Intel launched the NUC 9 Extreme final 12 months which introduced two new issues to the NUC family- a versatile Intel Compute Element and help for a discrete GPU. The newest technology of NUC - the NUC 11 Extreme - builds on the NUC 9 Extreme. It offers help for the most recent Eleventh gen Intel processors, a full sized graphics card and a beefier energy provide to energy all of it. And sure, there's some RGB lighting thrown in as properly.
For the unfamiliar, the Compute Element is an all-in-one board that options the chipset, processor, RAM, storage and IO. It plugs right into a PCI-E slot and doubtlessly means that you can improve your NUC to the latest platform simply. You might take the Compute Element from this new NUC 11 and drop it in a NUC 9 to get most of its performance.
Though this 12 months's NUC 11 is far bigger in dimension, it could nonetheless be categorised as a small kind issue (SFF) - and one which packs a punch with regards to efficiency. Though these "extreme editions" of NUCs are focused in direction of avid gamers, they will additionally comfortably be utilized in smaller areas for inventive work that requires highly effective computing comparable to 3D rendering or video processing.
Intel NUC 11 Extreme worth and availability
Spec Sheet
Here is the Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon) configuration despatched to SociallyTrend for review:
CPU: Intel Core i9-11900KB (octa-core, 16 threads, 16MB cache, as much as 5GHz)
Graphics: Asus RTX 3060 12GB Mini
RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM
Screen: N/A
Storage: 500GB Sabrent Rocket 4.0 SSD
Ports: 2x USB-C, 6 x USB 3.1, Ethernet, optical audio out, 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI, DisplayPort, reminiscence card reader
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Camera: N/A
Size: 357 x 189 x 120mm W x D x H
Although Intel introduced the NUC 11 at Computex in May 2021, it solely went on sale in late July. At the time of announcement, the NUC 11 Extreme was anticipated to be accessible with Eleventh gen Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9 processors. However, Intel is now solely making it accessible with the Core i7 or Core i9 processors.
Intel has put an MSRP of US$1,150 on the Core i7 mannequin and US$ 1,350 on the Core i9 mannequin for naked kits. Realistically talking you would be laborious pressed discovering them with none added RAM or storage from resellers. Expect to seek out it geared up with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD as commonplace for a few hundred {dollars} extra.
As you'll be able to think about, costs for the NUC 11 Extreme can improve in a short time based mostly in your most popular configuration. However, if you have already got some RAM or storage and a Windows license mendacity round, you could possibly avoid wasting cash.
The review unit Intel despatched us got here with the eight-core, 16-thread Core i9-11900KB processor, an Asus RTX 3060 12GB graphics card, 16GB DDR4-3200 RAM and a 500GB Sabrent Rocket 4.0 SSD. A Windows 10 license was additionally included.
Design
People who're following the NUC series have seen its dimension improve significantly over the previous few years. The NUC 9 Extreme was fairly a bit larger than it’s earlier iterations, nonetheless that allowed it to be much more versatile and highly effective.
The NUC 11 Extreme continues to move in the identical path and now could be an 8L quantity (357 x 189 x 120mm) unit which is approaching a dimension you could possibly doubtlessly construct your self. However, not everybody needs to construct their very own PC and you actually received’t be that far off whenever you issue a 12-inch graphics card that the NUC 11 Extreme might be geared up with.
The mesh chassis permits good airflow however Intel makes positive your parts keep cool by including three followers on high and one pushing air out of the Compute Module from the again. You even have a fan on the PSU in addition to one on the graphics card- all of which preserve the PC cool and fairly silent.
With RGB lighting added, the NUC 11 Extreme additionally appears the half. Two strips of LEDs sit beneath the unit and the entrance may also be lit up. It comes with the cranium emblem that’s lengthy been related to Intel gaming PCs however it's on a detachable plate. We would have additionally favored to see RGB lighting on the three followers on the high of the chassis. If you are not a fan of RGB lighting, there's a button beneath the chassis to show it off.
Accessing the insides of the NUC 11 Extreme is definitely a bit simpler than the NUC 9 Extreme. There’s simply 4 screws on the again and the remainder of it both slides out or flips open. This made altering the graphics card very straightforward and there's loads of house to place a full sized card comparable to an RTX 3080. There are two 8-pin energy connectors for bigger playing cards, linked to a beefier 650W PSU which ought to be capable of accommodate an Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card.
You even have 4 M.2 slots for including drives, three of that are on the Compute Module however the final one is situated behind a screwed-in door on the backside of the chassis for these not eager to open the Compute Module. Also current on the compute mannequin are two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots for increasing your reminiscence as much as 64GB.
On the skin, you've two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports and an SDXC card reader on the entrance. The again has six extra USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports together with two Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s a 2.5GB Ethernet port on the again as properly together with a Kensington lock. For wi-fi connectivity you even have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 help.
Performance
Benchmarks
Here is how the Intel NUC 11 Extreme (Beast Canyon) fared in our suite of benchmark exams:
3DMark: Night Raid: 59,685; Fire Strike: 22,229; Time Spy: 10,950
Cinebench R23: 11,263 factors
PCMark 10: 7,271
GeekBench 5: 1,651 (single-core); 7,891 (multi-core)
Total War: Three Kingdoms (1080p, Ultra): 89.8 fps; (1080p, Low): 285.7 fps
Metro Exodus (1080p, Ultra): 81.29 fps; (1080p, Low): 177.75 fps
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme not solely appears the half with RGB lighting however can also be capable of sustain with any benchmark you throw at it. With an Eleventh-gen Core i9 processor that options 8 cores and 16 threads in addition to help for a top-of-line graphics card, this little field can rival performances of a lot bigger towers.
The review unit we acquired from Intel was geared up with an ASUS RTX 3060 graphics card, 16GB or RAM and a 500GB Sabrent Rocket 4.0 NVME SSD. With these specs, not solely can the Intel NUC 11 Extreme deal with gaming with extremely settings at 2K decision but in addition make a really highly effective field for inventive professionals engaged on something from 3D rendering to video processing. The SDXC reader on the entrance will mean you can shortly switch your movies and pictures to the PC.
The NUC 11 Extreme crushes benchmarks and simply means that you can play video games at Ultra settings at 1080p and excessive settings at 2K. This is what the NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti is able to, so equipping the NUC 11 Extreme with a higher-end graphics card comparable to an RTX 3080 will lead to a good higher efficiency.
Whereas the earlier technology NUC 9 Extreme was capable of play barely older video games at excessive decision and settings, the newer mannequin has no hassle taking part in the most recent AAA titles at excessive settings and is corresponding to a really high-end PC that you could possibly construct.
Should I purchase the Intel NUC 11 Extreme?
Buy it if...
You desire a compact gaming powerhouse
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme is mighty highly effective, dealing with any new video games with ease. The truth that you would be able to equip a full sized graphics card makes it an excellent alternative for avid gamers that do not need to compromise on efficiency however have restricted house.
You desire a workstation you'll be able to transfer round
With highly effective graphics, processor and quantity of storage ports and I/O, the NUC 11 Extreme can be a advantageous workstation that is small on dimension however might deal with enhancing 4K movies with ease.
You prefer to customise
Like earlier fashions, the Intel NUC 11 is a bare-bones system, which helps you to add your personal {hardware}. However, the bigger dimension and beefier energy provide now means that you can add a really high-end graphics card.
Don't purchase it if...
You’re on a funds
Like it’s predecessor, the NUC 11 Extreme is on the dear aspect. Unlike its predecessor, you’re not sacrificing a lot when it comes to efficiency and upgradeability although.
You need to water-cool your PC
Air move is tougher in smaller PCs and the NUC 11 Extreme isn't any exception. If you favor a silent PC with no followers then you definitely'd be higher off constructing a bigger field to accommodate water-cooling.
You need absolutely the high-end specs
Although the NUC 11 Extreme might be geared up with a full sized graphics card, it will not be capable of present sufficient house and energy for absolutely the top-of-the-line GPU such because the RTX 3090. If you need the best possible, you are higher off constructing a bigger rig.
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