• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Why go for top of the range desktop v Intel NUC or similar ?

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Why go for top of the range desktop v Intel NUC or similar ?

    Possibly a silly question, but if one bought an 8th generation Intel NUC in what ways would it fall short of a clunking great up-to-date tip-top spec desktop?

    Disk space wouldn't be a problem because one could use external disks, and I would imagine the latest NUC models support a large amount of RAM.

    But there must be some aspects where a desktop would out-perform it. Graphics maybe?
    Work in the public sector? Read the IR35 FAQ here

    #2
    Under high CPU load it will get hot and throttle.

    If you spec it up it isn't really much cheaper than a similar spec desktop.

    Comment


      #3
      All depends on what uses it needs to cater for. Most people would likely do fine with a Raspberry PI 4 running Android rather than a relatively expensive NUC, when browsing and basic apps are the most common usage.
      Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down. Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.

      Comment


        #4
        NUC is more expensive at the end of the day for high specs. Also uses U series laptop grade CPUs which are slower than their desktop counterparts.

        The only benefit of a NUC is that it's small.

        Also another major disadvantage is that it's limited to Intel. Last 2 generations of AMD CPUs are far superior and will remain so for the next couple of years at least. While Intel gets their tulip together and solve the delays around the 7nm process that is now scheduled for 2021.

        Comment


          #5
          SATA is going to be faster and more reliable than USB3 for storage, for a start. No option for offboard GPU. Slower CPU's, no real room for upgrade.

          NUCs are fine if you want a NUC, and they have their place, but for performance users a desktop (or even a high spec laptop) will always win out

          Comment


            #6
            NUC or desktop

            I have a NUC as a media device in the lounge, it's small, it's silent, it just needs to be quick enough for its job. It does fine.
            It depends on what you are wanting to be running, I have an i5 9 running in a Mini ITX mounted via VESA on the back of the monitor.

            NUC are always more expensive than desktop, I have found.

            Comment


              #7
              Would you physically be able to fit a decent GPU in one? Aren't they using multiple PCI-X slots these days?
              Originally posted by MaryPoppins
              I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
              Originally posted by vetran
              Urine is quite nourishing

              Comment


                #8
                Haven't looked at dimensions of the PCI-x slots, but no way to fit a decent GPU in the case for sure. And no way to power it with the tiny PSU.

                It defeats the purpose of the NUC, it's like buying a small city car only to hitch a trailer on it and try using it as a delivery van.

                As anonymouse said, NUCs serve a niche market - media centres, office PC slapped on the back of the display with a VESA mount fro tidiness, homebrew routers/firewalls locked in a cupboard etc.

                Sure you can bastardise them to work as a high spec desktop PC, but what's the point.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by d000hg View Post
                  Would you physically be able to fit a decent GPU in one? Aren't they using multiple PCI-X slots these days?
                  eGPU? I'm considering a new MacMini and hooking up an eGPU for gaming on. Errr rendering....
                  And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by b0redom View Post
                    eGPU? I'm considering a new MacMini and hooking up an eGPU for gaming on. Errr rendering....
                    The cost of the mac mini + the eGPU enclosure + the GPU is eye watering.

                    I was having the same idea, just 2-3 months ago, ended up buying a max speced Dell XPS 13 for the price of mid range mac mini. Still on the look out of decent eGPU enclosure. Unfortunately for me HP being HP, they discontinued what looks like the best eGPU enclosure out there.

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X