Asus releases premium mini PC with RTX 5080 and Phantom Blade Zero chassis

Asus has launched a special edition of its ROG NUC 16 mini PC inspired by the upcoming action game Phantom Blade Zero. The compact gaming system combines an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor with up to a GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, with prices in China reaching $4,720 depending on the configuration and retailer.

The special edition is part of a broader collaboration between Asus ROG and game developer S-GAME. Its black-and-red design features a semi-transparent front panel depicting the game's protagonist, Soul, along with blade-inspired patterns and crimson accents. The system retains the roughly 3-liter chassis of the regular ROG NUC 16, measuring 282.5 × 189.5 × 56.5 mm, and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally.

Asus offers two configurations, both equipped with a 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and 32GB of DDR5-6400 memory. The entry-level model pairs a GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU with 12GB of GDDR7 memory and a 1TB SSD. The more expensive version upgrades to an RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16GB of GDDR7 memory and a 2TB SSD.

Cooling is handled by Asus's QuietFlow system, which combines three fans with a unified vapor chamber. The company says the design keeps noise levels below 38 dBA even during demanding games. A built-in G-sensor detects the mini PC's orientation and automatically adjusts its cooling settings, allowing the system to maintain performance whether placed vertically or horizontally.

The mini PC supports up to 128GB of memory and has two M.2 slots for storage. Both memory and storage can be upgraded without tools. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4 and 2.5Gb Ethernet, along with HDMI, DisplayPort and USB ports. The RTX 5080 configuration comes with a 380W power adapter, while the RTX 5070 version uses a 280W adapter.

Prices for the special edition range from $3,740 to $4,720 in China, depending on the configuration and retailer. The company did not disclose prices or release dates for other markets. Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled to launch on PC and PlayStation 5 on October 29.