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

Black ASUS ROG NUC 16 gaming mini PC standing vertically with its RGB logo illuminated
HP Z2 Mini G1i workstation viewed from the front
VS

Check current prices

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

ASUS ROG NUC 16

Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD

Check price Amazon affiliate link

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

Check price Amazon affiliate link

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 ROG NUC 16

  • Cinebench 2024 single-core 136 points
  • 7-Zip compression 156.204 GIPS
  • Exact workstation configuration Not available
  • Commercially aligned hands-on Not available

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

  • Cinebench 2024 single-core Not available
  • 7-Zip compression Not available
  • Exact workstation configuration 24 cores / 32GB / 1TB
  • Commercially aligned hands-on Same CPU/GPU; partial identity

2Can it handle sustained work?

ASUS ROG NUC 16

  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core 2010 points
  • Cinebench R23 multi-core 35512 points
  • Blender Classroom Not available

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

  • Cinebench 2024 multi-core 1789 points
  • Cinebench R23 multi-core Not available
  • Blender Classroom 91.7 samples/min

3Can it game?

ASUS ROG NUC 16

  • Cyberpunk 2077 4K 43.28 fps
  • Cyberpunk 2077 1440p 92.43 fps
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider 4K 49 fps
  • Professional discrete graphics Not available
  • No proxy gaming result Not available

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

  • Cyberpunk 2077 4K Not available
  • Cyberpunk 2077 1440p Not available
  • Shadow of the Tomb Raider 4K Not available
  • Professional discrete graphics RTX 2000 Ada 16GB
  • No proxy gaming result Exact gaming data unavailable

4Is it loud or hot?

ASUS ROG NUC 16

  • Gaming CPU package temperature 82.5 °C
  • Gaming GPU temperature 76.3 °C
  • Gaming noise 51.9 dBA
  • Manufacturer-declared idle noise Not available
  • Exact thermals unavailable Not available

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

  • Gaming CPU package temperature Not available
  • Gaming GPU temperature Not available
  • Gaming noise Not available
  • Manufacturer-declared idle noise 18 dBA
  • Exact thermals unavailable Not independently measured

5How much electricity does it use?

ASUS ROG NUC 16

  • Gaming CPU package power 46.9 W
  • Gaming GPU power 173 W
  • External power adapter Not available
  • No exact wall-power test Not available

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

  • Gaming CPU package power Not available
  • Gaming GPU power Not available
  • External power adapter 280W external
  • No exact wall-power test Exact result unavailable

6Can I upgrade and connect everything?

ASUS ROG NUC 16

  • Memory is upgradeable Yes
  • Storage is upgradeable Yes
  • Thunderbolt is present Yes
  • Tool-less service access 2x memory and 2x M.2 slots
  • 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
  • Thunderbolt is present No
  • Tool-less service access Not available
  • 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 ROG NUC 16

  • US list price $3,799
  • Current exact-part offer Not available
  • Amazon identity unresolved Not available

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

  • US list price 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 ROG NUC 16

  • Limited warranty 3 years
  • Review-unit disclosure Loan unit
  • 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
  • Review-unit disclosure 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 ROG NUC 16 technical specifications. Product page. Accessed .

    Configuration: RNUC16JNK9X289AU: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD

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

    Configuration: ASUS NUC products purchased from authorized distributors

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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 ROG NUC 16

  • Uses a smaller 3.02 liter enclosure

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

Verified specifications

Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status

Processor

SpecificationROG NUC 16Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
CPUIntel Core Ultra 9 290HX PlusIntel Core Ultra 9 285K
Cores / threads24 / 2424 / 24
Processor default TDPNot disclosed125 W
Integrated graphicsNVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16GB GDDR7NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation discrete graphics with 16GB GDDR6 and four Mini DisplayPort outputs

Memory and storage

SpecificationROG NUC 16Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
Memory typeDDR5-6400 CSODIMM2x 16GB DDR5-6400 SO-DIMM, non-ECC
Maximum memory128 GB128 GB
Upgradeable memoryYesYes
Storage slots22

Connectivity

SpecificationROG NUC 16Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
Ethernet2.5GbEIntegrated Intel I219-LM Gigabit Ethernet
WirelessWi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4Wi-Fi 7 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.4
USB4YesNo
ThunderboltYesNo

Size and price

SpecificationROG NUC 16Z2 Mini G1i (Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 2000 Ada)
Enclosure volume3.02 liters3.17 liters
List price$3,799Not published
Product classCompact high-end gamingCompact ISV-certified CAD, rendering, and professional visualization workstation