- Asus unveils NUC 16 Pro 0.7L mini PC built on Intel Panther Lake platform
- Core Ultra X9 388H delivers up to 180TOPS of platform AI compute
- Arc B390 iGPU impresses although Radeon 8060S remains faster for graphics
Asus has introduced the NUC 16 Pro, targeting the fastest mini PC segment with Intel’s new Panther Lake platform. This system is powered by the Core Ultra X9 388H, the same processor featured in the GMKtec EVO-T2, which also made its debut at CES 2026.
The Core Ultra X9 388H, manufactured using Intel’s 18A process, achieves up to 180TOPS of total AI compute. This figure encompasses CPU, GPU, and NPU performance, including Intel’s latest NPU 5, positioning the NUC 16 Pro ahead of current Ryzen AI Max+ 395 mini PCs in terms of raw AI throughput.
Graphics are managed by Intel’s Arc B390 iGPU, featuring 12 Xe cores. This allows the NUC 16 Pro to handle modern 1080p gaming without a discrete GPU, while also providing strong media and compute performance for creative tasks.
Arc B390 Graphics
The Arc B390 is a notable integrated solution, though it is not expected to surpass AMD’s Radeon 8060S iGPU found in the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which maintains an advantage in peak graphics performance, especially in synthetic benchmarks and GPU-intensive games.
Nevertheless, the B390 elevates the standard for integrated graphics in mini PCs, enabling the NUC 16 Pro to balance AI workloads, light gaming, and professional applications without the power and thermal demands of a discrete graphics card.
The NUC 16 Pro is specifically designed for creators, developers, and enterprise users. It supports up to 96GB of LPDDR5x memory operating at speeds of up to 9600MT/s, and features dual fan cooling to maintain performance under sustained loads.
Connectivity options include dual 2.5G Ethernet, WiFi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. Additionally, built-in firmware TPM 2.0 support enhances hardware-level security for managed environments.
The compact 5x4 NUC chassis features a tool-less internal design and supports dual M.2 storage across PCIe Gen5 and Gen4.
Additional I/O options, including RS-232 and PCIe x1, open possibilities for POS, IoT, and industrial applications.
While the Arc B390 may not dethrone the Radeon 8060S as the fastest iGPU, its combination of robust graphics, edge-focused features, and 180TOPS of AI compute makes the NUC 16 Pro one of the most capable mini PCs announced to date.
