card. The chassis, cooling, ports, memory and storage are identical, and both keep 32 GB of DDR5-6400 and a 1 TB tool-free drive. What changes is the GPU frame buffer, 16 GB of GDDR7 instead of 8, a move to the 24-core Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, and a 380W adapter in place of 280W. If the 5060 already handles the games you play, there is little to gain; for ray tracing at high settings, GPU rendering or local models, the larger buffer is what the extra money buys.

Price history compared

Every price change of both, in the same store, so the gap between the two lines is what one costs more than the other.

  • Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB)
  • Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) or Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)?

The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) is the better value for high-refresh 1080p and 1440p gaming. The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) is the stronger machine when the workload needs 16 GB of GDDR7 and the Core Ultra 9 processor.

What is the biggest difference between the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) and the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB)?

The GPU frame buffer. The Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) has 8 GB of GDDR7, and the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) has 16 GB, with a 24-core processor and a 380W adapter on the larger build.

Do the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) and the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) have the same memory and storage?

Yes. Both ship 32 GB of DDR5-6400 CSO-DIMM memory upgradeable to 128 GB and a 1 TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 drive, so the two differ only in graphics, processor and power.

Do both ROG NUC 16 builds have the same ports?

Yes. Both offer two HDMI 2.1 FRL, two DisplayPort 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, seven USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a 3.5 mm audio jack, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and a 2.5G Ethernet port.

Which one comes with Windows and an HDMI cable?

Both ship with Windows 11 Home rather than Pro, and neither includes an HDMI cable or a VESA mount. Power comes from an external adapter, 280W on the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) and 380W on the RTX 5080 build.

Who should buy each one?

Buy the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5060 32GB + 1TB) for compact high-refresh gaming at 1080p and 1440p. Buy the Asus ROG NUC 16 (RTX 5080 32GB + 1TB) for ray tracing at higher settings, GPU rendering or local model inference.

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