Next Unit of Computing

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 (D33217CK) and Box Canyon (DC3217BY) respectively. The USB 3 capable UCFF motherboard and kit are codenamed Rend Lake (D53427RK) and Horse Canyon (DC53427HY) respectively.

The stripped-down DC3217BY model has a signature red top cover and no Ethernet. This model, while stocks were still available, generally sold for a deep discount. The absence of Ethernet may be mitigated by using a USB 2.0 to 10/100 fast Ethernet dongle based upon the Kawasaki LSI one-chip adapter (KL5KUSB102, for example), or a similar dongle based upon a Realtek chip; the Kawasaki Logic dongle requires a proprietary driver for MacOS X, whereas the driver for the Realtek dongle is built into MacOS X. The DC3217BY runs MacOS X (10.9, and any of its updates) flawlessly as the processor's HD4000 is fully supported by MacOS X. Of the two video ports, Thunderbolt/Display Port and HDMI, mDP is the most dependable for MacOS X. Sound is not provided by the basic chassis, but may be provided by a generic USB dongle, C-Media, for example. mDP to SVGA or HDMI to SVGA adapters with integral audio output jack can be made to work for audio output with the appropriate updates to the DSDT

Third generation (Bay Trail-M)

This UCFF motherboard (DN2820FYB) and system kit (DN2820FYKH) model are based on Forest Canyon. The DN2820FYKH product itself is mis-marked DN2820FYK, but the retail package, all retail documentation, and Intel's web site correctly identify this product as DN2820FYKH. The "H" indicates support for internal 2.5" media, SSD or HD. There is no "non-H" version of this product as it does not include an on-board mSATA connector, hence media which is external to the board is mandatory, and hence the "H" version.

This product introduces for the first time a new 12 volt, 3 ampere "wall wart", in place of the traditional 19 volt, 3.42 ampere power brick and its "Mickey Mouse" AC power cord. Four region-specific plug-on adapters, including North America and three overseas countries, are included in the retail package.

These models shipped with the problematic BIOS revision 13, however this revision did not recognise most low voltage SO-DIMMs and would report as having zero capacity. Keyboard escapes for BIOS interfacing had been problematic, legacy booting was not supported, and it had been elected to only include UEFI booting. BIOS revision 48 has been released and resolved the problems, enabling the recognition of most low voltage SO-DIMMs, keyboard escapes and legacy booting.

Bay Trail-I

This UCFF motherboard (DE3815TYB) and system kit (DE3815TYK) models based on Thin Canyon.

Fourth generation (Haswell)

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

Fifth generation (Broadwell-U)

In early 2015 a new generation of NUCs, powered by 5th generation Intel processors was released and in Q2 2015 the first NUC with Core i7 processor (NUC5i7RYH) will become available. The currently available collection of 5th generation of NUCs include adaptive/smart performance technology and Turbo Boost Technology 2.0.

UCFF motherboard (NUC5i3RYB, NUC5i5RYB and NUC5i7RYB) and system kit (NUC5i5RYK/NUC5i3RYH, NUC5i5RYK/NUC5i5RYH and NUC5i7RYH) models are based on the Rock Canyon architecture. UCFF motherboard (NUC5i3MYBE and NUC5i5MYBE) and system kit (NUC5i3MYHE and NUC5i5MYHE) models are based on the Maple Canyon architecture.

All models include:

Braswell

This UCFF system kit (NUC5CPYH and NUC5PPYH) models based on 5th generation Celeron and Pentium-branded Braswell 14 nm processor family formerly known as Pinnacle Canyon.

All models include:

Sixth generation (Skylake-U)

UCFF system kit (NUC6i3SYK/NUC6i3SYH and NUC6i5SYK/NUC6i5SYH) models are based on Swift Canyon containing Skylake processors. UCFF system kit (NUC6i7KYK) models are based on Skull Canyon containing Skylake processors.

All models include:

Skull Canyon models include:

Apollo Lake

This UCFF system kit (NUC6CAYS and NUC6CAYH) models based on 6th generation Celeron-branded Apollo Lake SoC 14 nm processor family formerly known as Arches Canyon.
RAM: DDR3L-1600/1866 1.35V SO-DIMM

Seventh generation (Kaby Lake-U)

Intel's 7th gen. NUC's are based on their Kaby Lake-U processors with a TDP from 15W to 28W. Notable is the addition of a HDMI 2.0 and a USB 3.1 Type-C port (with Thunderbolt 3 on i5 and i7 models).

Reception and ecosystem

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

Most of the third generation NUCs come in two case sizes, one with room for a 2.5-inch drive, and one without. The smaller cases lacking room for a 2.5" drive still have an internal SATA connector (including SATA power). Some larger third-party cases have appeared that can fit such drives.

The Intel case is actively cooled with a fan. Silent PC Review notes 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.” Nevertheless, passively cooled third-party cases have appeared on the market as well. Larger or metallic third-party cases provide lower operating temperatures as well.

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 through a BIOS update (downloadable from Intel's web site for "early adopters").

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 6 W 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."

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.

Operating system support

NUCs support Windows, as well as many distributions of Linux. Additionally, they have become popular for virtualization with VMware vSphere; multiple NUCs can be used together to create a home lab for learning purposes.

NUCs have also become very popular in the Hackintosh scene. The pre-Haswell Core i3 and Core i5 NUCs will run Mac OS X Mavericks well. However, certain features, notably audio, are not supported by any available drivers on current models.