Asus NUC 14 Performance mini-PC launched — combines up to Core Ultra 9 185H and RTX 4070

Asus NUC 14 Performance
(Image credit: Asus)

Asus has added a new member to its NUC 14 family of mini-PCs. The new Asus NUC 14 Performance lives up to its suffix by packing in up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H ‘Meteor Lake’ processor, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 desktop GPU into a compact chassis. This new mini-PC, which supports up to five 4K displays, aims to provide “power, efficiency, and style,” to the business market.

(Image credit: Asus)

Pondering over the specs and design of the new Asus NUC 14 Performance it quickly becomes apparent that this is one of the new ROG NUC gaming devices wearing a business suit. The processing options are the same, the 70 x 180 x 50mm (2.5 liter) chassis looks the same. Checking ports and other components – they are all the same, down to the Killer Wi-Fi 6E and Realtek ALC256 audio. However, images of the new Asus NUC 14 Performance show no evidence of the customizable “addressable backlit ROG panel.” Of course, the front panel ROG logo has been removed too, with a simple black quadrilateral on the front of the Asus NUC 14 Performance.

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Asus NUC 14 Performance specifications

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Processor / Intel Core Ultra 9 185H Processor
Graphics Integrated Intel Arc Graphics, Discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 / Integrated Intel Arc Graphics, Discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070

Networking

Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E (Gig+) 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.3, 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps, 2.5G Intel LAN

Front I/O

1 x SD Express ver8.0 Card Reader (UHS-I support) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A 1 x Audio Jack (Line out/Mic in/Headphone out/Headset)

Rear I/O

1 x Thunderbolt 4/ USB4 Type C port (Supports DP2.1 and 5V/9V/12V fast charging profiles) 2 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A 1 x HDMI port 2 x DP1.4a port 1 x 2.5G RJ45 LAN 1 x DC-in 1 x Kensington Lock slot

PSU

330W external brick

Physical

270mm X 180mm X 50mm (~2.5L), 800g

Accessories

AC Adapter+Power Cord, Vertical Stand

(Image credit: Asus)

The official product pages for the Asus ROG NUC, a device that was unveiled officially at CES in January, confirm the same hardware specs. We know that the ROG NUC with Intel Core 7 155H a discrete RTX 4060 and 0.5TB of storage is $1,629. The higher-end model with Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, discrete RTX 4070, and 1TB storage is listed at $2,199. Asus NUC 14 Performance pricing should rightfully be lower, with the RGB stuff removed, but as these devices are marketed to businesses and enterprises it might mean a premium is applied.

As official custodians of the NUC line, Asus has also created some more traditional ‘4x4’ NUC 14 designs, namely the NUC 14 Pro and NUC 14 Pro+. In March we found out these Meteor Lake devices are priced at $394 and $896, respectively. Asus has taken its time between revealing these products and availability, with the 4x4 NUC 14 mini PCs only recently hitting retail.

Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

  • salgado18
    Business? Looks more like a PC console to me.
    Although I can see engineering using these GPUs without purchasing notebooks and still allowing workers to take the PC home.
    Reply
  • Notton
    2x SODIMM DDR5: blegh
    3x 2280 gen4x4: amazing
    "Discreet GPU": Is there confirmation that these are the mobile versions?

    Because the mobile 4070 is the same chip used in the desktop 4060/Ti, but with lower TDP.
    Unless it overclocks like a monster, it's slower than a desktop 3060.
    Reply
  • Notton said:
    "Discreet GPU": Is there confirmation that these are the mobile versions?

    These are Laptop chips for sure. Unlikely they will cramp DESKTOP variants in such a small form factor.

    The same chips used in the gaming ROG NUC. This new "performance" mini-PC has the exact specs as the ROG NUC as well including the 330W power supply brick. So these should also be Laptop/mobile M counterparts.

    Liliputing: "Just keep in mind that since this is a mobile CPU and mobile GPU, neither are user upgradeable."
    Reply
  • Notton
    Here is hoping Nvidia gets sued for confusing naming scheme for their mobile GPUs then.
    File it under "Exaggerated or Misleading".
    Reply
  • SyCoREAPER
    That thing is either going to be a sauna or using a custom very lowered TDP. I can't imagine how heat can be efficiently discipated in such a small space otherwise.
    Reply
  • Findecanor
    I once had an Asus EeeBox PC in this form factor. It had a wider-looking base that was also relatively heavy and with grippy rubber on the bottom.

    This "NUC"'s stand looks a bit flimsy. I am not convinced that it would support plugging and unplugging ports without having to hold it with your other hand.
    Reply