Intel Next Unit Of Computing Music Server?

**The Computer Audiophile** · 11-19-2012, 02:55 PM

Hey Guys - I should be receiving this tiny 4"x4" computer Friday. It won't be a C.A.P.S. server just yet because there are a few things that need to be figured out, mainly a fanless design. But, this thing could be very cool for many music server purposes in the future. It's powerful and tiny.

The version I'm getting had wired Ethernet. There is another version with wireless and in place of the Ethernet port is a Thunderbolt port.

Introducing Intel's Next Unit of Computing Kit DC3217IYE

**jtwrace** · 11-19-2012, 02:57 PM

It reminds me of the Samsung Chromebox

**The Computer Audiophile** · 11-19-2012, 03:02 PM

Very much so in the looks. The NUC is great because it supports any operating system that runs on the Intel platform.

**The Computer Audiophile** · 11-19-2012, 03:04 PM

Forgot to add that I ordered mine for $313. It ships without memory (up to 16GB) or storage.

**voxel** · 11-19-2012, 03:24 PM

With 17W TDP it would be practical to run with fanless cooler. Thanks for the info!

**obt_man** · 11-19-2012, 03:55 PM

Chris, thanks for letting us know. This indeed a very cool barebone, and frankly I did not see anything as powerful as this in such a small case. It does have a fan, so I will be interested to see if it will be an issue for a music server. Also, it includes an excellent Intel 4000 graphics, so this will certainly appeal to those who want an HTPC including HD movies capabilities.

Chris, please let us know your impressions if you happen to make it a music server.

**Matias** · 11-19-2012, 03:59 PM

I currently use a Zotac NANO AD10 with 120Gb SSD and external eSata 2Tb HDD.
Looks the same, although way less powerful than an i3.

**rogelio** · 11-19-2012, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by The Computer Audiophile

Forgot to add that I ordered mine for $313. It ships without memory (up to 16GB) or storage.

Where were you able to order the unit? I can't seem to find any retailers with it in stock.

**4est** · 11-19-2012, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by The Computer Audiophile

Very much so in the looks. The NUC is great because it supports any operating system that runs on the Intel platform.

I do not see where it says that it will run Mac OSX. How do they "support" it without Apple's approval, or do they have it? From what I gather, the biggest issue with Hackintoshs are the updates being a PITA.

**ItemAudio** · 11-19-2012, 06:20 PM

We've been discussing the suitability of this device on PinkFish: it has potential to be a really interesting combination of low overhead and big resource. Fundamentally crippled by the single-rail input and a few other corner-cuts – and a bit expensive, maybe – but I'm looking forward to playing with it! Who knows – perhaps it's the Next Unit of Audiophile Computing?!

**Paul.Raulerson** · 11-20-2012, 11:25 AM

(grin) I was just thinking the thing looks like a Black Sheep Mac Mini - though it only has an i3 in it instead of an i5 or i7.

-Paul

Originally Posted by 4est

I do not see where it says that it will run Mac OSX. How do they "support" it without Apple's approval, or do they have it? From what I gather, the biggest issue with Hackintoshs are the updates being a PITA.

**Audio_ELF** · 11-20-2012, 11:43 AM

Now we just need SotM to produce a Mini PCI version of the USB card...

**The Computer Audiophile** · 11-20-2012, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Audio_ELF

Now we just need SotM to produce a Mini PCI version of the USB card...

I asked a couple months ago :~)

Something like this would be cool but maybe without the bulk.

**ItemAudio** · 11-20-2012, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by The Computer Audiophile

I asked a couple months ago :~)

Something like this would be cool but maybe without the bulk.

Click image for larger version.

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I don't mind the bulk: you'd probably need that for the passive cooling anyhow . . .

**Ralf Hutter** · 11-23-2012, 08:49 PM

Review of the wireless/Thunderbolt version of the NUC here:

Intel Next Unit of Computing Kit DC3217BY | silentpcreview.com

**The Computer Audiophile** · 11-29-2012, 02:48 PM

Got my NUC this afternoon. Check out this video. A cool surprise awaits those opening the box.

**hirescurmudgeon** · 11-29-2012, 10:42 PM

photos: Intel NUC Silentpcreview
video: AnandTech Video

AnandTech - Inside Intel's Next Unit of Computing (DC3217BY)
by Anand Lal Shimpi on 11/9/2012 1:28:00 PM
The first-generation NUC's are built around a dual-core ULV Ivy Bridge CPU - the Core i3 3217U (17W TDP at 1.8GHz, HD 4000 graphics running at 350MHz - 1.05GHz, QS77 Express Chipset, 2x DDR3 SO-DIMM 1066/1333MHz), mSATA, mini-PCIe, Intel HD Audio, 3x USB 2.0, HDMI, 19V-65W power brick (10W typical), 3-year warranty. 116.6mm×112.0mm×39.0mm (4.59”×4.41”×1.55”)

**rhmmmm** · 01-24-2013, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Computer Audiophile

Got my NUC this afternoon. Check out this video. A cool surprise awaits those opening the box.

Hey, any new news or thoughts on this? I've been thinking about going with this solution (plus msata drive and memory obvs.) rather than building out an Atom CAPS box. The SilentPC review says it's pretty darn inaudible.

**The Computer Audiophile** · 01-24-2013, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by rhmmmm

Hey, any new news or thoughts on this? I've been thinking about going with this solution (plus msata drive and memory obvs.) rather than building out an Atom CAPS box. The SilentPC review says it's pretty darn inaudible.

I have it sitting on my desk and the noise was too bothersome so I unplugged it for now. It's definitely not silent.

**rhmmmm** · 01-24-2013, 02:48 PM

Well, so much for that!

How about something based off this?: Akasa Euler Fanless Thin ITX Case | silentpcreview.com

Fanless and supports newer some newer tech than the 2800MT motherboard. I'd prefer to build something with more than an Atom processor, but still want to keep costs low. Obviously this case doesn't have enough room for something like the SoTA USB card, so that looks to be a compromise.

Are there any other good fanless case recommendations out there?

**BillyBobSIN** · 01-24-2013, 07:13 PM

I got one and quite like it as an object: small, functional, quiet, does the job I wanted it to do.

I cannot hear it at all, even with my ear right up against the case. My calibrated SPL meter registers no change in ambient noise level in the area of the NUC when next to various points of the case.

Loaded it up with 16GB of RAM, 120Gb SuperSSpeed S320 mSATA MLC drive and Win8, using J River, networked to a Buffalo 2TB RAID1 external drive.

Can actually be fitted in a jacket pocket. Well two really, you need the other pocket for the power brick.

SQ almost certainly limited in my set up by the DAC I'm using, but it seems to sound pretty good to me as well, if not up to the standard of my analogue set up(s). Probably a shopping opportunity for the near future.

Caveat: this is my first music server, so my sample size is what one could describe as "small" :-) Maybe I got a "quiet" one and am thus lucky.

My 2 cents, YMMV etc, etc.

Note to Chris: I'm not suggesting that the one you have is not noisy, just that I appear to have a "quiet/silent enough" one. Thank you for the great site and resource.

Cheers,
Bill

**bibo01** · 01-30-2013, 02:50 PM

Could you please tell me if it's possible to underclock and undervolt CPU in BIOS.
Thanks

**Ralf Hutter** · 01-30-2013, 07:41 PM

News on the NUC front:

New, cheaper Intel NUC coming next month - The Tech Report

and, several companies are/will be making totally fanless cases for the NUC:

Tranquil PC Reveals Passively Cooled Intel NUC Enclosure

Silverstone Working On Passively Cooled Intel NUC Enclosure

**Quest** · 05-08-2013, 05:28 AM

Has anyone continued to explore on this platform?

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