Intel NUC Kit D54250WYK Review

[Apoptosis]

I have updated information on the Intel NUC H-Skus and Forest Canyon. Be sure to check out my look at the Intel NUC Kit D54360WYKH here - http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-nuc-k ... iew_133823

[Kaos Kid]

Too bad you can't fire up Mr Peabody's Wayback Machine and go back 10+ years to a LAN party, pull one of these out of your POCKET and game rings around the big-ass rigs that they used to have to lug around back then, thinking they were gods You would be legend

This H series i5 looks absolutely awesome!

[bigonbricks]

Thank You for the update, I can't wait to order the i5 with the taller case

[chrisjohn]

Hello, I found this site whilst searching for reviews of the Intel NUC and have really enjoyed reading the comprehensive and informative reviews. Many thanks.
I am interested in buying one of the i5 kits, probably the H version to give more options for the SSD. I have a question about the expansion slots. I note that there is one full height PCIe slot (needed for an mSATA SSD, if fitted) and one half height one which seems to get used for the wireless card when fitted. I am interested in fitting a TV tuner card that I already have. This requires a half height PCIe slot but I can't see if the chassis will allow this card to be fitted with access to the co-ax cable connector.

If it helps answer my question the exact card in question can be seen at this link: http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159. ... ts/BGT3620
(Blackgold DVB-T2 twin tuner card for the UK, BGT3620).

I know that there are USB tuners that could be used instead but it would be good to replace my large and inefficient desktop with one of these NUC units and I would rather fit the TV tuner internally if that is possible.

Many thanks for any help you can give me.

[Apoptosis]

Hello, I found this site whilst searching for reviews of the Intel NUC and have really enjoyed reading the comprehensive and informative reviews. Many thanks.
I am interested in buying one of the i5 kits, probably the H version to give more options for the SSD. I have a question about the expansion slots. I note that there is one full height PCIe slot (needed for an mSATA SSD, if fitted) and one half height one which seems to get used for the wireless card when fitted. I am interested in fitting a TV tuner card that I already have. This requires a half height PCIe slot but I can't see if the chassis will allow this card to be fitted with access to the co-ax cable connector.

If it helps answer my question the exact card in question can be seen at this link: http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159. ... ts/BGT3620
(Blackgold DVB-T2 twin tuner card for the UK, BGT3620).

I know that there are USB tuners that could be used instead but it would be good to replace my large and inefficient desktop with one of these NUC units and I would rather fit the TV tuner internally if that is possible.

Many thanks for any help you can give me.

That card that you linked requires a traditional PCI-e slot that is used on desktop motherboards so it will not work at all in the NUC. The NUC is basically Intel's mobile platform in a desktop chassis, so it uses embedded processors along with all the slots for mobile. You'll be forced to go with a USB tuner unless you can find some crazy PCIe adapters and made your own enclosure.

[pav]

Hi,

firstly thanks for an excellent review! NUCs are groundbreaking! I am planning to pick one up, specifically the D54250WYKH version which supports 2.5" SATA based on your recommendations.

Can you suggest a good Remote control package to take advantage of the Infrared? I would like to stream Netflix/Hulu etc via remote, using Windows 8.

Many thanks

pav

[bigonbricks]

I am debating the best option for good storage capacity.

Option 1: Use an mSSD for the OS & programs and then use a 1TB rotational laptop drive for bulk storage.

Option 2: Skip the mSSD, Use an SSD, maybe 240GB for OS and some files and have a USB 3.0 external drive > 1TB for bulk storage.

I've been working on clearing out files from my old desktop in anticipation of building a NUC.

[Apoptosis]

I am debating the best option for good storage capacity.

Option 1: Use an mSSD for the OS & programs and then use a 1TB rotational laptop drive for bulk storage.

Option 2: Skip the mSSD, Use an SSD, maybe 240GB for OS and some files and have a USB 3.0 external drive > 1TB for bulk storage.

I've been working on clearing out files from my old desktop in anticipation of building a NUC.

That is a tough call and I'm not sure which way would be more cost effective for you as it all depends on the drives and brands you go with. Option 2 should give you more options and better performance though as you have a wider selection of drives. In my most recent look at the NUC I compared mSATA performance to 2.5" SATA performance and found boot times to be virtually identical, so either way should give you similar 'system feel'.

You can't go wrong with either way.

[Apoptosis]

Hi,

firstly thanks for an excellent review! NUCs are groundbreaking! I am planning to pick one up, specifically the D54250WYKH version which supports 2.5" SATA based on your recommendations.

Can you suggest a good Remote control package to take advantage of the Infrared? I would like to stream Netflix/Hulu etc via remote, using Windows 8.

Many thanks

pav

There are several of remote apps to choose from, but the best one I’ve seen so far is called Unified Remote. There is a free limited one to try out, but also a $3.99 version that supports a ton more features. The full version does XBMC, Netflix, iTunes, IE, Chrome, Firefox, Windows Photo Viewer, Windows Media Player/Center, Boxee and more. http://www.unifiedremote.com/

I'm a big fan of using my phone as a remote since I got the Samsung Galaxy S4

[rsms_dk]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but I have a terrible problem with my NUC (54250WYK). I hope you can help.

I have my NUC hooked up to my TV (46" Samsung) via miniHDMI to HDMI cable.

Problem is, mouse movements seems to always be "milliseconds" behind - they are never instant, like: I move the mouse on the mousepad and milliseconds later the pointer moves on screen.

I have tried lowering the resolution. I have tried changing mouse surface. I have tried different mice.

Could it be a problem with the connection (the cable)?

Excellent review btw!

[Apoptosis]

Do you have more than one TV in your home? It would be interesting to see what happens if you try another TV. Did you see if there was a firmware update for your TV by chance?

[Kaos Kid]

You may even try a different HDMI port on the TV if you have more than one.

[bigonbricks]

I'm debating between the i3 vs i5. My current PC I built about 7 years ago. It's a 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo. Anything at this point will be an upgrade.

I use my computer for email, internet, downloading music and day trading stocks running E-trade Pro platform which runs fine with what I currently have. I do want to run two monitors so I don't know if the graphics upgrade of the i5 is necessary.

I am wondering if it is worth going for the i5 or if the i3 will suffice. Any opinions?

Thanks

[Apoptosis]

I am wondering if it is worth going for the i5 or if the i3 will suffice. Any opinions?

I think either will work for your needs and will support dual-monitors.

[bigonbricks]

I am wondering if it is worth going for the i5 or if the i3 will suffice. Any opinions?

I think either will work for your needs and will support dual-monitors.

Thanks,

For these day to day activities it seems like I might not notice a difference between the two.

I can't think of a scenario where the turbo boost of the i5 would be needed with what I'd be doing.

[Apoptosis]

Some people wanted to know about HDCP support and the maximum resolution of the lower cost Bay Trail NUC. It appears HDCP 1.4/2.1 is supported and that the maximum resolution supported is 2560x1600 at 60 Hz.


Here is what I found in the spec document:




High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP)

HDCP is the technology for protecting high definition content against unauthorized copy or unreceptive between a source (computer, digital set top boxes, etc.) and the sink (panels, monitor, and TV). The Processor supports HDCP 1.4/2.1 for content protection over wired displays (HDMI, Display Port and Embedded Display Port).


Integrated RAMDAC

The display function contains a RAM-based Digital-to-Analog Converter (RAMDAC) that transforms the digital data from the graphics and video subsystems to analog data for the VGA monitor. The Processor integrated 320 MHz RAMDAC supports resolutions up to 2560x1600 at 60 Hz. Three 8-bit DACs provide the R, G, and B signals to the monitor.

[exitmrhat]

If I were to pull my 2.5" SSD from my desktop as it is (Win 7 x64) and put it in the NUC, would it boot? Or do I have to reinstall Windows?
Thank you.

[Apoptosis]

If I were to pull my 2.5" SSD from my desktop as it is (Win 7 x64) and put it in the NUC, would it boot? Or do I have to reinstall Windows?
Thank you.

It might and some people do that, but it is something I'd never recommend. When putting a storage drive into a new PC you always should do a proper format and clean OS install with all the latest drivers. I'm not sure what platform you are coming from, but chances are the chipset, LAN controller, audio solution and all that are totally different.

[exitmrhat]

Can't I just install all drivers afterwards?

[kenc51]

Can't I just install all drivers afterwards?

You can if it boots, but your registry will be all messed up and your boot times will probably be slow.
You can try it and see but as said already, it's not recommended.
Generally you should reinstall windows every year to 18mths, use this as your opportunity to do so