Broadwell NUC Roadmap Revealed
by Ian Cutress on February 20, 2014 6:05 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- CPUs
- Intel
- NUC
- Next Unit of Computing
The Next Unit of Computing (NUC) from Intel is becoming a part of the PC roadmap like never before. Anand reviewed the first generation of the NUC, the DC3217BY, featuring a dual core Ivy Bridge ULV CPU (Core i3 3217U, 17W TDP, 1.8 GHz, HD 4000). Ganesh got the Haswell NUC, the D54250WYK, with a dual core Haswell CPU (Core i5-4250U, 15W TDP, 1.3 GHz/2.8 GHz Turbo + HD5000), as well as the GIGABYTE BRIX Pro, with a full on quad core Haswell CPU (Core i7-4770R) featuring Crystal Well and Iris Pro HD 5200 graphics. The next batch in line will be the Broadwell models, and the road maps for these have just become available courtesy of FanlessTech.
On the consumer side, we have the DN2820FYKH Bay Trail platform coming out in Q1 2014, under the Forest Canyon code name. This gives a Celeron CPU, HDMI, USB 3, 2.5” drive support, an Ethernet port and infra-red/audio capabilities.
For Q4 2014, the Broadwell NUCs should be upon us. If this roadmap is correct, we should expect an i3 and an i5 kit to come to market, under the Rock Canyon code name. Features for Rock Canyon include:
- Mini HDMI
- 4K and Triple Display via miniDP
- M.2 and 2.5” drive options
- USB 3.0 ports
- WiFi and Bluetooth built in
- Replaceable lids for NFC and Wireless Charging
The M.2 connectivity is welcomed, although the replaceable lids might not matter much if a NUC is used in a VESA mount – hopefully there might be a way to run the lid connected to the system via a cable and just resting on the desk. No formal mention of the format of the WiFi connectivity, although as it is now mentioned as part of the kit and built in, hopefully this will be at least a 2T2R 802.11ac solution given we now see it on $150 Intel 8-series motherboards.
Also available is the commercial roadmap, which lists a series of different products:
Using the Maple Canyon code name, the Broadwell commercial NUC is aimed more at a late Q4 launch. Using the Broadwell i5 and vPro with Trusted Platform Module support, this kit mirrors the Broadwell NUC in the consumer line up (4K, M.2, NFC, USB 3.0) although with two miniDP ports for connectivity.
For Atom, starting in Q1 2014 we have the DE3815TYKHE and DE3815TYBE. These are fanless Atom SoCs based on Bay Trail, using 4GB of eMMC as well as HDMI, VGA, eDP and support for legacy IO. The aim here is embedded solutions, such as digital signs and kiosks.
Source: FanlessTech
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8steve8 - Thursday, February 20, 2014 - link
the nuc's seem unnecessarily low power... Why are they using 15W CPU's designed for the extremely limited cooling abilities of an ultrabook put in this tiny desktop that could house the full size intel retail cooler without too much extra height.Give us 65W CPU/GPU NUC's like gigabyte did with the brix pro, but don't fail on the cooling solution... if it needs to be an extra inch or two taller, it's fine... it'll still be very tiny!
Morawka - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
simple answer: cooling, these are fanlessThorburn - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
Nope, they aren't. NUCs still have a fan for the cooler. I've got a D54250U and turning the power limits up to 28W (along with increasing GPU frequency to try and emulate Iris 5100) makes it a lot noiser as well.If you want a taller, 65W, part then the option is available in the BRIX Pro. Not sure why you'd need multiple companies producing identical products.
thewhat - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
The stock NUC from Intel isn't fanless (except the Atom one), but there are fanless NUC cases and from one review I saw (Akasa Newton) the temps are good.But to answer the first question, the low power consumption is a good thing on its own. That it can also work fanlessly is just an extra bonus and I'm sure in the future Intel will explore this option. Right now a fanless case adds some additional bulk/weight, which probably adds some additional costs.
kgh00007 - Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - link
Hi, what is the performance like with the power turned up? I'm just waiting on mine to arrive!!imaheadcase - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I don't think you understand the market for these devices. Most people get them for kitchen/business/XBMX machines. You simply don't need to go crazy on them. The BRIX Pro is already overkill.NeBlackCat - Saturday, February 22, 2014 - link
XBMX? Is that some sort of media playing bicycle?thok - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I know this thread is about Broadwell but for the current batch of Haswell Intel does not have its act together. Sofar I have bad experience with Intels for use as HTPC, no HDMI sound with Haswell video see this thread at Intel https://communities.intel.com/message/224122.Using an Intel i7-4771 on Intel DH87RL with Windows 8.1 and up to date bios and drivers BUT NO SOUND.
imaheadcase - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I have not had this issue. But if you are using it as a HTPC why are you using the NUC for sound anyways and not the TV.,Aikouka - Friday, February 21, 2014 - link
I think you're misunderstanding him. He isn't using the NUC to produce the sound. The issue is with the current Intel graphics driver, which unsurprising for Intel, is almost three months old. Anyway, the problem is that the drivers simply do not bitstream any codecs (Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby True HD, DTS HD Master). If you attempt to bitstream, you will hear nothing, and in my experience, you also get extremely slowed-down video. Given I said that it's the Intel graphics drivers, this problem affects *all* Intel iGPUs that use them. My Haswell NUC and Ivy Bridge i3 HTPCs both exhibit this problem.The work-around is to set your speakers to 5.1, which makes Windows process the audio and output Multi-channel PCM. The issue that I have is that my Ivy Bridge system keeps resetting back to Stereo whenever I turn off the TV and receiver. So, I have to go and change it back every time or suffer with 2.0 channel audio.