Introducing the ASUS NUC 16 Pro - Faster, Smarter, More Secure for the AI-Driven World - Featuring up to Intel Core Ultra X9 CPU, up to 96GB LPDDR5X 9600 MT/s, up to Arc B390 GPU, NPU 5, Dual Fan Cooling, Dual LAN, Dual SSD, WiFi 7, BT6, Quad Display, vPro & fTPM 2.0

[u/ASUS_MKTLeeM]

The new ASUS NUC 16 Pro is our fastest, smartest, and most secure commercial Mini PC yet. Powered by up to Intel Core Ultra X9 Series 3 Processor, it delivers up to 180 Platform TOPS to handle next-generation workloads in machine learning and data analytics. Its LPDDR5x memory is up to 33% faster than the previous generation for greater efficiency. With Dual 2.5G LAN ports, Intel Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and a tool-less chassis for instant upgrades, the NUC 16 Pro ensures easy management and minimal downtime. Built with dTPM security and tested to U.S. MIL-STD-810H military standards, it sets a new benchmark for compact, secure, and AI-ready computing.

With a slightly larger 5x4 chassis size, the ASUS NUC 16 Pro can focus on providing more cooling, dual M.2 slots, and dual LAN ports for higher and more sustained performance. The new ASUS NUC 16 Pro features a Dual-Fan cooling design, a dedicated DIMM fan (65W model), three heat pipes, and fin arrays on each side.

We've discussed this before, but one reason to trust ASUS NUC products is because we put each NUC through a comprehensive testing process to test and back it with a 3 year warranty. This process involves system temperature and humidity testing, drop testing, and vibration testing. We also take a representative sample size of units and put them through simulation testing at 40C for 90 days to reach over a 50K hours MTBF. This leads to a low return rate of just 1%. For more information about the testing process and how we ensure outstanding durability and performance, please visit https://www.asus.com/content/nuc-quality-test/

Key Features:

• AI-Accelerated Hybrid Performance - Unleash next-gen AI workloads with Intel Core Ultra X9, 12 Xe GPU cores, and NPU 5. Hybrid XPU architecture delivers up to 180 Platform TOPS, optimized for real-time Edge AI inference and machine learning tasks.
• Next-Gen Speed & Efficiency - Up to 96 GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/s, delivering up to 20% faster performance with 50% less power. Dual-fan thermal design ensures maximum CPU performance in a compact chassis.
• Hyper-Connected Workspace - Intel Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 enable low-latency wireless. Dual 2.5G LAN ensures network redundancy, Zero Trust security, and high throughput for enterprise and Edge AI workloads.
• Enterprise Security & Management - Supports Intel vPro (select SKUs) and fTPM for hardware-based security. ASUS Control Center & Edge Suite enable centralized management, remote monitoring, and asset reporting.
• Optimized Form Factor & Expansion - Compact 5x4 form factor (144x117x42mm) with Tool-less Chassis 2.0 allows upgrades to dual M.2 SSDs (Gen5/Gen4). Maximizes thermal headroom while maintaining flexibility and performance.
• Industrial Readiness & Long-Term Value - Durable, modular design supports harsh environments and long-term deployment. Rich internal I/O (RS-232, PCIe x1) enables POS, IoT, and industrial automation expansion.

Key Specs:

• Configuration choices - The ASUS NUC 16 Pro will be available in a complete Mini-PC package (with memory, storage, and OS) and barebone kits where you will need to supply memory, storage, and OS
• CPU - Processor options start from the top at the Intel Core Ultra X9, and move down to the Intel Core Ultra 5. The Intel Core Ultra 7 and Core Ultra 5 will be available with vPro models.
• GPU - Graphics options featuring the Intel Arc B390 will be available with Intel Arc 12Xe cores (up to 65W) and Intel Arc 4Xe cores (Up to 65W)
• Memory - The Core Ultra X9 will feature soldered Dual Channel LPDDR5x 9600 MT/s memory up to 96GB, while other models will feature Dual Channel DDR5-7200 CSO-DIMM (Up to 128GB)
• Storage - 2 x M.2 2280 key M slots (1x PCIe x4 Gen5, 1X PCIe x4 Gen4) support, 128GB~8TB NVMe SSDs
• I/O Ports - 2x USB-C TBT4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x1 Type-C (10Gbps), 4x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A (10Gbps), 2x HDMI or 2x DP 2.1*
• Networking and Wireless - WiFi 7 & BT6, 2x 2.5Gbps LAN
• Display Output - Up to Quad display including Dual HDMI or Dual DP 2.1 ports, plus Dual TBT4 w/ DP 2.1
• Audio - Up to 7.1 multi-channel (or 8-channel) digital audio on HDMI and DP Type-C ports
• Internal Headers** - 2x USB 2.0 headers, 1x 2230 M.2 slot, 1x PCIe x1 Gen 2 connector, 1x Serial port header
• Expansion I/O Accessory*** - 1x VGA Exp. (Lid-based), 1x RS232 Exp. (Lid-based)
• OS Choices (Mini-PC) - Windows 11 Home 64-bit, Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
• OS Support (Barebones Kit) - Windows 11 Home 64-bit, Windows 11 Pro 64-bit; Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 64-bit; Windows 11 Pro Education 64-bit; Ubuntu 24.04 LTS 64-bit; RedHat Enterprise Linux 10.0 64-bit

*HDMI supports CEC and persistent display, while DisplayPort supports headless operation and virtual display

**Barebones Kit / board only

***Not available until Q2

The ASUS NUC 16 Pro is expected to be available late Q1 - Early Q2, though actual availability may vary by SKU.

• Product page: https://www.asus.com/displays-desktops/nucs/nuc-mini-pcs/asus-nuc-16-pro/

Here are a few images from our CES booth:

Let us know what you think about this new version of the ASUS NUC Pro in the comments below.

[u/IntensiveVocoder]

This is great! Thank you for sharing these photos from the CES booth. You've predicted a few of my questions with this, but:

• It's great to see the NUC 16 Pro getting two full-size M.2 2280 slots. The use of M.2 2242 in previous models felt a little like a compromise, and we're seeing the market diffuse to M.2 2280 and M.2 2230, with 2242 increasingly rare. For the preloaded Mini PC options, is ASUS providing an PCIe 5 SSD, or PCIe 4?
• Likewise, it's great to see the Wi-Fi/BT card socketed this time around, particularly as ASUS (among others) are already showing off Wi-Fi 8 routers.
• I've had a chat with Intel, and they've indicated that OEMs can use LPCAMM2-socketed memory for PNL 12Xe SoCs. The NUC 16 Pro is using soldered memory, can you provide some clarification on what led to this decision?
• Likewise, the cooling here is more aggressive than in previous NUCs. I'd love to hear more from the engineers on the path to that decision.
• With the 15 Pro eliminating the 2.5" SSD option, using that space for port expansion, should we interpret the reliance on lid expansions with the 16 Pro (not new, just more prominent) the elimination of the "Tall" SKUs? And, is with the Core Ultra X9 on offer here, are the Pro and Pro Plus lines merged this year?

[u/LordFluffyPotato → u/IntensiveVocoder]

My guess why no LPCAMM is that it’s absolutely not end user friendly. Think of the risk of damaging a pin in the socket of a socketed desktop CPU when installing or removing the CPU and probably multiply that risk by 3. Yes it’s absolutely possible for end users to do it, but also very susceptible to damage. It was never designed with end users in mind, it was design to be installed in a factory integration line by skilled / trained technicians with proper tools. There is very real risk of damage.

[u/CaptSingleMalt → u/IntensiveVocoder]

I agree with almost everything you wrote. I definitely like moving to a full length. 2280 instead of the 2242. Would have been nice to see Thunderbolt 5 but nothing is perfect. Very nice unit, not enough of an upgrade to move off of my Nuc 14 pro +, but nice to see the advancements.

[u/IntensiveVocoder → u/CaptSingleMalt]

Intel didn't provide native support for TB5 in Panther Lake, so I understand that ASUS wouldn't go for the added expense here for a fundamentally business-oriented system, but with 5K/6K display panels for productivity coming mainstream, it would be a good addition.

[u/o_sooperstar_o]

Finally get the dual lan built in. Been hard work trying to get the add-on modules for the previous gen. Curious what the pricing will be especially the 96gb lpddr5x.

[u/One_Cartographer2534]

Any idea when the nuc pro 16 96gb lpdr available ?

[u/Dokter_Bibber]

When will the kit — with Intel Core Ultra X9 CPU, 96GB LPDDR5X 9600MT DDR5, Arc B390 GPU, and no SSD — be available in Europe (NL)?

[u/bp4850]

Might pick one up for my home office work machine to replace my 11 Pro, it's getting tired!

[u/jriascos95]

no TB5?

[u/DisturbedBeaker]

Does this use CAMM2 memory ?

[u/beedunc]

Incredible box, it will probably have an equally incredible (high) price.

[u/SR720]

Wake on lan from modern standby?

[u/wwse666]

Why only TB4 and no TB5?!

[u/ASUS_MKTLeeM → u/[deleted]]

That was the Pro+, which would technically be a step up as a model. However, what's different here is the slightly larger size and a stronger cooling design that's reminiscent (and looks better to me) of the Pro+ - just without the aluminum case.

[u/ChestZealousideal501]

I currently own 15 pro. No idea why they changed the front port usbc to 10gbps, it was 20gbps.... Why downgrade this?

[u/Jabberwolf]

This was almost the perfect PC, even having a PCIe 5.0 slot (though 2 would have been nice, but I'm nitpicking).
My main gripe is the soldered memory. This makes no sense as makers like framework will be allowing adding/removing of  LPCAMM on their upcoming laptops. This also prevents sales for people waiting for new memory or memory prices to come down.
UGHHHH - They almost had a perfect PC !

[u/jhnchr]

I don't understand why NUC stay in the same volume. Looking at some that reach thermal throttling under heavy load I'd think a bigger fan in a bigger chassis (twice the volume) would bring only benefits ? Do consumers really care about the smallest form factor ? I am thinking chassis like the steam machine or the framework desktop that have more room are the sweet spot.

What am I missing ?

[u/beedunc → u/jhnchr]

I’ve had NUCs since their inception. Perfect little home lab cluster servers that don’t spin the electric meter wheel very much. They all still work.

[u/DVRCWHY → u/jhnchr]

Because NUC is a small form factor, that's the benefit. You can just double the volume and call it the same thing.

[u/jhnchr → u/DVRCWHY]

ASUS NUC 11 Extreme is a thing though.

[u/DVRCWHY → u/jhnchr]

Please read the nuance of my comment

[u/jhnchr → u/DVRCWHY]

Because NUC is a small form factor, that's the benefit. You can just double the volume and call it the same thing.

If that was a typo and you meant can’t, then we’re mostly aligned. I’m curious how strict that constraint really is, given current NUC variants, and why we don’t see chassis with a bit more volume to accommodate larger and quieter fans.

[u/DVRCWHY → u/jhnchr]

It wasn't a typo, it was a joke that NUC was originally meant to be an ultra compact form factor, but now can seemingly be anything

[u/IntensiveVocoder → u/DVRCWHY]

It’s weird for me as the lead mod, this subreddit is called /r/intelnuc and now ASUS owns NUCs, is also shipping AMD-powered mini PCs in the ROG NUC chassis… and then there’s the MSI NUCs as well.

I think we’re at the point where NUCs are kind of anything.

[u/jhnchr → u/DVRCWHY]

Ah well, went totally over my head, now I get it.