ASUS ROG NUC 16 vs BOSGAME M5
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ASUS ROG NUC 16
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
BOSGAME M5
Ryzen AI Max+ 395 / 128GB LPDDR5X / 2TB SSD; installed OS unconfirmed
Amazon results may include other models. Verify the processor, memory, storage, and seller before buying.
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1Is it fast for normal work?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Cinebench 2024 single-core 136 points
ALKtech measured 136 points in Cinebench 2024 single-core on its ROG NUC 16 review unit.
Cinebench 2024 single-core · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus; 32GB DDR5-6400; 2TB SSD; default Balance Enabled BIOS mode; Performance Armoury Crate mode
ALKtech · 12:40 -
7-Zip compression 156.204 GIPS
ALKtech measured 156.204 GIPS in the 7-Zip compression benchmark.
7-Zip compression benchmark · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus; 32GB DDR5-6400; 2TB SSD; default system power settings
ALKtech · 12:33
BOSGAME M5
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Cinebench 2024 single-core Not available
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7-Zip compression Not available
2Can it handle sustained work?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Cinebench 2024 multi-core 2010 points
ALKtech measured 2,010 points in Cinebench 2024 multi-core. This remains attributed evidence because it was not run on the MiniPCBench test bench.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus; 32GB DDR5-6400; 2TB SSD; default Balance Enabled BIOS mode; Performance Armoury Crate mode
ALKtech · 12:40 -
Cinebench R23 multi-core 35512 points
The same review unit scored 35,512 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core.
Cinebench R23 multi-core · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus; 32GB DDR5-6400; 2TB SSD; default Balance Enabled BIOS mode; Performance Armoury Crate mode
ALKtech · 12:49
BOSGAME M5
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Cinebench 2024 multi-core Not available
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Cinebench R23 multi-core Not available
3Can it game?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Cyberpunk 2077 4K 43.28 fps
ALKtech measured 43.28 FPS average in Cyberpunk 2077 v2.31 at 4K using the Ray Tracing Low preset with DLSS and frame generation disabled.
Cyberpunk 2077 v2.31 built-in benchmark · 3840x2160; Ray Tracing Low; DLSS off; frame generation off
ALKtech · 13:36 -
Cyberpunk 2077 1440p 92.43 fps
At 1440p with the same Ray Tracing Low preset and no DLSS or frame generation, ALKtech measured 92.43 FPS average.
Cyberpunk 2077 v2.31 built-in benchmark · 2560x1440; Ray Tracing Low; DLSS off; frame generation off
ALKtech · 13:36 -
Shadow of the Tomb Raider 4K 49 fps
ALKtech measured 49 FPS average at 4K with maximum settings, Ultra ray tracing, and upscaling disabled.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider built-in benchmark · 3840x2160; maximum graphics; Ultra ray tracing; upscaling off
ALKtech · 14:23
BOSGAME M5
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Cyberpunk 2077 4K Not available
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Cyberpunk 2077 1440p Not available
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Shadow of the Tomb Raider 4K Not available
4Is it loud or hot?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Gaming CPU package temperature 82.5 °C
During a roughly nine-minute F1 23 run, ALKtech recorded an 82.5°C average CPU package temperature and a 104°C maximum in a 30°C room.
F1 23, Singapore Circuit, five laps · 4K Ultra High; TAA; 16x anisotropic filtering; DLSS off; 30°C ambient; maximum 104°C
ALKtech · 14:36 -
Gaming GPU temperature 76.3 °C
The same run produced a 76.3°C average GPU temperature and a 79.3°C maximum.
F1 23, Singapore Circuit, five laps · 4K Ultra High; TAA; 16x anisotropic filtering; DLSS off; 30°C ambient; maximum 79.3°C
ALKtech · 14:36 -
Gaming noise 51.9 dBA
ALKtech measured 51.9 dBA during a typical gaming workload, but the room already measured 48.7 dBA, so the result is strongly limited by the high noise floor.
Typical gaming workload · 48.7 dBA ambient noise floor; meter position not stated
ALKtech · 14:36 -
Noise changes with the selected power mode Not available
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Idle fan behavior differed between operating systems Not available
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Manual fan controls had a heat and noise trade-off Not available
BOSGAME M5
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Gaming CPU package temperature Not available
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Gaming GPU temperature Not available
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Gaming noise Not available
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Noise changes with the selected power mode
ServeTheHome reports a barely audible fan in low-power mode at one metre and more audible operation in performance mode. This concerns its 128GB review unit and is not a standardized MiniPCBench noise measurement.
ServeTheHome · 13:43 -
Idle fan behavior differed between operating systems
Paul Gallant reports that his 128GB unit became inaudible while idle in Ubuntu Studio, while its fan kept running under Windows. Video rendering made the fan start again. OS builds, firmware and power settings were not fully documented.
Paul Gallant · 10:20 -
Manual fan controls had a heat and noise trade-off
Tek Syndicate reports that fixed low fan settings let its 96GB review unit get too hot during testing, while the next tested setting was audibly bothersome. The reviewer wanted a configurable fan curve. These manually changed settings do not describe stock behavior or later firmware.
Tek Syndicate · 11:21
5How much electricity does it use?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Gaming CPU package power 46.9 W
ALKtech's HWiNFO64 sensor log reported 46.9 W average CPU package power during the F1 23 run. This is component power, not whole-system wall power.
F1 23, Singapore Circuit, five laps · 4K Ultra High; DLSS off; HWiNFO64 CPU package sensor; 72 W maximum
ALKtech · 14:36 -
Gaming GPU power 173 W
The same HWiNFO64 log reported 173.0 W average GPU power and a 173.7 W maximum. This is GPU sensor power, not wall power.
F1 23, Singapore Circuit, five laps · 4K Ultra High; DLSS off; HWiNFO64 GPU power sensor; 173.7 W maximum
ALKtech · 14:36
BOSGAME M5
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Gaming CPU package power Not available
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Gaming GPU power Not available
6Can I upgrade and connect everything?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Memory is upgradeable Yes
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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Thunderbolt is present Yes
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Tool-less service access 2x memory and 2x M.2 slots
The two memory slots and two M.2 storage slots are user-accessible. The primary storage position supports PCIe 5.0 x4 and the second supports PCIe 4.0 x4.
Manufacturer upgradeability check · RNUC16JNK9X289AU
ASUS -
Reviewer upgrade inspection 2x M.2, 2x CSODIMM, socketed Wi-Fi
ALKtech showed straightforward access to two M.2 slots, two replaceable DDR5 CSODIMMs supporting up to 128GB, and a socketed Wi-Fi module. The included SSD occupied the PCIe 5.0 x4 slot while the second slot was PCIe 4.0 x4.
Hands-on internal-layout inspection · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB DDR5-6400, 2TB SSD
ALKtech · 7:09 -
SSD hatch is easy to access Not available
BOSGAME M5
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Memory is upgradeable No
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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Thunderbolt is present Not available
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Tool-less service access Not available
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Reviewer upgrade inspection Not available
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SSD hatch is easy to access
ServeTheHome shows a small bottom hatch secured by one screw for SSD access. The reviewer found this sufficient for routine storage upgrades; deeper disassembly takes more screws.
ServeTheHome · 7:20
7Is it good value?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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US list price $3,799
ASUS lists RNUC16JNK9X289AU at $3,799 before temporary discounts in the United States.
Manufacturer retail-price check · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
ASUS -
Reviewer value caveat Convenience over component value
ALKtech had no retail price at publication but expected a substantial premium and said a similarly priced DIY ITX system would likely offer stronger specifications; the ROG NUC's case rests on compact, ready-to-use convenience.
Pre-release value assessment · Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB DDR5-6400, 2TB SSD
ALKtech · 17:50
BOSGAME M5
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US list price Not available
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Reviewer value caveat Not available
8Will it be dependable?
ASUS ROG NUC 16
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Limited warranty 3 years
ASUS states that its NUC products purchased from authorized distributors carry a three-year limited warranty covering hardware included in the box.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check · ASUS NUC products purchased from authorized distributors
ASUS -
Review-unit disclosure Loan unit
ALKtech disclosed that ASUS Singapore supplied its ROG NUC 16 review unit as a loan and that its article contains affiliate links.
Source-disclosure check
ALKtech · 16:41 -
CachyOS installation demonstrated on a second drive Not available
BOSGAME M5
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Limited warranty Not available
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Review-unit disclosure Not available
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CachyOS installation demonstrated on a second drive
The Phawx demonstrates CachyOS installation and startup on an added 1TB SSD in its 96GB review unit, with networking connected during setup. The chosen ZFS filesystem and handheld desktop environment are disclosed in the video. This does not certify every Linux distribution or peripheral.
The Phawx · 8:23
References
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ASUS. ASUS ROG NUC 16 technical specifications. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: RNUC16JNK9X289AU: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
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ASUS. Warranty Information for NUC Products. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: ASUS NUC products purchased from authorized distributors
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ALKtech. Is this the most powerful mini gaming PC yet? ASUS ROG NUC 16 Unboxing & Review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB DDR5-6400, 2TB SSD
Disclosure: ALKtech states that ASUS Singapore supplied the review unit on loan. The accompanying article contains Amazon affiliate links.
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BOSGAME. M5 128GB / 2TB configuration. Product page. Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395 / 128GB LPDDR5X / 2TB SSD; installed OS unconfirmed
Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications; no MiniPCBench measurements.
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ServeTheHome. $1K off a 128GB Local AI Box with a TWIST. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB memory, PC41Q 2TB SSD and Windows 11 Pro. Firmware and Windows build unconfirmed.
Disclosure: Affiliate links disclosed; exact unit acquisition arrangement unconfirmed.
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Paul Gallant. BOSGAME M5 unboxing, Linux local AI and fan noise. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB memory and 2TB supplied SSD, with a second SSD for Ubuntu Studio. Windows 11 and Ubuntu Studio versions, power mode and firmware unconfirmed.
Disclosure: No unit acquisition or paid relationship confirmed in the inspected description.
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The Phawx. Is 32GB of VRAM Enough? BOSGAME M5 Review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 96GB memory, supplied 2TB SSD plus an added 1TB drive for CachyOS. Review includes modified firmware settings; exact firmware version unconfirmed.
Disclosure: BOSGAME supplied the 96GB review unit; loan or retention terms unconfirmed.
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Tek Syndicate. The Radeon 8060S is Insane - Bossgame M5 Mini PC Benchmarks. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and 96GB memory. Exact SSD, Windows edition and firmware unconfirmed; fan-control observations concern manually selected fixed settings.
Disclosure: Affiliate disclosure and channel merchandise promotion visible; unit acquisition terms unconfirmed.
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 ROG NUC 16
Higher listed specifications for BOSGAME M5
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 |
| Cores / threads | 24 / 24 | 16 / 32 |
| Processor default TDP | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Integrated graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16GB GDDR7 | Radeon 8060S |
Memory and storage
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR5-6400 CSODIMM | LPDDR5X-8000, soldered |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | Yes | No |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
Connectivity
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE | 1 x 2.5GbE |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.2, as specified in the manufacturer gallery; exact module unconfirmed |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | Yes | Not published |
Size and price
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 3.02 liters | Not published |
| List price | $3,799 | Not published |
| Product class | Compact high-end gaming | Not assigned |