Next Unit of Computing

Next Unit of Computing (NUC) is a small form factor PC designed by Intel. Its first generation is based on the Sandy Bridge Celeron CPU. Its second generation CPU is based on the Ivy Bridge Core i3 and Core i5 processors. Its third generation is based on the Haswell architecture. Its motherboard measures 4 × 4 inches (10.16 × 10.16 cm).^[1]

The barebone kits consist of the board, in a plastic case with a fan, an external power supply and VESA mounting plate.^[2] Intel does offer for sale just the NUC motherboards, which have a built-in CPU, although (as of 2013) the price of a NUC motherboard is very close to the corresponding cased kit; third-party cases for the NUC boards are also available.^[3][4]

Models

These tables show some of the key differences between the models of the Intel NUC.

First generation (Sandy Bridge)

This UCFF motherboard and system kit are codenamed Ski Lake (DCP847SK) and Deep Canyon (DCCP847DY) respectively.

Second generation (Ivy Bridge)

The base UCFF motherboard and kit without Thunderbolt or USB 3 are codenamed Golden Lake (D33217GK) and Ice Canyon (DC3217IY) respectively. The Thunderbolt capable UCFF motherboard and kit are codenamed Campers Lake (DC33217CK) and Box Canyon (DC3217BY) respectively. The USB3 capable UCFF motherboard and kit are codenamed Rend Lake (D53427RK) and Horse Canyon (DC53427HY) respectively.

Third generation (Haswell)

Haswell-based Wilson Canyon Intel NUC, rear panel

UCFF motherboard (D34010WYB and D54250WYB) and system kit (D34010WYK/D34010WYKH and D54250WYK/D54250WYKH) models based on Wilson Canyon^[5][6] containing Haswell processors were revealed in June 2013.^[7]

Third generation (Bay Trail-M)

Reception and ecosystem

The NUC was seen by some reviewers as Intel's response (or adoption) of the Apple Mac Mini format,^[8] although it is actually smaller, physically.^[9][10] Given its kit nature, other reviewers have seen it as a more powerful Raspberry Pi,^[11] particularly since the NUC boards could be bought without a case.^[12]

Although some third generation NUCs come with an internal SATA connector (including SATA power), reviewers remarked that there is no room inside the (Intel) case even for a 2.5" drive.^{[8][13][14][15]} Some larger third-party cases have appeared that can fit such drives.^[4]

The Intel case is actively cooled with a fan. Silent PC Review note that “The original Intel NUC had "the distinction of being the quietest fan-cooled mini-computer we've come across." The NUC D54250WYK [Haswell-based], with the same cooling system, sounds exactly the same. In normal use, you can't hear the fan until your ear is inches from the unit.”^[16] Nevertheless, passively cooled third-party cases have appeared on the market as well.^[3] Larger and/or metallic third-party cases provide lower operating temperatures as well.^[17]

A review by The Tech Report of the pre-production 2012-vintage NUC found that the NUC would seize up after a few gigabytes were transferred over wireless, and that the problem could be alleviated by better cooling of the NUC case. Intel later increased the default fan speed for production machines.^[18]

Regarding power consumption, in their review of the D54250WYK with a Haswell i5-4250, Silent PC Review concluded that "An idle power level of just 6W and typical use power barely into two digits is very impressive in one sense; in another sense, it's what you find in current Ultrabooks using similar components."^[19]

Other companies have subsequently adopted a form factor similar, but not identical, to Intel's NUC. For example, Gigabyte Technology launched their BRIX series, which attempts to differentiate itself using more powerful components, up to the i7-4770R processor, which embeds Intel Iris Pro Graphics.^[20]

References

1. ↑ Halfacree, G (March 2013). "Intel's Next Unit of Computing". Custom PC (Dennis Publishing) (116): 14–15. 
2. ↑ Intel NUC product specifications "Intel NUC", accessed 2013-06-10.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Tranquil PC launches a fanless case for Intel’s NUC | Chips". Geek.com. 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Akasa Rolls Out Tesla H NUC Case". techPowerUp. 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
5. ↑ Intel’s Haswell “Wilson Canyon” NUC smiles for the cameras
6. ↑ Intel NUC Kit D54250WYK Review – The NUC Gets Haswell Power!
7. ↑ Tom's Hardware Guide, "3rd Generation of Intel NUC Boards Shown at Computex, 2013-06-07, accessed 2013-06-10.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Intel NUC Kit D54250WYK: Review" (in (French)). Digitalversus.com. 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
9. ↑ "Intel NUC review". PC Pro. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
10. ↑ 1/09/14 4:00pm Thursday 4:00pm. "Intel NUC PCs Pack a Ton of Power into a Tiny Little Case". Lifehacker.com. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
11. ↑ Ingredients (2013-07-31). "How to Build a NUC". Maximum PC. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
12. ↑ "Blog - Intel NUC - a mini-PC revolution?". bit-tech.net. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
13. ↑ Kirsch, Nathan (2013-09-18). "Intel NUC Kit D54250WYK Review - The NUC Gets Haswell Power! - Page 5 of 7 - Legit ReviewsGeneral NUC Performance". Legitreviews.com. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
14. ↑ Niels Broekhuijsen. "3rd Generation of Intel NUC Boards Shown at Computex". Tomshardware.com. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
15. ↑ "Haswell comes to NUC". silentpcreview.com. 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
16. ↑ "Haswell comes to NUC". silentpcreview.com. 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
17. ↑ Gharaei, Vahid (2013-11-22). "Tranquil PC D33217GKE NUC Case Review". techPowerUp. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
18. ↑ "Intel tackles NUC heat issues with fan speed tweak, SSD fix". The Tech Report. 2013-01-29. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
19. ↑ "Haswell comes to NUC". silentpcreview.com. 2013-12-07. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 
20. ↑ "GIGABYTE BRIX Pro: A First Look at the Intel i7-4770R with Iris Pro HD 5200". AnandTech. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2014-01-12. 

External links

• Intel: "Intel® NUC", accessed 2013-01-20.