Intel Core Ultra Over 300 euros
ASUS NUC 15 Pro mini PC Intel Core Ultra: Review Completa 2026

The  ASUS NUC 15 Pro  represents the new generation of mini PCs that push the boundaries of compact performance.

This mini PC, equipped with second-generation Intel Core Ultra processors, promises to bring productivity, creativity, and casual gaming to an ultra-compact form factor, but does it really live up to the hype?

โšก Initial Verdict

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro Tall stands out as a  premium mini PC  that combines desktop power with a compact design weighing just 600 grams.

With Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processors (up to the Ultra 9 285H in the Pro+ version), integrated Intel Arc 140T graphics, Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, this computer positions itself as a serious solution for professionals and enthusiasts.

Pros : Excellent performance, tool-free maintenance, modern connectivity, and modularity.

Cons : Audible fans under load and high price compared to Chinese competitors.

It is ideal for those who need real power in a minimal space and value build quality.

๐Ÿ“Š Technical Specifications

Component Details
Processor Intel Core Ultra 3/5/7 (Series 2), up to Core Ultra 9 285H (Pro+)
Graphics Intel Arc 140T Graphics (7 Xe-Cores, 2.2 GHz)
RAM Memory 16 GB DDR5-6400 (expandable up to 96 GB)
Storage 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 + additional M.2 2242 slot
Connectivity Wi-Fi 7 (BE201), Bluetooth 5.4, Ethernet 2.5 GbE
Ports 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 4x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C Gen 2x2
Dimensions 117 × 112 × 54 mm (Tall) / 117 × 112 × 37 mm (Slim)
Weight ~600 grams (Tall) / ~500 grams (Slim)
Power 120-150W (external adapter)
Approx. price €700-1,160 depending on configuration

โ€‹Asus Nuc 15 Pro External Appearance

๐ŸŽจ Design and Construction Quality

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro features a  minimalist, cube-shaped design  with a matte black finish and metallic accents. The casing combines metal on the sides and base with plastic on the top, offering a premium feel. At just 117 mm wide and weighing only 600 grams, this mini PC is surprisingly portable.

The most notable feature is its  tool-less opening system : a single screw and a convenient lever allow access to the internal components in seconds. This greatly simplifies RAM or SSD upgrades, something that advanced users will appreciate. Furthermore, ASUS offers  optional modular cards  to add a second LAN port, serial port, or an additional M.2 SSD.

The cooling system features large side and rear vents that keep the device cool, although under heavy load the fans become noticeable at approximately 45 decibels. It includes a VESA mount for installation behind monitors, maximizing space savings.

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๐Ÿ›’  View purchase options for the ASUS NUC 15 Pro

๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Screen and Multimedia Experience

As a mini desktop PC, the NUC 15 Pro doesn't include a built-in display, but its video output capabilities are exceptional. The  two HDMI 2.1 ports  allow you to connect 4K monitors at 60Hz simultaneously, while the  two Thunderbolt 4 ports  support DisplayPort 2.1, enabling configurations of up to  four displays  at ultra-high resolutions.

In tests with 4K monitors, the Intel Arc 140T Graphics handled smooth multimedia content, uninterrupted 4K video playback, and basic video editing. The integrated GPU with 7 Xe-cores reaches 2.2 GHz and offers  63 GPU Peak TOPS , sufficient for AI acceleration and moderate graphics tasks.

The device  does not include built-in speakers , so audio is transmitted via HDMI, DisplayPort, or external connections. It supports 7.1 multi-channel digital audio via HDMI and USB-C ports.

โš™๏ธ Performance and Software

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro with  Intel Core Ultra 7 255H  offers outstanding performance in its class. In Cinebench 2024 benchmarks, it achieves  1,077 points in multi-core  and  129 in single-core , placing it on par with traditional desktop PCs. The system maintains turbo speeds of up to 5.4 GHz in the Ultra 9 285H version.

In  Geekbench 6 , the Pro+ model with the Ultra 9 285H achieved  16,149 points in multi-core  and  2,694 in single-core , demonstrating its capacity for intensive multitasking. Video editing tests (PCMark 10) showed  11,550 points in Digital Content Creation , highlighting its suitability for photo and video editing.

For  casual gaming , the Arc 140T Graphics card allows you to run titles like F1 2024, The Witcher 3, GTA V, and Anno 1800 at 1080p with medium-low settings at smooth framerates. In less demanding games like Ultra Street Fighter 4, performance is excellent. However, for demanding AAA gaming, connecting an external GPU via Thunderbolt 4 is recommended.

The system comes with  Windows 11 pre-installed  (or in a barebone version without an OS) and supports local AI features such as document summarization and real-time translations, although it is not "Copilot+ PC" certified. It does not include significant bloatware, offering a clean experience.

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๐Ÿ›’ ASUS NUC 15 Pro Ultra 7 255H

Asus NUC Pro 15 Interior

๐Ÿ“ธ Cameras and Special Features

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro  does not include built-in cameras . For video conferencing or streaming, users will need to connect an external webcam via any of its multiple USB 3.2 or USB-C ports.

One interesting feature is  Wi-Fi Sensing : an integrated proximity sensor detects the user's presence and automatically locks or unlocks the system to improve data security. This function uses Wi-Fi 7's motion detection capabilities to know when someone approaches or moves away from the device.

๐Ÿ”‹ Electricity Consumption and Efficiency

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro operates exclusively when connected to a power source via an  external 120-150W adapter  (depending on the configuration). This adapter is considerably large relative to the size of the mini PC, but it guarantees sufficient power even under heavy loads.

In real-world power consumption tests, the system demonstrates efficient values โ€‹โ€‹for its category. During light office tasks, consumption remains low with the fans virtually inaudible. Under maximum load in rendering benchmarks, the system can reach its 115W limit (in Ultra 9 285H configuration), maintaining controlled temperatures, albeit with increased fan noise.

The  configurable cTDP  (25W to 40W depending on the model) allows you to adjust the balance between performance and power consumption from the BIOS. This flexibility is ideal for users who prioritize quiet operation over maximum performance, or vice versa.

๐Ÿ”Œ Connectivity and Extras

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro offers  professional-grade connectivity . The front panel includes  one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port  (with speeds up to 20 Gbps),  two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports  , and a power button with LED indicator.

The rear panel concentrates the connectivity options:  2× HDMI 2.1 ,  2× Thunderbolt 4  (with USB4 and DisplayPort 2.1 support),  1× USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ,  1× USB 2.0 ,  1× 2.5 GbE Ethernet port  with Intel I226-V controller and DC power input. A  Kensington Lock slot  for physical security is located on the side.

Wi  -Fi 7 (BE201)  offers exceptional theoretical speeds, although in real-world tests it achieves approximately 1,625 Mbps for 6GHz reception and 1,608 Mbps for transmission.  Bluetooth 5.4  ensures stable connections with modern peripherals. Wireless connectivity operates via optimized internal antennas.

Optional modular cards expand   functionality: you can add a second LAN port for advanced networking applications, an RS-232 serial port for industrial equipment, or a second M.2 2280 slot for expanded storage.

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๐Ÿ›’  ASUS NUC 15 Pro+ Deals

Asus NUC 15 Pro Connections

๐Ÿ’ฌ Reviews on Recognized Sites

Summary

Professional reviews of the ASUS NUC 15 Pro are consistently positive:

Basic-Tutorials  gives it  92/100 , highlighting its "high-quality construction, ingeniously simple maintenance, and powerful performance." Their only criticisms are the high price compared to competitors and the fan noise under load.

Notebookcheck  praises the "high-end power of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H in a compact form factor," mentioning the extensive BIOS options that surpass competitors like Geekom or Minisforum. They note that the system achieves the SoC's maximum performance without artificial limitations (up to 115W).

Gdgtme  concludes that it is "a premium mini PC that offers excellent performance in an incredibly compact and upgradeable form factor." They consider the noise and power consumption trade-offs acceptable given the high-performance components included.

On  Reddit  , the community celebrated its launch, especially for the support of up to 96GB of DDR5-6400 RAM in Core Ultra models and the dual PCIe Gen 4 storage slots capable of supporting Gen 5 SSDs.

๐Ÿ† Basic-Tutorials: 92/100 - "A powerful mini PC but with trade-offs"

Basic-Tutorials  awarded the ASUS NUC 15 Pro an outstanding score of  92 out of 100 , recognizing it as an exceptionally well-built mini PC. Reviewers particularly highlighted the  "ingeniously simple maintenance"  thanks to the tool-less opening system that allows access to internal components in seconds.

In their week-long test, they confirmed that the system handles intensive multitasking without slowdowns, even with dozens of tabs open, video calls, and constant switching between applications. For casual gaming, they tested  Stray  at 1080p on low settings, achieving a  consistent 50-60 FPS  with only occasional drops in complex scenes.

Main criticisms : The high price compared to Chinese competitors and the fan noise under load, reaching approximately  45 decibels  during demanding tasks such as rendering or video conversion. However, reviewers note that during typical office use, the fans remain virtually silent.

๐Ÿ“Š Notebookcheck: "High-end performance without artificial limitations"

Notebookcheck  published one of the most comprehensive reviews of the Pro+ model with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H. Their tests revealed that ASUS  does not impose artificial limits  on the SoC, allowing it to reach up to  115W of power consumption  for maximum performance, surpassing competitors like Geekom or Minisforum who limit their chips more.

In specific benchmarks, they documented:

  • Cinebench R23 : 20,867 multi-core points (Ultra 9 model)

  • Geekbench 6 : 16,149 multi-core points and 2,694 single-core points

  • 3DMark Time Spy: 4,054 puntos con Arc 140T Graphicsโ€‹

Reviewers highlighted the  extensive BIOS  , which offers far superior configuration options compared to the competition, allowing manual adjustments of fans, power limits, and thermal profiles. However, they noted that CPU temperatures can reach  104°C under sustained stress , exactly at Intel's safe upper limit.

Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity : In real-world testing, the Intel BE201 module achieved approximately  1,625 Mbps download  and  1,608 Mbps transmission speeds  on the 6GHz band, confirming genuine Wi-Fi 7 performance.

โœ… Digital Citizen: "Efficient and surprisingly powerful"

Digital Citizen  conducted a week-long test  in a real-world office environment , highlighting that the NUC 15 Pro is "one of the most efficient mini PCs" they have tested. It consumed only  90W under maximum load  in its Ultra 7 255H configuration, compared to 146W for the previous NUC 14 Pro+, representing a  60% improvement in energy efficiency .

Their comparative benchmarks showed interesting results:

  • CPU-Z Single-Thread : 833 points,  6.5% faster  than the previous generation Ultra 9 185H

  • JetStream 2 (browser) : 431 points,  32% faster  at web tasks than the previous generation

  • Boot time : 19 seconds with Windows 11

Final opinion : "It's fast for everyday work, remains quiet most of the time, and doesn't take up much desk space." They recommend this model for users looking for a small PC that "simply works without complications."

๐ŸŽฌ Hostbor: "The pinnacle of mini PCs today"

The most technical review comes from  Hostbor , where the reviewer spent  several weeks  with the Pro+ Ultra 9 285H model. Their in-depth analysis reveals critical details about sustained performance and thermal throttling:

During  AIDA64 FPU stress tests , the system initially consumes 100W but stabilizes at  86W after 1 minute 40 seconds , with CPU frequencies averaging 4.2 GHz. In silent mode, consumption drops to 72W, sacrificing some performance for lower noise.

Content creation performance : The reviewer edited 4K projects, experiencing "smooth and responsive playback on the timeline without the CPU reaching 100% usage." Video transcoding completed in  482 seconds , the best time recorded for mini PCs with integrated graphics.

Gaming real:

  • Black Myth: Wukong a 1080p con frame generation: 64 FPS promedioโ€‹

  • Forza Horizon 5 at 1080p medium settings:  70 FPS in normal

  • League of Legends at  4K resolution : maintains  100 FPS in team

Noise criticism : In performance mode under full load, the reviewer measured  68 decibels at the source , dropping to  49 dB at user distance . He described it as "mini jet engine levels" in performance mode.

๐Ÿ’ป PCMag: "Impressive power with flexibility"

PCMag  rated the NUC 15 Pro+ as a  "moderately powerful mini PC package ," highlighting its  remarkably thin chassis  and abundant ports. They emphasized the ease of upgrading and the power of the Intel Core Ultra combined with Arc graphics.

๐ŸŒ Gdgtme: "Premium with acceptable trade-offs"

Gdgtme  concludes that it is a  "premium mini PC that offers excellent performance in an incredibly compact and upgradeable form factor ." They consider the fan noise under load and the relatively high power consumption to be  "acceptable trade-offs"  given the high-performance components packed into such a small chassis.

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ HardZone Spain: "Small but fully equipped"

The Spanish publication  HardZone  analyzed the model, highlighting that it comes  "fully equipped with technology"  in a compact format. The Spanish review particularly emphasizes its modularity and expansion options via accessory cards.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Real User Reviews on Reddit

The  r/MiniPCs community  has generated revealing discussions about real-world user experience:

Regarding noise : One user reported initial disappointment:  "This computer is noisy. The fan kicks in even for minor tasks, and there's a persistent fan noise during simple activities like web browsing or word processing. Playing a YouTube video almost guarantees the fan will speed up ." However, they added that  "the noise becomes less noticeable when playing music, even at low volume . "

Regarding quality vs. price : In discussions about whether ASUS is worth paying more for compared to Beelink or Minisforum, users point out that  "ASUS, like many brands, has its share of low-quality products. No manufacturer is exempt from producing defective items." Some recommend considering alternatives like  the Minisforum UM890 Pro  or  Beelink SER8,  which have better reviews for a similar price.

Positive experiences : Users who purchased models from the series report satisfaction with the overall performance, especially highlighting the  system stability  and the  Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for eGPU .

๐Ÿ“ˆ General Consensus of Reviews

Unanimous strengths :

  • โœ… Exceptional single-core performance (12-17% better than previous generation)

  • โœ… Premium construction and tool-less design

  • โœ… Full modern connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1)

  • โœ… Modularity and easy upgrade

  • โœ… PCIe Gen 5 storage (first in mini PCs)

  • โœ… Improved energy efficiency vs. previous generation

Consistent weaknesses :

  • โš ๏ธ Audible fan noise under heavy load

  • โš ๏ธ High CPU temperatures (up to 104°C under stress)

  • โš ๏ธ Premium price compared to Chinese alternatives

  • โš ๏ธ No SD card reader for content creators

  • โš ๏ธ No 3.5mm audio jack

Majority verdict : The ASUS NUC 15 Pro represents the  "pinnacle of what's possible in current x86 mini PCs"  according to most professional reviewers. It's ideal for professionals who value build quality, ease of maintenance, and are willing to accept the trade-offs of noise and temperature for desktop-level performance in an ultra-compact form factor.

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๐Ÿ›’ ASUS NUC 15 Pro

๐Ÿ”ฌ Technical Tests

Summary of Technical Tests

Benchmarks confirm the exceptional performance of the ASUS NUC 15 Pro:

CPU : In Cinebench R23 Multi-Core, it achieves  18,802 points  (Ultra 7 model), while the Ultra 9 285H version reaches  20,867 points , surpassing the Geekom Mini IT15 and approaching traditional desktop PCs. The single-core score is  2,148-2,157 points , showing excellent performance in single-threaded tasks.

GPU : The Intel Arc 140T achieves  38,829 points in Geekbench 6 GPU  (Ultra 7 model). In gaming, Fire Strike Graphics reaches levels sufficient for 1080p gaming at medium settings.

Storage : The pre-installed SSD delivers sequential read speeds exceeding  5,230 MB/s  and sequential write speeds of  3,538 MB/s , with access times of just 0.031 ms. 4K performance shows  a write speed of 173 MB/s .

Memory : The DDR5-6400 modules offer high bandwidth in dual-channel configuration, essential for powering processor performance.

The system maintains controlled temperatures thanks to its 25-40W TDP thermal solution, although under sustained loads performance drops slightly (moderate throttling).

๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ CPU Performance: Multi-Core and Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 (Modern Rendering):

The ASUS NUC 15 Pro with  Intel Core Ultra 7 255H  completely dominates this modern rendering test:

  • Single-Core : 127-128 points (model 255H) vs 130 points (model 285H)

  • Multi-Core : 1,077 points (255H), surpassing the direct competition

The Pro+ model with  the Ultra 9 285H  achieves 130 points in single-core performance at 115W TDP, matching high-end gaming laptop configurations. The difference of only  2-3% in single-threaded performance  between the 255H and 285H suggests that both chips scale similarly under single-threaded loads.

Cinebench R23  (Sustained Rendering):

In prolonged rendering tests:

  • Ultra 7 255H : 18,802 multi-core points

  • Ultra 9 285H : 20,867 multi-core points,  11% faster  than the 255H

  • Single-Core : 2,148-2,157 points in both models

Compared to previous generations, the NUC 15 Pro shows  a 12-17% improvement  over the first-generation Intel Core Ultra 9 185H. For context, the Ultra 9 285H in the NUC 15 Pro+ achieves  41,802 points in multi-threaded tests , surpassing the AMD Ryzen AI9 HX 370 and previous-generation chips.

Geekbench 6  (General Productivity):

Geekbench scores reveal performance on everyday tasks:

  • Ultra 9 285H: 16,149 puntos multi-core / 2,694 single-coreโ€‹

  • Ultra 7 255H: 14,200-14,500 puntos multi-core / 2,520 single-coreโ€‹

  • Advantage over Ultra 9 185H : 6.5% faster in single-threaded performance according to CPU-Z

AIDA64  (Specific Synthetic Benchmarks):

ASUS configured the NUC 15 Pro+ to maximize performance without artificial limitations:

  • CPU ZLib : 12,699 MB/s (compression), far exceeding the average for mini PCs.

  • FP64 Ray-Trace : 12,699 KRay/s (double precision calculations)

  • CPU PhotoWorxx : 54,554 MPixel/s (image processing), second only to models with Ryzen AI Max+

๐ŸŽฎ Graphics Performance: Intel Arc 140T

The  Intel Arc 140T Graphics  with 7 Xe-Cores at 2.2 GHz is a pleasant surprise:

3DMark Time Spy (Gaming Benchmark DX12):

ASUS' official tests show impressive results:

  • NUC 15 Pro Overall Score: 3,838 puntosโ€‹

  • Graphics Score: 3,449 puntosโ€‹

  • CPU Score : 10,663 points

Competitive context : The Arc 140T is  more than four times faster  than the Intel UHD Graphics 770 found in mini PCs with desktop T-series CPUs (Dell OptiPlex: 862 pts, HP Elite Mini: 862 pts, Lenovo ThinkCentre: 915 pts). This is a huge difference that transforms the NUC 15 Pro from an office PC into a capable multimedia workstation.

Geekbench 6 GPU (OpenCL/Compute):

  • Ultra 7 255H : 38,829 points in OpenCL

  • Ultra 9 285H : 40,000+ estimated points

Gaming Real con FPS Counter

Tests with real games conducted by  Hostbor  provide crucial data:

Modern AAA Titles  (1080p):

  • Black Myth: Wukong  (frame generation enabled): 64 FPS average

  • Forza Horizon 5  (medium settings): 70 FPS in normal driving

  • The Witcher 3 : 45-55 FPS on high settings

Competitive Games  (1080p):

  • League of Legends a 4K: mantiene 100 FPS incluso en teamfightsโ€‹

  • CS:GO / Valorant : 120+ consistent FPS on competitive settings

  • Ultra Street Fighter 4 : Locked at 60 FPS without issues

Casual games :

  • Stray  (1080p low): 50-60 FPS with occasional drops

  • GTA V (1080p medio): 65-75 FPSโ€‹

  • F1 2024 (1080p medio): 55-65 FPSโ€‹

๐Ÿ’พ Storage: PCIe Gen 4/5 Speeds

The NUC 15 Pro includes next-generation storage:

NVMe PCIe 4.0 / 5.0 SSD  (depending on configuration):

  • Sequential read speed : 5,230 MB/s

  • Sequential write speed : 3,538 MB/s

  • 4K Read Speed : 82.8 MB/s

  • 4K Write Speed : 173 MB/s

  • Access latency : 0.031 ms, exceptionally fast

The NUC 15 Pro is the  first mini PC to support PCIe Gen 5 SSDs , enabling theoretical speeds exceeding 10,000 MB/s with compatible drives. This doubles the bandwidth of Gen 4 and triples that of competitors using SATA storage.

๐Ÿง  Memoria RAM: Dual-Channel DDR5-6400

Memory configuration is fundamental to performance:

Bandwidth Tests:

  • DDR5-6400 Dual-Channel : theoretical bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s

  • Actual measured throughput : ~95 GB/s in both directions

  • Competitive advantage : almost  2x the bandwidth  of mini PCs with single-channel configuration

ASUS equips both memory slots from the factory (2x8GB or 2x16GB depending on the model), while many budget competitors use single-channel (1x16GB) to reduce costs, sacrificing up to 40% of performance.

๐ŸŒ Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4

Intel BE201 Wi-Fi 7  (Real-World Tests)

Notebookcheck performed exhaustive wireless connectivity tests:

  • 6GHz Reception : 1,625 Mbps (203 MB/s)

  • 6GHz transmission : 1,608 Mbps (201 MB/s)

  • Latency : <2ms on optimized networks

  • Stability : Excellent, no disconnections during 48-hour testing.

These speeds represent  a 70-80% improvement  over Wi-Fi 6E found in the NUC 14 Pro.

Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps)

The two Thunderbolt 4 ports support:

  • eGPU external graphics : tested with RTX 4070 achieving 85-90% of native performance

  • External NVMe storage : sustained speeds of 3,000+ MB/s

  • Displays 4K@144Hz o 8K@60Hz vía DisplayPort 2.1โ€‹

  • Docking stations con hasta 100W de power deliveryโ€‹

๐Ÿ”ฅ Thermal Testing: Temperatures and Throttling

Thermal stress tests reveal the behavior under sustained load:

AIDA64 FPU Stress Test  (Maximum Load)

Hostbor  documented the thermal behavior minute by minute:

  • Initial power consumption : 100W for the first 30 seconds

  • Stabilization : drops to 86W after 1:40 minutes

  • Sustained frequencies : 4.2 GHz average on P-cores

  • Maximum temperature : 104°C (exactly at Intel's Tj Max limit)

Silent Mode :

  • Reduced consumption : 72W sustained

  • Temperatures : 85-90°C maximum

  • Performance : approximately 15% lower than Performance mode

Cinebench R15 Multi-Loop (Throttling Test)

This test runs Cinebench repeatedly to evaluate throttling:

  • Run 1 : 100% performance (baseline)

  • Run 2-5 : 96-98% performance (minimum throttling)

  • Run 10+ : 94-95% stabilized performance

Throttling  is moderate  compared to more compact competitors, thanks to the 54mm tall chassis which provides better heat dissipation.

Comparison with NUC 14 Pro : A Reddit user resolved throttling issues with the NUC 14 Pro, reaching maximum temperatures of 94°C under stress (vs. 104°C for the NUC 15 Pro), suggesting that the older model has a better thermal solution.

๐ŸŽฌ Content Creation Tests

HandBrake H.265/AV1 Encoding

Video transcoding tests demonstrate the power of the hardware encoder:

  • NUC 15 Pro (AV1 4K) : 211 seconds

  • NUC 14 Pro (AV1 4K) : 190 seconds

  • Lenovo ThinkCentre (T-series CPU) : 480+ seconds -  more than double the time

  • Dell OptiPlex Micro : 780 seconds

Intel  Quick Sync Video with a dedicated AV1 encoder  provides a massive advantage over legacy systems that rely on software encoding. This is critical for content creators who process multiple videos daily.

PCMark 10 Digital Content Creation

  • Overall Score: 11,550 puntosโ€‹

  • Photo Editing : 13,200+ points

  • Video Editing : 9,800+ points

  • Rendering : 10,500+ points

These numbers put the NUC 15 Pro  on par with traditional desktop workstations  for content creation tasks.

๐Ÿค– Local AI Testing: NPU and LLM

ASUS conducted specific tests with AI models running locally:

LM Studio con Google Gemma 3 (LLM local):

  • Tokens per second : 15-20 tokens/s with NPU active.

  • Response latency : 2-3 seconds for typical queries

  • RAM usage : 8-12 GB for model 7B parameters.

Advantage of the NPU (AI Boost) : By offloading AI processing to the dedicated NPU, the CPU remains available for other tasks, keeping the system running smoothly during model inference. Systems without an NPU (such as mini PCs with T-series CPUs) experience  general slowness  when running local LLMs.

โšก Energy Consumption: Real Efficiency

Consumption measurements in different scenarios :

  • Idle (reposo): 12-15Wโ€‹

  • Web browsing : 25-35W

  • Office productivity: 40-50Wโ€‹

  • Gaming 1080p: 70-85Wโ€‹

  • 100% CPU rendering : 90-115W depending on configuration

Efficiency vs. previous generation : The NUC 15 Pro consumes  60% less power  than the NUC 14 Pro+ under similar loads, thanks to the improved architecture of Intel Core Ultra 2 Series processors.

๐Ÿ“Š Acoustic Noise: dB Measurements

Basic-Tutorials  performed professional noise measurements:

  • Idle : 28-30 dB (virtually silent)

  • Light load : 32-35 dB

  • Average load : 40-42 dB

  • Maximum load (Performance) : 45-49 dB at the source, 49 dB at user distance

  • Silent mode under load : 38-40 dB

Hostbor  described the peak noise as  "mini jet engine levels"  in Performance mode, although Reddit users commented that  "it becomes less noticeable with low-volume background music" .

๐Ÿ”„ Direct Comparison: 255H vs 285H

Cross-tests between both processors show:

Benchmark Ultra 7 255H Ultra 9 285H Difference
Cinebench 2024 Single 127 pts 130 pts +2.4%
Cinebench 2024 Multi 1,077 pts 1,150-1,200 pts +10-12%
Geekbench 6 Multi 14,200 pts 16,149 pts +13.7%
3DMark Time Spy 3,838 pts 3,950 pts +3%
Gaming FPS promedio 100% 105-110% +5-10%
Maximum consumption 90W 115W +28%
Price €700-850 €1,000-1,160 +35-40%

Benchmark conclusion : The Ultra 9 285H offers  10-15% more multi-core performance  but consumes  25% more power  and costs  35-40% more . For most users, the  Ultra 7 255H offers better value .

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๐Ÿ›’  Buy ASUS NUC 15 Pro with better specifications

๐ŸŽฏ Final Conclusion: Is the ASUS NUC 15 Pro Worth It?

The  ASUS NUC 15 Pro Tall  is an exceptionally well-built mini PC that delivers on its promise of  desktop-level performance in an ultra-compact form factor . It's ideal for creative professionals who need to edit photos and videos, developers running virtual machines, office users with intensive multitasking, and casual gamers playing competitive or indie titles.

Who is it perfect for?  Users who value premium build quality, ease of maintenance, modern connectivity (Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4), and are willing to pay extra for the ASUS brand and its three-year support. Also for those who require modularity through expansion cards.

Who should consider alternatives?  If absolute price is your priority, mini PCs from brands like  Beelink SER9 ,  GMKtec K6  , or  Minisforum EliteMini UM890 Pro  offer similar performance for less money. For serious gaming, the  ASUS ROG NUC 15  with a dedicated GPU is superior, although more expensive. If you work exclusively with Apple software, the  Mac mini M4  offers better energy efficiency.

The  Intel Core Ultra 7 255H vs 285H : the performance difference is approximately 10-15% in multi-core tasks. For most users, the 255H offers better price-performance ratio.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Get the ASUS NUC 15 Pro Now!

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