ASUS TUF Gaming T500: Power and Efficiency in a Compact Design
The ASUS TUF Gaming T500 is a mid-range gaming desktop that balances solid performance with a sleek, space-saving design. While most gaming desktops feature a standard desktop processor, this model is built around a powerful mobile-class CPU, suggesting a focus on both efficiency and a smaller physical footprint. It is an excellent choice for gamers who want a powerful machine without the bulk of a traditional full-sized tower.
Processor (CPU)
The desktop is powered by the Intel® Core™ i5-13420H Processor. This is a mobile-grade CPU from Intel’s 13th Generation “Raptor Lake-H” series, which is optimized for laptops. This choice is highly unusual for a desktop and indicates that the system is likely designed as a compact, mini-PC or SFF (Small Form Factor) build. Key specifications include:
- 8 Cores / 12 Threads: A hybrid architecture consisting of 4 Performance-cores (P-cores) and 4 Efficient-cores (E-cores) for balanced performance.
- Max Turbo Frequency: Up to 4.6 GHz, providing a significant performance boost for gaming and everyday tasks.
- TDP (Thermal Design Power): A base power of 45W, which is much lower than a typical desktop processor, allowing for a quieter and cooler system.
- Integrated Graphics: Includes Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics, though the primary graphics are handled by the dedicated GPU.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Graphics are handled by the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti Desktop GPU with 12GB of GDDR7 VRAM. This is a powerful, next-generation graphics card from NVIDIA’s “Blackwell” architecture. It is designed to deliver excellent performance for gaming at QHD (1440p) resolution and is a significant upgrade over previous generations. Key features include:
- VRAM: The new 12GB GDDR7 memory standard provides increased bandwidth for high-resolution textures.
- Key Technologies: Supports the latest NVIDIA technologies:
- Ray Tracing Cores (4th Gen): Enables highly realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows in supported games.
- Tensor Cores (5th Gen): Accelerates AI-powered features like NVIDIA DLSS 4, which uses AI-enhanced Frame Generation to dramatically boost frame rates.
Memory (RAM) and Storage
- Memory: The system comes with 16GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM. This amount of high-speed memory is a great starting point for gaming and multitasking.
- Storage: A fast 1TB PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ M.2 SSD is included, offering ample space for the operating system, games, and applications. The PCIe 4.0 standard ensures very fast boot and load times.
Design and Build
The TUF Gaming T500 desktop is built for both aesthetics and durability.
- Chassis: A compact and sleek chassis that fits well on or under a desk. It features a transparent side panel to show off the internal components.
- Cooling System: Features a robust cooling solution to manage the heat from the high-performance GPU and the mobile-class CPU.
- Connectivity: The case is designed with front-facing ports for easy access.
- Lighting: Includes integrated Aura Sync RGB lighting, allowing for customizable lighting effects that can be synchronized with other ASUS components.
- Durability: The chassis and internal components adhere to ASUS’s TUF series design philosophy, which emphasizes reliability and durability.
Connectivity
The desktop provides a comprehensive selection of modern ports for all your peripherals and displays:
- Front Ports: Typically includes USB-C, USB-A, and an audio jack.
- Rear Ports: Includes multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 port and at least three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs from the RTX 5060 Ti GPU, an Ethernet port, and audio jacks.
- Wireless: Features Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth® 5.3 for fast and reliable wireless connectivity.
The ASUS TUF Gaming T500 is a smart choice for gamers who want a powerful and space-efficient gaming desktop. The inclusion of a high-performance mobile processor in a desktop form factor makes for a unique, quiet, and power-efficient solution without compromising on the latest graphics technology.
Key Specifications (Summary)
- Model: ASUS TUF Gaming T500 Desktop (2025) T500MV-MS564Ti
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-13420H (4P+4E cores, 12 threads, up to 4.6 GHz)
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Ti Desktop GPU (12GB GDDR7 VRAM)
- Memory (RAM): 16GB DDR5-5600MHz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ M.2 SSD
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Chassis: Compact Tower with RGB lighting
- Ports: Multiple USB-A/C, DisplayPort, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet.
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Special Features: Quiet and power-efficient due to mobile CPU, Aura Sync RGB lighting.
