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ASUS Chromebox 5a vs ASUS ExpertCenter PN65

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The quick verdict

Chromebox 5a1 ahead
ExpertCenter PN655 ahead
  • Leads on more specsASUS ExpertCenter PN655 of 6 differing specs (CPU tier 9/10, max RAM 48 GB)
  • Best forExpertCenter PN65 for running VMs or a home server
Chromebox 5aCheck Latest Price on Amazon#adBrowse on AliExpress#ad
ExpertCenter PN65Check Latest Price on Amazon#adBrowse on AliExpress#ad

Rankings and scores come from the specs alone and are not affected by affiliate commissions.

Spec ruler

Chart placing the ASUS Chromebox 5a and the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65 on a 0 to 100 ruler for each spec within the category
We track too few models in this category to rank them, so bars compare the two products directly. Longer is better.

In short

Bottom line. Of the 6 specs that differ, the ASUS Chromebox 5a leads on 1 (display outputs) and the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65 on 5 (CPU tier, max RAM, max LAN speed, and 2 more). On our homelab or virtualization box index, the ExpertCenter PN65 scores 83/100 against 49/100.

Using the 7 specs published on ASUS's official tech spec pages plus our own CPU tier rating, here is how the ASUS Chromebox 5a and ASUS ExpertCenter PN65 compare. CPU tier: the ExpertCenter PN65 at 9/10 versus 7/10 for the Chromebox 5a, 2/10 higher (1.3x). The ExpertCenter PN65 leads on max RAM, 48 GB to 16 GB, 3.0x. On max LAN speed, the ExpertCenter PN65 posts 2.5 Gbps and the Chromebox 5a 1 Gbps, a gap of 1.5 Gbps. Display outputs: the Chromebox 5a at 4 outputs versus 3 outputs for the ExpertCenter PN65, 1 output more (1.3x). The ExpertCenter PN65 leads on weight, 0.75 kg to 0.8 kg. On volume, the ExpertCenter PN65 posts 0.91 L and the Chromebox 5a 1.27 L, a gap of 0.36 L. Display outputs per liter: the ExpertCenter PN65 at 3.31 against 3.16 for the Chromebox 5a.

Key differences 3

Max RAMExpertCenter PN65 leads

  • ExpertCenter PN65 48 GB vs the Chromebox 5a at 16 GB
  • the ExpertCenter PN65 has 3.0x the max RAM

Upgradable to 48 GB later

Max LAN speedExpertCenter PN65 leads

  • ExpertCenter PN65 2.5 Gbps vs the Chromebox 5a at 1 Gbps
  • the ExpertCenter PN65 is 2.5x faster

100 GB copy: about 5 min vs about 13 min (theoretical)

VolumeExpertCenter PN65 leads

  • ExpertCenter PN65 0.91 L vs the Chromebox 5a at 1.27 L
  • the ExpertCenter PN65: 0.36 L smaller

Key specs at a glance

Key specs at a glance
SpecChromebox 5aExpertCenter PN65
Max RAM16 GB48 GBWIN
Max LAN speed1 Gbps2.5 GbpsWIN
Volume1.27 L0.91 LWIN
Display outputs4WIN3
CPU tier (our rating, of 10)79WIN
Weight0.8 kg0.75 kgWIN
Show every spec
Full specifications
SpecChromebox 5aExpertCenter PN65
CPU tier (our rating, of 10)79WIN
Max RAM16 GB48 GBWIN
Max LAN speed1 Gbps2.5 GbpsWIN
USB ports77
Display outputs4WIN3
USB4/ThunderboltNoNo
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E–
Weight0.8 kg0.75 kgWIN
Volume1.27 L0.91 LWIN
Derived metrics
Metric (0–100)Chromebox 5aExpertCenter PN65
Home office fit86No data
Living-room media PC fit100100
Homelab fit4983WIN
Tiny desk setup fit1736WIN

The details

How to choose

  • Display outputs matters most → the Chromebox 5a (4 outputs vs 3 outputs)
  • Max RAM matters most → the ExpertCenter PN65 (48 GB vs 16 GB)

More Chromebox 5a leads

  • Display outputs: 4 outputs vs 3 outputs

More ExpertCenter PN65 leads

  • CPU tier: 9/10 vs 7/10
  • Weight: 0.75 kg vs 0.8 kg

Combined metrics

  • Display outputs per liter: ExpertCenter PN65 3.31 vs 3.16
  • Max RAM per liter: ExpertCenter PN65 53 GB vs 12.6 GB

Same on both

  • USB ports 7, USB4/Thunderbolt not supported

Use-case scores

  • Homelab or virtualization box: ExpertCenter PN65 83 vs 49
  • Tiny desk setup: ExpertCenter PN65 36 vs 17

Use-case scores are Specotomy's own index, computed by fixed rules from official manufacturer specs; they are not manufacturer scores.

FAQ

Which has the higher CPU tier, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65?
The ExpertCenter PN65, with 9/10 against 7/10 for the Chromebox 5a.
Which takes more RAM, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65?
The ExpertCenter PN65, with 48 GB against 16 GB for the Chromebox 5a.
Which has more display outputs, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65?
The Chromebox 5a, with 4 outputs against 3 outputs for the ExpertCenter PN65.
Which has the faster built-in LAN, the ASUS Chromebox 5a or the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65?
The ExpertCenter PN65, with 2.5 Gbps against 1 Gbps for the Chromebox 5a.
Which use cases suit the ASUS Chromebox 5a and the ASUS ExpertCenter PN65?
A homelab or virtualization box: the ExpertCenter PN65. (based on our own use-case index)