System unit mini intel nuc. The release of new Intel NUC gaming systems is just around the corner: first prices

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Introduction

Until recently, if you wanted the power and versatility of a desktop PC, you had to prepare a lot free space on the floor or on a table for tower mounting. But today, compared to mini PCs like Intel NUC(Next Unit of Computing) Even ultraportable laptops look big. These systems are fast enough to replace your main computer and small enough to fit anywhere. The $390 NUC5i5RYK uses fifth-generation processors Intel Core i5 based on Broadwell architecture, supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and high-speed SSDs with PCIe connectivity. We purchased and installed our own set of RAM, storage, and operating system, and our review unit ended up costing $670. For that price, Intel's new mini PC has a lot to offer.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Use Cases

Intel NUC Fast enough to replace the main PC for students, office workers and other users. By uniting Intel NUC With a high-resolution monitor (or two), you get all the benefits of a compact all-in-one PC, but with the ability to keep the old monitor when upgrading your hardware.

If you install a large capacity hard drive or connect it via USB, Intel NUC can easily cope with the role of a powerful home theater. And retail outlets can use Intel NUC at terminals or kiosks.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Design

Measuring 114 x 112 x 33mm and weighing 453g (including storage and RAM), the NUC5i5RYK is shaped and sized like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The unit is thin enough to fit even into miniature entertainment systems. It can easily be placed next to your keyboard on your desk or attached to the back of your monitor using the included VESA mount.

Most competitors in the mini PC segment are significantly larger, including the Mac Mini (36 x 197 x 197 mm, 1200 g), ThinkCentre M83 Tiny PC (178 x 183 x 34 mm, 1315 g) and HP Stream 200-010 Mini ( 146 x 145 x 53 mm, 635 g). Even the power adapter Intel NUC very small - only 45 x 83 x 23 mm and weighing 184 g.

Although Intel NUC Can be easily placed on a shelf or hidden behind a display; thanks to its compact size and attractive appearance, it is unlikely to spoil the design of your office or living room if placed on a table. The main body is made of aluminum in a matte silver color with a shiny black plastic lid and a matte black plastic bottom. There are ventilation holes on the sides and back, and on the top cover there is a neat silver power button.

The top cover can be easily removed without the use of additional tools. Intel itself does not produce replacement covers, but keeps their parameters freely available, so any company or person can make a cover not only with its own design (including printing it on a 3D printer), but also with additional functionality. At CES 2015, the company showed several prototype covers, including versions with a TV tuner and NFC.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Connectors

With such small sizes Intel NUC has very broad communication capabilities. The front panel has a 3.5 mm audio jack, an IR receiver and two USB port 3.0, one of which is designed to charge devices even when the system is in sleep mode. The rear panel has a power connector, a Gigabit Ethernet port, mini-HDMI and mini-DisplayPort outputs, and two more USB 3.0 ports. On the right is the Kensington lock slot.

Intel NUC can display images on the monitor in Full resolution HD. Thanks to a combination of video outputs, Intel's mini PC can support up to three monitors simultaneously. The DisplayPort connector supports the DisplayPort 1.2 protocol and is capable of outputting images to three displays with a resolution of up to 1920 x 1200 pixels through a dedicated splitter or using a daisy-chain connection. However, the easiest way to connect one monitor to each connector is with mini-HDMI and mini-DisplayPort cables.

Wireless Internet connection is provided using an Intel 7265 card that supports Wi-Fi standards 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0. Additionally, the card can transmit video to a set-top box using the Intel WiDi standard.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Necessary components and their cost

Intel sells Intel NUC as a platform: without RAM, storage and operating system. So get ready to spend at least another $250 and some time selecting and ordering the missing components.

The system has two DIMM slots that support 1.35V DDR3L SODIMM modules. You can install one or two sticks with a total capacity of up to 16 GB. 8 GB of RAM of this type will cost about $55, although to save money you can buy a 4 GB stick for $28.

Although some configurations Intel NUC In addition to the M.2 slot, they are equipped with a bay for 2.5-inch SATA drives; our sample NUC5i5RYK has only M.2. It is compatible with M.2 SSD formats 22 x 42, 22 x 60 or 22 x 80 with M or B+M key. The motherboard supports M.2 SSDs using the SATA bus or PCIe x1, x2 or x4. Thus, Intel NUC will work with almost any M.2 SSD on the market.

Most of these drives work with the SATA bus, which has an upper speed limit of about 540 MB/s. A 250 GB drive can be found for $120. Alternatively, 120GB solutions are available for up to $100.

More expensive PCIe x4 drives are sometimes twice as fast as SATA. For our tests, we used a Samsung XP941 256 GB with PCIe x4 interface, which costs about $250 but has read speeds of over 1000 MB/s and write speeds of over 800 MB/s.

If you want to install Windows, the OEM version will cost about $100. Don't forget about the various free Linux options, such as Ubuntu.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Prices and competitors

If you buy a standard 256 GB SATA M.2 SSD, 8 GB of RAM and a copy of Windows, then a full-fledged computer from Intel NUC for $390 it will actually cost $670. If you limit yourself to 4 GB of RAM, a 128 GB SSD and a free OS, then the final price will drop to $490. However, Intel NUC has a lot of spec options, and if you get something inexpensive with a Celeron processor, the price will be noticeably lower.

In a situation with Intel NUC You're paying for a combination of small size and high performance, especially if you use a PCIe x4 SSD. If you want a ready-to-go mini PC right away, you can find less expensive systems with much slower processors and no SSD. For example, the HP Stream 200-010 mini costs $179, but it is 220 grams heavier and about 2.5 cm larger Intel NUC, in addition, it is equipped with a slow Intel Celeron processor, 2 GB of RAM and a 32 GB drive.

Lenovo ThinkCentre M83 Tiny Desktop is almost twice as big and three times as heavy Intel NUC, but is supplied immediately in a complete set for $483. It includes an Intel Core i3 processor fourth generation and a 500 GB hard drive. The version with Core i5, SSD and 8 GB of RAM will cost $1000. MacBook Mini also looks big next to Intel NUC, and the price is for a model with Core i5 and hard drive starts at $499. The version with SSD costs $699.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Installation and configuration

Installing RAM and SSD takes no more than five minutes. To get to the inside of the system, simply turn it over Intel NUC and unscrew the bottom panel, which is secured with four standard Phillips head screws. After that, all that remains is to install the RAM modules, insert the SSD into the M.2 slot and tighten the fixing screw.

Installing Windows takes 10 to 20 minutes. The installer must be on a flash drive. Be sure to download the latest drivers from the Intel website.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Performance

Basic clock frequency The Core i5-5250U processor (Broadwell) is 1.6 GHz, but with the Turbo Boost function it increases to 2.7 GHz. Thanks to its relatively powerful Intel chip, the NUC5i5RYK is great for heavy-duty tasks like spreadsheet processing, web surfing, watching 4K videos, or even video editing.

In testing, it took just 1 minute and 8 seconds to transcode a 2 min 30 sec 1080p movie trailer to 720p resolution. using Windows Movie Maker, a 4K video was playing simultaneously in another window. However, the platform uses a dual-core mobile processor, so the benchmark scores Intel NUC more comparable to ultraportable laptops than desktop computers, which use more power and feature quad-core processors running at higher clock speeds.

Having a mobile processor has its advantages, even on desktop systems. During testing Intel NUC It maintained a fairly low temperature, while the fan was very quiet.

Our test sample is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and a fast Samsung XP941 SSD. It scored 5,611 in the Geekbench 3 synthetic test, which measures overall system performance. This is slightly below the all-in-one PC average (7013), but above the ultraportable laptop average (4037). Dell XPS 13 with Core processor The i5-5200U 2.2 GHz scored 5530, almost the same result was shown by the Apple iMac 2014 (5464) with the Core i5-4570R 2.7 GHz chip. The Lenovo C560 equipped with a Core i3 CPU with a frequency of 2.9 GHz was ahead with a score of 6209.

Overall Performance (Geekbench 3) – CPU and Memory Speed ​​Test (more is better)

Intel NUC with the Broadwell chip showed that it was more than capable for serious office tasks, completing our spreadsheet test (converging 20,000 names with addresses in Open Office) in just 5 minutes and 2 seconds. The result is identical to the XPS 13 and more than twice the ultraportable average (10:17). It also beats the all-in-one PC average (7 minutes) but falls slightly behind the iMac (4:47).

Speed ​​of working with tables. Time spent matching 20,000 names with addresses in Open Office Calc (less is better)

NUC5i5RYK needed only 12 seconds to cold loading Windows 8. Thanks to the incredibly fast PCIe x4 SSD, the mini PC completed the File Transfer Test, which involves copying 4.97GB of files, in just 16 seconds. That is, the speed was 308.8 MB/s - this is one of the fastest indicators we have ever seen on a PC. It significantly exceeds the average results for all-in-one PCs (58 MB/s) and ultraportable laptops (120.5 MB/s).

File transfer test. MB/s (more is better)

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Graphics performance

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 6000 is more than enough power for watching 4K videos, but when it comes to gaming, don't expect anything more than casual video games. In the synthetic benchmark 3DMark Fire Strike, which measures overall graphics performance, Intel NUC scored 888 points. That's slightly more than the average ultraportable (670.31) and the Dell XPS 13 (704). The average in the all-in-one category was slightly higher – 1053 points.

3DMark Fire Strike is a synthetic test that measures graphics performance (more is better)

When we played World of Warcraft with automatic settings at 1366 x 768 pixels, Intel NUC managed to maintain a frame rate of 37 FPS, but when increasing the resolution to 1080p, the figure dropped to 26 frames per second. That puts it roughly on par with ultraportables, which averaged 33.7 and 31.5 fps, and close to the Dell XPS 13, which averaged 33 fps at 1080p. But when we set the graphics quality to ultra settings, Intel's mini PC was only capable of slideshows at 16 and 17 FPS at the two aforementioned resolutions.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Options and Configurations

Intel has several versions in its 2015 lineup Intel NUC, distinguished by various components. The base model costs $295 and is equipped with a 2.1 GHz Core i3-5010U processor. The version that has a 2.5-inch drive bay is only 15 mm taller and $5 more expensive. Our Core i5 system retails for $391, but there's also a 2.5-inch version called the NUC5i5RYH for $383.

Intel NUC with a Core i7 processor (NUC5i7RYH) will appear this year, but the price is still unknown. Also, each configuration is presented in a business version, characterized by the presence of Intel vPro management technology and two mini-DisplayPort connectors instead of mini-HDMI + mini-DisplayPort.

We highly recommend purchasing Intel NUC with a 2.5-inch drive bay because it allows you to use two drives: a capacious mechanical hard drive for storing files and a fast M.2 SSD for the system and applications.

Intel NUC Mini PC Review | Let's sum it up

Intel NUC– high performance in a small, attractive package. For those who don't want the hassle of installing RAM, storage, and OS, there are larger, more expensive mini PCs like the MacBook Mini or ThinkCentre M83. Advanced gamers tend to prefer desktop computers or laptops with discrete graphics cards. But if you don't mind doing a bit of work with a screwdriver and want a small desktop system as your main PC or home theater system, then Intel NUC with Broadwell chips is the best option.

Advantages:

• Attractive compact design.
• High performance.
• Support for fast M.2 SSDs.
• Replaceable covers with additional functions.
• Output images in 4K or on 3 monitors.

Flaws:

• Comes without RAM, OS and storage.

Everything flows, everything changes, but the passion for miniaturization remains constant. At first, computers were room computers because they occupied huge areas and worked at a speed slightly higher than a simple adding machine. Then they moved into the category of floor-standing ones, somewhat reminiscent in appearance of an ordinary household refrigerator. But progress did not stand still, and they quickly began to fit under an ordinary table. They often remain in this capacity to this day. But as is usually the case, not all users dream of a large PC, because now the fashion for powerful laptops has come, since installing a box of the ATX form factor (the standard size motherboard- 305×244 mm), developed back in 1995, many people do not raise their hands. The race for miniaturization demanded new heights, and manufacturing companies responded by developing their own mini and microcomputer formats. This is how Mini-ITX, Nano-ITX, Pico-ITX and other UTX, ETX and XTX appeared. Didn't stand aside Intel company, which produces its mini-PCs based on its own UCFF format board, measuring 4x4 inches (approximately 100x100 mm), the first models of which appeared at the beginning of this decade. These Mini PCs are called NUC (Next Unit of Computing). And if at first it was planned to use them in various digital kiosks and as a small auxiliary computer, now these kids have already begun to confidently win their place on the desks of office workers and ordinary home users. And what’s gratifying is that this impulse (or breakthrough) was picked up by some leading manufacturers of computer equipment, starting the production of mini-PCs of this form factor.

Currently, Intel has begun producing the seventh generation of these indispensable assistants. The lineup The Intel NUC 7 includes more than 15 models and kits, as well as two motherboards for DIY enthusiasts. They are based on the latest generation Intel Core i3, i5, i7 processors, which incorporate all the best that is available on this moment: full support for Thunderbolt 3 technology, new Intel Iris and Iris Plus graphics, support for Intel Optane storage technology and many other technical solutions that make an Intel NUC mini-PC full-fledged computers capable of replacing the usual boxes with ATX standard boards in the office and at home.

This review will look at two mini-PCs manufactured by Intel, which essentially differ only in the processor used. One of them has an Intel Core i3-7100U processor (NUC7i3BNHXF), and the second has an Intel Core i5-7260U (NUC7i5BNHXF), but both have more than just support for the modern technology data storage is Optane, and installed modules are manufactured using this technology.

The mini-PC comes in a small box made in Intel's usual bluish-blue colors. On the front side there is an image of the device and a large inscription indicating that the mini-PC belongs to the Intel NUC family. The model name is indicated on the left top corner. It is not entirely correct, since the box contains not the NUC7i5BNH, but the NUC7i5BNHXF. The situation is similar with a computer based on an i3 processor. Probably the boxes for new computers from this series are not ready yet. This will, of course, be corrected for mass sales, but in any case, you should pay attention to the sticker (in our case it is located on the bottom side of the package) where the product model is precisely indicated, serial number and other necessary information, which the buyer often rarely pays attention to.

On the left side of the package it is indicated that this PC is based on an Intel Core i5 processor (or i3 for the second device); has a built-in Intel graphics Iris Plus Graphics with support for 4K resolution (in the case of an i3 processor, integrated graphics - Intel HD Graphics 620); has pre-installed Windows 10 Home OS; that PC RAM is based on 4 GB DDR4-2400 modules; that in addition to a 1 TB hard drive, it contains a 16 GB Intel Optane memory module; and also has all the necessary ports for connecting external devices.

On the back of the Intel NUC 7 packaging, the standards supported by the mini-PC are indicated and it is specifically emphasized that, unlike many similar devices, this device has a manufacturer's warranty of 3 years, which is a lot in our age of quickly becoming obsolete computer equipment.

The right side of the box shows the back of the Intel NUC 7 mini-PC, from which the buyer can estimate the number and range of connectors for connecting external devices.

The box contains both the mini-PC itself and a metal mounting panel for mounting the Intel NUC 7 to the wall (all the necessary screws are included), a very good power supply from the reliable manufacturer FSP with a set of plugs for different types of connectors, and of course all the necessary instructions for use and connection. Nothing extra. Network adapter FSP065-10AABA works in networks alternating current from 100 to 240 V with a frequency of 50-60 Hz and provides an output voltage of 19 V at a current of up to 3.43 A (i.e. almost 65 W). Separately, it should be said about the mounting panel for mounting the mini-PC to the wall. This makes it possible to completely free the desk from the computer by mounting it and the monitor on the wall, and connecting the keyboard and mouse via a wireless communication line. This is the future of office and home computing, and it is already knocking on the door.

SpecificationsIntelNUC7 models NUC7i5BNHXF and NUC7i3BNHXF

	ModelNUC7i5BNHXF	ModelNUC7i3 BNHXF
CPU	Intel Core i5-7260U (4M Cache, 3.4 GHz)	Intel Core i3-7100U (3M Cache, 2.4 GHz)
operating system	Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
GPU	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 (1 GB)	Intel HD Graphics 620
		1x4 GB (DDR4, 2400 MHz) (maximum - 32 GB). Two SO-DIMM slots
		2.5 inch HDD SATA III capacity up to 1 TB (WDC WD10JPVX-22JC3T0) 16 GB Intel Optane module installed in the M.2 slot
Wireless interfaces		Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n with Bluetooth support 4.2 (Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265)
Interfaces	1×Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) 1× DisplayPort 1.2 (USB-C) 1×Infrared receiver 1×Audio Jack (L+R+mic)	1× DisplayPort 1.2 (USB-C) 1×RJ45 LAN (Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbit/s) 1×Infrared receiver 1×Audio Jack (L+R+mic)
Card reader

Unlike the sixth generation design, new Intel NUC 7 is aimed primarily at desktop use and the power button has therefore been moved from the top to the front panel, which is illuminated by dim LEDs during operation, which only decorates this device. This front panel also houses the USB 3.0 and 3.1 connectors that many consumers will use to connect a keyboard and mouse; as well as an Audio Jack connector, which is necessary to connect a headset. In other words, all the minimum required connectors are placed on the front panel and are always within direct reach.

On the left side of the case, discreetly (though the necessary signatures are present) is an SD card reader (SDXC) and a Kensington Security Lock, which clearly indicates that this mini-PC is primarily intended for office use. This lock is not any reliable protection against targeted theft, but it often saves against “passing” theft.

The image shows the back panels of both Intel NUC 7: top -on the processor Intel Core i3, and the bottom one has an Intel Core i5 processor. They are almost no different from each other. Both have connectors: for connecting power, an HDMI output for connecting a monitor, RJ45 LAN for connecting to a network, two USB 3.0 ports. The only difference is that a PC based on Intel Core i5 has a Thuderbolt 3 port with a connector Type-C, while in its less powerful brother, a Type-C connector supporting USB 3.1/DisplayPort 1.2 is installed in its place. Therefore, the buyer of the older version should pay special attention to purchasing a cable for this connector (not included in the package), since according to the specification, the Thuderbolt 3 port supports data transfer up to 40 Gb/s, while USB 3.1 only up to 10 Gb/s. Therefore, to successfully implement all the capabilities of the device, the buyer will need to make the right choice of cable for the port he has. Above the connectors in the case of these mini-PCs there are holes for forced ventilation, but not from the entire board (they are located on both sides of the case), but exclusively from the processor.

At the bottom of the Intel NUC 7, in addition to four rubberized feet, which are necessary to ensure stability and reduce slipping when placed on a table, there are technical stickers that indicate the model, its serial number, by whom and when it was produced.

The case is not protected in any way from curious users. If you unscrew the screws that secure the rubberized feet, you immediately gain access to the installed hard drive. This will allow, if necessary, to easily and simply replace it at home. Fortunately, this does not require any serious knowledge on the part of the user.

Under the hard drive is the Intel NUC 7 mini-PC motherboard, which has double-sided mounting and measures only 4×4 inches. It is fixed on a metal chassis, which is inserted into the body, which allows it to be freely removed if necessary. Access to memory modules is completely free, which is convenient for replacing or expanding them. To replace or expand RAM, the Intel NUC 7 has two SO-DIMM slots, which allows you to expand it from the standard 4 to a maximum of 32 GB. Hardly anyone will dare to decide to replace the Intel Optane module made using the most modern 3D XPoint technology, which is installed in the M.2 connector and has a 2280 form factor.

The processor is located on the back of the motherboard. Depending on the model, either the latest generation Intel Core i3 or Intel Core i5 is installed, which supports all the latest technological innovations. The processor is covered with a small, but effective and at the same time quite quiet radial fan manufactured by Delta Electronics BSB05505HP-SM with a diameter of 55 mm. The cooler supports fan rotation control via PWM and in its essence is very similar to the models used in modern laptops.

Intel Optane

Intel is known for its love for various innovations, especially when it comes to SSD drives. There have been conversations about a new generation of devices for a very long time, and not so long ago the first products for the consumer market appeared under the Intel Optane brand, based on 3D XPoint technology jointly developed by Intel and Micron. This is not NAND or DRAM. Without going into details, it is distinguished from the first by higher speed and significantly increased wear resistance, and from the second by increased data storage density. One of the main advantages of 3D XPoint memory is its higher durability, which, according to experts, is about 20 times higher than that of currently produced MLC NAND flash memory chips. The only thing that has not yet allowed this technology to conquer the computer components market is the very high price, and therefore Intel currently produces only one type of modules for the consumer market with a capacity of 16 and 32 GB, designed for installation in the M2 connector (form factor 2280 ). Since the price of new types of memory is very high, Intel decided to follow the already beaten path and position the new drives not as a replacement for full-fledged SSDs, but as a kind of accelerator for the installed drive. In essence, such an SSD is a huge cache for a much slower conventional hard drive or even another SSD. We saw the same approach when the first SSDs appeared - some manufacturers released hybrid solutions that combine HDD capabilities and SSD. Some traditional drive manufacturers have used flash memory as a cache to quickly read data. Then Intel released the Z68 chipset with support for Smart Response technology, which used the SSD as a cache for any HDD, but using the capabilities of its proprietary driver. Subsequently, HDD manufacturers, trying to catch the departing SSD train, released new SSHD disk models with recording support. Now history repeats itself, and Intel releases cache for SSD and HDD drives based on a new generation of flash memory. It is likely that in a relatively short period of time, due to the development of this technology, new Optane products will appear on the market with low production costs. As a result, such devices will be able to seriously compete with the current generation of SSDs, which in turn will displace classic HDD drives from the user segment.

Currently, two models have been released for the consumer market with a capacity of 16 GB (one 3D XPoint memory chip) and 32 GB (two 3D XPoint chips). Each model complies with the NVM Express 1.1 specification and uses only two PCI-Express lanes out of four possible. It is worth noting that the controller for Intel Optane is an internal development of the company, but perhaps we will see it in similar solutions from Micron - QuantX. According to the technical specifications, the stated endurance of the models is 100 GB of recorded data every day for 5 years.

A few words about how this technology works. So, Intel Optane technology is supported on system Intel boards with a 200 series chipset and higher with seventh generation Intel Core processors. At the same time, UEFI Board BIOS must be updated to the latest version, that is, include the Intel RST 15.5 UEFI driver and higher. Since this technology can only work through a UEFI driver, it will not work in the normal Legacy BIOS mode. Declared support for Windows 10 64-bit installed driver Rapid Storage Technology version 15.5 and higher. In addition, the HDD or SSD drive that will be accelerated using Intel Optane must be partitioned under GPT and have several MB of free space for metadata storage. The Intel Optane module itself must be installed in the M.2 connector connected to the AHCI controller built into the chipset. After connecting, installing all the necessary applications (this can be either a separate utility or just the RST driver) and activating the Intel Optane mode, the system will change the SATA controller mode in UEFI to Optane or RST (depending on the UEFI shell), and in the system a new combined Optane Volume array will appear, equal in volume to the accelerated drive.

Essentially, all of these installation steps are similar to activating the Intel Smart Response feature, but the process of operating these technologies is somewhat different. It should be immediately noted that the caching technology of the 16 GB Intel Optane differs from the 32 GB version. While the former uses caching at the block access level, the older model also uses file caching in parallel, which allows you to achieve more impressive results by transferring only the most necessary files to Optane. The principle of caching itself remains the same - at the moment the Intel Optane mode is activated, the driver transfers data for loading the OS to the Optane Memory drive and places its metadata on the drives, after which the system reboots. The user will immediately notice the acceleration effect, but transferring rather than copying means that if at some point the Optane drive fails, the system will no longer be able to boot, and the data on the accelerated drive will be difficult to recover. Subsequently, the driver will monitor the most frequently loaded data and copy it to the Optane caching drive. If in the case of block access, the decision to cache a particular block occurs instantly at the time of the I/O request, then in the case of file caching, the driver intelligently manages the cached data and enters it into the cache when idle. This, for example, eliminates caching of video and other large files. In this case, the driver gives priority to data requested by random access, since sequential read operations mainly concern large files.

If we talk about testing this technology, then everything is not so clear. Synthetic tests can show completely opposite results, since caching algorithms are unpredictable. Yes, you can certainly get very high results, as in the first picture. At the same time, after a short period of time the result can be completely opposite.

Another strange thing to note is that disabling/enabling Intel Optane technology does not always work correctly. Sometimes the utility shows that the technology is inactive, although in fact the newly created unified drive is present in the system. However, all this can be attributed to crude software, since the drives themselves entered the market quite recently and have only just appeared on sale.

Since the Intel NUCs we received have 16 GB modules installed, statistics on cached data and the ability to quickly reset the cache are not available in the utility.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the release of Optane Memory is a good attempt by Intel to revive the somewhat stagnant SSD and HDD drive market. If in the future more capacious and, most importantly, affordable models appear that can be used not only as an intermediate solution for caching, but also as the main drive, then the company may be able to gain a stronger foothold in this market. On the other hand, the very strict requirements for PC hardware and software for installing this type of media negate its advantages. And the gain in caching speed is not so obvious, especially in comparison with the latest generation of high-speed SSD drives.

UEFI BIOS

The UEFI BIOS itself, used in these models, is quite functional. Of course, there are no overclocking settings here.

According to BIOS data, the idle temperature is about 44 and 53 C (Core i3-7100U and Intel Core i5-7260U, respectively), but it is possible to control the built-in fan using PWM.

There are some settings regarding power consumption, booting from storage devices, and even the IR port and TV.

Hardware filling

Intel NUC mini PCs come pre-installed Windows system 10 64-bit. In addition, on those devices that already have Intel Optane modules installed, they are activated by default; the user does not need to go through all the steps to connect them. In general, such a computer is ideal for leisurely work in the office or at home, because its characteristics are similar to modern laptops.

As mentioned earlier, the Intel NUC models we received are based on Intel Core i3-7100U and Intel Core i5-7260U processors. These processors can be found in laptops, and their performance is enough to work with modern office applications and even play some popular games. Let us remind you that processors of this family have improved power consumption without switching to a new one. technological process. Since the Intel Core i3-7100U is the youngest in the line, it has very modest power consumption, but at the same time has a good built-in graphics core - Intel HD Graphics 620. The older model of the Intel Core i5-7260U processor has a more powerful graphics core - Intel Iris Pro.

At peak load, processors heat up to 65 and 72 C, and the cooling system operates almost silently. However, the cooling system is designed for even more powerful processors, so she copes with the task perfectly.

But in fact, this is only what it seems at first glance. In reality, under prolonged stress, the cooling system of these mini-PCs does not cope with the task. Exhausting hot air towards the cables is not a very good solution. If we assume that the Intel Nuc is suspended behind the TV, then at some point the cooling system will collect so much dust that it will operate at its maximum capacity. Considering the lack of throttling in the younger model, this can lead to disastrous consequences. However, these are just assumptions; time will put everything in its place.

conclusions

In general, in terms of characteristics, the Intel NUC models we reviewed are an excellent solution for replacing an office PC. There are all modern interfaces here, including wireless communication, good processor performance and ultra-compact design. On the other hand, such a computer is not yet able to compete in price with all-in-one computers, because often the all-in-one computer has more powerful processors, and its cost, even including the monitor, may be lower. That is why, with great care, the new generation of mini-computers can be positioned as a replacement for the traditional PC.

On the other hand, we can confidently say that the new models are a worthy successor to the Intel NUC series of compact computers. The device has a balanced set of extensions and capabilities in a very small volume. It is also so quiet that it can even be used in a children's room. Yes, since the device is very limited in size, it does not initially have the upgrade capabilities that the vast majority of PCs have. But in everyday life, at home or at work, we do not need super-super computing power or exotic capabilities that we, at best, use once a year, if ever. Therefore, such a “baby” is of significant interest to both the average user and entrepreneurs who want to have small and reliable devices in their offices.

Good day to all. This is my first review on this site.

A little information about myself and why I decided to buy this Chinese mini PC.

I am engaged in video production. I work in Edius, Photoshop, Adobe After Effect.

Previous computer configuration:
Intel Core Duo E7500 2.93Ghz
Video card built-in
4GB memory
SATA screw

The performance of my PC is quite enough for normal work. Only one drawback of my computer - IT'S VERY NOISE. Lately this has become very annoying, so I started looking for an alternative.

There weren't many alternatives and not all of them met my criteria.

First option.

Computer from the manufacturer Apple. I tried several times to master programs on this operating system, but it didn’t work.

Second option.

Buy a laptop or netbook. I can't stand this form factor.

Third option.

Intel NUC, the price, in my opinion, is a little overpriced.

These were the options I had. All of them did not quite suit my small needs.

While shopping on the alliexpress website, I came across interesting aluminum mini pcs (Chinese analogue of Intel NUC). The most important thing for me about these PCs was that they did not create noise!!!

We began searching for reviews on the Internet, but, unfortunately, there were very few of them. I found only two in Russian, and even then they were not entirely informative.

Since I was not interested in the latest achievements in the computer industry, it was difficult for me to determine what the Celeron system, iCore 3,i5, etc. are today. meets my requirements. I had them very simple, the main thing was that the computer worked no slower than the old one.

I had to spend a lot of time searching for the information I needed, but I never found it.

Then I decided to focus on price. I set the price level to 250 dollars. The PC had to have 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB SSD screw. With the rest of the money, it was necessary to find a processor with a motherboard.

There were several options: Celeron 1037U, Core i5200u, Pen j2850 and others, but I chose the Core i3 4010U (4015) processor.

Several days were spent searching for the best seller and price. After corresponding with them, I chose this one (the link is at the beginning of the review), the price and responsiveness in the comments suited me.

Due to changes in customs rules in our country, the limit on one parcel without filing a declaration is 150 euros, since the cost of the Chinese miracle was higher, a small problem arose regarding the registration of the parcel. The problem was solved very simply, the seller wrote the cost of the mini PC a little less :) than it actually was.

I asked for 4 GB Samsung memory and Win7. He sent the parcel via EMC courier service. The track number on the official website was tracked only on the third day. After 12-13 days, the track appeared on the EMC website of the city of Kharkov.

Thank you for reading this far, now let’s move on to the review of the mini PC.

I missed a few details in the text, so in addition you can watch the review on the YouTube channel.

The parcel contained:

White packaging box.
Aluminium case.
Computer stand.
HDMI cable
Power supply with Euro plug.
Wi-Fi antennas

Let's start with the body.

It is made of thick cast aluminum with holes on the sides and top. The case thickness is 29mm. Dimensions 197*197*29mm. Very neat and beautiful. Weighs about 1.2 kg.

Now let's go through the connectors.

2 USB 2.0 connectors
4 USB 3.0 connectors
Video outputs: HDMI, VGA
Ethernet port 1 Gbit
Audio input and output
Connectors for Wi-Fi antennas 150 Mbit (for an additional $3 the seller will make 300 Mbit)
On/off button.

Now let's look at the filling.

Motherboard with Core i3 4010U processor
RAM DDR3L 4 GB Samsung and SSD 32 GB hard drive.
Built-in video card.
Wi-Fi module

On the case cover there are holes for another SSD screw and for a special VESA mount. Using this mount, the PC can be attached to the back cover of the monitor or to the wall.

If you ask the seller to install bluetooth 4.0, he will do it for you for free. Unfortunately, I didn’t know this and so I had to buy more USB bluetooth for $3 to connect a mini keyboard.

After the first boot of the system, there was not as much free space as I expected. With Win7 installed by Chinese friends, there was 11.3 GB of free space. Having installed all the programs for work, there was only about 2GB left, which is very, very small. Therefore, I decided to order another ssd screw.

For people who want to buy such a PC just for the Internet and watching movies on-line, I think 11 GB is enough for normal work.

Now let's look at some screenshots of the system.

Test results.
I have never tested my own computers, so I had to take a look at what other authors were testing, and here is the result.

I've been working on this computer for more than 1.5 months. At the moment, I'm very happy with everything. It performs all the tasks that I need. As it is written on the website, the power consumption of the PC is 15 W.

Such mini computers will find their buyer. I think this is a compromise between a desktop PC and a laptop. They will be in demand both in enterprises and for people who do not need large, powerful and noisy personal computers. One of these is Ya.

For myself, I haven’t found any disadvantages in this PC yet.
The advantages are SILENCE and peace of mind (I work at night, when my family is already asleep). A small bonus is low energy consumption.

I filmed the opening of the parcel in the video below.

If you have questions or find technical inaccuracies in my review, please write them, I will try to answer them and correct errors. Thank you.

I'm planning to buy +35 Add to favorites I liked the review +23 +60

Hardly a year goes by without an announcement about the release of a truly compact gaming PC. Marketers immediately attribute all imaginable advantages to the new product: it consumes little, does not heat up, does not make noise, everything runs smoothly... Practice shows that at least one advantage was attributed in vain: it either gets hot, or makes noise, or slows down in resource-intensive tasks. To be fair, it is worth noting that some specimens are very good, but they appear rarely and cost a lot of money. This is because simply taking a ready-made OEM solution, wrapping it in a beautiful plastic case and pushing it onto the shelves is not enough - a lot needs to be developed from scratch, debugged and corrected. Only large companies with their own engineers, production and other things can seriously engage in this.
One such company is Intel. In a short time by the standards of the IT market, she agreed with AMD to develop a graphics core, received the product, put everything together on one substrate and presented it to respected users. New processor Intel with a Vega graphics core is installed in the “Hades Canyon” NUC, which came to the Treshbox.ru tests.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core i7-8809G (4 cores, 8 threads, 3.1-4.2 GHz, 100 W).
• RAM: 2 × Kingston HyperX KHX2666C15S4/8G.
• Video card: Intel HD Graphics 630 / Radeon RX Vega M 4 GB.
• Drive: SSD KINGSTON SKC1000240G.
• Wired network: 1 Gbit Ethernet (Intel I219-LM + i210-AT).
• Wireless network: Wi-Fi 802.11ac (Intel 8265).
• Power supply: 19.5 V, 230 W.
• Dimensions: 221 × 142 × 39 mm.
• Case volume: 1.2 l.

Packaging and accessories

The small-sized gaming platform arrived in a huge suitcase, decorated with a signature illuminated skull.

Inside the suitcase is the so-called Intel NUC Kit - a set of the NUC itself, input devices, power supply and helmet virtual reality. Each element is placed in its own niche, carved into dense foam rubber. The protection against mechanical damage is excellent, it looks brutal and presentable.

In the center is the NUC itself (Next Unit of Computing).

It comes with a 230-watt power supply, as well as a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Another add-on is the Oculus Rift CV1 Touch virtual reality helmet, designed to show the capabilities of the built-in graphics core.

Looking ahead a little, I will say that the idea is excellent. Now - in detail about the NUC itself

NUC in detail

The dimensions are modest - 221 × 142 × 39 millimeters. Numerous low-power nano-PCs for printing and browser needs are produced in the same format. The 1.2-liter case, according to Intel, accommodates a gaming station entry level.

Previous versions of the NUC looked more ascetic, but this one, due to the beveled corners and curved side panels, no longer looks like a strict office machine.

On the front panel there is a power button, three LED indicator, USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0a, one USB 3.1 Type C, four-pin 3.5 mm audio jack for stereo headset, SD card reader and IR port. Below are stamped ventilation holes.

On the back side of the connectors there are even more - audio output (including optical), power socket, two Thunderbolt 3 ports combined with USB 3.1 Type-C, two miniDisplayPorts, a gigabit network connector, four USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0a. Below are wide ventilation slots, through which the fins of the long radiator are visible. By all indications, these are “windows” for the release of heated air.

Cold air is taken in through holes in the metal bottom. The required gap when installing the case horizontally is provided by rubber feet.

The NUC can also be installed vertically, for which the serial version will have a steel adapter plate with holes for a VESA mount.
The label suggests the NUC model - NUC8i7HVK, also known as NUC8i7HVB.

It's time to take an interest in the internal structure, and at the same time make a configuration. The top plastic cover is easily removed, as is the shielding plate underneath with the RGB backlit skull. The back side of the motherboard is revealed.

It has SO-DIMM slots for two DDR4-2666 Kingston HyperX memory modules with a total capacity of 16 GB.

On the right, the Wi-Fi 802.11ac Intel 8265 module is clearly visible.

Above it are two M.2 drives of the 2280 form factor.

On the right side of the photo you can see the SATA power connector and the blue signal connector. A two-cable splitter is connected to it, allowing you to connect a pair of 2.5’ form factor drives to the system. The drives are mounted above the motherboard.

The kit comes standard with one Intel 760p SSD (SSDPEKKW256G8).

Two antennas are located at the corners of the metal internal chassis, they are covered by an external plastic casing

Four more screws are removed, and the front side of the board is revealed.

Three crystals are clearly visible on the substrate: CPU, graphics and HBM2 memory with a capacity of 4 GB. The CPU crystal is slightly lower than the GPU and VRAM. A step can also be seen on the base of the standard cooling system.

CPU - Quad Core i7-8809G, capable of 8 threads. Core - Kaby Lake-G, 14 nm process technology.

There are two graphics cores: integrated into the CPU HD 630 and developed by AMD Radeon RX Vega M GL with 1536 universal processors and 4 GB of video memory. Frequencies from 225 to 1190 MHz.

The TDP of the entire bundle is 100 watts, and it is clear that the frequencies of both the processor and Vega graphics were lowered to curb power consumption. They are cooled by a cooler consisting of an evaporation chamber with fins...

...And two 12-volt turbines mounted on the base.

Test results

The capabilities of the NUC were assessed in two blocks of applications - processor and gaming. In the processor unit, the i3-8350K was added to the results of the i7-8809G as a starting point; no comparisons were made.

The eight-thousandth mobile stone is unexpectedly fast, at the level of a vigorous socketed quad-core processor. The frequency under load is high - from 3800 to 4200 MHz, which makes it possible to show good results in older applications that are not accustomed to scattering tasks across all available cores. This is more than enough for a mid-level gaming station.

The game block consisted of four popular games, the numbers are given without comparisons - based on the average FPS it is easy to understand whether the video card has enough power in one mode or another for comfortable gameplay.

Games that are not complicated in terms of graphics go with a bang even at 2560 × 1440. It is clear that there will not be hundreds of FPS at ultra, but stable 50-60 frames at high settings are welcome. Games that are more demanding on the power of the video card are difficult to run on the 2560; the brakes are visible to the naked eye. In FullHD things are better - at medium or high picture quality settings it is quite possible to get 45 or more average frames.

VR fun with games from the Oculus brand store cannot be measured by fraps; you just have to rely on subjective impressions. I liked the game Robo Recall, a nice dynamic shooter.

I didn’t notice the brakes, I compared them with a powerful build on the 8700K and GTX 1080 Ti. There are no complaints about the Oculus Rift CV1 Touch helmet - with proper adjustment to the head, many hours of fun do not cause discomfort, the sticks (or joysticks) work stably and are almost not felt after one or two hours of getting used to.

The measurement was carried out before conversion to 19.5 V, so the losses of the power supply itself should be included in the resulting figures. Typically, efficiency ranges from 75 to 95 percent depending on load power and platform. Some may call the results in the last graph overestimated - the NUC itself consumes less! But, in my opinion, it’s better this way - you can evaluate the system as a whole, rather than individual components or units.

Only 14 watts in idle mode is an excellent indicator for both the system and the power supply. Processor tasks “consume” no more than 115 watts, and further jumps to 175 watts should be attributed to the video core. There is one thing: processors generate almost all the power they consume in the form of heat. And with temperatures the picture is not so joyful.

A small load on the video core and a serious load on the processor - we get 86 degrees. I note that the mutual influence of the crystals on each other is small - 50 degrees on the GPU, despite the fact that they have a common copper heat sink.

Let's sum it up

Intel NUC Hades Canyon, or, more precisely, the NUC8i7HVK model lived up to expectations - you can work, play in FullHD or a virtual reality helmet, and after games, throw your PC into your backpack and be indistinguishable in weight from an average work laptop with a 15-inch screen. There is one minus - the high temperature of the processor under load. It does not lead to failures, but it does raise some concerns about the lifespan of the crystal.

The official price for it is $1,000; at the time of writing, the new product could not be found in retail sales. Are they asking a lot for it? Judging purely by test results, yes. If you take into account the size of the NUC, the price is quite reasonable; you also have to pay for compactness.

In any case, the company shows the world and its partners how it can be done. The latter, we hope, will develop the idea and also show their variations.

Pros:

• Small dimensions, low noise level under load.
• Good performance in games and work tasks.
• Stable work.
• Thoughtful arrangement of connectors and controls.
• Rich (for a form factor) upgrade options.

Minuses:

• Not detected.

May not like:

• Price.
• High CPU heating under load.