Asus ExpertCenter PN53From real comments

Verdict distilled from 3 mentions across 3 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment33%
PROS 33%
CONS 67%

Rank based on 3 mentions across 3 aspects

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Intel NUC 8
Compact, mountable form factorThunderbolt 3 and 4K/HEVC media handlingBuild quality, repairability and warrantyPrice vs. value concernsFan noise under loadAMD Vega graphics driver abandonment
Intel NUC 8
Compact, mountable form factor
Thunderbolt 3 and 4K/HEVC media handling
Build quality, repairability and warranty
Price vs. value concerns
Fan noise under load
AMD Vega graphics driver abandonment
2Mid
Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra
Great for business/IT deploymentImpressive/novel form factorEasy module swap and upgradeLimited GPU and cooling headroomNot marketed to consumersConfusing or limited internal upgradability
Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra
Great for business/IT deployment
Impressive/novel form factor
Easy module swap and upgrade
Limited GPU and cooling headroom
Not marketed to consumers
Confusing or limited internal upgradability
3Premium
Intel NUC8i7HVK
Ultra-compact form factorEasy RAM, SSD, and WiFi upgradesSolid gaming performance for its sizePoor price-to-performance ratioCooling and noise concerns under loadRAM and storage sold separately
Intel NUC8i7HVK
Ultra-compact form factor
Easy RAM, SSD, and WiFi upgrades
Solid gaming performance for its size
Poor price-to-performance ratio
Cooling and noise concerns under load
RAM and storage sold separately
Best value
4Mid
GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus
Excellent price-to-performanceStrong gaming performanceQuiet and efficient coolingCustomer support issuesSecond SSD heatsink clearanceLow-quality stock fan
GMKtec NucBox K8 Plus
Excellent price-to-performance
Strong gaming performance
Quiet and efficient cooling
Customer support issues
Second SSD heatsink clearance
Low-quality stock fan
5Premium
Lenovo ThinkStation P340
GPU upgrade flexibilityCompact, space-saving designExpandable storage via dual M.2 slotsMissing wifi on SFF modelsPossible CPU throttling on T-series chipsPrice markup concerns
Lenovo ThinkStation P340
GPU upgrade flexibility
Compact, space-saving design
Expandable storage via dual M.2 slots
Missing wifi on SFF models
Possible CPU throttling on T-series chips
Price markup concerns
6Mid
ASRock DeskMini X300
Versatile home server and NAS platformDual NVMe and multi-drive storageGood overclocking and memory tuning headroomNo sleep/S3 standby with 5000-series APUsStock cooler noise and qualityThermal issues with high-TDP APUs
ASRock DeskMini X300
Versatile home server and NAS platform
Dual NVMe and multi-drive storage
Good overclocking and memory tuning headroom
No sleep/S3 standby with 5000-series APUs
Stock cooler noise and quality
Thermal issues with high-TDP APUs
7Budget
Dell OptiPlex 3070
Highly upgradableSolid everyday and office performanceCompact, mountable form factorConfusing M.2 SSD mountingHeat buildup near stacked drivesHDD slows down the system
Dell OptiPlex 3070
Highly upgradable
Solid everyday and office performance
Compact, mountable form factor
Confusing M.2 SSD mounting
Heat buildup near stacked drives
HDD slows down the system
8Mid
GMKtec NucBox K11
Supports up to 128GB RAMMassive SSD storage supportNo mods needed for high-capacity upgradesCostly upgrade componentsConflicting maximum RAM specificationsOfficial memory speed limited to 5600MHz
GMKtec NucBox K11
Supports up to 128GB RAM
Massive SSD storage support
No mods needed for high-capacity upgrades
Costly upgrade components
Conflicting maximum RAM specifications
Official memory speed limited to 5600MHz
9Premium
Intel NUC 13
Strong CPU performance for productivity/VMsCompact yet powerful engineeringGood networking and I/O optionsHigh price versus alternativesWeak integrated graphics for gamingLinux and driver support headaches
Intel NUC 13
Strong CPU performance for productivity/VMs
Compact yet powerful engineering
Good networking and I/O options
High price versus alternatives
Weak integrated graphics for gaming
Linux and driver support headaches
10Budget
Asus Chromebox CN60
RAM and SSD upgradeableRuns Linux and alternative OSes wellCan run Windows after firmware flashTiny stock storageConfusing compatibility questionsOS transfer and reinstall problems
Asus Chromebox CN60
RAM and SSD upgradeable
Runs Linux and alternative OSes well
Can run Windows after firmware flash
Tiny stock storage
Confusing compatibility questions
OS transfer and reinstall problems
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31
Asus ExpertCenter PN53
Handles Cloud Gaming WellFan Noise / Dust BuildupWindows Installation Issues
Asus ExpertCenter PN53
Handles Cloud Gaming Well
Fan Noise / Dust Buildup
Windows Installation Issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Asus ExpertCenter PN53 is a mini PC that some users have set up for cloud gaming, running GeForce Now Ultimate titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at max settings. Other owners report practical concerns, such as one user's barebone R7 unit having fan noise likely caused by dust buildup. Another owner ran into trouble installing Windows via a bootable USB drive on their R7 barebone unit. Prospective buyers show strong interest in the PN53's upgrade potential, asking about SSD heatsink clearance, RAM capacity up to 64GB, and BIOS control over RAM timings. There's also curiosity about the M.2 slot configuration and whether the USB4 Type-C port supports eGPU connections. These questions suggest buyers view the PN53 as a flexible small-form-factor system worth customizing.

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