ASUS NUC 16 Pro vs HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

Black ASUS NUC 16 Pro mini PC viewed from the front
HP Z2 Mini G1i workstation viewed from the front
VS

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ASUS NUC 16 Pro

Core Ultra X9 378H, 64GB LPDDR5x, no storage

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HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

BM6N6UT#ABA: Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB DDR5-6400, 1TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, RTX 2000 Ada 16GB, Windows 11 Pro High End

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Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.

iThese are manufacturer-sourced specifications, not MiniPCBench test results. Confirm the exact processor, memory, storage, price, and availability before buying.
Memory
Storage

1Is it fast for normal work?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Single-core performance Among the reviewer's top results
  • Exact workstation configuration Not available
  • Commercially aligned hands-on Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Single-core performance Not available
  • Exact workstation configuration 24 cores / 32GB / 1TB
  • Commercially aligned hands-on Same CPU/GPU; partial identity

2Can it handle sustained work?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Multi-core power-mode delta Under 2.5% faster
  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core Not available
  • Blender Classroom Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Multi-core power-mode delta Not available
  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core 1789 points
  • Blender Classroom 91.7 samples/min

3Can it game?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider 70 fps
  • Professional discrete graphics Not available
  • No proxy gaming result Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider Not available
  • Professional discrete graphics RTX 2000 Ada 16GB
  • No proxy gaming result Exact gaming data unavailable

4Is it loud or hot?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Maximum CPU temperature 99 °C
  • All-core load noise 46 dBA
  • Manufacturer-declared idle noise Not available
  • Exact thermals unavailable Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Maximum CPU temperature Not available
  • All-core load noise Not available
  • Manufacturer-declared idle noise 18 dBA
  • Exact thermals unavailable Not independently measured

5How much electricity does it use?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Idle wall power 9 W
  • Maximum wall power 115 W
  • External power adapter Not available
  • No exact wall-power test Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Idle wall power Not available
  • Maximum wall power Not available
  • External power adapter 280W external
  • No exact wall-power test Exact result unavailable

6Can I upgrade and connect everything?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Memory is upgradeable No
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • USB4 is present Yes
  • Different processor tested
  • Review-unit memory 8533 MT/s
  • Tool-free access
  • Thunderbolt is present Not available
  • Internal expansion Not available
  • Optional Flex I/O Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Memory is upgradeable Yes
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • USB4 is present Not available
  • Different processor tested Not available
  • Review-unit memory Not available
  • Tool-free access Not available
  • Thunderbolt is present No
  • Internal expansion 2 SO-DIMM / 2 M.2 / low-profile PCIe
  • Optional Flex I/O One unpopulated optional-module position

7Is it good value?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • US price not published US MSRP unavailable
  • Current exact-part offer Not available
  • Amazon identity unresolved Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • US price not published Not available
  • Current exact-part offer $4,073.76 at B&H
  • Amazon identity unresolved No verified exact Amazon listing

8Will it be dependable?

ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Limited warranty 3 years
  • Linux support Current Linux kernel recommended
  • Included limited warranty Not available
  • Workstation validation Not available
  • Serviceable core components Not available

HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Limited warranty Not available
  • Linux support Not available
  • Included limited warranty 1-year limited warranty
  • Workstation validation ISV-certified family; HP validation program
  • Serviceable core components Tool-free internal access

References

  1. ASUS. ASUS USA technical specifications. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: NUC16GDKW9, Core Ultra X9 378H, 64GB LPDDR5x, no storage or operating system

  2. Robtech. Intel's Panther Lake is HERE! ASUS NUC 16 Pro Review. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra X7 358H, 64GB LPDDR5x-8533, Samsung PCIe 5.0 SSD of unstated capacity

    Disclosure: Robtech identified the review unit as a manufacturer loan in the video description.

  3. Level1Techs. A Panther Lake Mini PC: The Asus Nuc Pro 16 Benchmark and Review. Video review. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra X7 358H, 64GB onboard LPDDR5x, 1TB Samsung SSD

    Disclosure: Level1Techs did not state how the review unit was acquired.

  4. ASUS. Warranty Information for NUC Products. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: ASUS NUC products purchased from authorized distributors

  5. HP. HP Z2 Mini G1i Workstation Desktop PC. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: Z2 Mini G1i family with up to Core Ultra 9 K-series processors, RTX 4000 SFF Ada, 128GB DDR5, two M.2 slots, optional Flex I/O, and 280W adapter

    Disclosure: Manufacturer family overview, port map, expansion claims, official image, and workstation-program claims. Family maxima and optional features are not treated as installed on the exact part.

  6. HP. HP Z2 Mini G1i Workstation QuickSpecs c09133727. Product page. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Worldwide Z2 Mini G1i family specifications, component matrix, service expansion, networking, dimensions, and manufacturer-declared reference acoustics

    Disclosure: Manufacturer technical document. Reference acoustic configurations differ from BM6N6UT#ABA and are excluded from scoring.

  7. B&H Photo Video. HP Z2 Mini G1i Workstation BM6N6UT#ABA. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: HP MPN BM6N6UT#ABA: Core Ultra 9 285K, 32GB 2x16 DDR5-6400, 1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD, RTX 2000 Ada 16GB, Windows 11 Pro High End, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 280W adapter

    Disclosure: HP-authorized retailer record used for exact fixed-part identity, included hardware, warranty, availability, and current price. No customer benchmark data are imported.

  8. Shukun E-commerce / T客邦. HP Z2 Mini G1i workstation unboxing and hands-on testing. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: Physical G1i with Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada, and 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD; regional part and installed memory not clearly stated in accessible text

    Disclosure: Retailer-hosted article labeled Brand Message. It includes original physical and benchmark screenshots but does not disclose unit custody in accessible text; no numeric result is imported.

  9. Principled Technologies. Jumpstart graphics-intensive workloads with the HP Z2 Mini G1i. Product page. . Accessed .

    Configuration: Core Ultra 7 265, 64GB DDR5-6400, 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage, NVIDIA RTX 4000 SFF Ada, Windows 11 Pro

    Disclosure: HP commissioned the comparison and supplied both systems. Processor, memory, and GPU differ from BM6N6UT#ABA; every result is excluded from scoring.

Value for money

No value comparison is available. It requires eligible test scores and at least four current price observations in seven days.

Specification differences

Differences supported by the listed manufacturer specifications

Higher listed specifications for ASUS NUC 16 Pro

  • Uses a smaller 0.71 liter enclosure

Higher listed specifications for HP Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)

  • Supports 64 GB more memory

Verified specifications

Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status

Processor

SpecificationNUC 16 ProZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
CPUIntel Core Ultra X9 378HIntel Core Ultra 9 285K
Cores / threads16 / 1624 / 24
Processor default TDP25 W125 W
Integrated graphicsIntel Arc B390NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation discrete graphics with 16GB GDDR6 and four Mini DisplayPort outputs

Memory and storage

SpecificationNUC 16 ProZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
Memory typeLPDDR5x-8533 onboard2x 16GB DDR5-6400 SO-DIMM, non-ECC
Maximum memory64 GB128 GB
Upgradeable memoryNoYes
Storage slots22

Connectivity

SpecificationNUC 16 ProZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
EthernetDual 2.5GbEIntegrated Intel I219-LM Gigabit Ethernet
WirelessWi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6.0Wi-Fi 7 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.4
USB4YesNo
ThunderboltYesNo

Size and price

SpecificationNUC 16 ProZ2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
Enclosure volume0.71 liters3.17 liters
List priceNot publishedNot published
Product classBusiness mini PCCompact ISV-certified CAD, rendering, and professional visualization workstation