NUC (NUC5i5RYK)by Intel
PROS
- The NUC Core i5 processor provides solid performance.
- Storage performance from the M.2 storage slot is significantly better than the older SATA interface.
- The NUC is tiny and can be placed nearly anywhere, including onto the back of monitors using VESA mounts.
CONS
- After you pay for RAM, an SSD, and a copy of Windows, the price isn't that far off from a comparable laptop.
- Performance is good for most tasks, but gaming isn't one of them.
- For non-enthusiasts, having to install the memory, storage, and operating system on their own, might be a turn off.
- LIST PRICE$340
$378.95Buy
$378.95Buy
 |  |  | |
| Name | NUC (NUC5i5RYK) | NUC Kit (NUC5i5RYH) | NUC Kit (NUC5i7RYH) |
| Manufacturer | Intel | Intel | Intel |
| Techwalla Score | |||
| List Price | $340 | $369 | $500 |
I love the build quality and design of this unit - it is shockingly small and runs extremely quiet and cool.
I love the build quality and design of this unit - it is shockingly small and runs extremely quiet and cool.
What is very impressive is that even at full power draw, the NUC produces little noise.
What is very impressive is that even at full power draw, the NUC produces little noise.
At either height, the NUC is tiny enough to slip into the smallest entertainment center, sit next to the keyboard on your desk or strap to t…
At either height, the NUC is tiny enough to slip into the smallest entertainment center, sit next to the keyboard on your desk or strap to the back of a monitor, using the bundled VESA mounting bracket.
When we plopped in Samsung’s more expensive ($254) XP941 256GB M.2 drive, however, we got stupid sequential-read and -write speeds of 1,089M…
When we plopped in Samsung’s more expensive ($254) XP941 256GB M.2 drive, however, we got stupid sequential-read and -write speeds of 1,089MB/s and 798MB/s, respectively.
In GeekBench, the NUC with Core i5 processor is able to outrun the Acer Veriton, which is based on older hardware but still sells today for …
In GeekBench, the NUC with Core i5 processor is able to outrun the Acer Veriton, which is based on older hardware but still sells today for about $500, and nearly keeps pace with the Alienware Alpha, which is built for games.
It'd be nice to see that mini HDMI port get replaced with the sturdier and much more common full-size HDMI port, but it's a good layout for …
It'd be nice to see that mini HDMI port get replaced with the sturdier and much more common full-size HDMI port, but it's a good layout for a desktop of this size.
The NUC supports all three M.2 sizes, plus SATA and PCIe-based interfaces. SATA drives are by no means slow – they are still a thousand time…
The NUC supports all three M.2 sizes, plus SATA and PCIe-based interfaces. SATA drives are by no means slow – they are still a thousand times faster than a normal hard drive – so don’t go thinking you’re missing out by getting one over a PCIe drive (the SATAs are still quite a bit cheaper).
Intel's Visual BIOS is one of the few UEFI BIOSes that provide a good user experience.
Intel's Visual BIOS is one of the few UEFI BIOSes that provide a good user experience.
We had no issues playing 1080P H.264 MKV video clips (one at 10Mbps and the other at 40Mbps) and found CPU usage to be right around 8%, whic…
We had no issues playing 1080P H.264 MKV video clips (one at 10Mbps and the other at 40Mbps) and found CPU usage to be right around 8%, which is nice and low.
The NUC5i5RYK’s specifications read like a cutting-edge mobile PC.
The NUC5i5RYK’s specifications read like a cutting-edge mobile PC.
First off, what it can’t do: any serious gaming, which should come as no real surprise, given the integrated HD6000 graphics.
First off, what it can’t do: any serious gaming, which should come as no real surprise, given the integrated HD6000 graphics.
REVIEW VIDEOS
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