Intel NUC Enthusiast SFF PC gets gaming capability with Radeon graphics
Alongside its new G-series mobile CPUs with integrated Radeon RX Vega M graphics chips, Intel has unveiled a brand-new NUC small-form-factor computer.
While previous NUCs have managed to cram decent desktop performance into small cases, they’ve always been more basic computers incapable of playing games. The NUC Enthusiast is a change from that trend, though, and you get an overclockable PC capable of 1080p gaming.
Intel has used a 1.2-litre chassis, squeezing the PC into a more console-style chassis. At the heart of the computer sits the Core i7-8809G CPU. This is the 100W part, with integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics.
According to Intel’s benchmarking, this processor is capable of running games at 60fps or higher, at a resolution of 1080p. In other words, this should make the NUC Enthusiast a decent living-room computer for gaming.
With support for HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4, the NUC Enthusiast can also cope with 4K video, including HDR content.
Using the Core i7-8809G means that the chip is completely unlocked, opening overclocking potential for the CPU, GPU and HBM2 memory. Quite how far each component can be pushed inside such a small case remains to be seen.
Otherwise, the NUC Enthusiast has everything you’d expect on a modern PC. There are dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, dual m.2 slots for fast solid-state storage, two HDMI (front and rear), and two DisplayPort outputs. There are also dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, seven USB ports and an SDXC card reader.
Pricing has not yet been revealed, but the NUC Enthusiast looks, on paper at least, like a great mini PC. We’ll bring you more information as we have it, and a full review once samples are available.
Like the look of the NUC Enthusiast? Let us on on Twitter or Facebook @TrustedReviews
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
