ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-155H Review

The world of mini PCs is no longer just about compromise, with powerful new hardware challenging the dominance of traditional desktops. ASRock Industrial’s NUC BOX-155H steps into this arena, packing Intel’s latest Core Ultra processor into a chassis that’s small enough to hide behind a monitor. This potent combination aims to redefine what’s possible in a compact form factor for demanding users.

The heart of the NUC BOX-155H is its Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, a chip that represents a significant leap forward in mobile and small form factor computing. With its 16 cores (6 Performance, 8 Efficient, and 2 Low Power Efficient), this CPU chews through multi-threaded workloads with an appetite that belies its small enclosure. Compiling code, running virtual machines, or editing 4K video timelines feels remarkably fluid. More importantly, the integrated Intel Arc graphics are a revelation compared to previous generations. While you won’t be running AAA titles at max settings, it’s more than capable of handling creative applications, driving multiple 4K displays, and delivering a respectable 1080p gaming experience in many modern titles. Under sustained load, the system’s fan does spin up audibly, a necessary trade-off for cramming this much power into a tiny box, but thermal performance remains well-managed, preventing major throttling.

ASRock Industrial’s pedigree is evident in the device’s design and build. The chassis is a dense, utilitarian block of metal and high-quality plastic, prioritizing durability and thermal dissipation over flashy aesthetics. It’s a design that feels at home in a workshop or server rack, not necessarily a living room. Vents are plentiful, and the entire construction feels incredibly solid. The true highlight is the port selection. On the front, you get easy access to USB-A and USB-C, while the rear panel is a connectivity powerhouse: dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, two Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports, HDMI, and additional USB-A ports. This I/O is a dream for power users, offering lightning-fast networking for a homelab or NAS setup and immense expansion potential via Thunderbolt for external GPUs, docks, or high-speed storage.

Inside, the barebones system supports up to 96GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and offers slots for a PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD and a 2.5-inch SATA drive, providing a flexible balance of speed and capacity. This user-upgradability is a key advantage of the NUC form factor. The combination of cutting-edge processing, next-generation integrated graphics, and a truly professional-grade I/O loadout makes the NUC BOX-155H a compelling, if niche, product. It’s not designed to be the cheapest mini PC on the market; instead, it’s engineered to be one of the most capable. Its value isn’t just in its performance, but in its ability to replace much larger workstations for specific roles without sacrificing critical connectivity.

Ultimately, the ASRock Industrial NUC BOX-155H is a specialized tool for a discerning audience. If you’re a developer, a content creator needing a portable powerhouse, or a prosumer building a sophisticated home network, this machine offers an incredible concentration of power and features. It’s overkill for simple web browsing or media streaming, but for those who can leverage its immense connectivity and processing capabilities, it stands out as a compact and highly effective workstation.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon