Intel’s ‘Subsequent Unit of Computing’ platform has at all times showcased a number of the chipmakers most fascinating silicon ideas. This yr, the Hades Canyon NUC represents a partnership between Intel and AMD we’d have by no means anticipated – and even fathomed.
It’s simply the smallest VR-capable PC that marries collectively an Intel quad-core processor with built-in, ‘discrete-class’ AMD Radeon RX Vega graphics right into a single chip. With all that energy underneath its belt, this gaming PC simply smashes by way of Full HD gaming with most trendy titles and performs like a productiveness champ.
Regardless of all of the caveats of that comes with a barebones laptop comparable to this, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC earns high marks for packing a lot efficiency right into a small package deal. It’s among the finest and our favourite mini PC of the yr up to now.
Spec Sheet
Right here is the Intel Hades Canyon NUC configuration despatched to TechSwitch for evaluate:
CPU: three.1GHz Intel Core i7-8809G (quad-core, 8MB Cache, as much as four.2GHz)
Graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics (4GB HBM2 VRAM), Intel UHD Graphics 630
RAM: Kingston HyperX 16GB DDR4 (three,200MHz)
Storage: 118GB Intel Optane SSD 800P Sequence (NVMe), 512GB Intel SSD 545s Sequence (M.2 SATA)
Ports (entrance): 1 x USB-C three.1 Gen 2, 1 x USB-A three.1 Gen 2, 1 x USB-A three.1 Gen 1, SD card reader, HDMI 2.0a
Ports (rear): 2 x Thunderbolt three (USB-C), four x USB three.zero, HDMI 2.0a, 2 x mini DisplayPort, 2 x Ethernet, optical audio out
Connectivity: Intel Wi-fi-AC 8265, Bluetooth four.2
Weight: 2 kilos (zero.91kg)
Measurement: eight.7 x 5.6 x 1.54 inches (22.1 x 14.2 x three.9cm; W x D x H)
Value and availability
Our specific Intel Hades Canyon NUC8i7HVK evaluate unit prices $999 (about £710, AU$1,302), which is about half-to-a-third off the value of an equally competent gaming laptop. Not too shabby for a PC geared up with a quad-core Intel Core i7 and almost Nvidia GTX 1060 equal graphics.
That mentioned, this barebones unit doesn’t include storage, reminiscence or an working system, so that you’ll must get these items by yourself.
There’s additionally an entry-level Intel Hades Canyon NUC8i7HNK priced at $799 (about £570, AU$1,040). This extra reasonably priced NUC comes nonetheless comes with a quad-core i7 CPU, nevertheless it maxes out at a slower frequency. In the meantime, the onboard Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU has 4 fewer compute models and gained’t run as quick both.
In comparison with different barebone PCs, the high-end Intel Hades Canyon NUC compares nicely in opposition to the $949 (£619, AU$1,739) Zotac Zbox Magnus EN1060Ok and $999 (£819, AU$1,579) Gigabyte Brix GB-BNi7HG6-1060. Each of those mini PCs function older Kaby Lake processors however a Nvidia GTX 1060 with two extra GB of video RAM and better CUDA
Design
At first blush, the Hades Canyon NUC appears extra like a set high field than a desktop PC, and that’s truthfully a superb factor. The system is fascinating sufficient to appear like greater than only a plain field in your house leisure setup whereas additionally not being too distracting in case you determine to make use of it as your work laptop.
If you happen to bear in mind the Skull Canyon NUC Intel launched two years prior, the Hades Canyon ought to look very acquainted. Each models share the identical general form, plus an an identical hexagonal motif for the air flow holes and high panel. In fact, with the mixing of ‘discrete-class’ graphics and enough cooling to again it up, Intel’s flagship NUC is sort of twice as giant as its predecessor.
Intel’s design has additionally seen some enhancements. The outdated interchangeable plastic panels have been changed by a a lot slicker light-up cranium long-established after the silicon that resides inside. The lighting on this a part of the case and all of the little onerous drive and energy indicators are totally customizable – or you can simply flip all of them off for a stealthy unit.
Regardless of this PC’s small dimension, it packs a formidable quantity of ports. Alongside the bottom alone you’ll discover 4 USB three.zero ports, two ThunderBolt three ports, two mini DisplayPorts, HDMI 2.zero and even two Gigabit Ethernet ports. That’s extra connectivity than you’ll even discover on some full-size desktops.
Cracking open the Hades Canyon NUC is a breeze, because it simply requires undoing six torx screws and a single Philips head. With the highest cowl eliminated, you may entry the pc’s reminiscence slots in addition to the M.2 NVMe and SATA drives.
Benchmarks
Right here’s how the Intel Hades Canyon NUC carried out in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Sky Diver: 24,315; Fireplace Strike: eight,525; Time Spy: three,102
Cinebench CPU: 851 factors; Graphics: 151 fps
GeekBench: 5,152 (single-core); 17,191 (multi-core)
PCMark eight (Dwelling Take a look at): four,276 factors
Complete Conflict: Warhammer II (1080p, Extremely): 28 fps; (1080p, Low): 60 fps
ME: Shadow of Conflict (1080p, Extremely): 37 fps; (1080p, Low): 89 fps
Efficiency
The ‘discrete-class’ Radeon RX Vega graphics are each bit as spectacular as Intel and AMD promised. We are able to play all our favourite video games, together with Far Cry 5 and Warhammer: Vermintide 2, at a gradual 60 frames per second (fps) with high-quality graphical settings and a 1080p decision.
Much more spectacular is that the little PC holds it personal by way of Overwatch and Hitman at 1440p with HDR energetic on a Samsung CHG70 QLED gaming monitor. The one title to provide us some measurable issue is Murderer’s Creed Origins, nevertheless it nonetheless runs at a very playable 40fps with prime quality settings and a 1080p decision.
Outdoors of gaming, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC runs like a champ by way of all our common internet looking and phrase processing, in addition to our picture and video enhancing wants. For these multi-monitor followers, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC may also drive as much as six screens.
In comparison with comparable pocket book within the 15-inch Microsoft Surface Book 2, the Intel NUC virtually wins the entire race in each processor and graphically intensive checks. A full-on gaming laptop computer just like the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming manages to shut the hole a bit of higher, however for essentially the most half the Hades Canyon stays on high.
In the meantime, a gaming PC with precise desktop components, just like the Asus ROG G20CI, proves to be harder competitors. Whereas the NUC manages to attain higher within the processor checks, the built-in graphics simply can’t sustain with a Nvidia GTX 1080 – then once more, neither may the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64.
Remaining verdict
The Intel Hades Canyon NUC is the corporate’s most spectacular mini PC but, able to taking part in most trendy video games with ease and providing loads of efficiency for on a regular basis computing. And, that’s all with out the assistance of an exterior GPU, in contrast to the earlier Cranium Canyon NUC.
That is true high-end desktop computing on a single, standalone chip. Past this one system, it represents a turning level for thin-and-light laptops like HP Spectre x360 15 and Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 to be simply as highly effective as full-on gaming laptops
Though the Hades Canyon NUC may be costly and require extra components, you gained’t discover one other mini PC as highly effective as this. The expansive array of ports and assist for high-end inner parts is equally as wonderful. Because of its small dimension, it is also the right house theater PC.
All in all, Intel has produced an extremely tiny and VR-capable gaming PC worthy of your consideration and consideration.