Intel Ghost Canyon NUC9i9QNX Review: NUC 9 Extreme Realizes the SFF Dream
by Ganesh T S on April 16, 2020 8:05 AM ESTHTPC Credentials - Display Outputs Capabilities
The
| NUC9i9QNB Display Outputs | ||
| HDMI | 2x Thunderbolt 3 | |
| Version | 2.0a | DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Max. Video Output | 3840x2160 @ 60Hz | 4096x2160 @ 60Hz |
| HDCP | Yes (2.2) | |
| HDR | Yes | No |
| HD Audio Bitstreaming | Yes | |
The BIOS of the NUC9i9QNX also allows for switchable graphics. The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 2070 MINI 8GB GDDR6 in our review configuration supports a maximum of four displays using three additional display outputs (the DisplayPort output supports multi-stream transport and can drive additional displays down the chain). The end implication is the ability of the system to simultaneously drive a total of 7 independent displays. The table below lists the display outputs of the RTX 2070 card in our review sample.
| ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 2070 MINI Display Outputs | |||
| DVI-D | HDMI | DisplayPort | |
| Version | Dual-Link | 2.0b | 1.4 |
| Max. Video Output | 2560x1600 @ 60Hz | 3840x2160 @ 60Hz | 7680x4320 @ 60Hz |
| HDCP | Yes (2.2) | ||
| HDR | No | Yes | |
| HD Audio Bitstreaming | No | Yes | |
Supporting the display of high-resolution protected video content is a requirement for even a casual HTPC user. In addition, HTPC enthusiasts also want their systems to support refresh rates that either match or be an integral multiple of the frame rate of the video being displayed. Most displays / AVRs are able to transmit the supported refresh rates to the PC using the EDID metadata. In some cases, the desired refresh rate might be missing in the list of supported modes.
Display Refresh Rates - NUC9i9QNB
Our evaluation of the NUC9i9QNX
The gallery below presents screenshots from the other refresh rates that were tested. The system has no trouble maintaining a fairly accurate refresh rate throughout the duration of the video playback.
Display Refresh Rates - ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 2070 MINI
Our initial HTPC evaluation was followed up by using the
The gallery below presents screenshots from the other refresh rates that were tested. Similar to the Intel HDMI output case, the system has no trouble maintaining a fairly accurate refresh rate throughout the duration of the video playback.
UHD Blu-ray Playback Support
UHD Blu-ray playback is currently supported when using the HDMI port driven by select Intel GPUs. It also needs SGX support. The NUC9i9QNX ticks all required items, as shown by the CyberLink Ultra HD Blu-ray Advisor tool in the screenshot below.
Using CyberLink's latest PowerDVD 20, we were able to successfully play back a UHD Blu-ray, as shown above.
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AdditionalPylons - Thursday, April 16, 2020 - link
The statement about noise is in the second last paragraph on page 3, here: https://www.servethehome.com/intel-nuc9vxqnx-nuc-r...but now that I read it again I realise it was probably without GPU, which naturally adds power draw and noise.
Ganesh, would it be possible for you to measure the noise with and without the GPU?
Spunjji - Friday, April 24, 2020 - link
I was interested in this aspect, too. The thermal module on the CPU doesn't look very promising, but the TDP is fairly low...leonlee - Thursday, April 16, 2020 - link
Thanks for putting this article together. Regarding optimizing for power delivery, what sort of approaches are in the works now? I imagine the low hanging fruit might be encouraging case manufacturers to integrate PSU wiring for space efficiency or aesthetics.cyrusfox - Thursday, April 16, 2020 - link
Biggest take away I see is at half the lanes, you still have 97% of the GPU performance in terms of frame rates. Thanks for the testing.For those looking for pictures, I would recommend Storage reviews write up - https://www.storagereview.com/review/intel-nuc-9-p...
If you want this in video form, where they specifically talked about noise from the NUC(It is surprisingly quiet even at load), I would say go check out Gamers Nexus video review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCoLJeUbZTc
Thank you Anandtech for getting out your review!
Operandi - Thursday, April 16, 2020 - link
Over priced Intel Junk. I know its trendy to dump on Intel but man this is just poorly designed overpriced garbage and thats too bad because the industry needs new ideas and form factors.Instead of the tiny blower heatsink being built into the compute element the cooling aspect should be part of the case. A front mounted 80 or 92mm fan that channels the air across a short heatpipe equipped heatsink, something like what is done in 1 and 2U servers. There could even be different tiers of chassis that would support larger cooling solutions that would support more powerful compute elements and larger GPUs. A design like this would create a new ecosystem with a wide variety or products for different uses and provide a way for partners to differentiate themselves.
AMD; work with some partners and build this.
Deicidium369 - Thursday, April 16, 2020 - link
The "partners" would rather work on something that would, you know, sell.Korguz - Friday, April 17, 2020 - link
man you are such an intel fanboy the way you bash AMD. looks like you gave up on the other thread you kept posing in cause the others put too much proof, and you had nothing else left to pro intel BS about.Deicidium369 - Friday, April 17, 2020 - link
Jimmy, go clean the basement. And you are such an AMD Fanboi.FACT - Intel sells 10:1 vs AMD - so do you go for 90% of the market or 10% of the market
I would BET that I have more and more current AMD systems than you do.
Korguz - Friday, April 17, 2020 - link
your " facts " are BS, just like was pointed out on the toms forums" I would BET that I have more and more current AMD systems than you do." and that is supposed to impress me ? or prove something ? who cares your post, regardless of what computers you claim to have, reek with anti AMD and are pro intel.
Korguz - Friday, April 17, 2020 - link
thats why you havent replied to any of the comments on the other thread about the 4900hs review, because your facts are BS, and you know it