If you’re looking for a new computer for gaming, you might want to check out the Intel NUC. This compact gaming PC packs in all the essential components you need to play today’s best games. Intel hasn’t announced when it will be shipping the NUC 9 with the new 10th Gen chips. But they are on the way and will soon be available in gaming laptops. So, is the NUC good for gaming?
NUC8i7HVKVA
The NUC8i7HVK comes with a glowing blue skull logo on the side. In contrast to previous NUC kits, this one is a bit bigger and darker than the others, and it’s clearly more performance-focused. We’ve outlined the main differences between the two NUCs below. Keep in mind, however, that they’re still the same system – you can’t replace the CPU and GPU, but you can swap out other parts, including the graphics card.
If you plan on gaming on your NUC, consider the graphics card and CPU. Those should match each other. If the graphics card is a bit low-performance, the CPU will throttle the graphics card’s performance, so you don’t get the full boost you need. Many gaming NUCs come as bare-bones kits that users can upgrade with RAM and storage. Make sure that RAM and storage complement each other. If possible, use SSD instead of HDD.
The new NUC8i7HVKVA (also known as Intel’s Hades Canyon) packs enough GPU power to handle 1080p gaming. It also has a Thunderbolt 3 port for external graphics. These factors make the NUC8i7HVKVA a good choice for people who want a small and portable PC that can handle multiple tasks. The Phantom Canyon is one of the few NUCs that can run a 1080p game. The NUC8i7HVKVA is fast, quiet, and provides all of the connectivity options you could ever want in a gaming device.
If you’re a serious gamer, the Intel NUC is definitely worth the money. It features a self-contained motherboard module with a CPU, two memory slots, and two NVMe SSD slots. The former comes with DDR4 memory and is cheaper than the latter. DDR5 is also faster, but still comparatively limited. However, in the future, the latter will be cheaper and more widely available.
While Intel’s NUC 11PHKi7C is the high-end option in the latest line, the Core i9-11900KB is also capable of beating the desktop Core i9-10900K. Both models have a similar GPU but differ in a few areas. The NUC 11PHKi7C’s eight USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a Thunderbol 4 port, two HDMI 2.0b ports, and HDMI 2.0b port are some of the other features of this model.
While the NUC12i7HVK isn’t the best option for gaming, it is still an impressive piece of manufacturing and renders good-quality video games. The NUC 8i7HVK is included in our Best Intel NUC for gaming list because it’s affordable and compact. You can even place it behind your television or a media center to maximize the space it offers. A few more features of the NUC 11 include four displays, virtual display capabilities, and headless display.
If you’re a gamer, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kit is a great choice. It features a discrete graphics card, a massive storage, six USB 2.0 ports, and a graphics tablet. In addition to all of this, the NUC 11 is fully end-user upgradeable, and is made of a flexible Compute Element platform. You can upgrade the RAM and SSD, which lets you use the computer whenever you need.
NUC 11 Extreme
If you’re planning to build a gaming PC, you might want to check out the Intel NUC 11 Extreme. This small PC packs in high-end components and meticulous engineering. Unlike most gaming PCs, the NUC 11 Extreme opens up for easy access. Its compact design allows you to access the compute element and its other components without opening the case completely. If you plan to install a graphics card or other high-end components, the top part of the case folds back to reveal the GPU and Compute Element. The NUC also has a four-slot SSD slot.
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme’s case is made of high-grade materials, including glass and metal. Its cooling system is also quite good, as it can keep hot air from getting inside. The chassis measures 14.1 inches in length, 7.1 inches in height, and 4.7 inches in width. The NUC 9 Extreme is taller at 8.5 inches, but slightly narrower. The main difference between the two models is that the Intel NUC 11 Extreme can support a full-sized graphics card, while the NUC 9 Extreme can’t.
For those who want to upgrade their hardware, the NUC 11 Extreme offers plenty of expansion options. Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a SDXC card reader are available on the front. In addition, there are two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and eight USB-A 3.1 ports on the backside. It also has an Ethernet port, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2. The NUC 11 Extreme also includes an extra display output with discrete graphics.
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme is equipped with three 92mm fans on the top of its case, as well as a fan on the Compute Unit. However, it runs hotter than a typical desktop CPU. Even when idling, the CPU temperature hovers between 50-70 degrees, sometimes even more. Its fan is located on the Compute Unit for added cooling. Despite its small size, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme is perfect for workstation builds and home gaming systems alike.
Aside from the price, there are other factors to consider. It’s definitely the cheaper option when it comes to mini PCs. For gamers, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme is a better choice over the M1 Mac Mini. But for everyday use, it’s probably still the best option for you. You can use it until the power supply gives out. But if you don’t have enough money to spend on a mini PC, the NUC 11 Extreme is a great choice.
In terms of design, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme is a very stylish, compact machine. Its black metal case is fitted with mesh air vents, and the front panel sports LED skull graphics. The underside has LED lighting. This is also a good idea for gamers. The Intel NUC 11 Extreme is also designed to be comfortable to use. The Intel NUC 11 Extreme is also good for creative work.
Razer Core X NUC
The Razer Core X NUC is a small form factor gaming computer with high-end specs. It comes with a Thunderbolt USB-C port that supports data transfer at 40Gbps. Unlike other NUCs, the Core can turn a laptop into a full gaming system, including peripherals you’ve plugged in. But since the Core isn’t designed for portable use, it’s unlikely that Razer will redesign it for that.
While the Razer Core X NUC is a great gaming system, it’s not a high-end desktop replacement. There’s no traditional motherboard to connect to, but it does come with an optional full-sized graphics card. The Core X GPU is plug-and-play and works best with the laptop’s screen closed. But you won’t get much performance from it unless you’re planning to use an external monitor.
The small form factor gives you access to most of the PC’s components. The small motherboard, power supply, and GPU reside inside the compute element, which opens up for easy access. As for ventilation, the GPU is installed inside the GPU. It’s worth noting that the NUC 11 Extreme has three fans in its top panel. You’ll be able to open the case fully by flipping up the top panel.
The NUC 11 Extreme features two PCIe slots, a 45-watt overclockable mobile processor, 16GB of DDR4-2667, and a spare M.2 NVMe slot. The only real downside is the lack of a discrete GPU. Still, the system has plenty of room for air to circulate inside. You can also install a supplementary storage drive and use it as a secondary hard drive.
The Razer Core X NUC is compatible with NUC6i7KYK, and the external chassis is only $499 (if you’ve got a supported Razer laptop). It offers four USB 3.0 ports and gigabit Ethernet, as well as a full set of connectors and a 375W power supply. It’s not meant to be a portable gaming rig, but it does come with a USB 2.0 port.
The NUC 11 Extreme kit has the highest processor performance of the four-inch model, although the price isn’t particularly competitive. The price doesn’t really reflect performance, but it showcases the small form factor style. The layout of the NUC is unique and the graphics card is capable of delivering performance comparable to that of a full-size desktop. You’ll need a graphics card in order to get the most out of the NUC 11 Extreme, though.
Graphics are an important part of the NUC experience, and a GTX 1060 or 1070 is a solid option. However, the Hades Canyon does not have a dedicated graphics card, so you’ll need to buy an external graphics card for a gaming experience. But a GTX 1070 card isn’t overly expensive compared to a GPU that has the same features as a desktop GPU.
