ASRock's latest Mini-PC, the NUCS BOX-1360P/D4, is quite the performer with its Intel Core i7-1360P processor. Like the Core i7-1260P model I reviewed previously, this unit also has 4 P-cores and 8 E-cores, but the newer Raptor Lake silicon does offer performance improvements compared to the older Alder Lake offering. Part of this comes from its 300 MHz boost clock bump, which lets the Core i7-1360P hit 5.0 GHz on the P-cores, and 3.7 GHz on the E-cores compared to 4.7 GHz and 3.4 GHz, respectively, on the Core i7-1260P. The Intel Iris Xe graphics also see a 100 MHz clock speed bump to 1.5 GHz vs. 1.4 GHz. Add in various tweaks and improvements, and you end up with a processor that is very similar to the previous generation but shows tangible performance improvements across the board. In terms of GPU performance, the Intel Iris Xe Graphics with 96 EUs does exceptionally well, beating out the same IGP in the Core i7-1260P; however, part of this is due to the memory used as well. Still, as configured, the ASRock NUCS BOX-1360P/D4 was able to truly stretch its legs and deliver exceptional performance considering its 64-watt max turbo power and 28-watt base power. Older mini-PCS like the ASRock 4X4 BOX-4800U and the Beelink SER5 5600H also delivered compelling performance, proving to be stiff competition.

With a higher base power, the processor could provide even greater performance potential. The short and sweet answer is that the CPU is 100% TDP limited, as my unit had nearly 30°C of headroom when at 28 watts in AIDA64's CPU stress test, with the CPU hovering in the 70°C range. At 64 watts during boost, the cooler did thermal throttle, but typically it happened just as the turbo boost duration was ending. Overall I would consider the cooling solution used by ASRock to be more than adequate. In fact, a quick test with ThrottleStop and the CPU set to 35 watts delivered a nice performance bump in Cinebench with the cooler at max RPM, keeping the CPU below 90°C at that TDP. That said, unlike the 1260P-based ASRock unit, I did not have enough time to play with ThrottleStop to see if there were further gains to be had. However, with the two being similar, it should be possible to eke out another 5-6%, depending on the workload. While I don't really recommend it, the option is there, so I imagine enterprising end users could wring out some extra performance. The unit also avoids being loud at typical loads, with the system registering 35 dBA at idle, 40-47 dBA under typical loads, and a peak of 55 dBA under extreme loads at a distance of 15 cm. I will note that when placed behind a monitor, the system's peak noise level dropped to 47 dBA and was essentially silent in 90% of workloads. The total power draw for the system was 11 watts at idle, 20-25 watts browsing the web with a max sustained of 45 watts, and finally a peak of 85 watts under short boost intervals.

In regards to performance in daily tasks, the NUCS BOX-1360P/D4 proved more than adequate. It finished all tests with ease. It even did a great job with game emulation, with only Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater running at an unstable frame rate. Every other title I tried, from Suikoden IV, Onimusha, Kessen, and Final Fantasy 10, worked fine after a few tweaks. In general, it delivered a smoother experience than the Core i7-1260P NUC BOX but I will note it wasn't powerful enough to pass all the emulation tests. Granted, it did have a large amount of system ram, allowing the IGP to scale effectively; however, it would likely scale even better if the system was allowed to run the memory at 3200 MHz rather than 2666 MHz, as the extra bandwidth, while minimal, would still result in a boost.

This leads me to the slightly depressing side of the review; while I truly do love the performance on offer with ASRock's NUCS BOX-1360P/D4, its cost is a killer. At nearly $850-$900, the system is rather expensive, especially when compared to the Beelink SER5 5600H, which came with 32 GB of memory and a 512 GB SSD. Add in a second 32 GB stick of memory for about $80, and you have a system that is comparable to the ASRock in terms of day-to-day performance for around $500. That is $350 less, which makes the new ASRock NUCS BOX-1360P/D4's price a tough pill to swallow since the unit will cost around $700 barebones. That doesn't take into account that the reviewed unit is less upgradeable than other designs, as its smaller form factor means no 2.5-inch drive bay. It is also more difficult to take apart for a deep clean / repaste if needed in the future. Furthermore, the processor offers support for 3200 MHz memory as standard, but ASRock has the unit stuck running at 2666 MHz instead, with the BIOS being very limited. While the BIOS limitation is normal, it would be nice if users could run memory at the max speed the processor actually supports out of the box, since it will increase overall performance, especially from the Iris Xe Graphics.

In terms of I/O, this unit does do things a bit differently; when it comes to system I/O, you have your typical USB Type-A and Type-C ports, with both Type-C ports offering DisplayPort 1.4a functionality. What is different is this unit is one of the first I have seen with a USB4 Type-C port. It was quite unexpected, but will likely prove to be a useful inclusion as it will become the new standard with time.

While the ASRock NUCS BOX-1360P/D4 is, without a doubt, an excellent performer, it suffers from a hefty price tag, even if you opt for less memory or a super cheap SSD. To put it plainly, you're still looking at a unit that will cost somewhere around $800 before factoring in your OS when using more affordable components. This makes it a hard sell compared to other Mini-PCs or, more importantly, laptops, which consumers are more likely to buy. If ASRock were more aggressive on pricing, it would be a no-brainer to recommend this unit, but as of right now, it is not cost-effective. On the flip side, this is a niche device primarily suited for offices, kiosks, digital signage, etc., where the cost per unit likely doesn't matter as much, in which case the performance is worth it in that regard. So what it boils down to is this; as a regular consumer, better options exist, but for businesses, ASRock's long track record will likely make it an attractive option.