Intel NUC Skull Canyon Computer Overview (Nuc6i7KYK): Croche with the most powerful built-in graphics. Mini PC Intel NUC for entertainment, games and efficient operation RAM for Intel NUC

Intel - It is the company that stood at the origins of the beginning of the development of personal computers, so the first successful massive computer IBM PC worked on the Intel I8088 processor. Most of the servers, computers, laptops around the world operates on the basis of Intel processors and, of course, the company perfectly understands how modern PC should look like and immediately say that the modern PC does not have to be big. We have an Intel Next Unit of Computing mini-PC review, and if the Intel NUC 7th generation is reduced by the Intel Core i5-7260U processor, complete with the Intel Optane 16 GB module and we will not only estimate its performance, but also consider in detail His device.

Characteristics

Model	Intel NUC BoxNuc7i5BNX1.
CPU	Intel Core i5-7260u. (cache 4 MB, up to 3.40 GHz), TDP 15 W
Video processor	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640, Max 950 MHz (built into the processor)
Operating system	Not pre-installed
Oz	2 SO-DIMM DDR4 slots, (not included)
Storage device	Compartment 2.5 "(SATA 6 Gb / s) + M.2 (22 x 42/80 mm) (not included)
MicroSD card support	there is
Wireless data transmission	Wi-Fi 802.11b / G / N / AC, Bluetooth 4.2, Infrared Receiver CIR
Wired communication	LAN 10/100/1000
Interfaces	4 x USB 3.0; 1 x Thunderbolt 3; 1 x HDMI 2.0a; 1 x 3.5mm Jack (Headphones / Headset)
Dimensions, mm.	111 x 115 x 51
Mass, G.	651 g (without mounted RAM and ROM)

Packaging and equipment

Intel NUC comes in bright cardboard packaging with high-quality printing and inflammatimate filling from all sides. On the package you can familiarize yourself with the appearance of the device, learn about the main supported technologies and characteristics of the device. It is also worth mentioning the emphasis on the support of the Intel Optane modules from three sides of the packaging, and such frequent mention of technology is quite justified, why - consider in a separate review a little later.

As we see, the packaging is small, but it fits all the most necessary. The package includes:

set of instructions;
metal plate for installing Intel NUC on a monitor with the fastening of the VESA standard;
a set of necessary screws and a sleeve for installing M.2 drive;
power supply FSP065-10AABA;
set of four interchangeable plugs of EU / UK / US / AU standards;
sticker with processor logo.

Appearance and location of functional elements

Intel NUC 7th generation received small changes in the appearance compared to the previous generation. Very slightly changed the location of the elements and the color of the housing with silver to graphite. To start the review, it should be noted that Intel NUC can be in two cases of the case: small with dimensions 115 × 111 × 32 mm without the ability to install 2.5 ", and large with dimensions 115 × 111 × 48 mm with the ability to install 2.5" drive. We have on the testing "big" Intel NUC with the possibility of installing 2.5 "drive.
The intel NUC top cover is made of black glossy plastic and is quite easy to remove, but, unlike the previous generation, the possibility of caustizing the replacement of the lid is missing, which is even a bit strange.
The base of the hull is made of aluminum alloy painted in dark gray color. On the front side there are two USB 3.0, one of them is marked yellow and is designed to charge other devices without switching on, 3.5 mm Four-contact mini-jack with the ability to connect both playback devices as well as write, the power button. In addition to these elements, there are also successfully hidden infrared ports and two microphones, which will be used by the way to control PC through voice assistants. After turning on the power, the LED on the power button and the blue frame around the functional elements is light up.
On the left side of the case there is perforation for air intake, microSD form factor cartrider and a hole for the Kensington Castle. The right line is occupied only by perforation and it is good, as it gives hope for a good air circulation inside the compact case.
On the back of the cooling system is clearly visible, power connector connector, full-size HDMI, Ethernet, two USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible with USB TYPE C.
On the bottom cover from the metal there is a sticker containing service information and trademarks, and four more rubber legs that prevent gliding mini-pc on the table and transmitting unnecessary vibrations, because in this option you can install a hard disk that can be very noisy.
Intel NUC is a device, in the design of which there is nothing superfluous and everything is done, at the same time, high-quality case materials are used, and not to complain to the assembly. Photo with Intel Core i5-8600K processor for visuality of the dimensions is shown below.

Internal organization

Intel NUC can be found in several modifications: only the board, the board with the case and the finished solution with the installed RAM, the drive and the operating system. It is for this reason that Intel Nuc Kit understands without much effort. To start the disassembly, it is necessary to unscrew four screws at the bottom of the case - it will make it possible to remove the bottom cover without effort.

After removing the bottom cover, an affordable salad for installing a 2.5 "drive with a maximum 9 mm thickness becomes immediately becoming, however, almost all SSD and most HDD have a thickness of 7 mm.

To dismantle the sled, you need to turn off the power connector and the SATA connector. After removing the sled, access to two Sodimm slots is available, so that the maximum amount of RAM is limited to 32 gigabytes. You can pay attention to the fact that I have already installed module M.2 and this is the most Intel Optane, to which we will return a little later. The M.2 slot is designed to install both SATA and NVME drives, and the Intel Optane modules are 42 or 80 mm.

And what if you look even further? This is not a problem at all and even in advance in the IFIXit spirit we will give Intel NUC Kit assessment of maintainability 10 out of 10. Further disassembly is possible after removing the Intel Optane module and disassemble the power and microphone cables. To disassemble the circuit board, it will only be left to unscrew two screws and gently get it out of the housing.

Next, we consider the features of the Intel NUC printed circuit board. Here we can observe the sawn dual-band controller of Intel Wireless-AC 8265 wireless networks with an 802.11a / B / G / N / AC. Since the board can also be installed in a custom case, for example, with passive cooling, a circuit board contains a connecting connector of two housing USB 2.0 and standard body wires.
Another interesting can be seen by the BIOS_SEC jumper employee to reset the UEFI password, as well as the CEC connector, which is designed to connect external control panels.

On the reverse side, the first thing that rushes into the eye is a cooling system, the active element of which is the Delta Electronics BSB05505HP-SM fan, the diameter of the impeller of which is 55 mm. For heat exchange with the processor, a copper radiator is intended, the quality of which does not cause complaints.

After dismantling the cooling system, you can take a look at the processor planned on the board.
On the same side there is a battery that supports the preservation of the BIOS settings. Here is the ITE IT8987VG multicontroller.
The implementation of HDMI 2.0 is possible thanks to the MCDP2800BC Megachips controller, so the Intel NUC is able to output 4K without problems up to 60 hertz.

For the sound corresponds to the codec Rialtek ALC283 and, of course, there is no speech on the screening of the audio code, and it is difficult to imagine on such a small board.

The processor receives food from three phases of nutrition and this is enough, because the TDP of this processor is only 15 watts.

The last thing I decided to show you is the Intel NUC case with a dismantled board.

Testing

Test stand

Intel NUC, in our case, was supplied without RAM and we used proven and reliable memory modules from Kingston - KVR21S15S8 / 8, which.

The external and internal device is, of course, well, but we all love numbers and test results, especially when it comes to a mini-pc, because in addition to miniature dimensions, it is still important for us.

The first benchmark, which we decided to run - Intel XTU, it is great for comparing the performance of Intel processors, and if you register with HWBOT, you can compare your test results with the results of tests of other enthusiasts around the world.
The next PC Mark 10 benchmark performs real working tasks and makes it possible to estimate productivity in real conditions.
Also, a fairly popular benchmark GEEKBENCH 4 for both CPUs and GPU was held.

To estimate the graphics accelerator, we used 3D Mark Sky Diver.
Rander speed estimate was carried out using Cinebench R15 and Corona Render.
The data archiving speed was checked using Winrar Benchmark. For testing in games, we used World of Tanks and received the following number of frames in FullHD on the middle graphics settings.
The temperature mode of operation at the maximum load We were checked using AIDA 64 stress test. The room temperature was ~31 ° C, and the test was active for more than 10 minutes, during which time the processor warmed up to a maximum of 91 ° C and, given the originally high temperature, it's quite normal.

conclusions

When it comes to Intel NUC, it is necessary to understand that this device can "play with different colors", because the list of possible complete sets is indeed large and starts from the "Accounting" Celeron, and ends with the top mobile Core i7 and this allows you to use Intel NUC in many scenarios . Personally, my Intel NUC in the test confidence confidently took the place of the main work computer, on it I write the texts of the reviews, edit the Raw photo in Photoshop, and in my free time I can play and watch movies up to 4k permission and all works without hanging in the case with Dimensions 115 × 111 × 48 mm - isn't it a miracle? Using Intel NUC involuntarily begins to think, and whether I need a full-size PC? Personally, I felt some advantages from the transition to Intel NUC: less than noise, it takes less space, it has a pleasant appearance and steadily works.

Choosing a mini-pc, I recommend to look at the Intel NUC. Following testing, the device receives a reward - editorial choice!

Compact, quiet, comfortable, equipped, practical, aesthetic. Separately, I would like to mention the VGA port, the 19V power supply unit, the SDXC card connector, the WiFi dual-band module. Included with SSD provides comfortable work in the office.disadvantages

All four USB 3.0 are put on the body, the remaining two USB 2.0 "hidden" inside. This makes it a little complicating the installation of Windows 7: either integrate drivers to distribute, or connect the remaining conclusions to the connector. Also noted incomplete support for 32-bit OS, drivers for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 on the site itself are not in full, independent finishes are needed, although in incomplete composition, normal operation is ensured.Comment

The copy was acquired for commercial activities in an alternative to the bulky corpus under the table. The price factor was not attributed to any advantages to the disadvantages, because it cannot be cheap intel NUC, and, taking into account the next wave of increasing components, it becomes almost comparable to the PC team. The product is positioned by the company as a basis for the budget mini-PC, so ink with 2GB DDR3L and 60GB SATA3 SSD wanted to check for "professionality". If there are box versions of Windows 7, 8.1, well, and Upgrade10, Win7 × 86 / x64, Win8.1 × 86 / x64, Win10 × 64 was tested in limited time conditions. All OS successfully passed the installation / update, the DISM was needed only for Windows 7. 32-bit systems were tested precisely for the purpose of possible work with outdated peripherals, here, of course, with drivers for NUC have to be tinted. But with 64-bit systems, no chandelier has arisen. The BIOS was also successfully updated and the built-in bootloader and software loader from under Windows.
Performance, though close to the "atomic", but for all office tasks (sometimes injecting) it is enough. A added analog output has expanded compatibility with monitors. The built-in video laden is quite enough for this processor. From the multimedia managed to simultaneously run up to two FullHD rollers. Check in 4K there was no possibility.
In general, the device made a very good impression. It is recommended for deploying a new workplace or the modernization of the old one.

33 16

disadvantages

Comment

World of Warcraft 1920 × 1080 Min - 20fps in the crowd, 40fps in locations - playable (3 out of 5 points)
Hearthstone 1920 × 1080 min - playable (4 out of 5 points)
Dota2 reborn 20fps full minimum. (not playable)
CS: GO 30fps full minimum - playable (1 out of 5 points)
-----------------
Conclusion A great solution to attach to TV and watch 1920 × 1080 films.
You can also use it as a modem replacement to distribute the cable Internet via WiFi.

Complain Review Help? 27 22

disadvantages

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Introduction

Until recently, if you wanted to get the power and versatility of the desktop PC, it was necessary to prepare a lot of free space on the floor or on the table to install the Tower type housing. But today, compared to such a mini-pc, as Intel NUC. NEXT UNIT OF COMPUTING) Even ultraportative laptops look big. These systems are fast enough to replace your main computer, and are small enough to fit anywhere. The NUC5I5RYK model for $ 390 uses the fifth generation of Intel Core i5 processors based on the Broadwell architecture, supports the 802.11ac Wi-Fi and high-speed SSD with a PCIE connection. We bought and installed our own RAM set, the drive and the operating system, as a result, the price of our test sample was $ 670. For this amount, the new mini-PC from Intel can offer a lot.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Use options

Intel NUC. Quick enough to replace the main PC for students, office workers and other users. Unite Intel NUC. With a high-resolution monitor (or two), you will get all the advantages of a compact monoblock, but with the ability to leave the old monitor when updating the iron.

If you install a high container hard disk or connect it via USB, Intel NUC. Easy to cope with the role of a powerful home theater. And the outlets can use Intel NUC. In terminals or kiosks.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Design

With sizes of 114 x 112 x 33 mm and weight 453 g (along with the drive and RAM) NUC5I5RYK in shape and sizes resembles a peanut oil sandwich and jelly. The unit is thin enough and fit even into miniature entertainment systems. It can easily be put next to the keyboard on the table or attach the back of the monitor using the VESA bracket included in the kit.

Most competitors in the mini-PC segment are significantly larger, including 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 power adapter Intel NUC. Very small - only 45 x 83 x 23 mm and weighing 184

Although Intel NUC. You can easily place on the shelf or remove the display, thanks to the compact sizes and attractive appearance, it is unlikely to spoil the design of your office or living room if it is standing on the table. The main part of the hull is made of aluminum in matte-silver color with a shiny black plastic cover and a matte black plastic bottom. On the sides and the back there are ventilation holes, and a neat silver power button is located on the top cover.

The top cover is easily removed without applying additional tools. Intel itself does not produce replacement covers, but holds their parameters in free access, so that any company or person can make the lid not only with its own design (including print it on a 3D printer), but also with additional functionality. At the CES 2015 exhibition, the company showed several prototypes of covers, including versions with TV tuner and NFC.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Connectors

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

Intel NUC. can display an image to the monitor in full HD resolution. Due to the combination of video outputs, the mini-PC from Intel can support up to three monitors simultaneously. The DisplayPort connector supports the DisplayPort 1.2 protocol and is able to display an image into three displays with a resolution of up to 1920 x 1200 pixels via a special splitter or using a sequential connection over a chain. However, the easiest way is to connect one monitor to each connector when there are mini-HDMI cables and mini-displayport.

Wireless Internet connection is carried out using Intel 7265, supporting Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0 standards. In addition, the card can transmit video to the telecase using the Intel WIDI standard.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Necessary components and their cost

Intel sells Intel NUC. In the form of a platform: without RAM, drive and operating system. So get ready to spend at least a minimum of $ 250 and some time on the selection and order of missing components.

The system has two DIMM slots that support Sodimm DDR3L modules with a voltage of 1.35 V. You can set one or two strips with a cumulative up to 16 GB. 8 GB of RAM of this type will cost about $ 55, although in order to save it, you can buy a 4 GB bar for $ 28.

Although some configurations Intel NUC. In addition to the M.2 slot, the compartment for SATA-drives 2.5 inches format is equipped, our NUC5I5RYK sample has only M.2. It is compatible with SSD formats M.2 22 x 42, 22 x 60 or 22 x 80 with a key M or B + M. Motherboard supports SSD M.2 using a SATA or PCIE X1, X2 or X4 bus. In this way, Intel NUC. It will work almost with any SSD type M.2 presented in the market.

Most of these drives work with a SATA bus that has an upper high-speed limit of about 540 MB / s. A storage capacity of 250 GB can be found for $ 120. Alternatively, 120 GB solutions are available at a price of $ 100.

The speed of more expensive drives with the PCIE X4 interface is sometimes twice as high as SATA. For our tests, we used Samsung XP941 256 GB with PCIE X4 interface, which costs about $ 250, but at the same time it has a read speed of more than 1000 MB / s, and records - more than 800 MB / s.

If you want to install Windows, the OEM version will cost approximately $ 100. Do not forget about the various free Linux options, for example, Ubuntu.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Prices and competitors

If you buy a standard SSD SATA M.2 by 256 GB, 8 GB of RAM and a copy of Windows, then a full-fledged computer from Intel NUC. For $ 390 will actually cost $ 670. If you limit the 4 GB of RAM, SSD to 128 GB and a free OS, then the final price will decrease to $ 490. However, Intel NUC. It has many specific options, and if you take something inexpensive with the Celeron processor, the price will be noticeably lower.

In the situation S. Intel NUC. You pay for a combination of small sizes and high performance, especially if you use SSD on PCIE X4. If you want to immediately get ready-to-work mini-PC, you can find less expensive systems with much slower processors and without SSD. For example, HP Stream 200-010 mini costs $ 179, but it is 220 grams heavier and approximately 2.5 cm more Intel NUC.In addition, it is equipped with a slow Intel Celeron processor, 2 GB of RAM and a 32 GB drive.

Mini-computer Lenovo ThinkCentre M83 Tiny Desktop almost twice as much and three times heavier Intel NUC.But comes immediately in full configuration for $ 483. It includes the fourth-generation Intel Core i3 processor and a 500 GB hard disk. 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 for the model with the Core i5 and the hard disk starts from $ 499. SSD version costs $ 699.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Installation and Setup

To install RAM and SSD need no more than five minutes. To get to the inside of the system, it is enough to turn over Intel NUC. And unscrew the bottom panel, which is attached to four standard screw head screws. After that, it remains only to put the RAM modules, insert SSD into the M.2 slot and tighten the locking screw.

Windows installation takes from 10 to 20 minutes. The installer must be on the flash drive. Do not forget to download the latest driver versions from the Intel site.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Performance

The basic clock frequency of the Core i5-5250U processor (Broadwell) is 1.6 GHz, but using the TURBO BOOST function it rises to 2.7 GHz. Thanks to a relatively powerful Intel NUC5I5RYK chip, it is great for serious tasks, for example, to process electronic tables, web surfing, viewing 4K video or even video editing.

During testing, only 1 minute and 8 seconds were required to recode the movie trailer with a resolution of 1080p 2 min 30 s permissions to 720p using Windows Movie Maker, simultaneously video played video in 4K format. Nevertheless, the platform uses a dual-core mobile processor, so test indicators Intel NUC. More comparable to the indicators of ultraportative laptops than desktop computers that use more energy are equipped with quad-core processors working at higher clock frequencies.

The presence of a mobile processor gives its advantages, even in desktop systems. During testing Intel NUC. Supported quite low temperature, while the fan worked very quietly.

Our test sample is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and rapid SSD Samsung XP941. In the synthetic test of GeekBench 3, which measures the overall system performance, it scored 5611 points. This is slightly lower than the average among monoblocks (7013), but above the average result among ultraportative laptops (4037). Dell XPS 13 with a Core i5-5200U 2.2 GHz processor scored 5530, almost the same result showed Apple IMAC 2014 (5464) with a Core i5-4570R chip 2.7 GHz. Lenovo C560 Equipped with CPU Core i3 with a frequency of 2.9 GHz turned out to be ahead with an indicator of 6209.

GEEKBENCH 3 - CPU speed test and memory (more - better)

Intel NUC. The Broadwell chip showed that its capabilities are more than enough for serious office tasks, having completed our test of working with tables (compiling 20,000 names with addresses in Open Office) in just 5 minutes and 2 seconds. The result is identical to the XPS 13 indicator and more than twice as much as the average among ultraportative laptops (10:17). In addition, it exceeds the average among monoblocks (7 minutes), but is slightly lagged behind IMAC (4:47).

Work speed with tables. The time spent on the reduction of 20,000 names with addresses in Open Office Calc (less is better)

NUC5I5RYK It took only 12 seconds to download Windows 8. Thanks to the incredibly fast SSD on PCIE X4, the mini-PC has completed the file transfer test (File Transfer Test), which includes copying files with a volume of 4.97 GB, in just 16 seconds. That is, the speed was 308.8 MB / s - this is one of the fastest indicators of all that we have seen on PC. It significantly exceeds the average monoblock results (58 MB / s) and ultraportative laptops (120.5 MB / s).

File Transfer Test. MB / s (more - better)

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Graphic performance

The power of the integrated graphics processor Intel HD Graphics 6000 is more than enough to view the 4K video, but in terms of games you should not count on something more than casual video games. In the synthetic benchmark 3DMark Fire Strike, which measures the overall level of graphic performance, Intel NUC. scored 888 points. It is a little more than a medium ultraportative laptop (670.31) and Dell XPS 13 (704). The average in the category of monoblocks turned out to be slightly higher - 1053 points.

3DMark Fire Strike - Synthetic Test Measuring Graphic Performance (More - Better)

When we played World of Warcraft with automatic settings in a resolution of 1366 x 768 points, Intel NUC. It was possible to maintain the frame rate of 37 FPS, but with an increase in the resolution to 1080p, the indicator decreased to 26 frames per second. As a result, it turns out to be approximately one level with ultraportative laptops, which showed the average result of 33.7 and 31.5 frames per second, as well as close to Dell XPS 13, which in a resolution of 1080p issued 33 frames per second. But when we set ultrasoundwork the quality of graphics, the mini-PC from Intel was capable of only a slideshow with a frame rate of 16 and 17 FPS on the two above-mentioned permissions.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Options and configurations

In the model range of 2015, Intel has several versions Intel NUC., distinguished by various components. The base model costs $ 295 and is equipped with a Core i3-5010u processor 2.1 GHz. The version that has a 2.5-inch storage compartment, just 15 mm higher and $ 5 more expensive. Our system with Core i5 processor is found in retail at a price of $ 391, but there is also a version with a 2.5-inch compartment, it is called nuc5i5ryh and costs $ 383.

Intel NUC. With the Core i7 processor (NUC5I7RYH) will appear this year, but the price is still unknown. Also, each configuration is presented in a version for a business that is characterized by the Intel VPRO control technology and two Mini-DisplayPort connectors instead of mini-HDMI + Mini-DisplayPort.

We strongly recommend buying Intel NUC. With 2.5 inches disc compartment, because it allows you to use two drives: Cutting mechanical hard disk for storing files and fast SSD M.2 for system and applications.

Overview Mini PC Intel NUC | Let's sum up

Intel NUC. - It is a high productivity in a small attractive body. For those who do not want to mess around with the installation of RAM, the drive and OS there are larger and expensive mini-PCs, such as MacBook Mini or ThinkCentre M83. Advanced gamers tend to prefer desktops or laptops with discrete video cards. But if you do not mind working a screwdriver and you need a small desktop system as the main PC or home theater, then Intel NUC. Broadwell chips are the best option.

Benefits:

Attractive compact design.
High performance.
Support fast SSD M.2.
Replaceable covers with additional features.
Image output in 4K or 3 monitors.

Disadvantages:

comes without RAM, OS and drive.

It does not take place and years without an announcement of the exit of a truly compact gaming PC. Marketers immediately attribute to the novelty all imaginable advantages: it consumes little, it does not heat, not noise, everything goes without brakes ... Practice shows that at least one plus ascribed in vain: either heats, either noise, or inhibits in resource-intensive tasks. In fairness it is worth noting that some specimens are very different, but they rarely appear and cost cosmic money. All because just take the finished OEM solution, wrap it with a beautiful plastic of the body and push on the counters not enough - a lot needs to be developed from scratch, debug and edit. Seriously, only large companies with their engineers, production and other things can engage.
One of these companies is Intel. In a short time of the IT market, the term agreed with AMD on the development of the graphics core, received the product, gathered everything together on one substrate and presented to respected users. The new Intel processor with the VEGA graphics core is set to NUC "Hades Canyon", which came to Treshboks.Ru tests.

Specifications

Processor: Intel Core i7-8809G (4 kernels, 8 streams, 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 Gbps 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 liters.

Packaging and equipment

A small-sized gaming platform came in a huge suitcase decorated with a signboard with backlit.

Inside the suitcase, the so-called Intel NUC Kit is a kit from the NUC itself, input devices, power supply and a virtual reality helmet. Each element is placed in its niche carved in a dense foam. Protection against mechanical damage is excellent, it looks brutally and presentable.

In the center - NUC himself (Next Unit of Computing).

A 230 watt power supply is attached to it, as well as a wireless keyboard and mouse.

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

Little run ahead, I will say that the idea is excellent. Now - in detail about the NUC itself

NUC in details

Small dimensions - 221 × 142 × 39 millimeters. In the same format there are numerous sluggish nano-PCs for printed browser needs. The body of 1.2 liters, according to Intel, contained the elementary level game station.

Past versions of NUC looked more ascetic, and this one due to bevelled corners and the expedited side panels no longer looks like a strict office machine.

On the front panel, the power button, three LED indicators, USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0A, one USB 3.1 Type C, four-contact 3.5 mm audio stereo charts, SD card reader and IR port. Below - ventilation stamped holes.

From the reverse side of the connectors even more - audio output (including optical), power socket, two Thunderbolt 3 ports combined with USB 3.1 Type-C, two minidisplayport, a gigabit network connector, four USB 3.0, HDMI 2.0a. Below are wide ventilation slits through which the ribs of a long radiator are visible. For all signs, it is "windows" for emissions of heated air.

The fence of cold air is carried out through the holes in the metallic day. The required gap with a horizontal installation of the housing provides rubber legs.

NUC can be installed and vertically, for which the serial version will be a steel platinum adapter with holes for VESA-mount.
The label tells the NUC model - NUC8I7HVK, it is NUC8I7HVB.

It is time to ask in an internal device, and at the same time make a configuration. The upper plastic cover is removed without difficulty, as well as the shielding plate under it with RGB-illuminated skull. The outline opens the back side of the motherboard.

It is shrinking SO-DIMM slots for two DDR4-2666 Kingston Hyperx memory modules with a total 16 GB.

On the right, the Wi-Fi 802.11ac Intel 8265 module is well noticeable.

Two M.2-storage form factor 2280 are attached above it.

On the right in the photo shows the SATA power connector and the blue signal connector. A splitter is connected to two cables to it, allowing you to connect to the system a pair of 2,5 "'form factor. Motampable drives are mounted.

It includes one SSD Intel 760p (SSDPEKKW256G8).

Two antennas are separated along the corners of the metal internal chassis, they are closed by an external plastic case.

Four more screws, and the facial side of the board opens.

Three crystals are well distinguishable on the substrate - the central processor, the graphic and HBM2 memory of 4 GB. CPU crystal slightly lower than GPU and VRAM. The step can be noticed on the sole of the standard cooling system.

CPU - quad-core Core i7-8809G, capable of working in 8 threads. The kernel is Kaby Lake-G, technical process 14 nm.

Graphic cores are two: integrated in CPU HD 630 and developed by AMD Radeon RX VEGA M GL C 1536 universal processors and 4 GB of video memory. Frequencies from 225 to 1190 MHz.

The TDP of the whole ligament is 100 watts, and it is quite clear that frequencies and processor, and the VEGA graphics were underestimated to curb power consumption. Cools their cooler consisting of evaporative chamber with ribs ...

... and two 12 volt turbines fixed on the base.

Test results

NUC capabilities were evaluated in two application blocks - processor and gaming. In the processor unit, I3-8350K added to the I7-8809G results as a point of reference, no comparisons were carried out.

The eight-thousandth mobile stone is unexpectedly smart, at the level of a cheerful secret four-folder. The frequency under load is high - from 3800 to 4200 MHz, which makes it possible to show good results in old applications that are not accustomed to scatter tasks for all available nuclei. For the game station of the average level of this more than enough.

The game block consisted of four popular games, the numbers are shown without comparisons - on average FPS it is easy to understand, there is enough video card power in one way or another for a comfortable gameplay.

Uncomplicated in terms of graphics of the game go to a bang even in 2560 × 1440. It is clear that hundreds of FPS will not be on ultra, but a stable 50-60 frames at high installations - please. The more demanding speed of the video card game in 2560 is with difficulty, the brakes are visible with a naked eye. FullHD is better - on medium or high installation quality pictures, it is quite realistic to get 45 or more average frames.

VR-fun with games from the branded store Oculus Frapps not to measure, it remains to rely on subjective impressions. I was attracted by the game Robo Recall, a pleasant dynamic shooter.

The brakes did not notice, compared with a powerful assembly on 8700K and GTX 1080 Ti. There are no complaints to the Slem Oculus Rift CV1 Touch - with a competent adjustment under the head, many hours of fun do not cause discomfort, poems (or joysticks) stably work and are almost never felt after one or two hours of addiction.

The measurement was carried out before the conversion of 19.5 V, so that the figures obtained should be laid and the loss of the BP itself. Typically, the efficiency ranges from 75 to 95 percent, depending on the power of the load and the platform. Some can name the results on the last chart of overestimated - the NUC itself consumes less! But, in my opinion, it is better - you can estimate the system as a whole, and not separate components or nodes.

A total of 14 watts in a simple is an excellent indicator for the system, and for BP. The processor tasks "consume" no more than 115 watts, and further jumps up to 175 watts should be attributed to the video card. There is one thing: almost all the power consumed processors are isolated as heat. And with temperatures, the picture is not so joyful.

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

Let's summarize

Intel NUC Hades Canyon, or speaking more precisely, the NUC8I7HVK model justified expectations - you can work, play FullHD or a virtual reality helmet, and after the games, throw a PC in the backpack and not distinguish with the weight of the average working lathere with a 15-inch screen. Minus one is a high temperature of the processor in the download. It does not lead to failures, and some fear for the life expectancy of the crystal instills.

The official price for it is $ 1,000, at the time of the preparation of material in retail to find a novelty failed. Does it ask much for him? If you judge purely according to the test results - yes. If you take into account the size of the NUC, then the price is quite adequate, for compactness, you also need to pay.

In any case, the company shows the world and its partners as you can do. The latter, hope, will open 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 location of the connectors and controls.
Rich (for Fator Fato) opportunities for upgrading.

Minuses:

Not detected.

Maybe not like:

Price.
High processor heating under load.

The heir of this first mini-PC company on the basis of quad-core processors was two models of the "eighth" generation, which appeared in early 2018. On the other hand, heirs They can be considered only in terms of indicators, since in the processors of the Kaby Lake-G family, also four (relatively) high-frequency processor kernels and a powerful GPU. But the GPU has changed radically: it is no longer "just integral", and separate VEGA M with 4 GB of memory type HBM2. Integration in this case is that all crystals are located on the same substrate as the processor with the chipset, but according to the logic of the work (and in terms of performance), this is a completely present discrete solution comparable to individual medium-class video cards.

However, about how it turned out and why, we already wrote - when the processors of the Kaby Lake-G family were tested, which are used in the NUC "eighth" generation pair. But what the computers themselves represent themselves - they have not studied in detail. It is time to fix this injustice.

Complete set and packaging

The delivery package is similar to what has been "younger" compact models: computer itself, VESA-mount, a small number of laconic printed instructions, yes power supply. The latter, of course, has changed - instead of a compact block, similar to charging for mobile phones, with replaceable forks and a capacity of 65 W in the box lies a solid box, sizes comparable to the computer itself: 19.5 at 11.8 A, that is, all 230 W. Note that the BP for 6i7kyk even had a similar design (a large box with a separated power cable to the outlet), but were less, and only 120 watts were issued. In general, already at the stage of unpacking there is a feeling that it is not about a mini-PC, but about the usual computer. Let it be slightly more compact than it is accepted - but once (long) a power supply of such power was enough for top desktops.

Design and switching with the outside world

The computer itself still has not such large sizes, although while this is the largest NUC: dimensions of 221 × 142 × 39 mm give a solid volume of 1.2 liters. Again, compare with 6i7KYK: in that 211 × 116 × 28 mm, that is, less than 0.7 liters. In general, the appearance is similar, but the new NUC has become a little more and more thicker, so they do not confuse them with old. The models of the "square" series continue to fit in 115 × 111 × 51 mm or 115 × 111 × 35 mm (with support for two or one disk drive, respectively), that is, only 0.45-0.65 l volume, and most presented The mini-PC market is similar to them on dimensions (or even less). In general, even if you get distracted from prices (and they look at the gaming NUCs), it is clear that buying such computers is simply "so that it does not make sense - more compact (and cheaper) solutions normally cope with everyday tasks. Such a computer is needed when with (relative) compactness still need performance and communication capabilities at the level of good desktop or laptop.

Interface ports here in the first approximation are the same as in other models of 2016-2017, but they are more. In particular, on the front of the face you can find three USB ports (two of which are "honest" USB 3.1 Gen2) of both topical form factors: Type-A and Type-s. There is also a jack for audio architecture, a slot for "full-size" SD cards (and not for microSD, as in the "Square" NUC "seventh" and "eighth" generation) and ... HDMI 2.0a connector. A somewhat unusual place of its location is due to the fact that Intel actively connected the fate of these computers with "virtual reality", the benefit of the performance of the platform (especially in the senior version) is quite enough to render pictures in high resolution. And the helmet is more convenient to connect exactly in front.

In any case, this is not the only video connector of the new NUC, so that other information display devices will not remain. The back panel has another HDMI 2.0A connector, a pair of mini-displayport 1.2 in pure form and two more Thunderbolt 3 connections - also include this interface. Accordingly, any NUC can be connected to six TVs / monitors / projectors / etc., Moreover, four of them may have a resolution 5k and only two "limited" 4k @ 60 Hz. In general, this can not boast of any desktop with a single video card - as well as Thunderbolt 3 ports, which, we recall, not only video, but also USB 3.1 Gen2 and / or PCIe 3.0 x4. At the same time, without classic USB ports, the back also did not cost: their four pieces, and all correspond to the specifications of version 3.0 (it is USB 3.1 Gen1).

Thus, the possibilities for connecting peripherals are awesome (repeat: not every desktop computer is capable), so Intel at the same time added a couple of network ports here - let it be. Moreover, on the background of the price of the device, this does not significantly affect - as well as another audio output that supports the connection of analog stereoolonal or multichannel acoustics with a digital optical input. Such connectors in NUC are rarely found and is not currently not too much - modern receivers use HDMI. However, offering buyers initially athusted mini-PCs, Intel tried to make it so that no one (or almost no one) remains offended. Even if Him i want strange, such as connecting a pair of column for a half thousand rubles - well, let them connect and rejoices :)

So, even an external examination of the computer shows that it did not save on it. The filling of the hull also corresponds to the first impression.

Hardware configuration

		NUC 8I7HNK.	NUC 8I7HVK.
CPU		Intel Core i7-8705g.	Intel Core i7-8809g.
RAM		2 × DDR4 SO-DIMM
Video subsystem		integrated
Sound subsystem		Realtek Alc283.
Storage device		2 × SSD M.2 2280 (SATA600 or PCIE 3.0 x4)
Optical drive		not
Kartovoda		SDXC UHS-I
Network interfaces	Wired network	Intel i219 + Intel i210 (2 × Gigabit Ethernet)
	Wireless network	Intel Wireless-AC 8265
	Bluetooth	4.2
Interfaces and Ports on the Front Panel		1 × USB 3.0 (Type-A)
		1 × USB 3.1 (Type-A)
		1 × USB 3.1 (Type-C)
		1 × HDMI 2.0a
		audio invoice for headset
		2 microphones
Interfaces and ports on the rear panel		4 × USB 3.0 (Type-A)
		2 × USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3 & USB 3.1)
		2 × RJ-45
		1 × HDMI 2.0a
		2 × mini-displayport 1.2
		1 Audio (Analog Stereo / S / PDIF)
		connector for connecting BP (19,5 V)
Gabarits.		221 × 142 × 39 mm
Power Supply		230 W 19.5 V

The Kaby Lake-G line includes five models of processors, but in its products Intel uses only two of them - top core i7-8809g and (almost) younger Core i7-8705g. The processor part of them is almost the same with an accuracy of the clock frequencies, but the GPU is different - VEGA M GH and GL, respectively. However, we wrote in detail about all this, so we will not repeat. We only note that, unlike other models, you can accelerate Core i7-8809g, and the top NUC is all the necessary tools for this.

The approach to the storage system is entirely inherited from 6i7KYK: only two slots M.2, but with support for NVME and SATA drives. In one of the slots, only "long" devices of the format 2280 can be installed, in the other - and them, and "short" modifications 2242. In principle, it allows you to cover 99% of models of solid-state "card" format solid storage devices, however, topane with gaming NUC. .. It turned out to be incompatible. Even a new 905r on 375 GB of format M.2 - it needs a slot with support for 22110. The remaining models of Linek 900r and 905r are even larger, so that the maximum for 8i7hnk and 8i7hVK - only 800r with it funny (taking into account the purpose of such a computer) 118 GB and Only PCIe 3.0 x2. Such is the grimaces of fate :)

We have already mentioned about the availability of two gigabit wired controllers. Both, naturally, intel's own production can be used both to connect to two different networks and for Teaming mode (to double the bandwidth of communication with the router, for example). There are support for wireless networks, fully corresponding to another modern NUC, and in general, most computers: in two ranges at speeds up to 867 Mbps.

As mentioned above, new NUCs are simply twisted with USB ports, with high-speed: at the same time you can connect as many as four full-speed USB 3.1 Gen2 devices. It is clear that due to the possibilities of the NM175 chipset, it is not realized: like all Intel 2017 products or older, it only supports USB 3.0. Five chipset ports of this type (and in most NUCs of all four or five) can be left for low-speed peripherals, the benefit of them are convenient - four from behind, one in front (the latter also supports the charging of mobile devices and when the computer is turned off, and "delivers "Current up to 1.5 A, and not regular according to the" basic "standard 0.9 A). High-speed USB ports are uniform: steam from behind, a couple in front. To support the rear, the Intel Alpine Ridge controller is used, so this is not only USB 3.1, but also Thunderbolt 3 and DisplayPort. The front is implemented using ASMEDIA ASM2142 - the controller is no longer new, but quite relevant and now, it is bonded to two PCIe 3.0 lines (unlike earlier ASMEDIA products, which used either PCIE 2.0 x2, or PCIe 3.0 x1) and one device It can accurately give all the "laid" in SUPERSPEED10 mode, and two (and the ports just recall, two) the devices operating at the same time will receive only 20% less theoretical maximum.

All this is packaged in the case of the appropriate size - and requires a powerful power supply. However, all the cooling and nutrition characteristics of the computer were calculated for the older model, and even with the reserve: i7-8809g has a TDP 100 W (on the entire assembly, along with GPU and HBM2 memory) and is suitable for overclocking. Core i7-8705g with its 65 W "on everything" would cost a more modest environment, but the unification in production is useful. And about what is the efficiency of cooling, we will now talk in detail.

Work under load and in idle mode

In principle, large (relatively, of course) the sizes of the body are associated just with the need to place a serious cooling system - it takes more than half (!) Internal volume, since it includes two fans and a massive aluminum radiator (with a copper insert, of course). However, the practical significance is not how it is arranged, but how it works. What we checked, at the same time measuring also power consumption of the system "from the outlet".

	NUC 8I7HNK (Core i7-8705g)	NUC 8I7HVK (Core i7-8809g)
In simple
Frequency, MHC	3100	3100
Temperature, ° C	38	38
	15	18
Stress CPU.
Frequency, MHC	3700	3900
Temperature, ° C	65	73
General system consumption, W	62	71
Stress FPU.
Frequency, MHC	3700	3100—3900
Temperature, ° C	74	88
General system consumption, W	102	104
Stress GPU (S)
Frequency, MHC	3700	3900
Temperature, ° C	49	83
General system consumption, W	76	123
STRESS FPU + STRESS GPU (S)
Frequency, MHC	3700	3100—3500
Temperature, ° C	80	95
General system consumption, W	138	172

The processor component of Core i7-8809g and Core i7-8705g is formally almost the same, and actually behaves slightly differently: the older model is trying to more aggressively increase the clock frequency under load, which does not actually lead to anything good. But cooling for this processor is enough with a margin, since the cooling system had to be calculated, based on the GPU appetites. Two modifications of VEGA M are distinguished by about a quarter in terms of the number of executive blocks and by 15% by frequency (both executive blocks and memory), so that the difference in ≈45 W under load does not surprise. Note: that's difference in the consumption of two GPUs, but the processor nuclei is just so much total.

Performance in games corresponds to expectations (specifications), but the younger NUC copes with them albeit and worse, but without excessive noise. The senior is too noise, crawling over 40 dba, although in processor loads it is limited to about 35 dBA. The youngest model for 35 dBA does not come out.

In principle, in this case, the noise level is less critical than for laptops: the computer is not necessarily located directly next to the user, and ideally hangs at all for the TV, at the same time shielding the last. There is no trolling in any of the modes, so the cooling system copes with its tasks. But if you want to collect a truly quiet solution - you have to come with compactness.

Research productivity

This issue was studied in detail by us in, where these two NUC models were used. Here we will limit ourselves to conclusions: "Kaby Lake-G graphics can be considered integrated by execution, but remains discrete on ideology. Moreover, the applied solutions on the head exceed the discrete video cards of the initial and even average level, since the "ultra-wide" tire of HBM2 allows you to get a memory bandwidth at the level, achievable only by video cards with a "wide" GDDR5. As a result, for example, NUC on Kaby Lake-G on dimensions and energy consumption are comparable to one Only a video card based on Radeon RX 480/580 ". However, the performance of such video cards still turns out to be somewhat higher, and the processor component of these models does not reach a bit (already formally obsolete) Core i7-7700, but be that as it may, it is the level of a good desktop computer. The computer, truth, slightly thinned: the processor is above the average, and the video card is slightly lower. The desktop system can be more productive in both directions, and even at a lower ultimate price - but it will not be so compact.

TOTAL

As we see, with functionality and performance in these NUC models, everything is fine: the desktop of the middle class they can replace with ease. In practice, a lot will depend on prices that can not be called frightening, but certainly you can not call and low: the youngest model (8i7hnk) at the time of writing the article cost in the Moscow retail about 60 thousand rubles, and the older (8i7HVK) - 15 thousand more expensive . To this, you will need to still add at least 16 GB of memory (from 11 thousand rubles) and at least the budget SSD on Polterable (from 6 thousand), since otherwise the acquisition of a computer is deprived of meaning. The same components would be required by the desker desktop, but there you can "play" with the configuration - towards savings (SSD smaller plus a large hard drive - here such hybridization storage "does not ride") or increase productivity.

As for performance, it is, of course, limited. Separate processors have now acquired 6-8 cores, and top discrete video cards are noticeably faster. Moreover, it is not only for desktops: as testing has shown, the laptop based on Core i7-8750h with GTX 1060 works steadily faster even senior NUC 8I7HVK and in "ordinary" applications, and in games. True, such a decision will cost even more expensive, but not fundamentally more expensive: about 120 thousand rubles with memory, SSD, terabayt hard drive, as well as a display, keyboard and touchpad. The desktop system can be cheaper, and faster at the same time. Yes, the new NUC is quite "pull" modern games, but it is not worth lifting the resolution above Full HD, and in it now it is not always possible to use the maximum quality, and tomorrow will be worse.

In general, as usual, a compromise. Good - but compromise. Interesting for those who are looking for a Companion Companion for a TV, not wanting to manage a low-power solution, but it does not lie too much on modern games. Yes, and as a desktop high-performance mini-PC, both new NUC models are not bad - especially the younger 8i7hnk: it is quite powerful, but still quiet, and he has the same communication capabilities as the elder.

There are no complete analogues of "game nodule" on the market, but there are alternative solutions. They are better in something better, in something worse - much will depend on priorities. But if you restrict ourselves to purely technical issues, then the first is important - full analogs is not observed. Once the idea of \u200b\u200b"sweeping" of a more or less game computer at least in the annoy-tier case seemed revolutionary, now such a computer can be reduced in the amount of almost an order. Not without flaws and restrictions - but you can.