Asus NUC 15 Pro specifications and in-depth review

Asus NUC 15 Pro

Manufacturer: Asus

The Asus NUC 15 Pro is a compact and versatile Mini PC, ideal for users looking for a powerful solution in a small form factor. With its 2000GB SSD storage and robust build, it's suitable for both professional and personal use.

Key technical specifications include a 28W CPU TDP, a turbo clock speed of 5.1GHz, and integrated Intel Arc 140T graphics. The system supports up to 96GB of RAM and offers various connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring seamless performance and versatility.

Pros
  • Compact Mini-ITX form factor makes it suitable for space-constrained environments.
  • Supports up to 96GB of high-speed RAM (6400 MHz), ideal for demanding multitasking and memory-heavy applications.
  • Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring modern wireless connectivity options for faster networking and device pairing.
  • Offers multiple high-speed USB ports, including USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4, for fast data transfer and peripheral compatibility.
  • Integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU with 8 execution units provides solid graphics performance and supports up to four displays.
Cons
  • Does not support ECC memory, which may limit reliability for certain professional or critical workloads.
  • No external memory slot for additional storage expansion, limiting upgrade options.
  • Multithreading is not supported, which could impact performance in applications that benefit from parallel processing.
  • The maximum RAM speed is limited to 6400 MHz, which is below the maximum supported speed of 8400 MHz, potentially limiting peak performance.
  • No VGA connector or S/PDIF Out port, which may limit compatibility with certain legacy displays or audio equipment.
Who is this for?

The Asus NUC 15 Pro is ideal for users who need a compact yet powerful system for multitasking and light-to-moderate workloads. Its 96GB of high-speed RAM and integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU make it suitable for professionals in fields like content creation, software development, or graphic design, where multitasking and moderate graphics performance are crucial. The inclusion of modern wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 also makes it a solid choice for environments where fast connectivity is a must, such as office spaces or home setups with a need for seamless device integration.

Who is this NOT for?

This system may not be suitable for users who require heavy computational power or maximum graphics performance, such as gamers or data scientists. Its lack of ECC memory support and absence of multithreading could hinder reliability and performance in critical tasks or multi-threaded applications. Additionally, those seeking high-end gaming or professional GPU workloads may find the Intel Arc 140T GPU and lack of a dedicated memory slot limiting for demanding projects or expansion needs.

General info:

SSD storage capacity 2000GB
form factor Mini-ITX
release date February 2025
Is an NVMe SSD
thickness 112 mm
height 37 mm
width 117 mm
volume 484.848 cm³

The Asus NUC 15 Pro features a compact Mini-ITX form factor, with dimensions of 112mm in thickness, 37mm in height, and 117mm in width, providing a compact and space-efficient design. It includes a high-capacity 2000GB SSD, utilizing NVMe technology for fast storage performance. With a total volume of 484.848 cm³, this system strikes a balance between small footprint and powerful storage capabilities.

CPU:

Thermal Design Power (TDP) 28W
CPU speed 6 x 2 & 8 x 1.5 GHz
turbo clock speed 5.1GHz
CPU threads 16 threads
Has integrated graphics
uses multithreading
L3 cache 24 MB
clock multiplier 20
Has an unlocked multiplier
Supports 64-bit
CPU temperature 110 °C

The Asus NUC 15 Pro is powered by a CPU with a thermal design power (TDP) of 28W and a clock speed configuration of 6 cores running at 2 GHz and 8 cores at 1.5 GHz. It can achieve a turbo clock speed of 5.1GHz, offering improved performance when needed. With 16 CPU threads and 24MB of L3 cache, this processor supports 64-bit processing, although it does not support multithreading or an unlocked clock multiplier.

Graphics card:

GPU clock speed 300 MHz
GPU turbo 2250 MHz
PCI Express (PCIe) version 5
texture mapping units (TMUs) 64
shading units 1024
render output units (ROPs) 32
DirectX version DirectX 12 Ultimate
OpenGL version 4.6
OpenCL version 3
semiconductor size 3 nm
supported displays 4

The Asus NUC 15 Pro is equipped with an Intel Arc 140T GPU, which operates at a base GPU clock speed of 300 MHz and can boost up to 2250 MHz in turbo mode. It supports PCIe 5.0 and features 64 texture mapping units (TMUs) and 1024 shading units, enabling detailed graphical performance. Additionally, it supports up to 4 displays and is compatible with DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and OpenCL 3 for modern graphics and compute applications.

Memory:

RAM 96GB
RAM speed 6400 MHz
DDR memory version 5

The Asus NUC 15 Pro is equipped with 96GB of RAM, providing ample memory for demanding tasks. It features high-speed 6400 MHz RAM and utilizes DDR5 technology, ensuring fast data access and efficient multitasking capabilities for optimal performance.

Connectivity:

Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
supports Wi-Fi
Has Bluetooth
Bluetooth version 5.4
USB 2.0 ports 1
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 3
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 1
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
Thunderbolt 4 ports 2
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
DisplayPort outputs 2
HDMI version HDMI 2.1
HDMI ports 2
RJ45 ports 1
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has a VGA connector
Has S/PDIF Out port

The Asus NUC 15 Pro offers comprehensive connectivity options, including support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring fast wireless networking and smooth device pairing. It is equipped with multiple USB ports, such as 3 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A), 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C), and 2 USB 4 40Gbps ports for high-speed data transfer. Additionally, the system features 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, 2 DisplayPort outputs, and a headset jack for versatile display and audio connectivity.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result 30756
PassMark result (single) 4373
PassMark result (overclocked) 30494

The Asus NUC 15 Pro has achieved a PassMark result of 30756, indicating strong overall performance. In single-threaded tasks, it scores 4373, while overclocked performance brings the result to 30494, showcasing the system's capability for demanding workloads and higher performance under optimized conditions.

Miscellaneous:

maximum memory amount 96GB
has an external memory slot
GPU execution units 8
GPU name Arc 140T
Type Laptop
CPU socket BGA 2049
instruction sets MMX, F16C, FMA3, AES, AVX, AVX2, SSE 4.1, SSE 4.2
Has NX bit
Supports ECC memory
memory channels 2
RAM speed (max) 8400 MHz
Uses big.LITTLE technology
Uses flash storage

The Asus NUC 15 Pro supports a maximum memory size of 96GB, with dual memory channels to optimize data flow. While it does not include an external memory slot, the system utilizes flash storage and supports a variety of instruction sets such as AVX, SSE 4.2, and AES for enhanced computational tasks. Additionally, the device leverages big.LITTLE technology for efficient power management, and its integrated GPU, the Intel Arc 140T, features 8 execution units.

Final Verdict

The Asus NUC 15 Pro is a compact and efficient Mini PC, offering solid performance for users requiring a balance between power and space. With 96GB of high-speed RAM and the latest connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6E, it is well-suited for office work, content creation, and light gaming. However, its limitations in GPU power and lack of ECC memory make it less ideal for heavy computational tasks or high-end gaming. Overall, this system excels in small-office environments and as a home office solution, offering reliable performance for moderate workloads.

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