ASUS ROG NUC 16 vs MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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ASUS ROG NUC 16
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB RAM, 2TB SSD, US
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
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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Cinebench 2024 single-core 110 points
Jim's Garage measured 110 in Cinebench 2024 single-core on its exact 128GB review unit.
Cinebench 2024 single-core · Ryzen AI Max+ 395; 128GB/2TB review unit
Jim's Garage · 13:52 -
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 -
Qwen3 235B local inference Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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Cinebench 2024 multi-core 1886 points
Tech Notice measured 1,808 in Balanced mode and 1,886 after switching the same exact-config review system to Performance mode.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core · Performance BIOS mode; exact 128GB/2TB review unit
Tech Notice · 15:50 -
Cinebench R23 multi-core 37062 points
Level1Techs measured 37,062 in Cinebench R23 multi-core on the MS-S1 Max.
Cinebench R23 multi-core · Ryzen AI Max+ 395; 128GB review system
Level1Techs · 14:22 -
Qwen3 235B local inference 13.73 tokens/s
Jim's Garage reported 13.73 tokens per second for Qwen3 235B A22B Instruct Q3_K_XL under Ubuntu, with about 102GB of unified memory in use.
Qwen3 235B A22B Instruct 2507 Q3_K_XL local inference · Ubuntu bare metal; 1GB fixed graphics allocation; Performance BIOS mode; exact 128GB review unit
Jim's Garage · 22:13
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 -
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Not available
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Cyberpunk 2077 Not available
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Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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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
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Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail 68 fps
Level1Techs measured 68 FPS at 1440p High in the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail benchmark.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail benchmark · 1440p High preset; Radeon 8060S; exact 128GB review system
Level1Techs · 10:00 -
Cyberpunk 2077 67 fps
RandomGaminginHD measured 67 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p using the High preset with no upscaling.
Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay · 1080p High; no upscaling; Performance mode at 130W; Radeon 8060S
RandomGaminginHD · 7:00 -
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 90 fps
RandomGaminginHD measured 90 FPS in Kingdom Come: Deliverance II at 1080p High using SMAA 2TX.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II gameplay · 1080p High; SMAA 2TX; Radeon 8060S
RandomGaminginHD · 9:58
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 -
Maximum observed CPU temperature Not available
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Load sound level Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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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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Maximum observed CPU temperature 63 C
Jim's Garage observed no more than 63 C during its Cinebench run, while Tech Notice independently saw 64 C before changing from Balanced to Performance mode.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core · Exact 128GB review unit; Jim's Garage test mode was not stated in the narration
Jim's Garage · 14:06 -
Load sound level 43 dBA
ServeTheHome measured about 42 to 43 dBA at one meter while the system drew about 120W and said it was clearly audible rather than silent.
Sustained local-AI workload · One-meter distance; exact 128GB review system; room floor not stated in the narration
ServeTheHome · 10:53
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 -
Idle wall power Not available
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Cinebench wall power Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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Gaming CPU package power Not available
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Gaming GPU power Not available
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Idle wall power 12 W
ServeTheHome observed a 9 to 12 W idle range in Windows. Jim's Garage independently observed 7 to 10 W at idle on its exact-config unit.
Windows idle · Observed range 9-12 W; exact 128GB review system
ServeTheHome · 10:32 -
Cinebench wall power 130 W
Jim's Garage saw about 130 W at the wall through most of its Cinebench run, with brief spikes up to 150 W.
Cinebench 2024 multi-core · Exact 128GB review unit; brief observed spikes to 150 W
Jim's Garage · 14:12
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 -
High-speed I/O Not available
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Linux 10GbE support Not available
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Expansion limits Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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Memory is upgradeable No
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Storage is upgradeable Yes
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Thunderbolt is present No
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Tool-less service access Not available
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High-speed I/O 4x USB4 and 2x 10GbE
The chassis provides two front 40Gbps USB4 ports, two rear 80Gbps USB4 v2 ports, and two Realtek RTL8127 10GbE controllers. The internal 320W power supply avoids an external brick.
Manufacturer specification and hands-on port inspection · MS-S1 Max chassis
MINISFORUM -
Linux 10GbE support Driver work required
Jim's Garage could not use the two RTL8127 10GbE ports out of the box under Debian 13 or Proxmox and obtained only 5Gbps after adding a driver manually. Wi-Fi 7 worked in the same Linux testing.
Debian 13 and Proxmox network detection and throughput testing · Exact 128GB/2TB review unit; software state in September 2025
Jim's Garage · 1:58 -
Expansion limits PCIe 4.0 x4, no 75W GPU power
Level1Techs verified that the physical x16 slot is electrically PCIe 4.0 x4, is closed-ended, and cannot supply 75W. Tech Notice likewise found that it is suitable for networking or storage expansion rather than a conventional graphics card.
Hands-on chassis and slot inspection · MS-S1 Max chassis
Level1Techs · 11:35
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 -
Manufacturer price Not available
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Verified Amazon configuration Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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US list price Not available
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Manufacturer price $3,719
MINISFORUM listed the exact 128GB/2TB US configuration for $3,719 when checked, against a $4,649 compare-at price.
Manufacturer retail-price check · MS-S1-MAX12US; Ryzen AI Max+ 395; 128GB RAM; 2TB SSD; Windows 11 Pro
MINISFORUM -
Verified Amazon configuration B0G348H88N
Amazon ASIN B0G348H88N matched the exact Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB RAM, and 2TB SSD configuration when checked.
Retailer identity check · MS-S1 Max 128GB/2TB
MINISFORUM
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 -
Seller warranty Not available
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Cooling and acoustics Not available
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Operating-system caveat Not available
MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
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Limited warranty Not available
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Review-unit disclosure Not available
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Seller warranty 3 years
MINISFORUM advertises a three-year seller warranty and 30-day returns on the US store page.
Manufacturer warranty-policy check
MINISFORUM -
Cooling and acoustics Cool but audible
Independent testing found low-60s C temperatures in Cinebench, but ServeTheHome still measured 42 to 43 dBA at one meter around 120W. The cooling system controls temperature without being silent under sustained load.
Sustained CPU and local-AI workloads · Exact 128GB review systems
ServeTheHome · 10:32 -
Operating-system caveat Linux NIC caveat
The current Windows configuration was stable in the retained reviews, but Jim's Garage documented immature RTL8127 support under Debian 13 and Proxmox. Linux buyers should verify current driver support for the dual 10GbE controllers.
Windows, Debian 13, and Proxmox hands-on testing · Exact 128GB/2TB review unit
Jim's Garage · 16:53
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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MINISFORUM. MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max 128GB Max AI Compute Edition. Product page. . Accessed .
Configuration: MS-S1-MAX12US: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB LPDDR5X-8000, 2TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, US power cable
Disclosure: Manufacturer specifications, current price, availability, warranty, and return terms.
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ServeTheHome. The BEST AMD Strix Halo Mini PC Minisforum MS S1 Max. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory, 2TB SSD review system
Disclosure: The description contains an Amazon affiliate link and does not state how the review unit was obtained.
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Level1Techs. Minisforum MS S1 Max AI Review, Benchmarks, and Comfy UI Setup Guide. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory MS-S1 Max review system; installed SSD capacity not stated in narration
Disclosure: The description does not state how the review unit was obtained and does not contain a retailer affiliate disclosure.
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Tech Notice. NOTHING is better than THIS ... AMD is too good! | Minisforum MS-S1 MAX review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory, 2TB SSD review system
Disclosure: The description contains product and software affiliate links and does not state how the review unit was obtained.
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Jim's Garage. Running LLMs Locally - MinisForum MS-S1 MAX Review. Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB unified memory, 2TB SSD review system
Disclosure: The reviewer says in the narration that the device was sent free; the description links MINISFORUM without an affiliate disclosure.
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RandomGaminginHD. The Fastest Integrated Graphics Yet - The Radeon 8060S (ft. Minisforum MS-S1 MAX). Video review. . Accessed .
Configuration: Ryzen AI Max+ 395, Radeon 8060S, 128GB LPDDR5X-8000, 2TB SSD review system
Disclosure: The description links the tested system but does not state how the unit was obtained or include an affiliate disclosure.
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
- Has a manufacturer list price about $850 lower
Higher listed specifications for MINISFORUM MS-S1 Max
Verified specifications
Manufacturer-sourced specifications and current testing status
Processor
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | MS-S1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 |
| Cores / threads | 24 / 24 | 16 / 32 |
| Processor default TDP | Not disclosed | 130 W |
| Integrated graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16GB GDDR7 | AMD Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 40 compute units |
Memory and storage
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | MS-S1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | DDR5-6400 CSODIMM | LPDDR5X-8000 unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Upgradeable memory | Yes | No |
| Storage slots | 2 | 2 |
Connectivity
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | MS-S1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | 2.5GbE | 2x 10GbE RJ45 (Realtek RTL8127) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 |
| USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt | Yes | No |
Size and price
| Specification | ROG NUC 16 | MS-S1 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure volume | 3.02 liters | 3.53 liters |
| List price | $3,799 | $4,649 |
| Product class | Compact high-end gaming | Local AI and high-speed networking |