Intel NUC 4" x 4" micro-PC - $299 shipped (1.8ghz i3, motherboard, case, PSU)

[richierich1212]

The GTX760 is available for $799 on Newegg & Amazon: (p/n GB-BXi5G-760)

Amazing.

 

[imaheadcase]

I finally got remote desktop to work on my NUC. I'm a dunce. I forgot you can't remote desktop between win 8 computers unless the other one was Pro version. lol

So bought Pro upgrade for $22, everything works perfectly now.

By the way, if you get a Intel NUC, update the drivers first thing, the NIC on it is at 100mb instead of 1gig at fresh install.

 

[Pheran]

Alright, I'm pumped, was finally able to order an i5 NUC for building my HTPC! Also, since this is the Hot Deals forum, I bring you an exclusive deal I haven't seen posted anywhere else - these are the lowest i5 Haswell NUC prices I've seen on Amazon and Newegg:

Intel NUC D54250WYK1 (mSATA only) - $330 - Amazon Newegg
Intel NUC D54250WYKH1 (2.5" drive) - $336 - Amazon Newegg

I know that i5 isn't strictly required for HTPC, but I wanted to keep my performance options open for other applications I may run such as Steam or gaming emulators. I got the mSATA version since I already have a 240G mSATA drive from another deal and I like the sleeker form factor. Now I just have to order the memory.

I'm planning a Linux-based HTPC build; I'll probably start with OpenELEC but I might also look at XMBCbuntu. I'll report back about how it goes.

 

[chizow]

Newegg has the i3 Haswell NUC with mSATA only (no 2.5") for $217 shipped.

Pretty awesome deal: Intel NUC Kit D34010WYK1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-053-_-Product

I have the 2.5" version and it does just what I need with it as a STB/DVR replacement after some initial problems with Intel drivers. Streams HD Video from Amazon Prime/Netflix/HBOGo etc. with no problem, but also works perfectly for live HD playback of encrypted premium cablecard content from my HDHomeRun Prime through Windows Media Center (most important feature for me).

Overall plenty fast with a 240GB Crucial M500 mSATA, but I don't use it for anything more intensive like gaming or work. If I hadn't already bought the 2.5" version I'd definitely get this one instead since I already have my WMC live TV recording to my NAS on a 2TB share via iSCSI target.

I have both a Logitech K400 for PC/desktop mode and a cheap Windows Remote for input like a TV while in WMC.

 

[Medikit]

Newegg has the i3 Haswell NUC with mSATA only (no 2.5") for $217 shipped.

Pretty awesome deal: Intel NUC Kit D34010WYK1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-053-_-Product

I have the 2.5" version and it does just what I need with it as a STB/DVR replacement after some initial problems with Intel drivers. Streams HD Video from Amazon Prime/Netflix/HBOGo etc. with no problem, but also works perfectly for live HD playback of encrypted premium cablecard content from my HDHomeRun Prime through Windows Media Center (most important feature for me).

Overall plenty fast with a 240GB Crucial M500 mSATA, but I don't use it for anything more intensive like gaming or work. If I hadn't already bought the 2.5" version I'd definitely get this one instead since I already have my WMC live TV recording to my NAS on a 2TB share via iSCSI target.

I have both a Logitech K400 for PC/desktop mode and a cheap Windows Remote for input like a TV while in WMC.

How did you fix your intel driver issues? I'm still having problems with my 4th gen NUC

 

[you2]

I'm having a hard time deciding on a small linux box. These are the options I've found:

nuc: n2820 $140 1000 4x4x2
nuc: ivy 847 $140 847 4x4x2
zbox: ivy 1007u $129: 1447 7x7x2
chromebox hasw 2955u: $130 1550 4x4x2 (price adjusted since it comes with ram/16gssd)
shuttle ds81 g1840: $220: 3000 7x7x2 (price adjust since cpu is extra)
nuc: i3 $250: 2500 4x4x2 (newegg special sold out)
-
(the number after price is performance)
These all seem to have trade off (newegg deal seems good @ $225):
I have a spare sata ssd (chromebox requires m.2; nuc msata):
zbox is cheapest @129 since I can use my spare ssd but also pretty slow and larger (also no wifi)
chromebox is barely useful without any extra but pretty tight and rom is not really designed for linux (but there are hacks to make it work but iffy; but it has full size hdmi/display port AND comes with wifi/blue tooth card).
-
shuttle is fastest but uses more power. Nuc i3 is not bad but even @ $217 you still need ssd and wifi (they all need memory) so it is closer to $280 (compare with chrombox $170). Bleh no perfect solution they all have bad trade offs.

 

[Pheran]

Is there any way to disable the Visual BIOS and go back to a text-based one? It's mildly annoying, and since I upgraded from BIOS 21 to 27, it's not taking up my whole screen which makes it hard to read.

Not really a big deal since I'll probably never be back in it once I get it set up, but I thought I'd ask.

 

[chizow]

How did you fix your intel driver issues? I'm still having problems with my 4th gen NUC

Issue was the 29/59 bug, with some feedback from other users on Amazon answers and Silicon Dust forums, I was able to find the fix in the new Intel CP. You have to disable all of the Intel image treatments to fix this bug, basically Intel tries to insert various image treatments, in this case, a white frame but the driver can't do this fast enough when the refresh rate quickly switches from 29 to 59Hz. The end result is a horrible stutter and flashing image.

Almost a deal-breaker for my NUC, but here's the fix:

Video > Video Dropdown (Upper Left) > Image Enhancement > Advanced.

I had to disable both Film Mode Enhancement and Contrast Enhancement in Advanced and Skin Tone Enhancement in Basic, but the flickering and stuttering is now gone. The signal still fluctuates between 29/59 Hz but at least the Intel driver is no longer fighting it and trying to (poorly) insert its own image correction treatments.

 

[Kaido]

Zotac has a new NUC competitor called the ZBOX Sphere:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8303/zbox-sphere-oi520-plus-zotacs-take-on-the-nuc

Looks just like the Nexus Q. I like the rear port design:

http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/3812/DSCN8525_575px.JPG

The analog speaker output is on the rear (can't tell you how much it annoys me having it on the front of the BRIX), it has a built-in card reader, and it has two extra USB 2.0 ports in addition to the four USB 3.0 ports.

 

[you2]

I can't find an I3 version of the sphere. Probably because it doesnt' exist. The I3 brix is actually a pretty decent price irght now. I priced building a thin mini-itx system @ $220 with 1840 (this is a 7x7 computer). The i3 nuc would run around $300 so a bit more expensive but not out of this world.

 

[Medikit]

Zotac has a new NUC competitor called the ZBOX Sphere:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8303/zbox-sphere-oi520-plus-zotacs-take-on-the-nuc

Looks just like the Nexus Q. I like the rear port design:

http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/3812/DSCN8525_575px.JPG

The analog speaker output is on the rear (can't tell you how much it annoys me having it on the front of the BRIX), it has a built-in card reader, and it has two extra USB 2.0 ports in addition to the four USB 3.0 ports.

I realize this is subjective but I think that the Zotac ZBOX sphere is incredibly ugly.

 

[you2]

I actually might pick one of these up next weekend - i'm looking at intel and gigabyte 2.5 i3 models; has anyone used both and if so any comments/comparisions ? I know the gigabyte comes with a weak wifi card and tends to be a little (?$20?$30?) cheaper. I definitely want the 2.5 model since I have an old ssd I can use and that would save me the expense of a msata storage.

 

[you2]

Anyone ? Weekend fast approaching

 

[Kaido]

I actually might pick one of these up next weekend - i'm looking at intel and gigabyte 2.5 i3 models; has anyone used both and if so any comments/comparisions ? I know the gigabyte comes with a weak wifi card and tends to be a little (?$20?$30?) cheaper. I definitely want the 2.5 model since I have an old ssd I can use and that would save me the expense of a msata storage.

The Intel model comes with an IR port (for HTPC usage with a remote control); the Gigabyte comes with a Wifi/BT card built-in. Other than that, what color do you like better?

 

[you2]

No difference in noise or heat ? I lean towards the gigabyte because it is cheaper and has full size hdmi; but I think someone said it had more noise and the warranty is shorter (1 yr vs 3 yr). Btw I picked up a chromebox for $139 ($169 - $10 rebate - $20 gift card) for a relative web brower/mail. Took a while to get it into developer mode to install linux but other than that was very simple setup. Only reason I don't get myself one is that I need more than 16GB system disk and I have a bunch of 2.5 sata ssd lying around that I can use a 2.5 nuc.

 

[Kaido]

No difference in noise or heat ? I lean towards the gigabyte because it is cheaper and has full size hdmi; but I think someone said it had more noise and the warranty is shorter (1 yr vs 3 yr). Btw I picked up a chromebox for $139 ($169 - $10 rebate - $20 gift card) for a relative web brower/mail. Took a while to get it into developer mode to install linux but other than that was very simple setup. Only reason I don't get myself one is that I need more than 16GB system disk and I have a bunch of 2.5 sata ssd lying around that I can use a 2.5 nuc.

I have a variety of Intel & Gigabyte NUC & BRIX models (nearly all models, actually). The only ones that are noisy are the BRIX Pro line, which either have a quad-core desktop CPU (requires stronger cooling over the dual-core laptop CPU models) or a big GPU (GTX760). The rest are silent or nearly silent. I personally prefer the Gigabyte because I like the black color (for business usage) & smaller, squarer design. I do hate that all of the use a glossy black top (which scratches easily & collects dust and fingerprints), but what can you do. Although having the IR port in the Intel version is nice if you'd use it, and more especially if you want to put in a better Wifi card since the Gigabyte already comes with one.

Nice on the Chromebox, do you have any links for doing the Linux setup? Has anyone done Windows on it yet?

 

[you2]

For chomebox the link I used was this:
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=ASUS_Chromebox
-
The only tricky part was getting it into developer mode. The instructions claim you can leave the firmware write-locked but I had removed the write-lock screw while adding memroy (I restored it after I installed linux).
-
I don't think it is required but i downloaded a recovery image and inserted the usb into the device while putting it into developer mode.
-
One nice thing abuot the chromebox is it also comes with a sd slot (sadly after double checking I noticed that neither of the more expensive nuc have this item) and it has a pretty decent wifi/blue tooth card (which you can replace if you want but I think it is a better card than the one in the gigabyte which I hear is awful).
-
I was tempted to get the i3 chromebox (for sd slot) but it still comes with 16GB msata and I really need a bit more (linux uses about 3-4GB so the box I have has 8 or 9 free GB - which is plenty for the person who intends to use it daily and while you can put video on sd card or usb stick I rather have 64+ GB (i have two unused ssd that are a bit older that are 120GB hence the 2.5 model of the nuc). The i3 chromebox is $309 right now at amazon (well $359 with $50 rebate and comes with 4GB ram; the nuc will cost me $260 + $40 for ram but will have 120GB of storage and lack sd slot which is sad but not end of the day).
--
Note that for linux I completely wiped chrome - the script you download gives you an option to either wipe chrome or dual boot.

 

[Kaido]

Amazing NUC mod inside an AIO iMac:

http://www.tonymacx86.com/completed-mods/139633-kiwis-20-imac-i5.html

 

[chizow]

250GB Samsung 840EVO mSATA on sale at Newegg for $121 shipped with promo code.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=36634880#post36634880

 

[Kaido]

250GB Samsung 840EVO mSATA on sale at Newegg for $121 shipped with promo code.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=36634880#post36634880

250/256GB is the smallest I work with now...once you install Windows updates, apps, do formatting on the disk, etc. it really kills your free space on the smaller 120GB drive. That's not a big deal on a desktop, where you can just pop in an extra data drive inside the case, but on the NUC, you have to go external (or NAS).

I'm amazed that the 1TB mSATA SSD's are under $500...just wish I had more dough to play with

 

[you2]

Pit you are not a linux guy; linux does ok with 7GB (I have it on the chromebox with the bundled 16GB drive) if all you want is browser/mail you can put video on sd card and plug it in the sd slot. on 64 or 120 GB drive linux is set for life as long as you don't have a large video library. Intel/gigabyte really should throw in the extra 30 cent sd slot.

250/256GB is the smallest I work with now...once you install Windows updates, apps, do formatting on the disk, etc. it really kills your free space on the smaller 120GB drive. That's not a big deal on a desktop, where you can just pop in an extra data drive inside the case, but on the NUC, you have to go external (or NAS).

I'm amazed that the 1TB mSATA SSD's are under $500...just wish I had more dough to play with

 

[chizow]

250/256GB is the smallest I work with now...once you install Windows updates, apps, do formatting on the disk, etc. it really kills your free space on the smaller 120GB drive. That's not a big deal on a desktop, where you can just pop in an extra data drive inside the case, but on the NUC, you have to go external (or NAS).

I'm amazed that the 1TB mSATA SSD's are under $500...just wish I had more dough to play with

Heh yep same, 240-256GB is enough for the OS, a few games, most applications you would need and a decent amount of personal files as well. I have a 240GB M500 mSATA in my NUC and its plenty.

The fat NUC also allows you to mount a 2.5" up to the ~1TB I think they are up to now, but I also connect my NUC to my 6TB NAS as an iSCSI target and record all my live TV videos to it. Works great, even over wireless (just can't record too many streams at once).

But yeah 1TB SSDs are dropping a lot, I'll eventually upgrade my desktop SSDs to 500-1TB and then move the smaller SSDs elsewhere, ditch the mechanicals or drop them in more NAS or DAS units.

Pit you are not a linux guy; linux does ok with 7GB (I have it on the chromebox with the bundled 16GB drive) if all you want is browser/mail you can put video on sd card and plug it in the sd slot. on 64 or 120 GB drive linux is set for life as long as you don't have a large video library. Intel/gigabyte really should throw in the extra 30 cent sd slot.

Linux does have a small footprint, but if all you needed was a browser/mail client, chances are you wouldn't need a NUC. For me, I have plenty of devices that handle lightweight browsing just fine, but Windows is a requirement for me for premium CableCard content.

Still no non-WMC programs able to handle this thus far afaik, Android and Linux options can do the OTA and non-encrypted content but still can't do the encrypted and premium CableCard streams last I checked.

 

[Pheran]

Linux does have a small footprint, but if all you needed was a browser/mail client, chances are you wouldn't need a NUC. For me, I have plenty of devices that handle lightweight browsing just fine, but Windows is a requirement for me for premium CableCard content.

Still no non-WMC programs able to handle this thus far afaik, Android and Linux options can do the OTA and non-encrypted content but still can't do the encrypted and premium CableCard streams last I checked.

I haven't used one, but I've always thought the best solution to the CableCard issue was to use an independent network decoder such as the SiliconDust HDHomeRun. I would get one if I didn't use a TiVo for all my cable needs.

 

[you2]

I know this is slightly off topic; but I've been thinking of switching from cable box to HDHomeRun prime; and wanted to ask if there is an alternative to the HDHomeRun prime. I mostly run linux but I do have a windows 7 box that I can use for testing/setup. I do NOT subscribe to premium channels (hbo, ...) and unfortunately the only provider in my area is comcast.

I haven't used one, but I've always thought the best solution to the CableCard issue was to use an independent network decoder such as the SiliconDust HDHomeRun. I would get one if I didn't use a TiVo for all my cable needs.

 

[chizow]

I haven't used one, but I've always thought the best solution to the CableCard issue was to use an independent network decoder such as the SiliconDust HDHomeRun. I would get one if I didn't use a TiVo for all my cable needs.

Yeah sorry if I wasn't more clear, I am actually using a Silicon Dust HD HomeRun Prime as the decoder for the CableCard content and WMC is really the only viable solution for playback of the encrypted premium channels like HBO etc.

Beyond that, only Microsoft has really invested any time and money into their digital cable content infrastructure to the point the CableCos were comfortable handing them the digital keys to make this all work. MS also heavily leverages this DRM/IP in their XBox consoles, allowing them to become WMC media extenders. The PS3 actually supported premium channels via IPTV I believe, albeit through a haphazard interface that seemed more like an afterthought.

There's a number of free programs and apps if you don't want to use WMC, but none from what I have found are able to negotiate the DRM requirements of the premium channels making them a partial-solution at best.

As for TiVo it definitely simplifies things, I mainly switched my environment to CableCard because I had lots of PCs or laptops that could be used as HTPCs and lots of Win7 keys (from my TechNet sub), but mainly because I got tired of paying $50 a month in DVR/HD STB fees. I've since cut that amount down to $17 a month ($5 CableCard and $12 for 1 HD Box that I don't have a PC attached to). DVR functionality is handled in WMC and set to record to a 2TB iSCSI target on my 6TB NAS.

The HD HomeRun paid for itself in about 3 months, I guess I'm now putting some of that savings back into things like the NUC to replace some of the bigger/power hungry PCs I was using before.

I know this is slightly off topic; but I've been thinking of switching from cable box to HDHomeRun prime; and wanted to ask if there is an alternative to the HDHomeRun prime. I mostly run linux but I do have a windows 7 box that I can use for testing/setup. I do NOT subscribe to premium channels (hbo, ...) and unfortunately the only provider in my area is comcast.

There's a few other makers of CableCard decoders, like Ceton (they have 4 and 6 tuner boxes) and Hauppage (I think they just license SiliconDust IP though), but none of them are perfect. I generally see reviews indicating the SD is the most hassle-free unit out there, but it can be a frustrating process to set up the first time through. The SD forums are great though, have some really knowledgeable folks and FAQs set up to help new users out.

If you don't subscribe to premium channels like HBO, you should be fine. Channels like HBO are encrypted but also have another layer of DRM on top, while typical pay channels like ESPN or AMC are just encrypted (not "in the clear" like they used to be) and pretty much any free client on Linux or Android can play them back without issue. XBMC is a very popular choice on Linux and Android, and MX Player is also popular on Android.