bobawesome
Member
Dang. And I thought my Alienware Alpha was small.
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So I bought a NUC Mini PC for my living room
- Thread starter mavericktopgun
- Start date
tempted to get something to use as a plex server with a side order of steam home streaming. I kind of regret selling my mac mini because now my gaming PC is the home plex server which occasionally frustrates.
Can you go back a gen or two to save money or are the more recent ones notably better? I'd probably manage with a dual core i5. Do they have ethernet ports too?
Can you go back a gen or two to save money or are the more recent ones notably better? I'd probably manage with a dual core i5. Do they have ethernet ports too?
mavericktopgun
Member
Sure, I'm not sure what that has to do with the topic though, (ULV i5 vs desktop i3) NUCs are ULV dual core.
mavericktopgun
Member
It has one ethernet port and 4 usb ports, mini hdmi port, aux, wifi.
mavericktopgun
Member
Updated the OP with a pic of the device so people can see the size.
You're confused as to why someone would discuss the gigabyte brix line in a topic about the NUC? They're both mini PCs of about the same cost that are pitted primarily against each other on the market. What OP likes about the NUC, he'd like about the Brix Pro as well.
mavericktopgun
Member
Right. Seems the Brix is great!
Codiox
Member
can you give me a link or type description of your gigabyte brix?
what power consumption does it have?
It sounds really great!
Swass
Member
Apparently not the 6th gen boxes..
Problem with Brix is none of their products have Skylake processors yet.
Matters if you're concerned about h.265 performance, which is usually the primary purpose of these machines.
Worthwhile to wait for the next iteration for accelerated codec support, which is built into the processor. That's why while these newer processors may have reduced CPU performance, Intel has to pay for licensing.
Speaking of licensing, that's a war that no one really writes about in the tech world. Google backs VP9 with YouTube with and trying to make it hardware nondependent although nearly every recent chip supports it. Android and other Google products are upholding its use. Apple / Microsoft / Intel on the other spectrum backing h.265.
Codiox
Member
thank you!
is this here the successor of your box?:
http://www.gigabyte.de/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5782#ov
apieceofstrange
Member
I bought that exact same setup a couple months back, except mine is the slimmer profile model that only takes M2 drives. Was almost too easy installing the parts and getting Windows running. It takes up next to no space on my entertainment center, runs extremely quiet, draws little power, boots within seconds and can handle all my streaming needs. Basically the perfect HTPC for me. Very happy with the purchase.
It would appear so, I didn't know they had created a successor.
I got this in 2014 at Dev Days and I have used the shit out of it. I've used it for way more than was ever intended, lol. I've also basically had it running 24/7 since getting it. I've done VR development on the machine. I mainly use it these days for running visual studio and maya 3D. I actually don't use it for watching media or emulation, although I've put it through the paces in both.
After so much use, the fans seem to kick in much easier now, it's no longer "silent." But I would say, considering I had absolutely no expectation when I got the machine, it has pretty much blown me away. When this kit eventually dies, I plan on replacing it with another brix pro.
EDIT: In fact, I am posting from the brix pro right now. I basically use it as a super tiny office PC.
mavericktopgun
Member
I guess that's no problem when you play games with sound
Have you experienced a Xbox 360 fan noise? I mean from the first revision
CopperPuppy
Member
How favorably (or not) does this compare to the Alienware Alpha?
I'm looking for a console-form PC for my living room that will allow me to play seventh generation games at max settings. Not sure what my best bet to accomplish that is. Assume my work keeps me busy as hell and I simply don't have time to devote to building my own rig - convenience is important to me.
I'm looking for a console-form PC for my living room that will allow me to play seventh generation games at max settings. Not sure what my best bet to accomplish that is. Assume my work keeps me busy as hell and I simply don't have time to devote to building my own rig - convenience is important to me.
I guess that's no problem when you play games with sound
Have you experienced a Xbox 360 fan noise? I mean from the first revision
I have, and that Brix' fan at full tilt is noisier than that.
Which brix do you have? Broadwell or Bay Trail? Or did you buy the AMD $200-$300 version?
I was talking about the 4570/4770R ones, of which I had the 4570R one some time ago, and Krejlooc has the 4770R one.
mavericktopgun
Member
Really? That's loud lol
The brix pro at least is the opposite proposition of the alienware alpha. It's a good CPU, but you are relying on an integrated GPU (The Intel Iris Pro 5200). Now, as far as integrated GPUs go, the iris pro line is actually pretty top shelf.
This makes them good at doing CPU intensive stuff that also needs a bit (but not a lot) of GPU oomph. That pretty much makes it perfect for emulation and things like CAD.
The Alienware Alpha is much better suited for general gaming because it has a much more powerful discreet (to a degree) GPU, at the expense of a sort of crappy CPU.
apieceofstrange
Member
The alpha has an actual video card so it's going to be much more capable for gaming. I haven't experimented too much, but it's highly unlikely you will get acceptable performance for current AAA games, if you are even able to run them at all. Older and less intensive games will probably run okay.
There was a new i7 NUC recently released with gaming in mind, but it costs significantly more than the one in the OP. Believe that one is $650 and doesn't include RAM or a hard drive.
I've had mine at full tilt when doing video editing on my Brix Pro, and yeah it's pretty loud. I dunno if I'd say louder than a model 1 360, but probably at least on par.
Intel is just about to release a skull canyon variant of the NUC for $649
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016...n-nuc-is-a-workstation-for-the-size-obsessed/
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016...n-nuc-is-a-workstation-for-the-size-obsessed/
Haswell runs kinda hot.
mavericktopgun
Member
So if I buy a Brix i7 5775r Box I can use the RAM and intern SSD on this one too right?
I was looking at boxes recently, and I have this one saved:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018NSAPIM/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Kinda expensive, but you're really paying for the estate.
H.265 support included.
Lots of BIOS updates recently.
I guess why this is important is for people (since after all this thread is in the gaming section) who want to stream like Steam games from their main rig to a big screen.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018NSAPIM/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Kinda expensive, but you're really paying for the estate.
H.265 support included.
Lots of BIOS updates recently.
I guess why this is important is for people (since after all this thread is in the gaming section) who want to stream like Steam games from their main rig to a big screen.
Codiox
Member
watch out, as far as what i see the i7 5775r doenst have directx 12 support. at least thats what you can read on the intel website.
can anybody confirm this?
……forgetit
Member
Intel is just about to release a skull canyon variant of the NUC for $649
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016...n-nuc-is-a-workstation-for-the-size-obsessed/
Works with the Razer core too, you can get a pretty neat gaming PC out of this.
Works with the Razer core too, you can get a pretty neat gaming PC out of this.
that's pretty cool lol
If you're into gaming, I'd buy a Skylake processor.
Haswell has some support, but eh. Intel has been kinda lazy at updating drivers for old hardware from everything like wireless cards.
mavericktopgun
Member
Works with the Razer core too, you can get a pretty neat gaming PC out of this.
You already have a skull canyon NUC. Read about it. Seems to be a dream htpc.
Pancakes R Us
Member
Thanks. Any issues/stuttering with Dolphin games?
I found a UK site that sells them:
http://www.icubes.co.uk/sector/11/intelnuc.aspx?gclid=CMKRgpuA9swCFdZAGwod_gAJwg
It looks like some of these NUC machines are different dimensions depending on which processor model you get (looking at the images on this site)...or it just the images? Looks like you can get an i7 with 16GB of RAM. Would this be overkill for Dolphin emulation? Also, which OS are you using? Want to know if Windows 10 is Dolphin-friendly.
I'm more interested in that monitorWorks with the Razer core too, you can get a pretty neat gaming PC out of this.
Codiox
Member
i am not into pc gaming, but it seems that dolphin got a huge bump with directx 12.
mavericktopgun
Member
I bought the corei5 one cause it was cheap. I think the i7 is way more expensive.
I'd wait for a skylake NUC or the skull canyon NUC
I'm using Win 10 for DirectX 12. I didn't notice that many stutters with Dolphin. Most ran 60fps all the time. And that is awesome for a tiny box.
Pocky4Th3Win
Member
Have you tried steam inhome streaming?
Works with the Razer core too, you can get a pretty neat gaming PC out of this.
That's actually a really awesome setup.
……forgetit
Member
Not mine, it's from a review of them working together, but it's sweet looking, and I feel like it's a great option for test benching GPUs
apieceofstrange
Member
There were lots of people reporting hardware failure problems with the Skylake line of NUCS. Not sure if intel has since addressed the issue, but a few months back when I was doing research there were an overwhelming amount of negative reviews. I went with the Broadwell model due to this.
mavericktopgun
Member
I'll try some Steam games and Pcsx2 tomorrow.
And some more Wii and GC games.
And some more Wii and GC games.
HF2014
Member
Yeah id like to know general gaming performance, games like Skyrim, Dark Souls, curious if they could hit like 30fps at 720p
mavericktopgun
Member
I have Skyrim and I guess it'll run with 720p and 30fps. My surface Pro 2 can do it so I guess this can it better.
apieceofstrange
Member
They have some gaming benchmarks towards the end of this article:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-NUC-5i5RYH-Mini-PC-Review.138978.0.html
This is showing 28fps for Skyrim on low settings on the Intel HD 5500:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-5500.125586.0.html
crazygambit
Member
I have the i5 Haswell NUC that I use as a HTPC and getting it to be quiet was a significant challenge.
Without any management the thing will happily sound like a jet engine and spin the fan at 8k rpm. Getting it to stay at 4k rpm with Kodi using a demanding skin was a challenge and required some compromises. Like running at only 900 mhz which impacts navigation on first boot a little bit, though it's not an issue with playback.
I paired it up with a Inteset Int-422 remote, which is amazing for only $15. Universal remote that supports Windows and can learn commands.
Though the build quality might be a little iffy, after 2 years of very heavy use I'm having some issues with some buttons, but I like it so much that even if I have to order a new one every 2 years I'll be glad to do it.
Without any management the thing will happily sound like a jet engine and spin the fan at 8k rpm. Getting it to stay at 4k rpm with Kodi using a demanding skin was a challenge and required some compromises. Like running at only 900 mhz which impacts navigation on first boot a little bit, though it's not an issue with playback.
I paired it up with a Inteset Int-422 remote, which is amazing for only $15. Universal remote that supports Windows and can learn commands.
Though the build quality might be a little iffy, after 2 years of very heavy use I'm having some issues with some buttons, but I like it so much that even if I have to order a new one every 2 years I'll be glad to do it.