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    Intel NUC Kit - The Prefect Home Lab Server?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved IT Discussion
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    • scottalanmillerS
      scottalanmiller @Dashrender
      last edited by

      @Dashrender said:

      @scottalanmiller said:

      @iroal said:

      @scottalanmiller said:

      I wish that AMD got into this game and made a similar unit themselves, too. The Intel NUC is a bit like the Raspberry Pi of the PC world.

      Main problem with Nuc It's the price, It's about 20%-30% expensive than a normal desktop or Laptop.

      It's 30% of the price? Isn't that a good thing? Why is that a problem?

      is it really though?

      MS had a special (yeah it was a special) on a Dell XPS 13 i5 yesterday for $670.

      That's a very good deal. But the NUC is around $380, right? Sure it needs memory, but that's cheap. I'm not saying it is a better deal if you need a laptop, but if you are looking for a desktop how many machines are in a similar price range? Especially once you start deciding to get an SSD in them?

      DashrenderD iroalI 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • DashrenderD
        Dashrender @scottalanmiller
        last edited by

        @scottalanmiller said:

        @Dashrender said:

        @scottalanmiller said:

        @iroal said:

        @scottalanmiller said:

        I wish that AMD got into this game and made a similar unit themselves, too. The Intel NUC is a bit like the Raspberry Pi of the PC world.

        Main problem with Nuc It's the price, It's about 20%-30% expensive than a normal desktop or Laptop.

        It's 30% of the price? Isn't that a good thing? Why is that a problem?

        is it really though?

        MS had a special (yeah it was a special) on a Dell XPS 13 i5 yesterday for $670.

        That's a very good deal. But the NUC is around $380, right? Sure it needs memory, but that's cheap. I'm not saying it is a better deal if you need a laptop, but if you are looking for a desktop how many machines are in a similar price range? Especially once you start deciding to get an SSD in them?

        I'm sure looking at the whole price was exactly what he was getting at. Toss in RAM, SSD Screen (does the NUC come with a keyboard and mouse?) they quickly become similar prices.

        But if you're looking to drive a desktop, it's not a bad base.

        I sure will be nice when video cards can connect via ultra-high speed cables, then you just have a stack of components. I could see three main interchangeable pieces - CPU/RAM, video, storage. Could be lego style - could be pretty stylish too.

        scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • scottalanmillerS
          scottalanmiller @Dashrender
          last edited by

          @Dashrender said:

          I'm sure looking at the whole price was exactly what he was getting at. Toss in RAM, SSD Screen (does the NUC come with a keyboard and mouse?) they quickly become similar prices.

          Well, most people don't buy screens with every desktop, just once in a while. Same with keyboard and mouse.

          Comparing to a laptop is pointless, you don't interchange desktops and laptops. Comparing to desktops, do you see many machines in a similar class with similar options with a similar price? If so, from whom?

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • scottalanmillerS
            scottalanmiller @Dashrender
            last edited by

            @Dashrender said:

            I sure will be nice when video cards can connect via ultra-high speed cables, then you just have a stack of components.

            While I agree that this looks interesting, I don't see it as a factor for the foreseeable future. The cost of doing this and the limitations of the interconnects make this fruitless. At some point an external PCIe bus technology will be available with the necessary speed to make this work and I could see hard core gamers jumping on board at that time. Until then, the cost of the approach is far too high and the limitations far too much. Only those that are really serious about gaming will be willing to have such a cumbersome system and they are the ones for whom it does not work at all right now. So it is stuck in limbo until that is addressed.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • iroalI
              iroal @scottalanmiller
              last edited by

              @scottalanmiller said:

              @Dashrender said:

              @scottalanmiller said:

              @iroal said:

              @scottalanmiller said:

              I wish that AMD got into this game and made a similar unit themselves, too. The Intel NUC is a bit like the Raspberry Pi of the PC world.

              Main problem with Nuc It's the price, It's about 20%-30% expensive than a normal desktop or Laptop.

              It's 30% of the price? Isn't that a good thing? Why is that a problem?

              is it really though?

              MS had a special (yeah it was a special) on a Dell XPS 13 i5 yesterday for $670.

              That's a very good deal. But the NUC is around $380, right? Sure it needs memory, but that's cheap. I'm not saying it is a better deal if you need a laptop, but if you are looking for a desktop how many machines are in a similar price range? Especially once you start deciding to get an SSD in them?

              Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

              scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • scottalanmillerS
                scottalanmiller @iroal
                last edited by

                @iroal said:

                Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                DashrenderD iroalI 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • DashrenderD
                  Dashrender @scottalanmiller
                  last edited by

                  @scottalanmiller said:

                  @iroal said:

                  Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                  So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                  This is definitely better price than I'm paying for HP's right now. If it has dual displayport outs I'd seriously consider this when the next machine needs to be replaced.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • iroalI
                    iroal @scottalanmiller
                    last edited by

                    @scottalanmiller said:

                    @iroal said:

                    Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                    So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                    The problem are the expansions, you cannot add any PCI Express so you cannot change the Graphic card, sound card, add Sata drivers...

                    But don't get me wrong, I love Intel Nuc, I think my next desktop computer at home will be a Nuc.

                    scottalanmillerS L 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • scottalanmillerS
                      scottalanmiller @iroal
                      last edited by

                      @iroal said:

                      The problem are the expansions, you cannot add any PCI Express so you cannot change the Graphic card, sound card, add Sata drivers...

                      I agree that that is a limitation, but is it a problem? Considering you would look at these as business desktops or lab servers, I would never be adding GPUs or sound cards to those. Well almost never, GPUs once in a great while. I get that it only has Intel GPU on board and those are total garbage, but for a business desktop normally fine. But as business machines, I don't think that those limitations are real and any business desktop of this form factor will have the same limitations so that is a form factor problem, not a NUC one per se.

                      gjacobseG 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • L
                        LAH3385 @iroal
                        last edited by

                        @iroal said:

                        @scottalanmiller said:

                        @iroal said:

                        Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                        So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                        The problem are the expansions, you cannot add any PCI Express so you cannot change the Graphic card, sound card, add Sata drivers...

                        But don't get me wrong, I love Intel Nuc, I think my next desktop computer at home will be a Nuc.

                        The reason I would got with Intel Nuc is its size. I would not plan on expanding anything even if it does come with PCI-E lanes. If graphic cards, sound cards, and other modular components come into play I would get Corsair Compact Case with an ATX motherboard instead. It might cost about the same base price as Intel NUC, but Intel NUC appeals me most with its compact size.
                        Bottom line question would be what do you plan to use Intel NUC for?

                        iroalI wirestyle22W 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • iroalI
                          iroal @LAH3385
                          last edited by

                          I forgot to say that is super silent, you know It's on for the light, and with a very low power consumption.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • wirestyle22W
                            wirestyle22 @LAH3385
                            last edited by

                            @LAH3385 said:

                            @iroal said:

                            @scottalanmiller said:

                            @iroal said:

                            Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                            So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                            The problem are the expansions, you cannot add any PCI Express so you cannot change the Graphic card, sound card, add Sata drivers...

                            But don't get me wrong, I love Intel Nuc, I think my next desktop computer at home will be a Nuc.

                            The reason I would got with Intel Nuc is its size. I would not plan on expanding anything even if it does come with PCI-E lanes. If graphic cards, sound cards, and other modular components come into play I would get Corsair Compact Case with an ATX motherboard instead. It might cost about the same base price as Intel NUC, but Intel NUC appeals me most with its compact size.
                            Bottom line question would be what do you plan to use Intel NUC for?

                            I like the Bitfenix prodigy's too

                            coliverC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • coliverC
                              coliver @wirestyle22
                              last edited by

                              @wirestyle22 said:

                              @LAH3385 said:

                              @iroal said:

                              @scottalanmiller said:

                              @iroal said:

                              Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                              So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                              The problem are the expansions, you cannot add any PCI Express so you cannot change the Graphic card, sound card, add Sata drivers...

                              But don't get me wrong, I love Intel Nuc, I think my next desktop computer at home will be a Nuc.

                              The reason I would got with Intel Nuc is its size. I would not plan on expanding anything even if it does come with PCI-E lanes. If graphic cards, sound cards, and other modular components come into play I would get Corsair Compact Case with an ATX motherboard instead. It might cost about the same base price as Intel NUC, but Intel NUC appeals me most with its compact size.
                              Bottom line question would be what do you plan to use Intel NUC for?

                              I like the Bitfenix prodigy's too

                              I've got one of those... was going to make a NAS from it but now it just sits there... I may try and make a steam box or some kind of emulator. The processor leaves a bit to be desired though.

                              wirestyle22W 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • wirestyle22W
                                wirestyle22 @coliver
                                last edited by

                                @coliver said:

                                @wirestyle22 said:

                                @LAH3385 said:

                                @iroal said:

                                @scottalanmiller said:

                                @iroal said:

                                Yes, you need to add memory and a SSD, in same models you can add and Msata SSD and a 2.5" Harddisk simultaneously

                                So if the base is $380, a decent SSD is $100 and memory is $70 (which is REALLY high) we are looking at $550 for a recent, very fast Intel i5 processor, 32GB of RAM or more and a screaming fast, current SSD desktop? It's not "OMG how did it get so cheap" but it sounds like a good deal to me, overall.

                                The problem are the expansions, you cannot add any PCI Express so you cannot change the Graphic card, sound card, add Sata drivers...

                                But don't get me wrong, I love Intel Nuc, I think my next desktop computer at home will be a Nuc.

                                The reason I would got with Intel Nuc is its size. I would not plan on expanding anything even if it does come with PCI-E lanes. If graphic cards, sound cards, and other modular components come into play I would get Corsair Compact Case with an ATX motherboard instead. It might cost about the same base price as Intel NUC, but Intel NUC appeals me most with its compact size.
                                Bottom line question would be what do you plan to use Intel NUC for?

                                I like the Bitfenix prodigy's too

                                I've got one of those... was going to make a NAS from it but now it just sits there... I may try and make a steam box or some kind of emulator. The processor leaves a bit to be desired though.

                                It's almost perfect for a NAS. Ton of Bays. I built a gaming PC for my ex girlfriend that was a blue prodigy. The small form factor was wanted. Could've been smaller but I liked the case and she did too.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • scottalanmillerS
                                  scottalanmiller
                                  last edited by

                                  By almost perfect... how do you handle the hot swap? Not very good for a NAS without hot swap. Look great, though!!

                                  prodigy

                                  wirestyle22W DashrenderD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                  • scottalanmillerS
                                    scottalanmiller
                                    last edited by

                                    Can that fit a full size GPU?

                                    wirestyle22W coliverC 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • wirestyle22W
                                      wirestyle22 @scottalanmiller
                                      last edited by

                                      @scottalanmiller said:

                                      By almost perfect... how do you handle the hot swap? Not very good for a NAS without hot swap. Look great, though!!

                                      prodigy

                                      This is a better case for a NAS 😄 I do like the Prodigy, but yes it leaves some stuff to be desired
                                      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112339

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • wirestyle22W
                                        wirestyle22 @scottalanmiller
                                        last edited by

                                        @scottalanmiller said:

                                        Can that fit a full size GPU?

                                        If you remove some of the HD cages yes

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • DashrenderD
                                          Dashrender @scottalanmiller
                                          last edited by

                                          @scottalanmiller said:

                                          By almost perfect... how do you handle the hot swap? Not very good for a NAS without hot swap. Look great, though!!

                                          prodigy

                                          if you're using software RAID - you wouldn't have hot swap, so does it matter in the case of a case/setup like this?

                                          coliverC scottalanmillerS 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • coliverC
                                            coliver @scottalanmiller
                                            last edited by

                                            @scottalanmiller said:

                                            Can that fit a full size GPU?

                                            Yes, with room to spare.

                                            scottalanmillerS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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