ASUS Mini PC PB63 — Compatibility & Upgrade Guide
| Component | Specs |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-13700 (16-core, 8P+8E, up to 5.4GHz, 65W TDP) |
| RAM Slots | 2x SO-DIMM DDR5-4800, max 64GB |
| Storage | 2x M.2 2280 NVMe (PCIe 4.0) |
| Display Out | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, Thunderbolt 4 |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5GbE |
| Power | 90W external PSU, 65W TDP |
| Price Range | £500–650 (UK) |
Can You Upgrade This Mini PC?
Yes, excellent upgrade potential. RAM and storage are fully user-upgradeable via simple mechanisms. The Intel Core i7-13700 (non-K, desktop variant) is soldered. This is a premium compact workstation suited for professionals needing high single-thread performance and multi-core capability.
RAM Compatibility — DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM
Two SO-DIMM slots accept DDR5-4800 modules. Maximum capacity is 64GB (32GB per slot). DDR5-5600 modules work but run at DDR5-4800 speeds (JEDEC standard). DDR4 is not compatible.
| Product | Capacity | Speed | Price (UK) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 | 32GB SO-DIMM | DDR5-4800 | £140–170 | View |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 | 32GB SO-DIMM | DDR5-4800 | £145–175 | View |
| Crucial DDR5 | 32GB SO-DIMM | DDR5-4800 | £130–160 | View |
| SK Hynix Platinum DDR5 | 32GB SO-DIMM | DDR5-4800 | £160–190 | View |
SSD Compatibility — Dual M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 4.0
Two M.2 2280 NVMe slots with PCIe 4.0 support (up to 7.1 GB/s per drive). PCIe 5.0 drives are backward compatible but run at PCIe 4.0 speeds. Total capacity: 4TB with two 2TB drives.
| Product | Capacity | Interface | Speed | Price (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 Pro | 1TB / 2TB | PCIe 4.0 | 7.1 GB/s read | £80–160 |
| WD Black SN850X | 1TB / 2TB | PCIe 4.0 | 7.1 GB/s read | £75–155 |
| Crucial P5 Plus | 1TB / 2TB | PCIe 4.0 | 6.6 GB/s read | £65–140 |
| SK Hynix Platinum P41 | 1TB / 2TB | PCIe 4.0 | 7.1 GB/s read | £90–160 |
Power Supply & Cooling
The 90W external PSU handles the 65W TDP Core i7-13700. Active cooling with small fan enables sustained workloads. Thermal design is optimized for compact form factor without thermal issues during rendering or compilation tasks.
Display & Docking Options
Thunderbolt 4 port enables external GPU, storage arrays, and high-speed docking. HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4a provide dual-display native support. TB4 Alt Mode allows additional display connections. Excellent for multi-monitor creative workstations.
WiFi 6E & Bluetooth 5.2
WiFi 6E (802.11ax) dual-band with up to 9.6 Gbps theoretical throughput. Bluetooth 5.2 for low-latency peripherals. 2.5GbE Ethernet ensures stable wired connections. WiFi module is soldered and not upgradeable to WiFi 7.
Upgradeability Score
8/10 — Excellent RAM and dual M.2 SSD upgrade potential. CPU is fixed. Thunderbolt 4 future-proofs external expansion. Premium build quality and performance justify the price.
FAQs
Can I upgrade the i7-13700?
No, the processor is soldered. You cannot upgrade to a faster Intel CPU or generation.
Is this mini PC better than the NUC 14 Pro?
The PB63 uses a desktop i7-13700 (65W, higher performance) vs. NUC 14 Pro’s mobile Core Ultra (25W TDP, more power-efficient). PB63 is faster but consumes more power.
Can I connect three displays?
Yes, via HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, and Thunderbolt 4 Alt Mode simultaneously, or daisy-chain on TB4 with compatible monitors.
What is the maximum RAM?
64GB total—two 32GB DDR5-4800 SO-DIMM modules. Faster DDR5-5600 modules run at DDR5-4800 speeds.
Is WiFi upgradeable to WiFi 7?
No, WiFi 6E is soldered. You cannot upgrade to WiFi 7.
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Best overall DDR4 upgrade kit | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Reliable alternative with tight latency | View on Amazon UK |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Top-rated DDR5 kit for gaming & productivity | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Excellent DDR5 alternative with XMP support | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
