Both, in different proportions. The ASUS ROG NUC is the gaming-branded compact PC, now in its 2026 form as the ROG NUC 16, with Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus or Ultra 7 270HX Plus, RTX 5060 up to RTX 5080 Laptop graphics, a three-fan cooler and Windows 11 Home. The ASUS NUC 15 Performance is the plainer work-oriented sibling of the 2025 ROG NUC, sold at SourceIT as a barebone with Core Ultra 9 275HX and an RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. For professional GPU work the higher ROG NUC 16 models are actually the stronger machines, because they offer 12GB and 16GB GPUs. The NUC 15 Performance is the cleaner choice for an office that wants to fit its own memory, storage and Windows 11 Pro. At SourceIT the ROG NUC 16 starts at S$3,311.69 (RTX 5060, 16GB, 1TB) and the NUC 15 Performance barebone is S$2,787.70 (listed 3 Nov 2026).
How do they compare?
| NUC 15 Performance | ROG NUC (2025) | ROG NUC 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Core Ultra 9 275HX / Ultra 7 255HX | Core Ultra 9 275HX / Ultra 7 255HX | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus / Ultra 7 270HX Plus |
| GPU options (Laptop) | RTX 5070, RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 to RTX 5080 | RTX 5060, 5070 Ti, 5080 |
| Power adapter | 330W | 330W | 380W (280W on RTX 5060) |
| Cooling and noise | Not detailed by ASUS | About 36 dB(A) everyday, up to 49 dB(A) gaming (Basic Tutorials) | Three 102 mm fans, dual vapor chamber; ASUS claims just under 38 dBA at full load |
| Display outputs | 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DP 2.1, 1x TB4 | 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DP 2.1, 1x TB4 | 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x DP 2.1, 1x TB4; up to five 4K |
| Size | About 3 L | 282 x 188 x 57 mm | 282 x 190 x 57 mm, 3 L |
| How SourceIT sells it | Barebone | Complete, Windows 11 Home | Complete, Windows 11 Home |
From ASUS and ROG spec pages, the ROG NUC 16 announcement (15 May 2026) and Basic Tutorials (Sep 2025), accessed 3 Nov 2026. ASUS's ROG Singapore page lists 64GB maximum memory for the ROG NUC 16 while the press release says 128GB, so check before planning a large-memory build.
Which is better for professional workloads?
It depends on graphics memory more than branding.
- Rendering, CAD and CUDA AI that fit in 8GB: the NUC 15 Performance with RTX 5070 is enough, and it lets you choose Windows 11 Pro and your own storage from the start.
- Video editing with AI tools: DaVinci Resolve Studio's advanced AI features list at least 16GB of VRAM, which only the RTX 5080 Laptop provides here, so that means the ROG NUC 16 RTX 5080.
- Larger AI models: 12 to 16GB of VRAM still limits model size. For big models, GB10 systems with 128GB of unified memory are a different class; see ROG NUC vs ASUS GX10.
Which is better for gaming?
The ROG NUC 16, clearly. It offers the RTX 5070 Ti and 5080, a cooler designed for sustained GPU load, and ROG's gaming software. The NUC 15 Performance is not marketed for gaming, and ComputerBase's coverage of it was headlined that it "doesn't speak to gamers".
Choose by the graphics memory your software needs, then by how you want the box delivered. The badge on the front matters least.
What should a business check first?
- Windows edition. SourceIT's ROG NUC listings ship with Windows 11 Home. Companies that manage PCs with domain join or Intune normally need Windows 11 Pro, so ask us about moving to Pro before rollout.
- 24/7 use. ASUS's sustained-operation document defines 24/7 use for its NUC Pro and Essential kits. The ROG NUC is not named in it, so we would not plan 24/7 duty on a ROG NUC.
- Warranty. ASUS's NUC warranty FAQ gives three years for NUCs bought through authorised distributors, but older ROG NUC reviews quoted shorter terms in other markets. Confirm the Singapore terms with us; see our ASUS warranty guide.
- Power. Expect around 240W sustained under combined CPU and GPU load on a 2025 ROG NUC, according to Basic Tutorials, so plan the UPS accordingly.
More on the NUC 15 Performance is in Why Does This Tiny PC Need an NVIDIA RTX GPU?, and the ROG generations are compared in ROG NUC 16 vs ROG NUC 15.
Buying in Singapore
- NUC 15 Performance Ultra 9 275HX RTX 5070 barebone: S$2,787.70
- ROG NUC 16 Ultra 7 270HX RTX 5060, 16GB, 1TB: S$3,311.69
- ROG NUC (2025) Ultra 9 275HX RTX 5070, 32GB, 1TB: S$3,982.86
- ROG NUC 16 Ultra 9 290HX RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB, 1TB: S$4,773.15 (also in white)
- ROG NUC 16 Ultra 9 290HX RTX 5080, 32GB, 1TB: S$5,650.03
Prices listed 3 Nov 2026; ROG NUC systems ship with Windows 11 Home. Browse the ROG NUC collection and the ASUS NUC collection. For a quotation, use Request for Quotation on the product page, call (65) 6978 3502, email Sales@sourceit.com.sg or use our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the ROG NUC and the NUC 15 Performance? The NUC 15 Performance is a work-oriented barebone sharing the 2025 ROG NUC platform. The ROG NUC is a complete gaming-styled system with higher-end GPU options.
Can the ROG NUC be used as a workstation? Yes, for GPU work that fits its 8 to 16GB of graphics memory. Check the Windows edition and warranty terms for business use.
Which has the most graphics memory? The ROG NUC 16 with RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, with 16GB.
Is the ROG NUC rated for 24/7 operation? ASUS's 24/7 sustained-operation document covers NUC Pro and Essential kits and does not name the ROG NUC.
How much does the ROG NUC 16 cost in Singapore? At SourceIT on 3 Nov 2026, from S$3,311.69 with RTX 5060, 16GB and 1TB, to S$5,650.03 with RTX 5080 and 32GB.
