With the arrival of the first 13th generation Core processors, Intel updated its line of mini-PCs. Aimed at the gaming segment, the NUC 13 Extreme “Raptor Canyon” It’s small in size but giant in performance. Its configuration options include a Core i9-13900K chip and up to 64GB of RAM.
Got bigger but still compact
In comparison with the NUC 12 Extreme, predecessor model, the new version became taller. In fact, this is the biggest NUC Extreme ever released. Altogether they are 317 x 129 x 337 mm in size. Even so, the NUC 13 Extreme is compact enough to be considered a mini-PC, at least in the gaming segment.
It couldn’t be different. The NUC (Next Unit of Computing) line was developed by Intel to offer more compact options compared to traditional desktops, but without this factor detracting from performance.
Performance is a prime factor in a gaming PC. That’s why the Intel NUC 13 Extreme allows respect settings. It starts with processor choices: the i5-13600K, the i7-13700K or the i9-13900K, all from 13th generation Core chips🇧🇷
The amount of RAM, DDR5 type, can reach 64 GB divided into two slots.
Video card? There is not. The component must be installed by the user. All three processor options have an integrated UHD Graphics 770 GPU, but when using it, the NUC 13 Extreme can’t be considered a gaming PC, right?
The machine comes with a PCIe 5.0 x16 connection for the video card to be installed. There’s room for 12-inch models, which take up up to three slots. That’s why the mini-PC got bigger.
Storage is also up to the user. We found three M.2 2280 slots here for this, in addition to SATA connections.
To handle everything, the equipment leaves the factory with a modular power supply of 750 W, in addition to two 120 mm fans. Intel highlights that the internal design has been redesigned to optimize airflow while reducing fan noise, even when playing heavy games.
Leftover connectivity
Compact computers generate suspicion regarding the connectivity aspect, but the NUC 13 Extreme does not disappoint in this regard. The mini PC has:
- Two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 on the back;
- Six USB 3.2 gen 2 Type-A (traditional) ports on the rear;
- Two USB 3.2 gen 1 Type-A ports on the front;
- One USB-C 3.2 gen 2×2 port on the front;
- HDMI 2.1 port (not counting the video card ports) on the back;
- Two Ethernet connections on the back;
- Audio connections;
- WiFi 6E;
- Bluetooth 5.2.
NUC 13 Extreme: when and how much?
The NUC 13 Extreme will go on sale until the end of the year or, at the latest, in early 2023, starting with China. In the United States, official prices should range between $1,179 and $1,549, depending on the processor chosen.
The NUC 13 Extreme Compute Element variants, with slightly more modest features, will cost between $760 and $1,100.
Remember that RAM, storage and video card are items that must be added separately. The same goes for the Windows license, although the mini-PC also supports Linux distributions.
Unfortunately, there is no release date in Brazil, which is a shame. It would be great if NUCs were popular around here, especially considering the fact that the line has been around for quite some time: the Intel NUC 13 Extreme marks the tenth anniversary of the NUC family.
https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2022/11/10/intel-nuc-13-extreme-e-um-mini-pc-gamer-nervoso-com-chip-de-13a-geracao/